Heroes on the Water 1st Event, June 4th

Well,

 This is it, 1st event in California, looks like were going to have somewhere between 15 to 20 Vets fishing at Kelsey Bass Ranch June 4th...

 I think we have most of the volunteers we need at this time, but things are no where set in stone and may need a few more to help and maybe a few more kayaks/gear...

I will be using this thread to correspond with everyone helping out on this one...

This is only the first event, and the VA has woke up to us and what this program has to offer....
 
  There will be more opportunities to get involved very soon ...

But for now, if you are available June 4th, and are interested, please just respond to this thread, shoot me a PM, or give me a call....  

 Thanks Everyone....

 Don " Danglin " Anglin
Heroes on the Water
Northern California Coordinator
 elsob@sbcglobal.net
  (510) 374-9185


 

AWESOME!!

Where is Kelsey Bass Ranch?

I am meant to work on June 4th, but if you need another volunteer, let me know and I will request the day off to come out and help!!

I would be more than happy to lend out either the new T15 or the BigYak...would be an honor to have those guys using my stuff!!

Thanks again for all your work with this special cause.

Let me know if you need any assistance and I will be there with bells on!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Thanks Jim!!!

will know soon where we are at, but please, don't put yourself out too much for this one,

this is a marathon, not a sprint...

Thanks Again...

  http://www.kelseybassranch.com/

Cool looking place!!!

Once you figure out if you need any extra volunteers/boats please let me know...if not hopefully I can help out at the next one!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Heroes on the water is a great way to give back. We helped out at an event in Texas last year while shooting an epsisode of our show and it was an honor to be there and do what we could to help out these guys and girls through some very tough times.

Here is a video from the event we were at.

That's awesome, let me know if they make it any further north.

-beenfishin

Don, I'd be glad to show up with the industrial camp kitchen and bust out some of my spicy taliban chicken wings for the boys.

Don,
Where is this?  I may be able to assist if needed.

Martin

Don, I'd be glad to show up with the industrial camp kitchen and bust out some of my spicy taliban chicken wings for the boys.

That's Awesome Jack, we could use your skills if your available, a bit of a Trek for ya....

Where is this?  I may be able to assist if needed.

 Merced, out by Stockton, check out the link posted after BigJim's post....

Heroes on the water is a great way to give back. We helped out at an event in Texas last year while shooting an epsisode of our show and it was an honor to be there and do what we could to help out these guys and girls through some very tough times.

So True,  Hi Jim,  I just happen to catch this yesterday on your site when I found out I did not win a Kayak

 Very moving comments made by The Warrior Transition Commander...

Where going to be setting up a Chapter in San Diego soon with CJ Siebler as soon as he has time.  I've already made the contacts so things should start up fairly quickly.

That's awesome, let me know if they make it any further north.

-beenfishin

I'm sure it will catch up to you guys soon....  Thanks

Heroes on the water is a great way to give back. We helped out at an event in Texas last year while shooting an epsisode of our show and it was an honor to be there and do what we could to help out these guys and girls through some very tough times.

So True,  Hi Jim,  I just happen to catch this yesterday on your site when I found out I did not win a Kayak

 Very moving comments made by The Warrior Transition Commander...

Where going to be setting up a Chapter in San Diego soon with CJ Siebler as soon as he has time.  I've already made the contacts so things should start up fairly quickly.

Great to hear that Don, I really wanted to set one up here but have just been spending too much time on the road to head it up. I will make myself available to help at any local events though, when in town.

Hey Don, My father lives in merced. He has an extra 3bd house next door that is fully furnished. If you need a place to stay or stage gear in the area, say the word and I will make it available to you.

Thanks for the response and the support Everyone!!!!!    

I'm trying to handle this all thru Pms and e-mails, but I'm going to use this thread to be sure I'm not missing something and bring it all together...

If this thread needs to be somewhere else Mods, Please do...

On other sites, it's usually made into a sticky in "Hookups",
                      but don't let me tell ya How to do your job...  

The KayakGuides and Extra Yaks/pfd/paddles, fishing poles for the day will be...

 and correct me if I'm wrong or if you have a Extra kayak/Gear....
                
                    "Extra Yak"     "PFD"         "Paddles"         "Fishing Rods"
1.Fishunter
2.Brian1976     3 yaks  
3.Bassmanbe    3 yaks           ?                3 paddles
4.Kayakjack     2 yaks          2 pfds           2 paddles
5.BigJim          1 yaks          3 pfds            3 paddles        2 spinning out fits
6.Rockfish        3 yaks
7.Me               3 yaks          3 pfds            3 paddles         6 spinning outfits
8.GuitarZan     Canoe/1yak                           Yes?
9.Charley         Bass Boat


Still waiting for confirmation, and no problem if ya can't make it, just let me know....


FrankFishing
Pisciform

We also will have the West Marine FLW Bass Boat on scene for support...

If this Volunteer/yak count is correct, we might be Good,  

still might need a kayak or 2....

 If someone is still interested in Helping out, just post up or PM and let me know,
things still are not set in stone and would like to have backups in case someone can't make it or we need more support...

 We also might need some wood for the Huge BQ,

KayakJack is bringing his cookout Kitchen...

Still planning with the VA on what they are bringing food wise, and we'll figure out the rest

Looks like we have 15 +/- Wounded Vets attending at the Moment from different branches of The VA Rehabilitation System. I expect that this is going to become very popular quickly.....  

 It would be a Great Thing to get these Guys/Gals into our World and help them back into Civilian Life.....  

That's all for now....    

Here is a letter from a Marine Chapter Coordinator that gives a little of what to expect...

Basic idea - You are taking newbies kayak fishing. Treat them like you would
anyone. These guys come from a story telling, trash talking environment.
They generally enjoy that atmosphere.

--   From a Marine Chapter Coordinator –“Make sure the volunteers understand that the troops don’t need to be taken care of or babied. They are tougher then you. Most people want to help any way they can. Its human nature and they sometimes forget that these guys are some of the toughest guys we have in this country and the last thing they want is to be pitied or babied.-- We do not parade them or put them on a pedestal”
-- Don't ask questions They will talk if they want to. And usually do as you
get more comfortable
-- Make sure your volunteers know that most will be "Walking Wounded" no
visible injuries. Do not expect a bunch of folks in wheelchairs
- ask hospital staff if there are any physical disabilities you need to know
about.
- I tell the troops at the beginning we don't know what they need so please
ask if you need something. And tell them we will only say that once.
- disabilities may be as simple as putting a milk jug with water on one side
of the yak for someone with a missing leg to balance the yak.
-- Make sure you show them how to adjust seats. Lots have back, hip, and
shoulder injuries that they need to make themselves comfortable with. Tell
them they can get out and stretch as needed
-- Remind them to take painkillers
- DO NOT let them on the water with keys, cell phones, etc. Have a place to
hold those or keep them in their transport
-- one idea we have had recently is maybe get names, numbers, and a little
info on them in advance. There is usually a little confusion and "who goes
with who" when they show up. If y'all had some kind of knowing names and
asking them to go with a certain person, would get them comfortable faster.
Also gives them a little ownership in wanting to come out to the event
- Do not be surprised if they do not all show up. They have "Life Events"
that we don't have to deal with
-- These are generally young military studs. Warriors. Mostly physically
fit. They want to jump in a get going
- Don't need a major paddling lesson - not trying to make them perfect -
just get them on the water.
 - "Keep your head inside the boat" seems the best way to keep them out of
trouble

The first outing is the hardest one. They get much easier as you do them.
You've cracked the hardest part by finding the military folks to help.

Get everyone including the volunteers to sign the waiver, We do have
supplemental volunteer ins.

It will be a blast. Again, you're taking newbies kayak fishing.

 

Again --Thanks for all you're doing. Getting a chapter up and running is a lot of
work.

 

I'm still trying to confirm I have the date available but hope to make it. If it works out, I'll be transporting one of bassmanben's (BMB) yaks along with mine. I'm sure I can also bring an extra spinning outfit, but don't have additional paddling gear other than one crappy paddle.

Hi Don,
   Sorry I won't be able to make it after all.  Let me know when you have another event planned.

Martin