Redding area HOW?

Hey folks, I'm in the Redding area and I'm new to the sport.

I've read awesome things about HOW and wanted to know if there are any HOW activities/events that I can help with?

Nice Avitar name there "Inservice"

  not yet but were hoping to have an event up there this year to get things started,,,


 There has been interest in some folks wanting to get that off the ground who have talk to me here and there,

But were just going forward and hope those people will speak up as I cannot remember who they were..

any ideas for a a venue to hold this event at?

Logistic should include:

1. wheel chair accessibility as well as restrooms if possible, not a deal killer, just better…

2. Not too far from VA facilities as to keep driving time down for disabled vets

3. easy shore launching or the availability of using plywood sheets to get wheel chairs down to the shore in case of sandy situations

4. And let me know who has control of said venue as to start to ask for favors, fees and permits fees waived etc…


just a few things to consider  and thanks for interest in wanting help HOW!!!   

There is a large private pond owned by an older hotel in Redding. The operators are very friendly to kayakers and they have been positive towards any hints about a HOW event there.

There is ample parking, a gently sloped concrete ramp, a roughly 10k square foot grassy area with a few picnic tables at the ramp site and the VA is no more than 3 miles from the location.

I haven't spoken to SPI about it, but they have some killer ponds up here as well. They do allow certain events there so I could see it being an option as well.

If you guys get serious about it here, I will contact SPI about their locale, but the park marina location is a go anyways. Shasta county is very supportive of their vets and I'm sure that a HOW event would be enormously successful. You won't have a shortage of volunteers.

Danglin, I'm not too sure about venues but it sounds like GrimKeeper has some ideas.

My wife and I are both vets and would like to help where we can, my schedule can get a little busy in the summer months (firefighter) but I'm sure I can help get something going.

man, you guys sound like an awesome addition to the HOW team. I hope we get a chance to help vets together at an event soon. I really like the sounds of that pond 3 miles from the V.A. I hope we can put something together up there.

Copy that "Brother"… Retired Fire Fighter Here, Sac City… I made it!!!

Back to business,,,

Grimkeeper, this sounds great…  I am heading off to Costa Rica soon and won't be back till August,  but I'm sure I'll have internet,  Lets start working on something for late August, early September.. That may be a bit early as things roll slow getting to the right person at the VA and getting to the vets who could best use our help…

I pretty sure Headwaters kayak shop up there is ready to assist and others have expressed interest… This Hotel in Redding sounds good, so that takes care of much of contacting the county…

the biggest hurdle is opening up the door to get to wounded vets…  I'll ask my contacts here, but do any of you have contact with in the VA in Redding?

I don't want to sound smug here, and we do want to help as many as we can, but we do need to respect our resources as to what we can do, for now and in the future…

What I have experienced with the VA Rec Therapist, especially when they do not understand what it is we do… it becomes a sudden cattle call and many show up to a event not knowing what is happening or why they are there. See a kayak and say "no".  I won't go into my frustration with this as it'a all good, but again.. it's better to educate the VA or Vet services "Orgs"  about what we do and what the benefits are of what we are providing.

Lets talk more, we'll take care of everything paperwork wise,

keep the ideas coming...

The company I work for delivers pharmaceuticals to the VA. I have ran that route and I have spoken with various staff, not about HOW events, but they have at least seen my face. I have some free time here and there and I am committed to making this happen. I will solidify an agreement with the budgetel river inn and make absolutely sure that their location is a go. I might need a bit more information on how to approach our VA.

When the time comes I am in.  I don't live over there but would travel to help out. 

GrimKeeper, let me know if I can help.

Danglin, good for you on retirement! Is there certain information from HOW on specifics that you're talking about to educate the venues and VA?

Danglin, it was JBaker and I that were looking into starting a chapter up here, but neither one had the time to fully commit to it, I travel for work, and he has a new baby. I know I would still like to be involved, and like you and I talked about at GS8, sounds like we might start to have a crew of people. Looking forward to getting this going up here and helping out our vets.
Jeff

One more thing I thought about is can we use National parks, whiskeytown is a great spot nice ramps, boat docks, the only problem I see is paying to park.
I know most the kayak fishermen have passes, but the vets may not.
Jeff

One more thing I thought about is can we use National parks, whiskeytown is a great spot nice ramps, boat docks, the only problem I see is paying to park.
I know most the kayak fishermen have passes, but the vets may not.
Jeff

I brought that up a while back but private waters are best. This isn't just hop in a kayak and fish with a buddy. You might not even fish but lend a kind ear or shoulder. Power boats and wakes aren't going to add to the therapy.

Copy all that guys,,,

thanks Codzilla and JBaker… got it now,, don't take offense, my mind is like a siv…  if I don't write it down, forget it…

as far as park fees and such, as ya get all suited up being an official HOW chapter,  it's not too hard to get fees and permit fees waived and even expedited.

Just have to write letters… lots of letters and sometimes jump through hoops, but overall, most agencies and private resources are ready to help.

we can use the Nor Cal HOW chapter for official stuff and you guys can start to mobilize now…  I can send you stuff and talk to ya about how to do things.  Just keep me in the loop so I can keep tract of everything and probably best as when we start moving on this to go to my e-mail as to be able to send stuff to National when need be.

There is no educational paperwork  for the VA… I have made friends with the Wounded Warrior Project and I will find your local outreach coordinator and get that to ya…  as well as I will find out who best to contact with in the VA in your area...

send me a e-mail guys so I can start to make a Redding Group…  Kool   

  kayakdanglin@gmail.com

Keep me in the loop.  Vets all over California could benefit from kayak fishing time. 

Keep me in the loop.  Vets all over California could benefit from kayak fishing time.

  Oh your in….   No Good Deeds go Unpunished...