Redding area HOW?

That seems a little harsh...you expand and suddenly those free kayaks look very helpful. Headwaters in  both Lodi and Redding has regularly gone out of their way to help us. The sales space they gave us at ISE was lost sales space for them..

We need to find a date that works for volunteers and warriors and not necessarily worry about what date is best for a company that looks to profit by letting HOW use some boats for a day.

If we're sticking to 10-12 warriors, I'm pretty sure all of us volunteers can cover the boats, paddles and pfd's.

  Our boats down here are available for you to use up there anytime. Transport is a small issue, but I have 6 HOW singles, 2 tandems, and my 4 are also available anytime you need them if the shop can't get you taken care of. It's all about the troops and nothing else. My trailer will carry 7 plus maybe 2 more on a tow vehicle. If you can't get the shop to make the date I will figure out how to get my/our fleet up there.

We need to find a date that works for volunteers and warriors and not necessarily worry about what date is best for a company that looks to profit by letting HOW use some boats for a day.

If we're sticking to 10-12 warriors, I'm pretty sure all of us volunteers can cover the boats, paddles and pfd's.

Uhmmm…  I don't think that's necessary to label Headwaters as trying to make a profit off this… Headwaters has been a incredible supporter of HOW and Yes, being aligned with HOW does put one's company in a good light, but, I have talked personally with Dan's parents and they are not the type to be looking for a "in" with sales…

besides, most vets that we do get kayaks for, I use up favors or, sometimes we can get deals direct from the manufactures themselves …

Headwaters all the way around is a stand up business and WE stand behind them 100%

Thanks Rob, that's very stand up of you. I agree that with HOW, troops come before everything else. I'm not looking to get anything out of it. I want to get some vets some water therapy and probably make a few more fishing buddies. I have no interest in making business connections.

Sorry it sounds a little harsh wormguy. I'm not saying that any shop isn't doing their share with good intentions, even though a particular shops' affiliation will probably result in a couple vets enjoying their time otw and purchasing a boat through them. I'm saying that since we have a great location through Bryan we shouldn't dump a weekend that works for everyone except a particular shop that might have interest in the event. This is first and foremost for the troops. We have a great location; we need to set a date that will work for the majority of us,  find out what our resources are and go from there. If it fits in with a kayak shop that might want to let some heroes borrow a yak for a day, that's awesome. Let's focus.

yes focus…

    there is no reason to turn this into something it's not… 

I'm not sure what it is sometimes… I'm deep in with a couple of non-profits that deal with some pretty serious issues,,, interesting enough, what sometimes happens is people wanting to do something good, with good intentions, let their ego's get the better of them, and things go sideways quite quickly…

I've talked with many coordinators across the nation and this type of thing is not uncommon, it's hard to explain, but easy to solve…

quite Frankly… I have what's called a, " No Drama Policy" when it comes to HOW….

This is about giving to the troops and giving them an outlet and possibly more…

It's also about the volunteers who get so much back in what they give in helping the troops and HOW…

There is really no other focus here,…

any volunteer, kayak retailer, vendor or even participant that cannot see the plain and the simple goal here is..

well, quite Frankly, something we just don't need, no matter what they bring to the table…

with that said,  lets just have fun with this as that's what it's all about…   

and smaller is better, especially starting out...

Sorry Don, I was just looking over a couple earlier posts and saw a little pandering to a kayak shop who's demo day took precedence over a weekend that seemed to look like it was going to work for most.

I think our intent is to keep the first run small, the original 10-12. The location is still good. The volunteers I know have a kayak or two we can loan if needs be. If headwaters can help with the event, that's great! I think us Redding guys and gals can probably put together a helluva potluck too.

Just want to reinforce that Headwaters has zero interest in this being any form of marketing or sales effort. Plain and simple, we just want these vets to get on the water and have a great time. If the dates line up the fleet is available, if not we will do whatever we can to offer any support needed.

Don may back me up on this or not. I think one of the main reasons we do a weekday is it does not interfere with family commitments or other typical weekend commitments for volunteers. It is also better for the vets because they get to see family on the weekends and if we take them out in the field they miss family time they need too. It makes it harder on the volunteers to get away from work, but we have always made it work on weekdays. Then the shop demo days don't interfer either. We do a couple weekend events that turn into a circus because EVERYONE can go then. I prefer weekdays.

Good point Rob!

Sorry Don, I was just looking over a couple earlier posts and saw a little pandering to a kayak shop who's demo day took precedence over a weekend that seemed to look like it was going to work for most.

I think our intent is to keep the first run small, the original 10-12. The location is still good. The volunteers I know have a kayak or two we can loan if needs be. If headwaters can help with the event, that's great! I think us Redding guys and gals can probably put together a helluva potluck too.

no worries and totally see your point and sorry to Everyone to drop a Heavy out there…  really I am,   Headwaters heart is the right place, I guarantee it…. and with that being said,

I also agree that you probably could handle a smaller event on your own, but believe me, that gets old quick and trashes your gear…  imagine trying to tell a TBI vet to keep the Hobie fins up in a shallow position while coming to shore…  I just replaced several parts on my drives this year… I'm also working out something with Hobie to help us with these replacement parts… more on that later…  point is…

Headwaters is a Good shop, y'all know that,  they have the capabilities to handle some major events.  What happens with the major events, especially with family… they do not want to fish, they just want to get out on the water. To have a kayak retailer be able to take on that whole side of people just wanting to get on the water is a HUGE monkey off your back to be able to concentrate on the fishing vets… 

Here's what to think about when planning this first event…


Fridays are good as less people around, but bad for volunteers….

What we experienced here was a huge turnout in the way of volunteers and participants…

I still need to line you up with my contacts, I have three, you may even have more… if say 4 different contacts bring 8 people …  32 right there, plus therapist, plus maybe family and care givers…over 50, plus volunteers,,, is 20 a safe estimate?  70 people right there…  yikes!

it's hard to say no especially when ya see how it can be done…  so lets start small…

figure out a day…

I'll "feel out" the contacts I have… and you guys come up with a estimated number of how many vet participants you would like…

vets to possible volunteers you have ratio… some can be in a zone defense, some will need one on one depending on the type of Vets that come… we will try to keep this walking wounded for the first one...
 
this community lake sounds awesome, but this community needs to realize the logistics machine this is and there will be a scene…  if this is kind of pushing the limits of good taste… maybe not the best spot.  If their into seeing their community give back to the troops, then they will get their moneys worth…

just some thoughts and I'll start on those contacts tomorrow… who wants the job of being liaison for these contacts?  I suggest at least two...

I'm sorry if I sounded a little harsh when talking dates but Headwaters is not looking to profit from any of this, we are just trying to help you guys out and make it a little easier. I'm just trying to figure out a day that works for everybody along with the shop so you guys wont have to use any personal kayaks and worry about them being damaged. If a date works for all of you and not the shop don't let that take precedence over that day, if it does line up to where you guys can use our kayaks that would be great, if not, its not a big deal. We can help out with something else or on another day. We are behind you guys 100% and will help with anything you guys need.

Weekends would be better, but I am down for just abut any day it needs to be. My Grandpa was a USMC he was in
WWII, and I was one of the few people that he ever talk to about it. I feel it is my way to give back.
Glenn Welcome to NCKA and thank you for stepping up to help with HOW. I can't wait to see one of your boats.
Jeff

Weekends would be better, but I am down for just abut any day it needs to be. My Grandpa was a USMC he was in
WWII, and I was one of the few people that he ever talk to about it. I feel it is my way to give back.
Glenn Welcome to NCKA and thank you for stepping up to help with HOW. I can't wait to see one of your boats.
Jeff

Thank you Jeff. And I'll just put this out here now since I am new here and we are a new manufacturer: most of day is spent promoting our product, but my intentions here are for no other reason than to help HOW and the local veteran community. I am a  OIF II USMC vet and know first hand the struggle of PTSD as many of my brothers are suffering to this day. I am here to man a barbecue or clean up trash. What ever you guys need just let me know.

Can't wait to be a part of this. Thank you

I'll make myself available whatever day you all decide, I have 2 yaks and gear that can be used also, just let me know.

Tim

So lets make a decision and move forward.

How many volunteers can make it on a Friday?

April 24 or May 1 and would we be able to use Headwaters kayaks if needed.

If we don't have enough help for Friday, let's set the date for Saturday April 25.

Couple pictures of the LC launch area.