BCC float trip is coming up Sunday 4/27!  Of course, the final destination will depend on water levels as of next week, but there is a high likelihood we will be doing the Cahaba from River Bend (below the lillies section) down to Centreville.  Should be a nice scenic paddle with numerous small shoals and one 2 ft drop. Plan for meeting up at 9:30 at a to be determined location off the interstate.  I will send confirmed details to those that email me and will also post on the BCC website when I’m sure exactly which stretch we’re doing.  Please email tcpresto@uab.edu if interested.

Please note BCC does not provide boats for float trips.  If you need a rental, I recommend Canoe the Cahaba in Helena or UAB Outdoor Pursuits.  They both have boats for rent.

I have also been asked if you must be a member to go on a club trip.  While we do not require this, we strongly recommend joining the club if you’re not already a member.  After all, it is only $20 per year for the whole family!

Don’t miss our next meeting at 7 p.m. on May 6 at the Homewood Library. Our guest will be Randy Haddock, Field Director for the Cahaba River Society. He will be talking about the Cahaba Lilies and the river biology of the Cahaba that lend to the growth of this unique flower in our area. We also have a local float trip on April 27, check the events calendar for details.

Spring is here and the BCC is ready! Please note the following events coming up:

• April 1 – No April Fool’s Joke! – Vander Hill will teach us about the essential knots to know and how to use them on the river. Bring a piece of rope to practice. As always the meeting is at  7 p.m. at the Homewood Library.
• 2014 Class schedule posted. Training coordinators Joy Carter and Mark Garner have put together a great instruction schedule this year. Check out the classes tab and please share with your friends. Below is a PDF version of the entire schedule.
• Thanks to Russ for making some improvements to our website. You will find past newsletters and meeting minutes posted on the lower right of the homepage. If you miss a meeting, its a great way to catch up.

BCC Training Program 2014-final

If you’re interested in gate judging for the Mulberry Races on March 1st or 2nd, contact Ashley Preston (prestonap@gmail.com). No experience necessary.  Morning and afternoon shifts are available. We’d love to have you!

The BCC Board meeting scheduled for tonight has been cancelled. It has been rescheduled for Feb. 26. Please see the “events” section of the website.

Indoor canoe and kayak roll practice dates have been set (listed below).  They will be at the Wallace/ Bell Physical Education Complex at the southwest corner of 13^th St. S and 6^th Ave S on the campus of UAB. Cost is $10.00, boat must be clean inside and out.

This is a benefit of membership in the Birmingham Canoe Club. Please renew your membership before attending.

Time: 7:00pm to 9:00pm

January 21 and 28

February 11 and 25

March 11 and 18

There have been a few questions directed my way about directions to the Mulberry take-out and put-in, so directions are listed below.  I have also been asked asked by a couple of newcomers about the difficulty.  This stretch is class II at ordinary levels. Also, if there is inclement weather or the possibility of excessively high water levels, we will post on this website the night before or the morning of the event if we are cancelling the event. But the weather outlook thus far looks terrific!

Directions to the Mulberry-BCC property

 From Birmingham via I-65 N:

 Take exit 287. Turn right on US 31 North and go 7.8 miles. Turn left on Philpot Rd.

 Go 0.2 miles and veer right at the “Y” in the road, which is Whitewater Rd (Another map calls it Whitewater Bend Rd.).

 Go 0.7mi. and you will dead end into parking area, which is the BCC property.

 To the put-in (Garden City Park):

 Go back to US 31 and continue north for approx. 2mi. 

 Cross over the river and take the 2^nd right on 10^th St SE.  When this road ends turn right.

 You will pass a water treatment facility and turn left into the park and follow the park road to the river.

 Feast on the Beach is coming up on Jan. 1 at the BCC Property on the Mulberry.  Ashley and I will be coordinating.  We are still looking for a “beachmaster” who keeps an eye on things at the club property takeout.  If you want to come to the Feast but not paddle, please let us know if you would like this illustrious position.  For everyone else, plan to be at the Garden City park ready to put-in at 10:30.  Please allow time to drop off any tables and other miscellaneous Feast equipment at the take-out prior to this.   Plan to eat around 1 or 1:30.

We will need camp tables and also a couple of camp stoves to warm up any hot dishes people may bring.  Please let me know in advance what you can bring to help us plan.

Since this is a “Feast,” the most important thing is to bring some good food to share.  No specifications.  Feel free to bring chili, veggies, dessert, whatever. 

Please email me at tcpresto@uab.edu to let me know if you plan on coming, if you are paddling, and if you have tables or stoves to bring.  Naturally, I realize plans do change (especially depending on the weather), but it’s always good to have an idea of who is coming. 

See you at the beach,

Taylor and Ashley Preston

Happy Holidays! While you are filling up your calendar with events please mark down the BCC Christmas Party on Friday, December 6 at 7 p.m. at Paul Perret’s house (address below). Things to remember:

• Bring a camp chair (Paul has a deck and fire pit)
• Bring a dish (the club provides a ham)
• Bring a dirty Santa gift for under $15
• RSVP to Helen Todd at helentodd35@gmail.com
• BYOBeverage

Paul’s address (Please use map quest to find it)

431 Shadeswood Drive, Hoover, AL 35226

The BCC Board will be meeting Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the California Pizza Kitchen at the Galleria. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. All board meetings are open to club membership if you have questions, suggestions, or just generally want to know what we are up to.