2026 First Day Paddle, Hangout, and Swap Meet!

It's the first day of the new year! Let's start it out doing things that paddlers do!

The Plan:
We're going to hang out and have lunch and a swap meet at the National Guard Armory in Scottsburg, Indiana. Then we're going to get our boats wet at Hardy lake.

Details:
We'll meet at the Indiana National Guard armory in Scottsburg, Indiana. If you've never been in an armory, we'll have a large gymnasium to meet in along with a kitchen and restrooms. It also has as many tables and chairs as we'll need. There is plenty of room to set up corn hole boards, if anyone has any. Don't hesitate to bring your favorite board game or a deck of cards as well.

LUNCH:
We'll do a pitch-in like last year. Bring your favorite dish to share. I'll start a thread on my Facebook page so that we can coordinate. We had some really good food last year. My only regret is that I didn't get to it all. Also, don't feel like you can't come if you aren't able bring something. Everyone is welcome!

SWAP:
Bring your excess paddling and outdoor gear to see if someone can use it. Maybe someone else will bring something that you're looking for. We can set up some tables inside the armory to display your stuff for others to see. Please limit this to OUTDOOR GEAR ONLY! We don't need this to turn into a flea market with a box of Tupperware lids from the 80s. If you aren't sure about something, shoot me a message and I'll let you know if it's okay.

Along with Lunch and the Swap, we'll be hanging out, meeting some fellow paddlers, and working on some adventures for the coming year. Maybe I'll have some of my bigger trips ready for RSVPs. That would be nice...lol

PADDLE:
After we clean up at the armory, we'll head over to Hardy Lake for our traditional first paddle of the year! We'll take a nice leisurely paddle around the lake and enjoy the day.

WARNINGS:

This is a FAMILY FRIENDLY event!

The paddling portion of this this event is WEATHER DEPENDENT. Please be prepared for changes to our plans if we don't have favorable weather.

While this is a beginner friendly paddle, this is also a COLD WEATHER event! Please know your abilities and make sure you're dressing for success. A wet or dry suit is preferable during cold weather adventuring. You never know when you'll have an accident. 'Better safe than sorry'. In the event that you don't have a wet or dry suit, make sure you're wearing synthetic stuff. COTTON IS A NOGO and wool gets heavy when wet. I would also suggest bringing a change of clothes, just in case.

This is an OPEN WATER event! There is no overhead cover. In the event that it's sunny, please bring sunblock. Sunny and cold can be deceptive! Be prepared!

If you don't have a boat but would like to join us, I'll be offering half priced rentals. Solo kayaks will be $30 and tandems will be $50 and include paddles and PFDs. Rentals are by reservation only.

Hardy lake is an Indiana state park and has an entry fee of $7 for Indiana residents and $9 for out of state. The DNR non-motorized boat sticker is required for use on INDNR managed waterways. The cost for the sticker is $5 and is good for the year. I'll see if I can grab a bunch prior to this. Let me know if you need one.

I hope to see a ton of you out there!