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HomeEventsRahal Bayou - Matagorda Island / Kayak Transport Camping 4 nights

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Rahal Bayou - Matagorda Island / Kayak Transport Camping 4 nights

When:
Thursday, November 2, 2023, 10:00 AM until Monday, November 6, 2023, 1:00 PM
Where:
Rahal Bayou, Matagorda Island, Calhoun County, TX
28°18'22.7"N 96°32'50.
TX  
Additional Info:
Event Contact(s):
Chris Arceneaux
Event Coordinator
832-216-2483 (p)
Category:
HASK Paddle Trip
Registration is required
Payment In Full In Advance Only
This is an ACA sanctioned event. All participants in ACA-insured activities must wear properly-fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejackets (Personal Flotation Devices, or PFDs) at all times during on-water activities. Non-HASK participants must sign a waiver. See all rules at the bottom of this page.
Cancellation Policy:
The fee is 100% for our transport guide. The event coordinator pays the guide. Tip is appreciated. Once you have paid, and for some reason you must bow out, then we will work together to get your spot back-filled and fee returned to you.
Capacity:
8
Available Slots:
4
No Fee
No Fee
Paddle the pristine Northern shoreline of Matagorda Island, blend in with nature, fish, cook, make a fire and enjoy!   Meet at Clark's at 701 Commerce St, Port O'Connor, TX 77982 Thursday Nov. 2nd. Return midday Monday Nov. 6th (4 nights camping).

Pay for parking at the Clark's Bait Shop. Might be $10/day (Carpool). First boat leaves at 9:00 AM, drops off four from the first group at the Rahal Bayou Campsite, returns for the 2nd group at around 11:00 AM. Times are subject to change (Maybe first group at 07:00 - will advise). Stay over Wednesday evening in POC is not a bad idea. Its what I do.

The transport boat is a spacious bay boat. Can carry 4 kayaks.  Our guide, Capt Van Critendon has been plying these waters for 20 years or more. He is very experienced with transporting kayaks and camping gear. Cost: $70 for the round trip. Pre-pay Chris with check, in person, PayPal, Venmo or Zelle. Your tip to Capt. Van is on you, he busts his butt on the loading and unloading. 
Pack "Moderate".  Avoid heavy bags and weighty coolers, only light stuff in the kayaks for ease of loading and unloading from the boat. Standard car-camping gear is fine for the Rahal Bayou site.  Some firewood is OK. I'll have a sizable bundle. Fishing gear is OK. MUST have a valid TX Saltwater Fishing License. You can get that at Academy or Walmart.

Besides the usual safety gear for sun exposure, bring some rain gear, sturdy shoes, insect repellent, if you have a VHF, bring it. Don't buy one, I have a loaner.  Download, print, and laminate Google Earth images. A chair is very welcome. The camping area is crushed / eroded shell, not sandy.  Recommend grocery bags filled with shell & buried vs tent stakes. I will have a trowel. If you prefer stakes, get the long steel sand spikes. Some extra line for tent flaps is nice.

We'll paddle, the shoreline, Pringle Lake and other inland lakes. Latrine is walking 1 yards, behind some low scrub. I might be convinced to bring my privy tent.



.

 



Float Plan

Event Coordinator

  Chris Arceneaux / HASK Trip Leader

Trip Assistants

 Paul Penning

Trip Rating*

  2   Coastal and inland lakes
Departure & Return
  Inn at Clarks, 701 Commerce St; Port O'Connor

Ready to Launch at

 09:00 from Clarks in POC. Load boats at 08:30

Duration (hours)

  3 Days
Campsite
  Rahal Bayou  GPS 28.3063 / -95.547
  Esperitu Santo Bay, Matagorda Island
  11.5 miles SE of Port O'Connor, TX

Paddling Miles

 Various, no more than 10 miles any given day

Emergency Initiator

 Ken Bement:  281-935-6325

Emergency Phone #s

 Calhoun County (361) 553-4646
 TPWD (Corpus) (361) 289-5566
 Capt. Van Critendon (361) 648-1886

Latest Expected Return

 5 PM Sunday 11/12/23

Auto Description/Lic. #

  White Ford Flex RGJ-3201
Kayak Description
  Yellow Wilderness System

Distance from Houston

 150 miles from downtown

 


This is an ACA sanctioned event. All participants in ACA-insured activities must wear properly-fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejackets (Personal Flotation Devices, or PFDs) at all times during on-water activities. Non-HASK participants must sign a waiver. See all rules at the bottom of this page.


Waivers - Please complete our easy to use online waiver if you are a HASK member who has not signed a waiver within the last 12 months or a non- HASK participant. Read the waiver carefully.  You give up substantial rights when you sign it.

  • Add Smartwaiver with email address “noreply@smartwaiver.com” to your address book to ensure emails do not go to junk/spam.
  • Select a link below to complete the online waiver. 

   ACA-HASK Adult Waiver ACA-HASK Minor Waiver

  • Respond to the “Confirm your E-Signature” email from ACA / HASK to confirm your email address.  Wavier is now complete and valid.
  • You will receive a confirmation email. Please download and print a copy of the waiver and bring it to the trip put-in. 

 

Guests – You are welcome to join us for a couple of paddle trips.  HASK will cover the $10 ACA event membership for non-ACA members. Hopefully you will then join HASK and continue paddling with us.