19th Annual Trail Creek Fun Float

The Fun Float is NWIPA's oldest and perhaps most popular event, located on Trail Creek in Michigan City, IN in partnership with the Trail Creek Watershed Partnership.

Paddle from the boat ramp at Hansen upstream and downstream on placid, beautiful Trail Creek. Upstream, you'll find Friendship Botanic Garden. If you like, take a break there compliments of the Garden, our partner for this event. Paddle downstream to see Michigan City's iconic blue bridge. Return to Hansen Park.

We will leave starting at10:00 and ending at 10:40. Bring your own canoe or kayak, or borrow one of ours. Drop your boat off in Hansen Park, then park your car across the river.

Space and boats are limited, so we invite you to register as soon as you know you plan to attend. Use the REGISTER button on the page above. Each person participating must register; an adult may register on behalf of a minor. By choosing REGISTER, you are agreeing to the Waiver of Liability for each person for whom you are registering. A responsible adult may register on behalf of a minor.

You may borrow a kayak on a first-come first-serve basis by selecting the add on for a solo kayak or tandem kayak and providing a credit card number. You will be charged $25 plus transaction fees. You can select that the $25 be a donation or a deposit. The deposit, less Eventbrite fees, will be refunded if you select "kayak with deposit" when you show up at the event or cancel at least 72 hours before the event; if you do neither or select the donation option, NWIPA will retain the deposit and the $25 dollars will be retained by NWIPA as a donation and your donation can be claimed as a donation to a 501(c)(3) organization. We do this to discourage no-shows.

Please also consider joining NWIPA, or make a donation on the registration page.

We look forward to seeing you!

IN CONSIDERATION of being permitted to participate in any way in the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association, Inc., (“NWIPA”) sports and recreation program and related activities (“Activities”) in La Porte, Porter and Lake counties, subject to Indiana state law, for myself (or for a minor for whom I am a parent and/or legal guardian), my personal representatives, assigns, heirs, and next of kin:

1. I ACKNOWLEDGE, agree, and represent that I understand the nature of paddle sports and related activities and that I am qualified, in good health, in proper physical condition to participate in such activity and willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions of participation. SPECIFICALLY, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ AND MEET THE ACCESSIBILITY AND ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA LISTED BELOW. I further agree and warrant that if at any time I believe conditions to be unsafe, I will immediately discontinue further participation in the Activity. If I decide to leave early and not complete the trip as planned, I assume all risks inherent in my decision to leave.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK

2. I FULLY UNDERSTAND that: (a) Paddle sports and related ACTIVITIES INVOLVE RISKS AND DANGERS OF DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY AND SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PERMANENT DISABILITY, PARALYSIS, AND DEATH (“RISKS”); (b) these Risks and dangers may be caused by my own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others participating in the Activity, the condition in which the Activity takes place, or THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE “RELEASEES” NAMED BELOW; (c) there may be OTHER RISKS AND SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LOSSES either not known to me or not readily foreseeable at this time; and I FULLY KNOW THE INHERENT RISKS OF THE ACTIVITY, UNDERSTAND THOSE RISKS, APPRECIATE THOSE RISKS, AND ACCEPT AND ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS AND ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOSSES, COSTS, AND DAMAGES I incur as a result of my participation or that of the minor in the Activity.

WAIVER OF NEGLIGENCE

3. I HEREBY RELEASE, DISCHARGE, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE the American Canoe Association, Inc., NWIPA, their respective ACA certified instructor trainers, certified instructor trainer educators, administrators, directors, agents, officers, members, volunteers, and employees, other participants, any sponsors, advertisers, and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises on which the Activity takes place, (each considered one of the “RELEASEES” herein) FROM ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, INJURIES, DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, OR OTHER DAMAGES ON MY ACCOUNT CAUSED OR ALLEGED TO BE CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF THE “RELEASEES” OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING NEGLIGENT RESCUE OPERATIONS, for the duration of the event.

INDEMNIFICATION

4. I FURTHER AGREE that if, despite this RELEASE AND WAIVER LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT, I or on my behalf of the signer, spouse, heirs, administrators, and assigns, makes a claim against any of the RELEASEES, I WILL INDEMNIFY, REIMBURSE, DEFEND, SAVE, AND HOLD HARMLESS EACH OF THE RELEASEES from any litigation expenses, attorney fees, court costs, investigative costs, loss, liability, damage, or cost which any may incur as the result of such claim.

5. This is to acknowledge that I/we authorize use of any pictures taken during NWIPA sanctioned events to be used on the Website, Facebook Page, Newsletters, online albums, and other related material.

6. I agree to WEAR A COAST GUARD APPROVED LIFE VEST and will NOT USE ALCOHOL or MIND IMPAIRING DRUGS during the paddling event.

7. As it applies to my participation in this activity, I agree to abide by the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s recommendations for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 and attest to having read the CDC’s guidance at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. I also agree to abide by any COVID-19 distancing and other safety guidelines issued by the state, the community or by NWIPA for my participation in this activity. I specifically agree to wear a properly fitted protective mask for certain portions of the activity if that is requested.

8. All fees are non-refundable. NWIPA reserves the right to postpone or cancel the event due to circumstances beyond our control such as a natural disaster or emergency or as required to protect the safety of participants and staff. No refunds will be issued under these circumstances. We reserve the right to change the details of the event without prior notice. I understand that any fee is nonrefundable and non-transferable. I acknowledge (or a parent or adult guardian for all children under 18 years) having read and agreed to the above release and waiver including the no refund policy.

SEVERABILITY

9. If any provision of this Agreement is held illegal or unenforceable in a judicial proceeding, such provision shall be severed and shall be inoperative, and, provided that the fundamental terms and conditions of this Agreement remain legal and enforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain operative and binding on the Parties.

WARNING

Under Indiana law, an agritourism provider is not liable for an injury to, or the death of, a participant in agritourism activities at this location if the death or injury results from the inherent risks of agritourism activity. Inherent risks of agritourism activities include risks of injury inherent to land, equipment, and animals as well as the potential for you to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to your injury or death, or for other participants to act in a manner that may cause you injury or cause your death. You are assuming the risk of participating in this agritourism activity.

Accessibility and Essential Eligibility Criteria (EECs)

NWIPA and our partners strive to make our events as inclusive and accessible as possible. In order for us to conduct safe paddling events for our participants, all paddlers need to be able to perform the following essential eligibility criteria:

1. Breathe independently (i.e., not require medical devices to sustain breathing)

2. Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water

3. Independently hold head upright without neck / head support

4. Manage personal care independently or with assistance of a companion

5. Manage personal mobility independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance

6. Follow instructions and effectively communicate independently or with assistance of a companion

7. Affirm has no health problems that preclude participation and has skill and fitness level to participate safely.

I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I (OR A MINOR FOR WHOM I AM A PARENT AND/OR GUARDIAN) AM VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATING IN THE ACTIVITY AND HAVE VOLUNTARILY GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT AND HAVE SIGNED IT FREELY AND WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT OR ASSURANCE OF ANY NATURE AND INTEND IT TO BE A COMPLETE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY OF THE RELEASEES TO THE GREATEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY THE LAW AND AGREE THAT IF ANY PORTION OF THIS AGREEMENT IS HELD TO BE INVALID THE BALANCE, NOTWITHSTANDING, SHALL CONTINUE IN FULL.