Stevens Creek reservoir kayaking

No experience is required. This is as much a social event as a recreational one.

As of October 2005, the Santa Clara County Parks Department notified us that they are charging a $100 yearly fee for non-profit groups using the reservoir, plus the usual $5 per boat fee and the usual $5 per parking space, and they ask for 10% of the gross revenues. Due to these increased costs, the club will probably not go to Steven's Creek Reservoir, and is switching to lessons at the De Anza pool. For pictures and details go to: kayaking / canoeing lessons. We also kayak Lake Tahoe, Monterey Bay, San Francisco Bay and in Yosemite and Grand Teton National Parks.

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The event usually runs from 7 a.m. to approximately noon, with the actual kayaking taking place at Stevens Creek Reservoir from 8 a.m. to 10 or 10:30 a.m.

Starting in 2004, the kayaks are no longer stored on campus, so we will go directly to the reservoir.

Cost is usually $19 members, $29 non-members. ($15 of each trip participant's fee will be pooled and split as a credit towards future events (within one year) among those who help with kayak loading/unloading, so in effect, the trip is almost "free" for members.)

The cost, date and time for the next event will be posted at: Outdoor Club Coming Attractions Answers to most questions about how the De Anza Outdoor club works are at: Outdoor Club Basic Info The main rules common to most of our trips, including who is eligible to go, are at: Outdoor Club trip rules.

The excursion is limited to 18 people and people must sign up in advance so we can get the needed paperwork to Risk Management.

Cost includes use of a lifejacket, a shared kayak and the park launching fee. If you park on the road in the park you have no parking fee, but if you park in the launch area parking lot it's $5 (+$?) per car for the day.

We start with a lesson at the boat launch ramp

Then have basic practice, including trying to paddle backwards in a straight line, then we are off to explore the reservoir.

It's dangerous to goof around and pretend to tip the kayak or ram another kayak. Early mornings like these can be cold, so water fights are not allowed. We recommend you wear clothes that can get wet (at least a little splash of water can be expected, some water drips down the paddles with each stroke, you might get your shoes wet while launching and landing and we don't cancel trips because of rain).

All the kayaks will be in sight of other kayaks while paddling, one or two can't get out of sight of the rest of the group, and the slowest kayaks should make an effort to keep up with the group.

Wear croakies to hold on your sunglasses, and put your car keys in a safe place where they won't fall out of your pocket into the reservoir. Some people bring a bottle of water, or thermos of warm, non-alcoholic beverage, but please no glass containers. It is our habit to pick up some trash we see, so a plastic bag is useful. Warm clothes in the morning are important. Rain would not cancel the trip so a rain jacket and pants would be wise if it looks cloudy. Some people bring a camera, but a waterproof one is the best idea (especially because they float). Bring towels and a change of clothes in case you end up in the water. Wear sunscreen and a hat with a brim.

There is an outhouse at the launch ramp.

No swimming or wading is allowed.

Previously people have gone to a nearby pancake house for breakfast after the equipment is all put away and the event is over. (This means that the breakfast or other plans people make to hang out together after are not college sponsored events.)

During years the kayaks are stored at De Anza, meet at De Anza at the parking lot end of the men's locker room building. If you don't arrive in time to help load kayaks we won't load one for you and we won't give you a refund.

It is crucial that three or four people are under each kayak as it is unloaded or loaded from/to the storage rack or the trailer. It is easy for a strong man to think he can do it by himself, but it's just not safe.

To get to the reservoir from campus, head out to McClellan Road, south of the campus, make a right as you exit the campus and drive along McClellan over 85 and wind up towards the hills. McClellan dead ends at Stevens Canyon Road (a.k.a. Foothill Blvd.), and we'll make a left. There are a couple of signs saying they are park roads but don't turn on them.

At the top after we see the reservoir back side on our left, we'll drive to the end of a parking lot on our left and turn in. If you park there you'll need to pay $5 (+$?) per car. We are usually early enough to find lots of free parking on the wide gravel shoulder next to the parking lot. We'll back the kayak trailer as far down the ramp as we can, and everyone will unload and launch.

After an hour or so of kayaking we'll reload the kayaks. Pictures of the process are at: loading kayaks on the De Anza trailer

During times the kayaks are stored at De Anza we will return to De Anza and unload them back into storage. If you don't return to De Anza and help unload you will forfeit part of the fee.

There are more pictures at:

Stevens Creek reservoir kayaking Nov. 2004

More SCR kayaking pics

Stevens Creek kayaking Nov. 2003

Info for other De Anza clubs about using these De Anza owned kayaks is at: Kayaks (and trailer) use