Club Hosts Kayak Clean-Ups on Black River

Blue Water Social Club Organizing Several Unique Events
Twana Pinskey
Contributing Writer

Protecting the natural resources of the Blue Water Area is something on which everyone in the region can, and should, agree. Many talk big about the conservation of our waterways, parks, fields and air, but few ever take action.

Due to a lack of such movements, the Blue Water Social Club is taking the initiative to protect our natural resources, by hosting several Black River clean-ups. The river has a reputation of being, generally, all-around gross, but the BWSC has found a way to clean the river all while having some fun and even getting a little exercise.

So far this summer, the group has organized two Project Deliverance kayak river clean-up trips: June 6 and 20.

Eight members of the club paddled the river for five hours between Norman and Beard roads during the groups first kayak clean-up event a few weeks ago.

Mike Higgins, administrator for the social club, said the eight paddlers picked-up nine bags of trash, several soft balls and three car tires.

“We even found a plastic child’s tricycle,” he said.

Those who participated in the clean up tour, got to see the wildlife of the Black River in its natural habitat. According to Higgins, clean-up participants viewed cliff swallows, king fishers, frogs, turtle nests, jumping fish and the highlight of the trip, a pair of bald eagles.

“We saw the first one in flight, and when it moved into the right angle, you knew it was an eagle,” he said. The second eagle was perched on a nearby tree branch.

The success of the first clean-up effort, led Higgins and the group to organize a second tour on Father’s Day.

Higgins said he and his fellow administrators would hear people say there is nothing to do in the Blue Water Area. They disagree with that train of thought, and decided to start the social club. Along with Higgins, group administrators include, Ryan McInnis, Sadat Hossian and Scott Martynyuk.

“There’s a lot to do in our area,” Higgins said. “We just don’t always know what’s out there. That’s why this social club was formed; to bring people together.”

The group is organizing other events across the area including, a series of adult kickball games, weekly Bowlioke (combination bowling and karaoke) at Port Huron Lanes and a spontaneous Flash Mob dance session during the Port Huron fireworks June 26.

More information about the Blue Water Social Club and its activities is available at the groups Facebook page or by e-mailing organizers at moustachebash@live.com.