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Endurance Racer Will "Paddle Across Iowa" to Support Hickory Ridge Wilderness Camp
Posted: March 9, 2010

DES MOINES - In late April, Iowa endurance paddler John Craun will kayak more than 400 miles of the Des Moines River from Minnesota to the Missouri border in a single trip. The journey spans Iowa from northwest to southeast, and will raise funds for the completion of the Hickory Ridge Wilderness Camp, located along the south shoreline of Lake Red Rock.

"John is an amazing, skilled, and fast paddler, and I'm excited that he's turning his energy toward supporting a great project via a great adventure in Iowa," said Nate Hoogeveen, director of River Programs at the Iowa DNR. "I think this will captivate the state's attention and raise awareness of an important wild place on beautiful Red Rock Lake. I hope people check out the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation's web site at http://www.inhf.org/hickoryridge where John's journey can be tracked and supported."

Craun plans to paddle long days in a light-weight kayak he built. He will carry all his own food in the form of an energy and nutrition system developed for elite endurance athletes, and volunteers will assist with keeping him supplied with drinking water.

Craun has completed the Water Tribe Everglades Challenge, a 300 mile endurance race, in less than seven days, and has future races planned. He's completed several other endurance journeys in coastal areas and on Lake Superior.

"When I paddle across Iowa, I plan to put in long days at a good cruising speed," Craun says. "I can catch up on sleep when I get home."

Craun will arrive at the Sycamore access, just south of Saylorville Dam, as a midway point on his journey. He and other paddlers will leave the Sycamore Access below Saylorville Dam at 10 a.m. on May 1, to be at the Birdland Marina at noon to meet with the media before he resumes his solo journey to Keokuk. Local media is invited to cover the event.

Hickory Ridge Wilderness camp is being created on a remote 47 acre stretch of oak and hickory woodland, located near Whitebreast Bay and Recreation Area on Lake Red Rock in Marion County. When open to the public, its isolated location will provide a destination for primitive camping, hiking, and backpacking and the enjoyment of the wide variety of wildlife that makes its home on and around the lake. Combined and used with the Red Rock Water Trail, paddlers will now have a primitive camping option where they can paddle in and paddle out. It will be a true outdoors destination and paddlers, hikers and scouts are expected to come from all across the state and Midwest and enjoy a special experience.

The Iowa DNR water trails program will support the Hickory Ridge project via a $33,224 grant award from infrastructure funds appropriated by the Iowa Legislature. The water trails Conservation Corps crew will assist with the planning and construction of rustic water-access campsites and a landing in the area. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation purchased the Hickory Ridge property and is raising funds to pay for the property and turn it over to the US Army Corps of Engineers for long term management. Craun hopes to raise the remaining $80,000 needed by paddling the entire Des Moines River.

The IDNR is assisting Craun by providing detailed information about the locations and portage options around the many low-head dams along his route

Craun also builds cedar-strip kayaks. "I tried paddling a few kayaks down at Lake Ahquabi (Indinaola), and decided to make a kayak. During the winter of 97-98 I built my first kayak, and quickly became a paddleaholic. Since that first kayak I have made six different designs of kayaks, two different designs of canoes, and a lot of paddles." In the past 15 years, John has paddled in every calendar month and has now paddled more than 15,000 miles since he began.

For more information on the Hickory Ridge Wilderness Camp and details on how to make a pledge to "Paddle Across Iowa", visit http://www.inhf.org/hickoryridge. You'll also find Craun's complete bio. You can also call the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, at 515-288-1846.