'It's the nature of the business': LoCo 'Yaks not letting setbacks hinder season

LORAIN — When the kayak launch floated away during a storm shortly before Memorial Day, Rob Koscho knew it was going to be a rough season. Inclement weather and rough waters coupled with the dock being out of commission for a couple weeks have been setbacks for LoCo 'Yaks' first season coming out of the coronavirus pandemic, but they're not going down without a fight, Koscho said. "We've come out on top doing five quick rounds, knock 'em out — boom champs," he said. "This year, it's gonna be 15 rounds of just body blows and we're gonna be grateful and appreciative when the season's over I have a feeling … I would like to say after the Fourth of July we're going to have some great, hot weather but I just don't know." In its eighth year, LoCo 'Yaks' mission is to promote open-water kayaking for all ages and abilities, while supporting conservation of the Black River and Lake Erie. Heavy storms at the end of May postponed the group's ribbon cutting and season opening, when the kayak launch broke free. "I literally came out of the door when that wave came, when I saw that wave hit .. the wall of water that came over, if I would've been standing by it it would've probably took my feet," he said of the storm. He initially thought of jumping onto the dock, but thought of his daughter and decided to lasso it (before realizing he's "not a cowboy") and continued an internal argument while trying to figure out how to save the launch from floating farther away. Eventually, off-duty officers with the marine patrol helped tie the launch further down the Black River until it could be returned, Koscho said, noting he can speak calmly about it now, but spent many sleepless nights waiting to get it back up and running. "Whether it's karma, reality check, timing — it's the nature of the business," he said. "It's a good lesson for all kayakers to kind of take to see that just because the weather and things on the river look like it's a good kayaking day doesn't necessarily mean it'll be a good kayaking day." This season brings with it a doubling in the nonprofit's fleet — as they ordered 15 new kayaks during the off-season — and the return of it's adaptive paddling equipment for individuals who are wheelchair bound, amputees, paraplegics or those with stability issues. It also is the first for some new landscaping next to LoCo 'Yaks' Alabama Avenue space. Alongside the 15 new kayaks ordered for this year, they bought a shipping container to store everything. In partnership with the FireFish Festival, local artist Carida Diaz is painting a mural on the side of the container. Black River Farms is handling a pollinator/community garden, while tackling some invasive Trees-of-Heaven, Koscho said. After five years in Lorain, the space is starting to come together. No matter what this season brings, LoCo 'Yaks isn't going anywhere, Koscho said. They were one of the first organizations to look at taking back the Black River, going from an idea scrawled on a guest check at the Savannah Bar & Grill in Westlake, to a nonprofit entrusted with Ohio Department of Natural Resources grants and programming hoping to instill a love of being on the water in every attendee. "I'd really like to think we're the ones that made it possible to show people, listen, take your passions and your dreams no matter how wild and crazy they are and go after them," he said. "Don't let it sit by as an idle note on a scrap of paper, because that's pretty much how all of these have started." LoCo 'Yaks, 138 Alabama Ave., is open for kayak rentals — weather permitting — 12-6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. It's launch is open and free to the public. For more information, visit locoyaks.com or call (440) 249-0590. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.