CCC hosts Shawn Hamerlinck Source to Sea by Kayak

Clinton Community College will host the first of the 2025-26 Lifelong Learners Series, with an exciting presentation by Shawn Hamerlinck on Tuesday, September 23.  Hamerlinck, a professor at CCC, one of the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, kayaked the Mississippi River for 55 days during the summer of 2025.  He navigated the Source to Sea journey alone and will share about his experiences along the way.  The presentation will be held in the CCC Auditorium, 1000 Lincoln Blvd., Clinton, at 6:30 p.m.  All are welcome to attend this free event.
 
The Mississippi River Source to Sea journey begins at Lake Itasca in Minnesota and ends in Louisiana at the gulf.  Hamerlinck, his kayak, and his supplies were delivered to Minnesota after graduation in May and his adventure began.  He endured weather issues, lots of barges, alligators, moose, beavers, skunks, geese, many snakes, coyotes, bears, porcupines, flying Asian carp, wild bores, confused armadillos, wind, locks, Texas flooding, wild fires, mosquitos, leaches, ticks, heat South, frozen nights North, interesting people, pollution, storms, the Gulf and lack of water to drink, for 2,462 miles. Hamerlinck commented, “Outside of that it went smooth. It was an EPIC Journey!!!” His trek was filled with challenges and personal triumphs.  Shawn is a masterful storyteller, and his story is one you will want to hear.  Lifelong learners of all ages will enjoy this free program.
 
For more information contact Ann Eisenman at 563-244-7040 or aeisenman@eicc.edu.