Fourteen participants for June 19, 2026, HERYN savor activities such as yakball, fishing and more!

​If 14-year-old Zach Hoagland, of Elysburg, had his way, yakball would be added as an Olympic sport. 

The activity, one of the final competitions on the kayaking side of instruction during the annual HERYN (Helping Engage our River's Youth with Nature) combines the concepts of soccer and kayaking into one competitive sport. 

"I really liked yakball - I'd like to teach my friends to play this, too," he said. "I had done a lot of fishing before coming to this camp, but definitely leave with a desire to use my kayak a lot more."

According to kayaking instructor and Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky, yakball is an exciting way to further the lessons taught earlier in the day.

"We go over all the details on how to maneuver a kayak - going forward and back, turning on a dime and quickly stopping when needed," he said. "When we get to yakball, participants need to do all of this and usually do it without even thinking. Plus, there is plenty of splashing, boats bumping into each other. It isn't for everyone, but for our more competitive participants, it is one of the highlights of the day."

For Zach's 12-year-old sister, Ella, fishing was a bigger highlight.

"I learned how to tie a fishing knot, and that is something I can teach others," she said. "I just wished we could do all the activities longer!"

Ultimately, 14 participants were involved in the Friday, June 19, 2026, program day. They rotated between fishing and kayaking instruction, beginning with the fundamentals and ending with competitions and award opportunities along with keeping track of how many fish they caught. In total, the participants caught 143 fish, an average of 10 each. 

Here are some photos from the day: