Trips and training are on again

Our Leaders have leapt out of lockdown and there are currently ten events listed, PLUS the regular weekly trips.  Make sure that you are logged in and go to the ‘Events’ page on our website to see all the details for ‘Current’ and ‘Regular’ (weekly) events.  If your preferred trip is listed as full be sure to put yourself down for the waitlist as openings often occur closer to the date.  Note that waiting lists may also apply to weekly trips, as the leaders will explain if you email them directly as required.

Membership renewal

Membership renewals for 2022 are open.  All memberships started or renewed from 1 November 21 are active up until 31 December 2022.  Please get this done early as unrenewed memberships are automatically cancelled in January and it always creates hassles where members intend to renew but don’t get it done in time. You want to renew your membership, click HERE

AGM outcome

Thank you to the thirty or so members who attended the AGM last month.  Due to Covid it was a low-key Zoom affair, but it is important that we hold the AGM properly for the ongoing running of the Club.  The minutes of the meeting, including reports, can now be found on our website.  I was delighted that all of the incumbent Committee members from last year chose to re-nominate for this year.  There were no other nominations.  As such, the Committee is unchanged, namely:

• Caoimhin Ardren – Training and Trips Coordinator
• Ken Collins – Social Coordinator
• Mark Fuller – Vice President
• Paul Thomas - President
• Sandy McGuinness - Secretary/Treasurer
• Selim Tezcan – Internet Coordinator
• Simon Swifte – Rock’n’Roll Coordinator
• William Verity – Salt Editor

Kayaking magazine collections looking for a home

We are currently housing a whole swag of kayaking magazines that have been donated to the Club from various sources. Regrettably, the Club does not have the resources to make these magazines available to its members in an efficient and lawful (i.e. respecting copyright) fashion so the decision has been made to give them away.  Included in the collection are 116 issues of the US Sea Kayak magazine extending from August 1983 until December 2013 (just before the magazine ceased publication).  Also included in the collection are 73 near sequential issues of the glossy UK publication Ocean Paddler starting from the first issue. There are also issues of the US Canoe and Kayak magazine and UK Paddler magazine.  The collection represents a great source of reference material from trip reports from all over the world, instructional articles over a broad range of subjects (including boat building), kayak reviews, book reviews, incident reports, etc. Ocean Paddler magazine is visually a splendid mag.  If interested, contact Adrian Clayton (gclayton[at]bigpond.com) for more information. First in first served!

Don’t forget to book your campsite for Rock’n’Roll 2022

RnR is on at Reflections Holiday Park at Jimmys Beach from Friday 4 March to Monday 7 March 2022.  Registrations won’t open until February but accommodation at these sorts of places is currently in high demand so don’t leave booking your campsite until too late.  If you are interested in sharing a campsite then you could use the Club Facebook Group to find someone to share with.  If you book by calling them (4997 0466) then ask for the 10% discount for Club members.

Richard Barnes sets off across the ditch

Club member Richard Barnes is planning to set off from Sydney any day now on his solo crossing of the Tasman in Blue Moon, his incredible self-built kayak.  We wish him luck on this inspirational adventure and I really hope he will regale us with stories on his return.  According to the Blue Moon FB group it will be possible to track his journey on the following websites:

http://lcrk.org.au/pmwiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.2021Richard

https://maps.findmespot.com/s/J51Q (currently showing someone’s Hawkesbury Classic warmup)

Inaugural yearbook is on its way

The first Club yearbook is well and truly on its way – I’ve seen it!  By now it might even be at the printers.  So look out for it in your letter box and enjoy the read once it arrives.  Thanks again William for your efforts in getting this launched.

How to use Paddle log

Paddle log is the online log book made available by Paddle Australia.  It is necessary to use Paddle log to record the training and experience required to gain and renew PA qualifications such as Sea Skills and leader qualifications.  On Tuesday 16 November at 10.30 Paddle NSW are holding a webinar on how to use Paddle log, functions such as producing and backing up your log, finding and renewing qualifications etc.  It will also be recorded and available afterwards.  To register please go to:  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7417811634653721871

Kayakasia making bags from kayaks

Finally….a little story about what one adventure tourism company in the Philippines did when the tourists stopped coming due to Covid.  To keep their staff employed they recycled their inflatable kayaks into kayak-themed bags, which they are now selling online.  A Christmas present idea for the kayaker that has everything?  See it all on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5vIMC_jMcw

Regards, Paul