Exciting news! A new summer of sea kayaking is here! An with it comes the opportunity for loads of training, leading to some exciting trips and hopefully some longer expeditions. Last year was a week in Shark Bay, other years have seen paddling in a fjord in Norway, along the Ningaloo Reef, and with seals in New Zealand! What is next years trip going to be? It all depends on where people want to go and how we get our skills up as a group. Sea kayaking is extraordinarily rewarding, and it also requires special skills and a knowledge of risk assessment and trip planning to do it safely. Over the coming months we will be focussing on skill development for all. This will be through both club training and external training opportunities.
Prerequisites
Firstly, if you are interested in gaining skills and experience in sea kayaking, please start with our flatwater skills training in Matilda bay. I would highly recommend achieving F2 level prior to moving into the sea kayak levels. In some cases F2 level will be a requirement for introductory club day trips and training sessions (If you don’t know what I am talking about, check out our website for skill levels). Also, please please please consider helping out with logistics by purchasing roof racks if you are in a position to do so. The main challenge with organising trips is transporting kayaks. In many cases places on trips will be limited, and preference will go to people who a) organise trips and b) have cars with roof racks.
Training-club Saturday the 8th
The first one will be run by myself and Brad, and from there we will hopefully get fortnightly sessions (on the alternating week to sessions run by Les) which will be coordinated by participants. This session will (probably) be run in Shoalwater bay in Rockingham from 9am to 12. It will be limited to six club boats plus people with own boats. You must reply to me with your skill level (F2 or nearly F2 please) and transport situation (and must be current club member) if you would like to come. For the first session we will probably have a trailer for transporting the SKs, so please let me know if you are willing and able to tow this. Cost: $5 for club boats and gear plus transport costs.
Please don't forget to put $5 in the club mail box in the WSC any time you take a kayak away from matilda bay. This money goes straight back into providing quality gear for you to use.
Training-External Sunday 9th
Les Allen is a sea kayak instructor qualified through Australian Canoeing, and will be running regular sessions throughout summer. The level of instruction is excellent and I highly recommend these sessions! More info and contact details at:
http://www.wozwebs.net/westcoastkayaks/
I will send out a flyer with full details, but in general there will be three sessions on Sunday, with:
Basic Training 8.30am (Basic sea skills) Next level up 10.30am (More technical)More Practice 12.30 (general skill development)
Cost: $20 for Les, $5 for club boats and gear
Club boats will be available (I think we have six sea kayaks), but these will need to be booked through the paddling officer odc.paddling@gmail.com (Mohamed). You will need to be self sufficient for these sessions in terms of organising and transport.
Zoe.
Indoor Climbing
