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Unfortunately because the river
level has dropped to a low level we are unable to do any assessments
or river runs this weekend. Let's hope it rains next week!
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We have now been in our new premises almost a month and it
looks as if it is going to turn out pretty well. Although
we don't have as much room as at Railway Parade, it's a much
cleaner and newer environment and easier to manage with less
staff members. We love the location, we have a small warehouse
opposite so it's very handy. There is plenty of parking and
with the other tennants who occupy the other 6 units in the
block not working on Saturday we have room for lots of cars.
The down side is that we can't carry as many boats as we
used to, but with sales not being what they were, that's not
such a bad thing. The new building has also given me a new
lease on life and it's a pleasure to come to work, although
I did enjoy being in the old place for the last ten years.
One of the joys of being in the paddling business is that
we meet some terrific people. We have some difficult ones
as well but often they end up being our most loyal customers.
We face a changing world in retail, the market is being flooded
and there are more backyarders popping up and then disappearing
all the time. It has made it very difficult for us but hopefully
with the support of the paddling community we will outlast
all others.
As many of you know, I pour thousands of dollars into paddling.
I don't recover that money back in sales and up to now, I
have done it to help the sport grow because I love it and
it's good to give something back to the sport I love. But
it is becoming more difficult to keep the same amount of sponsorship
due to the slowing of business.
Remember without your support there will not be a dedicated
kayak shop to whom you can turn to for advice.
Through our programs and training we have introduced an amazing
amount of paddlers who enjoy the sport to it's fullest. You
only have to look at the Ascot Kayak Club as half the competitive
members are from CDU courses. We help paddlers to go to that
next step, to gain confidence, to feel part of the paddling
community, to want to get better and have fun whilst doing
it.
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Over the last two weekends we have been running
Avon Assessment Courses and paddlers have been able to enjoy
a bit of white water. Virtually none of the paddlers had not
paddled white water before and many started off being average
but as the hours ticked by their confidence, skills and enjoyment
soared which was good to see.
Many who said they never get cold, changed
their minds after a few capsizes. WA might have one of the
hottest climates but when you are capsized in cold water or
experiencing the water splash and wind chill, spending a few
dollars on warm clothing is a very sensible thing to do. It
is literally impossible to concentrate when cold.
Josh, T2 and Steve Pilton have been doing most
of the whitewater courses with Pam Riordan, Steve Wellman,
Samatha Pilton and myself also helping out.
Josh is our youngest member of our team but
his paddling skills are world class having competed is National
and International White Water Slalom events as well as competiting
in the World Junior Slalom Olympics. He is an instructor and
coach and is currently one of the fastest paddlers in Wild
Water Racing and Marathon. If Josh tells you something, don't
doubt his word!
Josh Kippin
T2 as most of you know is a very strong and
capable paddler who is respected by everyone. He is an instructor
and has competed in several Avon Descents and has been running
CDU courses for about 4 years. Like Josh he is a great person
and always has the safety of the group of paddlers in mind.
Steve Pilton has been around as a competent
paddler since about 1976. He has paddled many Avon Descents,
two with me when we had to paddle as a team of two. He has
been to flat water racing and white water National Championships
and started the Canoeing for Kids program at Ascot Kayak Club
which started off paddlers like Olympian Robby Jeffries. This
program, which has been expanded continues to run and many
juniors have developed into great paddlers. Steve, overlapping
with T2, coaches at our Saturday morning fitness training
sessions.
Steve Pilton
Samatha Pilton was always going to be a great
paddler. Having her father Steve encourage her into paddling
when he ran the Canoeing for Kids program she was to get the
best encouragement and intruction any child could hope for.
These early years cemented her natual skills and now she paddles
with so much ease that you just want to paddle like her. Being
a kayak coach and having a beautiful nature she has the talent
and patience that makes a great instructor. Samatha has paddled
in several Avon Descents and she is always up there with the
top paddlers.
Pam Riordan has been an Instruction for more
years than I can remember. She has been an active member of
the Board of Canoe Education and has worked with me as a kayak
instructor for many years. Pam who is very capable paddler
has paddled in the Avon Descent several times and although
she is not a competitive person in the water she loves social
white water paddles, many have been overseas. She has run
her own outdoor training business for several years.
Steve Wellman has been paddling since the 80s.
He is an Australian Kayak Instructor and works for the Department
of Sport and Recreation running outdoor programs. Steve is
easy going and very capable. He loves the social aspects of
paddling so you will always find him on a river somewhere.
The experience of the instructors who work beside
me is just amazing. They don't just have the skills but they
also have the experience which is very important when running
novice groups in the white water.
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When you enter Walayunga N/P and you are not doing a course
with CDU there is a fee. If you get a parks pass it will be
much cheaper if you are going into the park more than twice.
Here is a hyperlink with more information on the park pass;
http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/component/option,com_virtuemart/page,shop.browse/category_id,13/Itemid,763/.
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