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To Help a Special Child -
Fundraising Target $4000.00 in Four Weeks
For the next four weeks all the cash collected at our Saturday
morning training sessions will go towards Help a Child. In
order for us reach our target, I would like all paddlers at
our training sessions over the next four weeks to donate $10.00
a session instead of paying the usual $5.00.
I would also like to ask the paddlers taking part in the
Monday night training session to consider donating $10.00
a session for the next four weeks too.
I would love to raise at least $4000.00 dollars in the next
month so your help to reach that target would be greatly appreciated.
To start the the fundraising venture I will donate the proceeds
of a Spirit PRS with trailing rudder (ideal for the Avon Descent).
The PRS which is usually priced at $1700.00 will be sold for
an amazing Special price of $1100.00.
If you don't come to our training sessions but would like
to help us reach the $4000.00 target, your donation would
be sincerely appreciated.
A Spirit PRS like the one above, priced at
$1700.00, I will be selling for $1100.00. The $1100.00 will
be donated to the special needs child who requires constant
help and attention to allow that child to live a better life.
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Capel
Descent
DATE NOW
CHANGED to the 16th June
The Capel Descent has
been postponed from this coming
Sunday to the 16th June as a result of the severe weather
warning and in particular the forecast of lightning during
the race time.
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Changing Times - Is it the
best for paddling?
Why buy a paddle or kayak off the internet when
you can buy a top quality paddle or kayak from a kayaking
shop that will give you great service and a guarantee if something
should go wrong. Why put your local kayak/paddling shop out
of business for the sake of saving a few cents?
Kayak Shops are here to help, to give you the
service you may require after you have bought a product. How
many times have you heard someone say they can't get a spare
part or they can't get their equipment fixed after buying
on-line or from a big superstore. We hear it all the time.
Shops also spend hours giving out advice to paddlers. Many
though then buy on-line or buy second hand. Is this fair?
If the local kayak shop is going to survive
we need your custom. Imagine what it would be like if there
wasn't a kayak shop to go to in Perth. Where would you go?
If you don't support the kayak shops now, they may be wiped
out very soon.
The next time you buy something on-line, from
a super store or from someones back yard just think about
the future of the sport without kayak shops.
Throughout the history of paddling, kayak shops
have always been there with sponsoship. Don't forget the thousands
of dollars they have put into the sport. Now they are the
ones that are struggling and they need your support.
It is a changing world, big companies are getting
greedier by selling shoddy gear and discounting and the internet
sales have made an enormous impact on small retailers. We
are powerless to stop the decline but with the help of you,
the Canoe Associations and clubs we just might be able to
slow it down and trade for a few more years. Once the Canoe
Associations and clubs start promoting big retailers and internet
sales and backyard sellers too, canoe shops will be doomed.
WA without a kayak shop? Is that want you truly
want!!
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The Epic Midwing Paddle
Retail $525.00 This weeks SPECIAL
PRICE $480.00
Hundreds of paddlers in Perth including me are paddling with
an Epic paddle because it is so light, so strong and it is
the best paddle to paddle with.
The award winning Epic Mid Wing paddle has become the top
choice for elite competitors, as well as racing paddlers,
fitness paddlers and increasingly touring paddlers who want
to maximize the potential of their forward stroke.
Stable, smooth and powerful, the Epic Mid Wing will have
you paddling farther and faster; at home in the hands of champion
racers, world class expedition paddlers and your local paddling
club.
Available in Full Carbon construction; comes standard with
Epic’s 2 piece Length-Lock 2™ adjustable ferrule
technology.
Weight/Size
Blade Width: 6.5" (16.4 cm)
Blade Length: 19.7" (50 cm)
Surface Area: 116 in2 (750 cm2)
Full Carbon Med Flex Shaft: 680 grams
Four different sizes.
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I went out paddling Thursday morning in my C1
and caught up with Donna on her V8 paddling back to the club.
We were deep in conversation (my wife would say it's unlike
you to be in deep conversation) when I noticed waves and splashes
in the distance. I just knew they were dolphins headed our
way.
When they reached us I said my goodbyes to Donna and followed
them. The light wasn't good and being in my fairly unstable
C1 made it very difficult to get a good picture. It was like
balancing kneeled on a wide round log on water and trying
to guess where they the dolphins were coming up next. With
half a paddle in my lap, which at times caught the water tipping
me to one side, and my hands held high holding the camera
in position, I felt tippy and very vulnerable and half expected
to capsize and join them for a swim.
The dolphins sped by me. I was a little surprised
when they surfaced right next to me. They were either going
really fast or I got a bit of camera shake.
I followed them up river. They would split
up pick up speed that was impossible to keep up with and then
slow down again allowing me time to catch up.
I met Dave Tupling paddling the other way.
A few minutes later they came up right next to me again. This
time I didn't wobble as much, so I somehow manged to get a
clearer picture..
At Point Reserve I had to leave them and return
home. I just thought, if I didn't have to work I could follow
them forever.
The dolphins often go upstream beyond the
Middle Swan bridge.
You should be able to recognise this dolphin
by the nicks in its fin
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In Search of the Ducks
On Sunday morning I thought I would paddle upstream
to see if I could find the Plumed Whistling Ducks that Pam
had seen a few days before. I paddled up towards Barkers Bridge
and beyond but I didn't see them. Pam had not seen them since
either so I thought they must have headed back to the Kimberley,
but on the way back there they were on the northern bank,
just downstream of the bridge.
They were more flighty than any of the other
ducks on the river so the toddled off along the bank. A few
minutes later they flew onto a dead tree.
It was at this time that I wished I had my
good camera with me with the telephoto lens as it was hard
to get close without them taking off to find another spot
on the river. It seemed though that they liked the area as
they didn't fly too far away. I spent at least 30 minutes
taking photos.
You can only get the experience of being close
to the waterbirds and dolphins by being in a kayak. You can
sankedoodle around just watching the wildlife be part of your
world.
The thing I love about paddling is that I
can be off on a big expedition one day, racing another, going
for a quiet paddle the next, enjoying the company of other
paddlers, or just watching the wildlife.
Being on the river is like being in the countryside.
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Walyunga Park Access
Due to the Walyunga fire, Feb/March 2013, all
areas are closed except the main Walyunga picnic facility,
this is the ONLY area within Walyunga National Park available
for launching canoes.
Please follow all signage. Fire recovery processes are being
undertaken currently however a final date for completion is
yet to be determined.
If there are any queries please contact the Perth Hills District
main office on 9290 6100.
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