The New Spirit Fury

If you want speed why not try the new Spirit Fury. Give us a call

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V10 Sport

Normally $2750.00 Special $2400.00

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Dreamtime Voyage

The Dreamtime Voyage is Paul Caffyn's story of one of the most remakable journeys ever undertaken by kayak - the first kayak circumnavigation of Australia, a 9420 mile epic.

Price $40.00

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TB Books

Waiting for water! Why not do some reading

Get inspired to do something special.

The Avon River Guide is a must for all paddlers entering the Avon Descent or paddling socially down the Avon River.

It not only has heaps of information, training tips, it also contains detailed maps of every rapid and has 353 colour photos of the rapids. Another Terry Bolland Production.

Cost: $ 40.00
Specs: A 4 size.

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Kokatat Super Breeze Paddling Jacket

It's going to rain soon...we hope!

TROPOS waterproof, breathable fabric, Lycra® neck closure and wrist closures, adjustable drawcord waist and factory sealed seams will keep you comfortable for years to come.

Pocket on sleeve.

Not too heavy, not too light. Just great for Australian conditions.

Price: $150.00

Light Breeze Price $115.00

What About Rudders

Since I started paddling 40 years ago I have paddled many kayaks without rudders, wildwater kayaks, slalom kayaks, C1s, C2s and sea kayaks. In fact most of my flatwater training is still done in a kayak without a rudder so I really know what it is like. But I love rudders on some of my kayaks. I paddle over 20 different boats and they all perform differently. Some don't need rudders, others are difficult to paddle without them. The deciding factor in needing a rudder or not will depend on what you are doing with the kayak; racing, playing in rapids, tidal rapids, just social paddling in calm waters or going on long sea trips.

I'm often told a rudder is not necessary to have on a kayak and that paddlers should learn to paddle a kayak without one so they can become a better paddler. I have to agree that it is good practise to get used to paddling a kayak without a rudder but I would never paddle some boats or go on a long sea expeditions without a rudder on my kayak. When I got my first sea kayak and I was told it was designed not to have a rudder I took their word for it and on my paddles in calm conditions it was great. But when I started paddling along our coastline in windy conditions up to 8 hours a day the enjoyment factor suddenly ceased. To have to paddle virtually on one side all the time, to have to lean the kayak to counteract the wind was just so hard and so frustrating. There was no enjoyment factor. Managable for short distances but not for long distances. It was near impossible to concentrate on just paddling forward if the boat is not going in the direction you want it to go, so it didn't take me long to realise I needed to do something before exhaution set in.

Rudders differ depending on the type of kayak. Picture Mirage 580. The rudder was very handy on the Perth to Shark Bay trip and along the Zuytdorp Cliffs.

This frustration prompted me to make my own rudder and although the rudder blade was only in the water a few inches it made so much difference. I started to enjoy paddling long distances again. I could focuss on putting all my energies into forward paddling and still feel so strong at the end of the day. It was great. At that time I was doing big trips down south and training for my solo Kimberley trip. I was also well aware that if I became exhausted I was more likely to make mistakes and be much harder to recover to paddle the following day.

Of course some sea kayakers just mess around in the surf or tidal rapids or just do short trips so these paddlers probably don't need a rudder, they might have a skeg, but if you go paddling for hours, especially in windy conditions, I would certainly suggest a rudder.

Leonie Cockman. A rudder was very handy in the rough waters of Lake Superior. The Epic underslung rudder is probably one of the most effective rudders I had paddled with.

I have heard paddlers say they wouldn't have a rudder because they might break when it is most needed, but in my experience, having paddled thousands of kilometres, this is very rare especially if you keep your boat in good order.

Many people buy wide sit-on-tops without rudders from discount stores to save money but lots of them can't handle them in the wind so if they spent another $250.00 on a rudder they would go much better.

Although I paddle a Wild Water kayak in the Avon Descent without a rudder, I do prefer paddling a kayak with a rudder in this race because it gives me better control when lining up for drops, negotiating the white water, and crossing boils and eddies. It also ruduces the fatique factor as without a rudder the white water tends to throw the kayak around and I have to use boat lean and sweep strokes to keep it on track. It is a race so the less fatigue I encounter, the stronger I will finish.

Rudders are really helpful for slight adjustments in tricky conditions.

It's even very handy to have a rudder on my kayak when I am taking photographs of the water birds or dolphins as I have much more control to where the kayak is pointing.

When paddling long distances, especially when you are getting older you need to make it as easy as you can on your body to prevent any injuries. If you are having difficulties keeping your kayak straight and have to paddle on one side a lot of the time this can create problems with your muscles and joints. If your body is straining and you are paddling long distances you just might end up having a repetitive injury that can ruin your paddling future.

I have been lucky over the years as I have paddled thousands of kilometres without an injury and I am 62 but I listen to my body and I am careful not to cause it too much strain.

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Below is an interesting article I found on the internet written by Paul Caffyn some time ago. He discusses the merits of a rudder over a skeg.

By Paul Caffyn

During my very first sea kayak expedition around Fiordland in 1977/78, Max Reynolds and I used small retractable skegs that were attached to a ‘shoe’ or fibreglass sleeve that slid over a Nordkapp stern. Only the size of a cigarette packet, the skeg was rotated into position in deep water by the other paddler. It evolved during the South Island trip into a deep shark fin shaped skeg, mounted on a ‘sleeve’ that sat loosely on the stern for launching and was pulled into position with a cord from the cockpit. Shock cord, from the stern to the skeg, allowed the skeg to ‘retract’ out of the way for landing. For following, or quartering seas from the stern, the skeg improved the kayak’s tracking in a straight line. For the start of the Australian trip I used an HM Nordkapp, with the extended keel stern, but after a gripping experience of being unable to turn up-wind on a flat sea in gale force winds, I cut the extended bit off and reverted to using my shark fin skeg.

Prior to the trip I was intrigued by the deep draught, over the stern fibreglass rudders that the Tasmanian paddlers considered not as optional extras but as integral parts of their boats. Photographs of the seas they paddled and accounts of long distances achieved with rudders in diabolical conditions, led me to thinking about trying a rudder. When I broke the skeg blade off south of Brisbane, a friend helped me build a sturdy Tasmanian style rudder out of aluminum. Still with a mind set about kayaks and rudders, we mounted the rudder on a fibreglass ‘shoe’ or sleeve, that slid over the Nordkapp stern, and was held in place by the deck lines. Well, the mind set disappeared with the first long surfing run north of Brisbane, and the rudder stayed in place for the rest of the trip. It saved my life on several occasions, the most crucial being the overnighter along the Baxter Cliffs when I was caught by a savage cold front. When I limped into a beach at the end of that 106 mile drama, my knees and heels were rubbed bare of skin down to the exposed blood vessels, such was the battle to steer clear of being smashed into the vertical cliffs.

The statistics speak for themselves in showing the benefit gained from the addition of a rudder: Melbourne to Sydney:

HM stern – 30.6 miles per day Sydney to Brisbane
Skeg – 34.3 miles per day Brisbane to Cape York
Rudder – 39.2 miles per day

Paul tinkling with his rudder on the kayak he took around Australia. Photo taken in 2007 at the 25th anniversary of his trip around Australia.

Contrary to the notion of a rudder being: ‘not for steering, but to trim. Sea kayaks are steered with the paddle, like all kayaks and canoes.’ I use my rudder for steering – the paddle solely for forward propulsion. When a paddle is used for corrective steering strokes, either sweep or paddling on one side, forward propulsion suffers and the normal paddling cycle is upset.

I must qualify this and state the design, structure and mounting determine the difference between inefficient and efficient rudders. My rudder blades project 12? below the keel line. I have never broken a rudder – bent the blade once off North Queensland in a big surf, but straightened it out over my knee on shore and it was good for another 6,000 miles.

Situations where I have found a rudder to be invaluable include:

manoeuvring in congested sea ice or iceberg choked seas
ferry gliding across channels with fast tidal streams
coping with boils and eddies in overfalls
steering when the wind is too strong to paddle
fast manoeuvring in congested shipping lanes
hugging a reef fringed coast when paddling into a strong tidal stream flow
surfing in front of following seas

Another advantage of a sturdy deep draught, over the stern rudder is a surprising increase in overall boat stability.

The most magic sound I hear at sea is a humming vibration generated during fast surfing runs at 15 knots+, either when surfing boat wakes or in front of following seas. Sheer magic!

Paul Caffyn, 2000

FORWARD FERRY GLIDE

A Ferry Glide is the most efficient way of crossing a current without losing ground. The boat is paddled in the opposite direction to the current flow, at an angle that enables the oncoming moving water to push on the boat and assist it to glide across the current. The success of this manoeuvre is dependent on the balance between the correct boat angle, the assistance of paddle strokes and the tilting of the boat. If perfect boat positioning is achieved, minimal paddle strokes will be required. The slower the water, the greater the boat angle. The faster the water, the greater need for a reduced boat angle.

Ideally, to gain proficiency you should first attempt the Ferry Glide mid stream of an easy flowing current which does not have an unstable eddy line.

Ferry gliding is easily learnt in two stages:

1. Crossing the current

• Move into an easy current and keep your bow pointing almost directly upstream.
• Angle your bow slightly in the direction of the bank you intend to head towards.
• Paddle forward on both sides of the boat and lean downstream. If the boat is positioned at the correct angle, the water will push against the bow of your boat and assist you to glide sideways across the river flow in the direction you wish to travel.
• If your boat starts to swing broadside to the current, the angle is too great. To correct this, execute Forward Sweep Strokes on the downstream side to bring it back to the correct angle.
• If you change boat direction midstream, ensure you adjust your body to a downstream lean.

2. Crossing the eddy line

As you progress into swifter currents, the eddy line (which is the point at which moving water meets the slack water) must be crossed. Paddlers continually cross this line when performing white water manoeuvres (eg crossing the current, the Break-in and the Break-out of an eddy). Care must be taken when crossing this line, as the stability and control of the boat can be considerably reduced by the water turbulence, fluctuations and different water speed.

When you attempt to cross an eddy line that is unstable:

• Allow yourself room to accelerate by dropping back into the eddy.
• Accelerate across the eddy. Aim the boat towards the eddy line, ready to enter the current at an angle of about 10 - 45 degrees - the angle will depend upon the speed of the water.
• Directly before the bow enters the current, drive the kayak across the eddy line using Forward Paddle Strokes. At the same time, lean downstream to lift the boat's upstream edge. To prevent the boat from nose diving, especially in fast water, raise the bow by leaning back slightly.
• Establish a correct boat angle, paddle forward on both sides and lean downstream. Use the current to assist your crossing.

• If your boat starts to swing broadside to the current, the angle is too great. Execute Forward Sweep Strokes on the downstream side to bring it back to the correct angle.
• As you move from the current to the eddy, change your downstream lean to an upstream lean. This will raise the outside edge of your boat, preventing it from digging into the still water and causing the boat to capsize.
Other points to remember when crossing an uneven current:
• When you hit a fast current, reduce the angle of the boat and continue to paddle forward.
• When you hit a slower current, increase the angle of the boat and paddle forward, being mindful of any sudden changes in water flow.
• Moving across a faster current will require more lean.
• If the angle of the boat is too wide, the current may push you downstream. If the angle of the boat is too narrow, you may become stationary or move upstream.
• For a faster Ferry Glide across a swift current, increase your boat angle, paddling speed and body-lean.

REVERSE FERRY GLIDE

Although this manoeuvre is more difficult than the Forward Ferry Glide it is rarely practised, yet it is an essential part of white water canoeing. It may become necessary to Reverse Ferry Glide when other paddlers, trees or obstructions block your chosen route.

The same principles are used for the Reverse Ferry Glide as for the Forward Ferry Glide.

TURNING THE KAYAK/SKI IN THE EDDY

If your kayak is facing upstream in an eddy and you want to turn it around, gently ease the bow into the current and let the water push it downstream. You can use a Forward Sweep or Reverse Sweep to help the kayak turn.

If the kayak is facing downstream in the eddy and you want to turn it around, gently ease the stern into the current and the water will push it downstream.

When turning, always work with the current and not against it.

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FORWARD SWEEP STROKE

The Forward Sweep Stroke is primarily used to turn the boat in a new direction. The full effects of the Forward Sweep Stroke can be experienced if a paddler sweeps several times on the same side - the boat will turn in circles. After practising in a still position, try the sweep strokes while you are moving, as this is when it will be used the most.

A Sweep Stroke is very important for Avon Descent paddlers who need to turn their boat in tea trees or rock gardens. A good Sweep Stroke will allow the paddler to do better turns. Without a good Sweep Stroke the paddler will most likely end up in the trees or hitting rocks when they should be missing them.

Forward Sweep Stroke

o Rotate your trunk and extend your lower (sweeping) arm forward.
o Immerse the blade so that it is just fully covered. (Near your feet.)
o With your sweeping arm straight, sweep the paddle in a wide arc towards the rear of the boat while rotating your body trunk. The nose of the boat will move away from your paddle blade.
o Keep the paddle low and horizontal.
o Slice the paddle out the water before it hits the rear side of your kayak.
o Do not neglect the latter part of the Sweep Stroke, as it is a very effective.
o Push against the footrest for added power.

Do not rush the Sweep Stroke, make sure it is controlled and powerful.

At first novice paddlers should follow the blade with their eyes as they perform the Sweep Stroke. This will assist with trunk rotation and help check that the sweeping arm is kept straight and the paddle low. Once the stroke is perfected, it is then necessary to face forward as the stroke is performed.

The Sweep Stroke is used much more frequently on the move especially when playing canoe polo, slalom paddling and when executing white water manoeuvres. Practise your Sweeps on the move by paddling forwards a few metres then executing a powerful Sweep on one side. Continue to practise on the move, both on left and right.

A Sweep Stroke is useful if you experience difficulties keeping your manoverable kayak without a rudder straight while paddling forward. If you start to veer to one side, lower your paddle a little. Then correct for the turning effect by completing a sweep stroke on the side to which the boat is turning. The amount of power you apply to the Forward Sweep Stroke will depend on how far the boat has gone off course. It is therefore more economical to make the correction using small sweep strokes as soon as the kayak starts to stray.

When paddling in white water, you will on occasions need to lean the boat away from the Forward Sweep. Practise leaning towards and away from the Sweep on flat water to become proficient.

REVERSE SWEEP STROKE

The same principles apply for the Reverse Sweep Stroke as for the Forward Sweep Stroke.

o With your lower (sweeping) arm extended, rotate your body and place your paddle in the water towards the rear of the kayak.
o Immerse the blade so that it is just covered.
o Using the back of the blade, sweep the paddle forward in a wide arc towards the bow of the boat.
o Ensure your sweeping arm is flexed slightly, your paddle remains low and that you rotate your body during the stroke.
o Practise this stroke several times on both sides of your kayak as with the Forward Sweep, to ensure proficiency.

In some situations the Forward Sweep and the Reverse Sweep will be used to turn the boat on the spot.

Taken from my book Canoeing Down Under (The Basics & Beyond)

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Don't Give Up Hope...The Rain Might Come

Hugh Trivett

An extract from the BoM predictions web page - can we believe it?

Wetter conditions more likely for most of WA

Summary

A wetter than normal season is more likely for most of WA
The climate is being influenced by a developing negative Indian Ocean Dipole, a neutral-to-cool tropical Pacific, and warm sea surface temperatures around the coast of Australia
Outlook accuracy is moderate over western WA.

Details

The chance of exceeding median rainfall for July to September is more than 60% over most of WA, except for parts of western WA. The probability of exceeding the median rises to more than 70% along parts of the south coast, in southeastern WA, and in the far north Kimberley. Such odds mean that for every ten years with similar climate patterns to those currently observed, about six or seven July to September periods would be expected to be wetter than average over these areas, while about three or four would be drier. However, over tropical Australia it is seasonally dry at this time of year, with July-September median rainfall between 0 and 1 mm at many locations; even a small amount of rain would exceed the median in these areas.
Parts of western WA have no strong tendency towards being wetter or drier than normal over the July to September period.

Climate influences

A negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) event is favoured to develop during winter-spring 2013. A negative IOD during winter-spring increases the chances of above normal rainfall over southern Australia.

The tropical Pacific has remained ENSO-neutral since mid-2012. The dynamical seasonal outlook model indicates an increased likelihood of La Niña forming during the next few months. This has increased the chance of above normal rainfall for northern and eastern Australia. However, international climate models surveyed by the Bureau of Meteorology suggest ENSO-neutral is the most likely outcome over the coming season, with the Bureau model showing stronger odds than most of a weak La Niña.

Warmer than normal sea surface temperatures currently surround much of western and southern Australia. Warmer sea surface temperatures can provide more moisture to the atmosphere, which in combination the right weather systems (e.g., interactions with cold fronts or northwest cloudbands) may result in increased rainfall.

Climatologists will continue to monitor conditions and outlooks closely for any further developments over the coming months, with information on the likelihood of El Niño available fortnightly at the ENSO Wrap-Up. For a summary of Pacific and Indian Ocean outlooks, please see the Climate Model Summary.


Hugh Trivett

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What A Catch

Insane' catch by Doug Richard took him one hour on 20-pound line and dragged him nearly 8kms from Dania Beach to Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida.

Doug got the fight and the ride of his life Sunday morning when he landed a 28kg wahoo fish from his kayak.

"It was insane," said Richard, of Weston. "It was a monster."

Richard needed an hour to land the giant wahoo, which ate a live goggle-eye on a wire stinger rig in 380 feet off Dania Beach Pier and dragged him north to Fort Lauderdale Beach.

When he launched his kayak at sunrise, Richard was hoping to catch a tuna. He landed a big kingfish on a free-lined goggle-eye in 185 feet, then headed farther offshore to a weedline.

"All of a sudden I saw a school of mahi jumping and my goggle-eye just went off," said Richard, who was using a Penn International 12 spooled with 20-pound monofilament line. "At first thought I had a schoolie, then 400, 500 yards of line went out. I had about 70 yards left.

"He headed straight upcurrent, I gained some line, then he took some more line."

As the fish, angler and kayak headed north, Richard gained back most of the line and tried to see the fish, which he thought was a big blackfin or yellowfin tuna or a shark.

As the fish neared the kayak and Richard saw its long silhouette, he was sure it was a shark. Then he reeled the fish closer, saw the wahoo's stripes and said, "Oh my God!"

By Steve Waters, Sun Sentinel

Long, slender body marked with zebralike stripes of white and deep blue or black. Mouth is elongated and narrow, and equipped with razor-sharp teeth—careful!

SIZE: Common at 10-50 pounds; often grows to 80 or 90 pounds; maximum potential about 150 pounds. World record 184 pounds; Florida record 139 pounds.

FOOD VALUE: White meat is tasty but rather dry. A good smoking fish.

In most parts of its range, the wahoo is a highly prized sport fishing catch. It reaches a good size, is often available not too far from land, and is a very good fighter on light to medium tackle. It is known in sports fishing circles for the speed and strength of its first run. The aggressive habits and razor-sharp teeth of the wahoo can be of considerable annoyance when targeting larger gamefish, however, such as tuna or marlin.

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We had a very nice couple come into the shop last week and the lady just happened to be the secretary of the new Denmark Canoe Club, who just happens to own and run a chalet and cottage in Denmark.

Pelicans at Denmark Accommodation

Pelicans at Denmark offers a choice between three styles of accommodation. Our luxury two bedroom chalet and romantic timber framed cottage have both been designed specifically with couples in mind. Families can enjoy our three bedroom family holiday house.

Pelicans at Denmark - Denmark WA accommodation at its finest.

Pelicans Luxury Chalet

Perfect for one or two couples, our luxury chalet features two master bedrooms with king size beds and ensuites with two person spas overlooking Wilson Inlet.

Pelicans Cottage

Our open planned timber cottage is particularly popular with couples seeking the warmth of a log fire and spa bath on that romantic getaway, with 180 degree waterfront views.

Pelicans House

Our family house offers affordable accommodation for six - all the comforts of home, in an ideal waterfront location for relaxed holiday enjoyment.

www.pelicansatdenmark.com.au

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Marathon Races

The Middle Swan Race
30-June- Race 7
Start at Middle Swan Reserve , off Reid Hwy
Other Information
Registration & Start 7:00 to 8:00am at Middle Swan Reserve. Finish at Ascot Kayak Club, Fauntleroy Ave, Ascot
Car Shuffle Required
Long Course : 27 km Division 1 to 4, Short Course : 12 Km
Novice and Guppy Course - Registration and Start at Barkers Bridge (West Swan Road)
Novices 7 km , U12 GK2 7 km, U10 GK1 6 km

Contact name Peter MARTIN

Phone 08 9277 4704
Mobile 042 700 4035
Email address marathonwa@canoe.org.au
enter: http://www.wa.canoe.org.au/event.asp?ID=15572&format=popup

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Northam to Toodyay

14 Jul 2013

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Wild Water Racing Calendar

4. 7th July - Walyunga to Bells, Walyunga
5. 18th August - Bells Sprints @ Bells Rapid, Brigadoon
6. 24th-25th August - Geegelup Cup, State Championships, Bridgetown

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Slalom Racing Calendar

Winter 3 - 7 July 2013
Winter 4 - 21 July 2013
Winter 5 (WA State Titles) - 11 August 2013
Winter 6 (WA Schools) - 1 September 2013
Winter 7 Brevis Choate Memorial Race - 15 September
These races will all take place at either Walyunga or Hester Park depending on the water levels.

Used Boats

Australis Bass small 3m sit-in kayak: $300.00
Finn Molakai Mk 2: Underslung Rudder. $600.00
Australis Squid: $400.00
Minnow very stable sit in $250.00

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Lightweight Arrow Giveaway
I am giving my trusty Arrow Kayak, (built by myself in 1980) away. It is tippy and only suited to flatwater.