Sponsored Training Weekend

Update from Rob:

With the Klan training weekend fast approaching I thought we should
finalise some arrangements.

I will be ready to brief everyone and get started at 8.45 am on Saturday
on the beach at Umina. For those not staying in the caravan park the
best parking is at the far southern corner of the beach in the small
carpark just before the road winds up the hill (at Berrima crescent) and
back towards Patonga. Map attached.

Bring food and water to pack in your boats so that we can eat and drink
without having to return to our cars at lunchtime. This will give us
flexibility to explore different venues.

The weather and sea state is such a big part of how we structure our day
on the water that it is hard to give you an exact itinerary, but we will
be looking for small surf and waves on the bar and possibly some
rebounding swell off Box Head.

Remember warm gear, as you will be getting wet.

We will be working on Sea skills using the AC Sea skills Award as our
benchmark. If you have an AC or NSWSKC logbook bring it along.

We will aim to finish on the water between 3 and 4pm on Saturday and
2.30pm on Sunday.

I am open to suggestions regarding Saturday night, possibilities
include: quick Q and A session on what is required to achieve AC Sea
skills award, or a look at boat design and fitout or just general kayak
talk while we have some pre dinner drinks and snacks supplied by EK.
Then Dinner in the campsite or local club followed by Bledisloe Cup for
those who are so inclined.

On Sunday Mark will also be available for tuition and there will be a
trailer load of boats to try out and gear to peruse during the morning
training sessions.

Remember this is your weekend and we are open to all constructive ideas
to make the training fit your collective and individual interests. Think
about what you would like to get out of either or both days and be ready
to let me know at beginning of each session.

Looking forward to a great weekend on and off the water.

Cheers,

Rob.

Rob Mercer
Expedition Kayaks Australia
Home of British Designed Sea Kayaks and Paddles
Mobile: 0417 227 627
rob@expeditionkayaks.com
www.expeditionkayaks.com

Ok, time for some organisation for this event.

I spoke to Rob today and as I mentioned before (in the forum) he was hoping to have no more than 6 people for the saturday, however due to the popularity of the event he has increased it to 8. Of course the Sunday is open to all.

I thought the fairest way to do this would be on a first come, first served basis, which I think produces the following list:
Ben Britton
John Anderson
Owen Walton
Anne Moore
Phil Thompson
Deb Thompson
Simon McGuire
Brad McPherson
*please indicate if you feel that this order is wrong*

I'm really sorry Graeme, Leonie and Pat will have to miss out on the saturday training, but it would be great to see you on the saturday night and the sunday.

If there's another fairer way to do this please let me know, and please also indicate if it seems like you won't be able to make it so one of the others can take the spot.

Other info:
Cost: $110 (a reduced rate because there is 8)

Where: Umina Ocean Beach Resort
http://www.oceanbeachholidaypark.com.au/
Rob recommends getting the powered campsites because they're much closer to the water ($35/night vs $25).

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27 Comments

Comment by Owen Walton on August 24, 2009 at 3:02pm

Just got back from a top weekend. Very flat beach conditions on Sat so we headed off for Box Head for some skills practice (towing, bracing, rescues etc) in the more open waters, then to Lobster Beach for lunch. During this break we were joined by a large pod of dophin. After lunch, the bar off Ocean Beach was working so we surfed, we braced and we did a fair amount of swimming. Again more rescue and rolling practice. Finally back to camp where I think it was recognised that my 10 "swims" (including the final one right on the shore on a pounding, breaking, rougue 12 inch wave ) won the unofficial "keen but incompetent" award, whilst John won the fair dinkum "Balanced Boater" award. We were joined by Leo, Graeme and Selim, then Mark arrived with with another 10 yaks for us to try on Sunday. Early Sunday we were joined by Henry and Campbell then the morning was spent trying out the various boats with Mark and Rob providing more on water coaching; from rolling, all the various strokes to more rescues. Eventually by lunchtime we called it day and pulled the boats out. My favourites: the Rockpool GT and the poly Avocet. Unfortunately the (highly desirable) Anas Acuta had a small cockpit, and not having a suitable skirt, limited my flirtation with her; but it looks great (narrow and low) and turns on a dime, (and I didn't tip her once). A great value for money weekend, top coaching, excellent range of boats to try, unbelievably warm weather and unbeatable company. My thanks to all who came and helped me have such a terrific weekend.

Comment by Ben Britton on August 21, 2009 at 8:37am

See you all at 8.45 tomorrow, or saturday night, or sunday.

Comment by Ben Britton on August 19, 2009 at 7:37pm

That was a poor comment. I meant to say that Rob has emailed some information about the weekend. Please take a look at it when you get a chance.

Comment by Ben Britton on August 19, 2009 at 7:36pm

Checkout an update from Rob this evening in the Event Description (I'm running out of room!)

Comment by John Anderson on August 18, 2009 at 3:37pm

I'm afraid I'm not going to stay over, (unless I drink too much and become lost in the cavernosity of the Blackwolf turbo 240 :) but I will come down for the Saturday and Sunday and probably stay for a little while on Saturday evening depending on how Jules is coping when I get off the water.

Comment by Phil Thompson on August 18, 2009 at 8:01am

Deb and I will be coming down on early Saturday morning and coming home that night. We won't be there for Sunday. Gotta keep an eye on the kids.

Comment by brad mcpherson on August 15, 2009 at 4:22pm

I'm booked in next to Simon and Ben. Soon you will all be in awe of the palatial Blackwolf Turbo 240 and it's cavernosity.

Comment by Owen Walton on August 13, 2009 at 9:45am

Klanners, Annie and I have booked the van in for Fri & Sat nights, with the option of Sun night also. We have lot 103 which is right up at the creek end, adjacent to the tent sites.

Comment by Simon McGuire on August 12, 2009 at 7:40pm

I am booked in for 3 nights, I work Friday and Monday at Port Stephens - now that is good planning ;). My site is next to yours Ben. For those that have things to keep cold and are fridge or esky challenged I have a fridge in the Patrol that will have some spare room.

Comment by Simon McGuire on August 8, 2009 at 6:41pm

Hi John - Sophisticated and debonair is the look I always go for expecially when falling out. Looking forward to catching up.

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