hunter kayak klan

Kayakers of the Hunter Valley & Lake Macquarie

Owen Walton
  • Male
  • Beautiful Wangi Wangi
  • Australia
Share 

Owen Walton's Friends

Owen Walton's Discussions

 

Owen Walton's Page

Gifts Received

Gift

Owen Walton has not received any gifts yet

Give Owen Walton a Gift

Latest Activity

Owen Walton is attending Phil Thompson's event
November 7, 2009 from 6pm to 7pm
Lets go rolling again at Valo pool
1 hour ago
Can't make it unfortunately, will be on a Club trip down the south coast.
on Thursday
Leonie and I will come. Arrive Saturday and possibly leave Monday
on Thursday
Graeme Auld and Anne Moore are attending Owen Walton's event
November 14, 2009 at 9am to November 15, 2009 at 5pm
Camp at Violet Hill in the Myall National Park (car access - from Buladelah on Pacific Hwy) over the weekend. Explore Lake Boolambayte one day and Lake Myall the other. Plan a relaxed paddle of about 20 Km with several stops each day, but timings/...
on Thursday
Owen Walton added an event
November 14, 2009 at 9am to November 15, 2009 at 5pm
Camp at Violet Hill in the Myall National Park (car access - from Buladelah on Pacific Hwy) over the weekend. Explore Lake Boolambayte one day and Lake Myall the other. Plan a relaxed paddle of about 20 Km with several stops each day, but timings/...
on Thursday
Klanners, I'll list this in the "Events" page, to keep it visbile on the main page.
on Thursday
G'day Bill, Mate I've been struck down with a bit of a dreaded lurgi, plus the weather doesn't look too flash, so I'll pass up on your invite this time. Incidentally, high tide is just on midday tomorrow - a biggie.
on Thursday
Sorry Phil. Interesting what you mentioned though about snorkelling and diving. I don't obsess about sharks, not phobic about them. I'm with you on that one though. There are a group of risk factors that increase your risk of getting chomped so w...
on Thursday
That's fabulous to hear. He isn't worried about the sharks in the lake and he probably features more prominently on the menu that we do :) I was just thinking about the preference of white pointers for larger fattier prey and how lately I seem to...
on Thursday
He went right under my boat on its morning about 10 days ago. I have a very bad video of him on my phone. A friend said the seal tried very hard to get a snapper off his line. Good to see.
on Wednesday
Ah John - now you have spoiled things. Maybe what is required is a healthy dose of amnesia. I do now recall spotting what looked like a small triangular fin when we were practising rolling so my score of sharks is up by one. In the Whistundays th...
on Wednesday
Apparently there's a seal at Wangi now.
on Wednesday
There are resident dolphins living in the lake. Their food requirements are very similar so it's a reasonable assumption that there's enough food for resident sharks too. Contrary to popular belief, dolphins don't chase away sharks unless they hav...
on Wednesday
Obviously the sharks are shy. Alternatively they could be like those miscreants in The Hitchikers guider to the galaxy - beings from another world that wait until someone fearful and very unreliable is alone and without a camera and then shock the...
on Wednesday
Hey John, when you find that "lost Pawlatta roll" could you please send it over to me - I'll be most grateful.
on Tuesday
Owen Walton added 2 discussions
on Tuesday

Profile Information

About Me:
Retired, senior gentleman who rides pushbikes and paddle/sails Mirage sea kayaks (a purple 580 and a white 730 double). I also have a Valley Avocet as a fun boat. Usually paddle anywhere from Port Stephens to Sydney Harbour, including the ocean (on good days). I also have an old plastic Dagger which has been converted to a fishing boat and is affectionately known as "Fatso". My wife Anne Moore (also one of the Klan) paddles a Mirage 530 and is Admiral of the 730 (as well as the sail put-er-upperer). I am a Grade 2 member of the NSW Sea Kayak Club.

Owen Walton's Photos

Loading…

Owen Walton's Blog

Owen Walton

A Different Type Of Lake Paddler

Today, whilst out paddling on the lake, mid way between Swansea and Coal Point I came across a beautiful old clinker built, traditional rowing boat being rowed purposely along by a fit looking but obviously "mature aged" gent. I remember these types of boats from my boyhood, so I paddled over and started chatting. It turned out that the paddler (rower) John is the original owner. He purchased the boat new in 1948 and has been using ever since, ie for 61 years! When he goes on a long trip, he car… Continue

Posted on November 2, 2009 at 9:23pm — 4 Comments

Owen Walton

Yakima Footrest Modifications

I always paddle barefoot, but the Yakima footrests in my Avocet (standard equipment in many production sea kayaks) were too small, had a sharp serrated moulded in grip patten (I have rather delicate little feet), and were a bit lower than I preferred, (had to splay my feet out at 45 deg to push off the ball of my foot). So I carried out the following modifications:

- Cut out 2 pieces 3.0" x 3.5"out of a nylon (?) choppingboard - couple of bucks at Woolworths.
- Drilled and countersunk 2 off 3/1… Continue

Posted on November 2, 2009 at 8:30am — 3 Comments

Owen Walton

Kayak Storage

Klanners, With our expanding kayak fleet, storage was starting to become a big issue. I checked out all the various rack systems available and eventually came up with AquaSlings. These are a pair of padded, 2 inch wide, easily adjustable, webbing slings. They were comparitively inexpensive,( approx $70 with all mounting accessories) easy to install, take up minimal space and can be installed to support the yak at its bulkheads. It is very easy to single handedly slip the boat into the sling, the… Continue

Posted on October 6, 2009 at 1:15pm — 4 Comments

Owen Walton

Mon Evening Fitness Paddles

Ron Elliott (of Elliott Kayaks) has advised me that the Hunter Valley Canoe Club conduct a fitness paddle (race?) each Mon evening at 5.00pm in Cockle Creek, starting from the Speers Point/Cockle Creek boat ramp. All are welcome - you don't have to be a HVCC club member. I have no more detail, but Annie and I intend to check it out further. Ron can be contacted on 4996 4200 if you want more information (or are interested in purchasing a light weight, lightning fast, racer type kayak).

Posted on October 3, 2009 at 10:34am —

Owen Walton

The Valley Avocet


I usually paddle a Mirage 580; it’s big, fast, roomy, stable and safe; it’s sort of like a Commodore V8 station wagon. I paddle inshore and offshore, I race it, camp out of it and even sail it. All round it’s a really great boat. However there was something missing – additionally I also wanted a FUN BO… Continue

Posted on October 1, 2009 at 6:51pm — 2 Comments

Comment Wall (12 comments)

You need to be a member of hunter kayak klan to add comments!

Join this social network

At 2:28pm on September 28, 2009, Tamara Penniket said…
Hi Owen. Thank you for the invitation to learn rolling tonight, but I won't be able to participate this time. I am just getting over an ear infection and my doctor told me to keep my head out of water for at least a month. Please let me know when the next rolling lesson/course is on as I would like to do it. Thanks again! :-)
At 7:55pm on September 23, 2009, Shane said…
Hi Owen, I've got a couple of kayaks including a Mirage 530, but lately I've been spending a majority of my time kayak fishing from a Hobie kayak. I'm keen to do some more sea kayaking though and thought this forum would be a good place to start.
At 11:32pm on September 1, 2009, Shaun Francis said…
Thankyou Owen, 21 with a few retests. Will be back at Wangi over the weekend for a paddle.
At 6:48pm on June 5, 2009, Campbell Tiley said…
Thanks. Sadly I am caught up on Monday, perhaps next time.
At 6:45pm on May 25, 2009, Tim Robinson said…
Thanks for the welcome. I must get to Broughton one day!!!
At 12:10pm on May 21, 2009, Arn Sprogis said…
Owen, am back and happy to paddle any thursday or monday or weekend but preferably when the weather is better than today. You can call me on 0412082259.
At 1:57pm on May 7, 2009, Arn Sprogis said…
Owen, Will be away for a week then will update profile. Thanks for the offer to check out the two mirages which would be just great as I am keen to update. Will email you as soon as i am back on the 18th and I have mondays and thursdays off as well as weekends so can paddle those days if you want company and a chat
At 8:47pm on May 4, 2009, Arn Sprogis said…
Owen, Thanks for the welcome. The summary description is I am in my more mature years (62), live at Coal Point (only moved in mid last year), have had a nautilus mermaid second hand for several years but only really started paddling now I am on the water and am considering getting a mirage 530 ASAP (I think a 580 may be too big for me). I am a GP now working part time although it feels like full time as I still dont get on the water enough despite having 2 days off during the week. Am looking forward to meeting more of the klan as I think I have seen you paddle past my place.
At 5:36pm on May 4, 2009, Steve Rounsley said…
Thanks for the welcome! Jeez, are there a lot of Science teachers who do this? Would like to take you up on the paddle offer with a mate or two - one of them is another Science Teacher though!
At 9:47pm on April 10, 2009, Henry Van der Kolk said…
Hi Owen,
Looking forward to some more paddles along what I consider to be the best piece of coast line south of Swansea and North of the Hawkesbury.
 
 

About

brad mcpherson brad mcpherson created this social network on Ning.

Create your own social network!

Birthdays

There are no birthdays today

Maning Kayak Klan

Loading feed

 

© 2009   Created by brad mcpherson on Ning.   Create Your Own Social Network

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Privacy  |  Terms of Service

Sign in to chat!