Kayakers of the Hunter Valley & Lake Macquarie

All Blog Posts (64)

Lesson's learnt for multi-day trips down the coast

Some random thoughts: 1. Prior training is highly recommended - Rob Mercer is the man for me and he provided me with confidence, increased skills and invaluable advice. After the trip I realise that I still have much to learn though so i will be booking in with Rob again. 2. Many small dry bags fit more effectively into a kayak than a few big ones. 8 and 12 litres was a good size for me as well as some smaller ones for the day hatch. 3. One big dry bag is handy to transport the smaller dry ba… Continue

Added by Simon McGuire on November 20, 2009 at 9:19am — 2 Comments

One man's surf ski is another man's barge.

It was a beautiful day on Sunday so Ebony and I went down to Lake Munmorah so she could try out my new boat. Ebony is very much a novice paddler, but she has pretty good balance. As she hasn't been for a paddle in a year or so we started off with her in Julie's Gecko and then we swapped after an hour or so.

Th… Continue

Added by John Anderson on November 16, 2009 at 9:00pm — 3 Comments

The Boys Make It

This afternoon Annie and I joined members of Simon's family waiting to welcome them safely home to Newcastle Harbour following their 2 week, 600 Km charity paddle from Byron Bay. They camped last night at Dark Point (near Broughton Island) and planned to camp on the beach tonight and arrive at Newcastle on Tue. However, due to forecast strong Southerly change predicted for Tue, they decided to try and make it all the way. As the day progressed, the Nor'easter increased and the sea came up, break… Continue

Added by Owen Walton on November 16, 2009 at 8:50pm — 13 Comments

Shellharbour to Gerroa

On Saturday (14 November) I headed down to Shellharbour for a NSWSKC trip to Gerroa. Due to Keith Oakford's experienced leadership this trip was open to Grade 2 paddlers. We set off from Shellharbour around 8am after shuffling the cars to Gerroa. Wind was light in the morning with just the 1m swell and some reflective waves off the cliffs to worry about. After lunch at Kiama we set off again and the wind was now from the NE which would eventually reach 10-12 knots. This added some wind chop to… Continue

Added by David Bartley on November 15, 2009 at 6:46pm — 3 Comments

Dry Land Rolling

Try this at home (very long URL):… Continue

Added by David Gibbins on November 3, 2009 at 10:51pm — 5 Comments

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

Added by Owen Walton on November 2, 2009 at 9:23pm — 4 Comments

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

Added by Owen Walton on November 2, 2009 at 8:30am — 3 Comments

Byron Bay to Newcastle

Hi all, The car is packed and we head to Byron Bay in the morning for a Tuesday morning start. If you want to follow our progress keep an eye on the Manning Klan's site or search Facebook for Paddle For Peace and you should see the event. Remember it is a fundraiser for people who have been the victims of violent crime and you can donate at www.vocal.org.au. All the best Simon P.S. If anyone wants to catch up for a paddle with us as we head to Newcastle feel… Continue

Added by Simon McGuire on November 1, 2009 at 7:59pm — 8 Comments

SUNDAY PADDLE

I meet up with some other paddlers at swansea heads and they said that they were just going out and around Moon island and I was quite welcome to go along!

At about 7kls we rounded this ship and headed back! 18kls round trip, a nice Sunday paddle, Continue

Added by peter leman on October 27, 2009 at 7:56am — 3 Comments

NSWSKC Sea Skills - 24 October 2009

Selim and I headed down for the NSWSKC Sea Skills training day at Bundeena on 24 October. To ensure I had plenty for rest I camped at Bonnie Vale on the Friday night.

With only a 200m drive I was the first to arrive on the Saturday morning but it wasn’t long before the cars with kayaks on the roof began a… Continue

Added by David Bartley on October 25, 2009 at 7:00pm — 5 Comments

Of swings, roundabouts and stability in kayaks.

I was out paddling with Phil at Swansea channel and we got to talking about stability and particularly why would you choose a kayak with low stability. It's a very good question and I thought I ought to answer it more fully here, from my rather limited understanding. If someone with a better understanding of the subject would care to comment, that would be most welcome. Lets start off with the thesis that we want to use edging and leaning to assist in boat control and that these are good things… Continue

Added by John Anderson on October 25, 2009 at 10:59am — 2 Comments

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

Added by Owen Walton on October 6, 2009 at 1:15pm — 4 Comments

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). Continue

Added by Owen Walton on October 3, 2009 at 10:34am — No Comments

Sponsorship of the Mighty Duo in the Hawkesbury Classic

As most Klanners are aware, Simon and I are participating in the 111km Hawkesbury Canoe Classic this year. This is an overnight marathon paddle down the Hawkesbury River from Windsor to Brooklyn. We are taking the “Queen Mary”. (Photo above is of us on a training paddle.) This is a charity event with pro… Continue

Added by Anne Moore on October 3, 2009 at 10:15am — 17 Comments

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

Added by Owen Walton on October 1, 2009 at 6:51pm — 2 Comments

Myall Classic Wrap

… Continue

Added by Owen Walton on September 27, 2009 at 12:00pm — 6 Comments

My roll is finally starting to come together

After another session with Rob Mercer the other week I am finally starting to get a more consistent roll and nailed 9 out of 9 the other day at the end of my paddle. Pretty stoked with that. Now to try it out in the surf and continue refining it!

Find more videos like this on Manning Kayak Klan
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Added by Simon McGuire on September 13, 2009 at 11:57pm — 3 Comments

Paddle for Pennies - Update

Today 5 Klanners travelled up to Soldiers Point to take place in this (inaugural) Charity event sponsored… Continue

Added by Owen Walton on September 6, 2009 at 9:30pm — No Comments

Paddle for Peace trivia night fundraiser

Paddle for Peace Trivia Night Come and join us for a night of fun to support Vocal When: 23rd October 2009 Where: Central Charlestown Leagues Club, Bula St Charlestown Time: 6.30pm – approx 11pm Cost: $15 per person or pre-book a table of 10 people for $100. Contact: VOCAL 49265826 Continue

Added by Simon McGuire on August 27, 2009 at 4:30pm — 2 Comments

Thoughts on the weekend

I had a fab time on the weekend - thanks all for being part of it. I went to work today on a high - great weather, great company and heaps of fun. I was very impressed with Rob's professionalism and his easy manner. I had heard much about him and Mark and they did not fail to live up to their aura. I would really like to get a few more sessions in later. A few of the moments that make me smile - that moment when Rob said "Okay you four - Capsize" and we all just went quiet. "He doesn't really… Continue

Added by Phil Thompson on August 24, 2009 at 10:02pm — 5 Comments