Kayakers of the Hunter Valley & Lake Macquarie

All Blog Posts (60)

Dry Land Rolling

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

Added by David Gibbins on November 3, 2009 at 10:51pm — 4 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 — 1 Comment

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
Continue

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

Spring has Sprung

Yesterday, I received another indicator of Global Warming and the confusion Mother Nature seems to be having with our seasons. Whilst we have all noticed the wattle blooming a month early and the increasing stacatto of weekend Victa lawnmowers, my reminder yesterday was much more personal. I was out riding my pusbike (or as Simon would call it "cross training") enjoying the simple pleasures of cruising along the bike track at Rathmines, when out of all the serenity I experienced that early Sprin… Continue

Added by Owen Walton on August 20, 2009 at 11:04am — 6 Comments

ANYONE FOR ROLLING AT NEWCASTLE UNI AQUATIC CENTRE??

Hi all Just an idea - I called The Forum Aquatic Centre (http://www.theforum.org.au/page3233/The-Forum-University.aspx) today. Apparently it's quite OK for a group of us to hire time in the H E A T E D pool if we want to do our own rolling practice. It is $24 for one hour - half a lane length (ie we have 25m of a 50m long lane). This could be a regular one night a week for a few weeks I guess if we wanted to. There is a group who do this already - they are a school training for a Duke of Edinb… Continue

Added by David Gibbins on August 17, 2009 at 11:29pm — 59 Comments

New Zealand Paddle - Early 2010

Annie and I are planning a short holiday in the South Island of NZ, starting around mid January. We are planning to do a 3 day paddle in the Able Tasman National Park, a 3 day paddle in the Queen Charlotte Sound and (maybe) a paddle on Milford Sound. These will be fully catered and guided camping tours. All you bring is your sleeping bag and your money; (the 3 day trips are approx NZ $500-550 {approx AUD $400 - 450}). We'll be flying to Christchurch, hiring a small car and doing a quick lap of… Continue

Added by Owen Walton on August 13, 2009 at 11:00am — 3 Comments

Kayak vacation spot

Hi guys Sarah and I move into a nice kayak friendly house at Harrington next week. So if anyone (or at least people we approve of) needs a place to crash for a night or two, with good access to the water let me know. People with a liking for lipstick coloured kayaks especially welcome ;). Continue

Added by Simon McGuire on July 30, 2009 at 6:23pm — 2 Comments

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