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…
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Added by Owen Walton on November 16, 2009 at 8:50pm —
13 Comments
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…
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Added by Owen Walton on November 2, 2009 at 9:23pm —
4 Comments
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…
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Added by Owen Walton on November 2, 2009 at 8:30am —
3 Comments
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…
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Added by Owen Walton on October 6, 2009 at 1:15pm —
4 Comments
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).
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Added by Owen Walton on October 3, 2009 at 10:34am —
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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…
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Added by Owen Walton on October 1, 2009 at 6:51pm —
2 Comments
Added by Owen Walton on September 27, 2009 at 12:00pm —
6 Comments
Today 5 Klanners travelled up to Soldiers Point to take place in this (inaugural) Charity event sponsored…
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Added by Owen Walton on September 6, 2009 at 9:30pm —
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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…
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Added by Owen Walton on August 20, 2009 at 11:04am —
6 Comments
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…
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Added by Owen Walton on August 13, 2009 at 11:00am —
3 Comments
Both Annie's and my Mirages are now officially paddle…
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Added by Owen Walton on June 24, 2009 at 3:11pm —
4 Comments
Klanners, I recently purchased a new thermal/rashie type paddling top. It's a Burke "Evo Thermo Skin". Its a little lighter than the "Sharkskin" and IR "Thickskin", but a little heavier than the IR "Thinskin" and with a RRP of $65, its a fair bit cheaper than all of them. Like Henry…
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Added by Owen Walton on June 5, 2009 at 4:31pm —
4 Comments
There has been some recent comment about my (not so) secret lusting after a long, low, lithe, tradional looking greenland type of kayak, (to supplement the M580). I may have, on the odd occasion, casually mentioned the highly desirable Anas Acuta and/or the equally seductive Night…
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Added by Owen Walton on May 19, 2009 at 12:12pm —
10 Comments
Klanners, I've just got back from a good little paddle in today's wind (officially "STRONG" ie 26-33Kts) wet and slightly buggered. I paddled from Wangi to Coal Point (beam sea/wind - interesting!) then to Swansea (wind/sea from astern - very interesting!) then the long bash home, straight into it (just plain hard work). Whilst it measured 6-7 on the Beaufort Scale, by the time I was half way home, I reckon it should have been measured on the
Richter Scale. The local yacht fleet were out…
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Added by Owen Walton on May 16, 2009 at 5:12pm —
3 Comments
Klanners,
Due to some paddling aggravated shoulder problems (and no doubt initiated by advancing years) I recently purchased an Mitchell Greenland paddle, following advice from Graeme that his has assisted with his shoulder issues. I was lucky and picked this paddle up at the recent Rock'n'Roll auction for a very good price. Not only is it a beautiful looking piece of furniture, but it weighs even less than Annie's custom, short, all carbon paddle (750 Gm versus 840). The 1st time I used it, it…
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Added by Owen Walton on April 27, 2009 at 10:26am —
9 Comments
Friday - Annie and I arrived at about 3.30pm with the van and 2 Mirages (530 & 580) and after setting up went and registered. We had been assessed by Rob Mercer, our Log Books signed off, so we were in at Grade 2 level. The Balanced Boater/Expedition Kayaks started the weekend with Beer & Pizza for dinner - well appreciated by all in attendance.
Saturday - Registration Sheets for Saturday's paddles came out 8.30 am and all hell broke loose as a mad scramble broke out for th…
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Added by Owen Walton on March 31, 2009 at 9:08pm —
1 Comment
Hi All,
Annie and I have just returned after a magic 3 days of paddling down on (and out of) Sydney Harbour. Friday afternoon met up with Rob Mercer at Watsons Bay for a rolling lesson. Had a great deal of fun, got very wet, amused all the bystanders and am still only half way there. Maybe you can't teach an old dog new tricks! After this Rob had no further commitments, so he lead us on a paddle out through the Heads and south past The Gap. As the Nor easter was in, we got quite a "bumpy" ride,…
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Added by Owen Walton on March 23, 2009 at 3:08pm —
4 Comments
Anne and I in a moment of either; A) having delusions of grandeur, or B) just simple insanity, decided to join the 20Km race at last Sunday's Paddlefest at Speers Point. As I am currently suffering shoulder problems (and its also the quickest boat we own) we entered the Queen Mary (Mirage 730 double). As I sit in the back seat, I figured I could have a bit of a rest now and then without being noticed.
We arrived at around 7.00 am and noticed all these extremely fit looking persons, complete wit…
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Added by Owen Walton on March 3, 2009 at 2:05pm —
2 Comments
