Dear Washington Kayak Club Members,
This spring I had a great deal of fun, along with new students and coaches, in both the Sea Kayak and Whitewater classes. The coaches and helpers in these classes provide the best instruction that can be found anywhere, and on behalf of the whole club I want to offer a hearty thank you to them. I also want to offer a warm welcome to all of the class grads and new club members. Let's paddle!
We are happy to announce the revival of our newsletter, which you now see before you. It is just one part of our plan to keep you better informed of club activities, other kayak opportunities in the community, and paddling information of all sorts. Watch for other developments throughout the summer. We would like your help in putting out the newsletter, so please send us your ideas, stories and trip reports—or your skills in editing copy. We are also offering a part-time paid position to someone willing to take the lead as editor.
We also need to hear from our members. One way we hope to hear from you is through regular surveys. Two brief surveys asking for input from you on our club programs and on sea kayak trips are posted at our member management website. Please take a minute to tell us how the club might better serve you. At all times feel free to contact me or other club officers about any concern, especially about something you would like to see your club offer—your dream trips, classes, clinics, etc. We will do our best to make it happen.
Our club depends on the volunteer efforts of its members. The amazing contribution from our coaches during the classes made me proud to be part of WKC and inspires me to look for more ways we can have fun together. We are in great need of trip leaders this year. Trip leading is perhaps the most important kayak skill you can develop, much better than rolls, skulls, and eddy spins. When you want to get people together to go on a trip you've always wanted to do, please consider giving a holler out to the club. If you have never led a trip but would like to try, contact the Trip Chair and we will do our best to prepare you. There are a lot of great places to explore, let's go!
I look forward to seeing you all out on the water some day. May you always wash ashore eventually.
—Dave Ortland