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  Washington Kayak Club
Fun and safe kayaking through trips, education, skill development, and conservation

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September WKC Newsletter

Published on 9/15/2016

NEWSLETTER

September 2016 Join Our Club
Check out our Kayaking Resources tab: One stop for all the information you need to go paddling!

From the Prez

By Sybille Fleischmann
I hope you have all been out enjoying the summer paddling season! We had a wonderful turn-out again at the WKC Annual Beach Party/Luau and Coastal Clinics.Thanks to the many instructors who dedicated their time to teaching others how to enjoy the beauty of Washington's coastline; Deb Volturno, Rhonda Schwab, Mike Germani, and Hamp All. A special thank you to Tomas Tabisola who again organized the pig roast. If you missed the party, enjoy some images from Jason Learned - and join us next year on the beach!
 
We are getting ready for the fall paddling season. If you crave more coastal paddling, don't miss the Hoebuck Hoedown: Oct 1-2. And there is still time to register for Lumpy Waters, a three day paddling festival on the coast of Oregon: Oct 7-9. There are also a number of excellent courses coming up, including a 3 star BCU assessment course with Don Cheyenne, Coastal Leadership Training with Body Boat Blade, Directional Control with Nigel Foster, weekly coaching sessions with Mike Germani, and our annual WKC Roll Classes. We also have our pool dates scheduled, so you can keep working on that roll this winter. Check our Events Calendar for dates.
 
Happy paddling,
Sybille

Featured Trip

2016 Hobuck Hoedown - A Paddle Surf Festival: October 1 - 2

The Hobuck Hoedown was started in 2007 as the Pacific NW's first Surf and Sea Kayaking Competition. Over the years it has become a very successful event drawing participants as far away as Oregon, British Columbia, Idaho, Texas, Sweden and Southern California, so the word is spreading and the stoke is building!
 
There is a new group of local passionate paddlers, businesses and organizations that have stepped up to make this years festival the best it has ever been!

Come out Friday afternoon/evening to claim your campsite as they are first come first serve. There will be informal get togethers and planning sessions.
 
When: October 1 - 2
Where: Hobuck Beach (Makah Bay)
Organizer: Hamp All
 
See our Events Calendar for more upcoming trips!

Training

WKC Annual Roll Clinic: October 8, 15, 22, 29

WKC’S annual Roll Clinic is now on the calendar and we will be at the EVERGREEN POOL again this year. There will be four morning classes. You can take just one or two classes if you like but will be limited due to signups for all four classes. There will be enough skilled instructors to accommodate both beginning students and those trying to improve their current rolling skills. This is a Bring-Your-Own- Boat (WW or SK) program and pre-registration is required.
 
When: October 8, 15, 22, 29
Where: Evergreen Pool
             606 Sw 116th St, Seattle, WA
Contact: Rhonda Schwab
 

Flatwater/Open Water Coaching Sessions with Mike Germani: Sept - Oct

Photo credit to Gary Luhm
Come work your skills this fall at various locations in flat water and open water environments as we work with what mother nature gives us. From the surf zone, to rescues, to tight maneuvering around obstacle, we'll develop flat water skills, then use them in dynamic, open water environments!

Prereqs: Kayak with proper floatation, paddle, and PFD. A drysuit is required. Students should have taken an introduction to kayaking course or equiviliantly be comfortable with their boat in flat water and be able to perform basic strokes and rescues. A solid roll is helpful but not required.
 
When: September - October
Where: Check Events Calendar for locations
Contact: Mike Germani
 

BCU 3 Star Assessment with Don Cheyenne: September 23

Photo credit to Gary Luhm
WKC is offering a BCU 3 Star Sea Assessment with Don Cheyette of Seattle Adventure Sports. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to see where they are in the BCU system. The BCU 3 star award represents skillful application of techniques and group awareness. While not a Trip Leader award, a paddler at the 3 star level has demonstrated skill in conditions and are considered to be a competent member of a led group, able to assist themselves and others within the remit conditions. This is a great level to achieve.
 
When: September 23
Where: Crescent Beach, Port Angeles
Contact: Mike Germani
 

Coastal Leadership Training with Body Boat Blade: September 24 - 26


This course is designed to develop your personal skill level and leadership abilities to lead a group or journey as a team in moderate coastal waters. Emphasis will be on judging the conditions and the abilities of the group to make appropriate decisions about planned routes along with the need to modify plans as needed.
 
When: September 24 - 26
Where: Outer Coast of WA (contact for details)
Contact: Body Boat Blade
 

Directional Control Class with Nigel Foster: October 8

In this Directional Control class, Nigel will explain how kayaks move in water, and why they often stray off course and can be difficult to keep straight, especially in wind and waves. With that foundation, you will begin to learn boat control using your paddle and by edging your kayak.

This class covers basic edging, turning and how to control a kayak in wind. It is suitable for all levels of paddlers, except, perhaps, first timers. Nigel has something for everyone and will give you the information that you need at your level.
 
Nigel’s teaching style is gentle. He breaks things down into small manageable steps and slowly works up towards fully mastering a technique.
 
When: October 8
Where: Golden Gardens, Seattle
Contact: Nigel Foster
 

WKC Pool Sessions: Tukwila, Shoreline, and Tacoma


Continue to build your skills at weekly pool sessions offered by WKC in Tukwila, Shoreline, and Tacoma.
The fee for weekly pool sessions is $10 for WKC members and $15 for non-members.

The pool sessions are typically available on alternating mornings and weekdays.  Be sure to check the schedule - and thank your pool coordinator for volunteering their time to make the pools available!

Check the Event Calendar for upcoming dates:

 
 
If you have any questions about pool sessions:
 

News and Events

Puget Soundkeeper Seeks Volunteers

Soundkeeper’s mission is to protect and preserve the waters of Puget Sound. To accomplish its mission, Soundkeeper actively monitors Puget Sound through kayak patrols on a weekly basis, enlisting a network of trained volunteers to detect and report pollution. If you are interested in supporting this effort by volunteering your time and kayaking skills, dates and locations for upcoming clean-up efforts are available below:
 

Lumpy Waters Sea Kayak Symposium: October 7 - 9

Lumpy is a three day celebration of sea kayaking! With coaching aimed at advanced beginners, early intermediates, and advanced level paddlers; Lumpy provides an unparalleled opportunity to improve your skills on the beautiful Oregon Coast. Top coaches come from all over the world, making Lumpy Waters the premiere instructional destination for dynamic ocean paddling.
 
Whether it’s the thrilling beauty of the coastline or the dynamic thrill of the waves that draws you in…You’ll come for thrills and leave with skills!
 

WKC San Juan Seven Challenge

We love circumnavigating islands and want to encourage more paddlers to join the fun, so we have launched the San Juan Seven Challenge.
The seven islands selected for the San Juan Seven challenge are; San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, Cypress, Guemes, Lummi, and Stuart.

You can circumnavigate the islands in any order that you like and can take as much time as you need or want to circumnavigate each island. To qualify for badges you need to circumnavigate the island during a WKC trip that has been announced on the WKC website.
Contact Steven Exe for more information.

San Juan Seven Challenge

WKC Seven Rivers Challenge

WKC members who participate in club trips to the seven designated rivers will receive collective paddle/boat stickers designed by a whitewater kayaker and artist Zeus Rudner.
Challenge yourself to get all seven stickers! When a member completes all seven rivers, he/she will receive a finisher’s sticker. To make it easy to keep track, participants must register for the club trip online.

The designated rivers and in Seven Rivers challenge are: Nisqually, Nooksack, Sauk, Sol Duc, Stillaguamish, Wenatchee, and White Salmon
 
Upcoming WKC Trips:
Sept 3 - 5:White Salmon(II - III+)
Sept 24:NF Nooksack (Class II - III)
Oct 23:Middle Sauk (III+)
 

Northwest Slalom Cup Race Dates

The Northwest Slalom Cup continues in 2016. Highly valuable points are awarded at each race. The best 6 out of 8 race results are totaled for fabulous awards. Come out and compete or just learn some whitewater slalom moves and have some fun!
 

2016 Kayaking Events

Don't miss out on these great opportunities to enjoy the water.Start planning your 2016 kayaking adventures now!
Event Links and Dates:
Hobuck Hoedown October 1 - 2
Gales Storm Gathering - Michigan October 6 - 9
Lumpy Waters - Oregon October 7 - 9

Looking to Buy/Sell Used Paddling Gear?

Maybe kayaking isn't your sport.Need to sell some gently used gear? Looking to purchase some paddling treasure?Check out the WKC Classifieds Forum to list your items or to purchase kayaking gear from fellow paddlers.Easy to follow instructions for posting items included below:
 
 
 

Schedule forACA and PNA (formerly BCU) Paddler Certifications

Thinking of taking your paddling skills to the next level?Become ACA or PNA (formerly BCU) certified this season. Special awards signify specific paddling, safety and leadership skills at different levels and in various craft. These awards provide a way to track your own progress as a paddler, and give others a reliable indication of your preparedness for trips and further trainings. Improve your skills or become a certified coach and lead others on the water:
ACA Certification
Founded in 1880, The American Canoe Association (ACA) is a national nonprofit organization serving the broader paddling public by providing education related to all aspects of paddling.River, coastal, and surf kayaking certifications offered.
 
PNA Certification
Paddlesports North America (PNA) was formed in 2013 to provide access to British Canoeing (formerly known as the British Canoe Union or BCU) paddler awards and coaching certifications in North America, including canoe, kayak and stand up paddleboard.
 

Recent Trip Reports

Check out theTrip Reports tab to see more WKC kayaking adventures.

Advanced Skills Development & Wilderness Camping Class


By Bill Porter
 
The group of seven students and three experienced instructors launched at Washington Park at 11:30 am on Thursday June 23rd with the goal of paddling across Rosario Strait to our first nights planned camp site located at Spencer Spit on Lopez Island. The strong currents and rips around Belle Rock Light and Bird Rocks challenged our plans. We had three swimmers, one lost Werner paddle and some new found rescue experiences for the group.
 

Team Petty Adventure: British Columbia 2016


By Kanako Iwata-Eng

Captain Bill Petty took the Team (Doug, Larry, Lora, and me) to his favorite destination, British Columbia.  On August 4, Bill, Larry, and I hit the road and boated the Class 3 section of the Coquihalla. I had run it with more water in the spring of last year, but it felt much steeper this time, as all features were more exposed.
 

Owyhee River: Rome to Birch Creek


By Mike Grijalva
 
I have tried for years to get on this river section, and always it fell thru, usually because the water level was wrong. The past two years it barely ran in the hundreds for the Spring season. This year saw snow pack in the mountains that provide the water, and we had a week of levels above 1200cfs.
 

Team Petty Adventure - St. Joe


By Kanako Iwata-Eng
 
For the Memorial Day weekend, Captain Bill Petty led the Team to Idaho’s panhandle near Avery to run the St. Joe and nearby rivers. Bill, Doug, Ken and I got there on Thursday, May 26 and found a free campsite on the river, five miles above the Tin Can Campground.
 

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Copyright 2014 Washington Kayak Club

President: Sybille Fleischmann president@washingtonkayakclub.org
Secretary: Bill Porter
Treasurer: Jackie Brown
Editor: Brenna McVety newsletter@washingtonkayakclub.org

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