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

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October WKC Newsletter

Published on 10/13/2016

NEWSLETTER

October 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

The WKC has a new fabulous leadership team: Mike Germani was elected as new WKC PresidentJose Reyes has accepted the role of Vice President. Mike and Jose are passionate sea kayakers and great coaches. They have both already contributed a lot to the club, the board and many of our activities. I am very excited that they agreed to take on this additional responsibility.

 

Susan Roth has found a new person to continue the great work she has started with the WKC Kayak Polo. Chris Brubaker will take over as WKC kayak polo chair. Thanks Susan! Welcome Chris! Look for kayak polo events this fall and winter. Beginners are welcome.The first event is scheduled October 22 at Lake Sammamish. Register Here!

 

Thanks to all board members and chairs and other volunteers for your continued support. Thanks to all our members who make this such a great community. Stay safe this weekend and keep your eye on the weather.

 
Happy paddling,
Sybille

Featured Trip

WKC Cedar River Races: November 12 - 13

This is the last event in the NW Whitewater Cup Series!

Location: where the Issaquah-Hobart road crosses the Cedar River at Landsburg, near Maple Valley, WA Course: class II+ Flow: Forecasted to be 1,000 cfs, however subject to Mother Nature’s whims

Classes: by gender, age, and type of boat (both plastic and raceboat classes)

Cost: $20.00 for the weekend ($15.00 for Saturday only even if you don’t race) Prizes: Worth staying for!

When:   November 11 - 12
Where:  Landsburg, WA - near Ravensdale, WA
             At the permanent slalom gate site
Organizer: Jennie Goldberg
 
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
 

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.
 
Check the Event Calendar for upcoming dates:
 
 
If you have any questions about pool sessions:
 

News and Events

Hobuck Hoedown 2016 Results

By Hamp All
 
The hard rain began at 4:45 Saturday morning, but it did little to dampen the spirits of the crew at this year’s Hobuck Hoedown Paddle Surf Festival. By the time the sun was up and coffee brewing, smiles and easy banter were quickly established as both old and new friends made ready for the first day of competition on the stormy Pacific NW fall morning...
 
 
 

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 General Meeting: Team Petty Whitewater Adventures - Oct 27

Have you read "Team Petty Adventure" trip reports by Kanako Iwata-Eng? This is your chance to meet the Team! Kanako is sharing photos and stories of her whitewater trips with Team Petty. Bill Petty and Doug Knapp will be there to answer questions.
 
When:  Thursday, Oct 27, 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM
Where:  Lynnwood Library
             19200 44th Ave W
              Lynnwood, WA
Contact: Kanako Iwata-Eng
 

Hydro Plans for the Skykomish River

The Snohomish PUD commissioners are currently "revisiting" the Sunset Falls project's value.
They are undecided.This means they need to hear from YOU!
 
Learn more about the timing, budget, and environmental impact Snohomish PUD's proposed Hydropower Project will have on the area upstream of Sunset Falls on the South Fork of the Skykomish River near Gold Bar and Index, WA.
 
Then make your voice heard...
 

Cascade Paddle Sports Closing after 19 Years!

After 19 years Cascade Paddlesports is closing the retail shop located in Redmond. The sale will start Saturday, October 8 and finish when everything is sold. That means great deals for you! The racing program will continue.Please tell your friends.
 
Thank you very much!
 
All the best,
Dan Henderson

Deception Pass Dash 2016: December 10 - 11

Registration is open! The challenging 6 mile race course takes paddlers through the swirling waters of Deception Pass! This annual Northwest paddling tradition is open to paddlers ages 16+.
 
The race will be held on the morning of Sunday, December 11th, 2016. Check-in will begin at 9am, and the race will start at 12noon.
 
You can register online or by calling 425-883-9039. See you there!
 

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:
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
Deception Pass Dash December 10 - 11

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 the Trip 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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