Kootenay kayaking - Newsletter #2
Awyeeeee!
Boating season has begun! Boats are coming out of storage and showing up all over the place; Brilliant Wave, Slocan and Salmo Rivers, Apex Cr., and much more
We have a pretty big snow-pack up high this year which means plenty of water will be coming our way for the next good while. In hopes of stirring up some interest in you all, I figured it was about time to let you in on what club things are in the works this season.
Contents:
1. 2007 Membership Drive
2. Pool Sessions
3. Slocan Trip Nights Start May 2
4. Annual Gear Swap
5. New Club Storage Trailer
6. New Club Forum
7. New Club President
8. Trip Leader Training Day
9. Trip Leader Incentive Plan
10 Where do your Borderline Membership dues go?
11. Misc...
1. 2007 Membership Drive:
2006 memberships expired April 1, so it’s time to get your 2007 membership. Dues are going up this year, but they are actually going down. Confused??? Let’s clarify.
In the past we have encouraged, but not required, our members to also join the WKABC (Whitewater Kayak Association of BC). The WKABC provides our insurance, but that policy will only protect the club and you, the members, if we are all members of the WKABC. Last year the Borderline membership fee was $20. We have dropped our fee to $15, but are adding the $15.00 fee to join WKABC for a total of $30. This is the only way we can operate club trips with the comfort of knowing we have insurance should we need it. In addition to providing insurance, your WKABC membership also supports a variety of paddling and river initiatives in the province. Go to www.whitewater.org for more details on the WKABC.
A condition of the insurance coverage is that only registered members participate in club trips, so we encourage all paddlers to join the club and the fun of our Wednesday night paddles on the Slocan and other club trips.
To join, print the registration form attached here, complete it fully, and send with a cheque to the address noted on the form. Or register in person at Endless Adventure in Crescent Valley. Ph 250-359-8181.
2. Pool Sessions
Trail is still running pool sessions till the end of this month on Thursday nights from 9-10pm. This will be your last month of piss warm water practice before you transfer to the ass numbing Slocan River in May.
$2 pool fee plus $7 club gear rental if needed.
3. Slocan Trip Nights Start May 2
There has been a lot of interest as to when we will start running weds night trips on the slocan river again. May 2 is when the fun begins. There will be a full moon out that night for the BBQ so expect to see some zaniness during the evening. Meet at the shop at 5:30. The trip leaves at 6pm and you should be back at the shop by 8pm. The Slocan river is as cold as the old club beer fridge so bring extra layers, proper shoes and dry, warm clothes for the extended parking lot banter that goes on afterwards.
Nelson Boaters: This just in - details are limited. The Nelson Canoe and Kayak Club (in association with Helman Canoes) now have a Paddle night starting Wednesday April 18th and going through every Wednesday all summer long. The weekly paddle night will showcase races for all levels of paddler and take place at Lakeside Park in Nelson. Entry fee is $2 and it is a non-profit night.
Wait a second, isn't the Borderline Boaters paddle night on Wednesday? Maybe it's like wing night and paddle nights can only happen on Wednesday. No report of a BBQ at the Nelson version, yet...
4. Annual Gear Swap
Just in time to get you on the river for a good bargain! Tons of used boats and any other various bits of paddling gear. You never know what you might find?
May 5-6, 10-6pm @ Endless Adventure, Crescent Valley. Sellers: Pre register your gear for $5 (club fee) at the shop by friday at 6pm. 10% commission from all final sales goes to Endless Adventure.
5. New Club Storage Trailer
Thats right, we have purchased a new club equipment storage trailer that will be parked in a corner lot at Endless Adventure. No more lethal falling boats from the shop rafters on club nights. In the next few weeks, the club trailer will transform into a lovely piece of artwork as we deck it out with all the trimmings, inside and out. We will be looking for any extra help that we can get so you will be hearing from me soon.
6. New Club Forum
The word is getting out now! Check in online now with all the on-goings in Kootenay paddling and any related discussion, gear for sale, trip reports and so much more... This is your best way to find out if something is running or not, what the latest levels are, where that red Subaru was going with all those creek boats, who is selling what, and who is slagging your new boat. LOG IN DAILY to keep up to the most up to date!
www.borderlineboaters.com/cms/Discussion-Forum.9.0.html
7. New Club President
Our man Dylan Johns stepped down as club president earlier this year as he and his partner Amy are moving back to Sask in May to raise a family and grow soy beans. So for the time being I, Carl jacks have steeped in as your acting club president until the next AGM meeting later this fall. I am excited to spread my energy and make this a great season for everyone! Let me know of your ideas and I will take them to the council for discussion. This is your club and we value your input and feedback! If any of you are interested I also have a copy of our February club meeting minutes. Email me and I will send them to ya.
8. Trip Leader Training Day
The trip leader certification course that was being planned for May has fallen through as it turns out the granted certification is not yet recognizable by a court of law in BC. In order to keep to our plans, our club "Safety Guru" and most valuable paddler, John "JD" Duncan has been invited to hold a valuable trip leader training day on the Slocan River, Saturday, April 28th. Expect to practice realistic safety/rescue scenarios, critical thinking strategies, aggressive and defensive swimming techniques, throw bag tutorials and much more. For all of you that have expressed interest in the certifiable trip leader course, this is your chance to learn all the same stuff, minus the costly and unrecognizable certification. A highly recommended event for any of you wanting to become a trip leader on the Slocan this season. Space is limited so register with me by email soon!
9. Trip Leader Incentive Plan
Trip leaders are essential to the club’s ability to provide our members with safe and fun trips. New for 2007, we are developing some new initiatives to provide incentives for trip leaders, improve training and support, and spread the workload. Some specifics include:
· Better scheduling – Scheduling at least two trip leaders and a BBQ/Gear helper for all Wednesday night paddles
· Training - Subsidizing JD's trip leader training day on April 28th.
· Trip Leader guidelines – Establishing standard guidelines for trip leaders to provide guidance and improve consistency
· Incentives – Budgeting $300 - $500 (depending on season-end financial status) for draw prizes for trip leaders. One draw ticket for each volunteer day.
What if you don’t have the experience to be a trip leader but still want to help out? Then volunteer as the BBQ/Gear helper for the Wednesday Paddle Nights. You will also be included in the season end prize draw for doing so!
10. Where do your Borderline membership dues go?
Last year our priority was to upgrade our fleet of gear. We invested over $2000 in 3 boats, new PFDs, paddles and helmets. This year we have purchased a trailer for storage of gear and are subsidizing the trip leader training day to help keep things safe on the river. We have also budgeted for some great draw prizes for our trip leaders who volunteer their time and expertise every week. Without them we would have no club trips. We will also continue to upgrade our fleet of gear this year as a recent $500 grant from the SVRC has made this successful. Big thanks to Bob Dodge for his efforts there.
Benefits of joining Borderline Boaters:
· Meet a bunch of great new people to paddle with
· Learn paddling tips from the best local paddlers
· Enjoy the safety of coordinated trips with experienced paddlers
· Socialize at our popular Wednesday night paddle trip BBQ’s
· Rent club gear for a nominal fee
· Support local river and paddling initiatives
2007 Membership fees:
INDIVIDUAL $30.00
FAMILY (Two Adults max, + children under 19) 50.00
YOUTH (under 19, parent must sign waiver) 25.00
STUDENT (full-time post secondary) 25.00
SINGLE EVENT 5.00
WKABC Member Discount (applies only to people who are current, paid WKABC members) <15.00>
To join, print the attached registration form, complete it fully, and send with a cheque to the address noted on the form. Or register in person at Endless Adventure in Crescent Valley. Ph 250-359-8181.
11. Misc...
Paddling link of the Month -For those of you that might be missing the snow:
And so ends this lengthy edition of the Borderline Boaters Club Newsletter #2.
Questions, comments, criticism, expired heart medications?
Direct it here:
Your 2007 Club Executive:
President/Newsletter - Carl Jacks
Bob Dodge - Treasurer
Trip Coordinators - Chris Gray/Carl Jacks
Secretary - Andrea Miller
Web - Jim Wood, Andy McDonald
Pool - Dragan Trivanovic
Shop / River Instruction - Chris Ryman
Guru - John Duncan
Carl Jacks,
President - Borderline Boaters Club