2010-02-17 Word has come through via Phil Newman that Richard Barnes and friends have made landfall near Cape Otway in Victoria after paddling Bass Strait the hard way. They took the western route via King Island and the last leg of 100km from there to the mainland was a 20 hour epic - all night and most of the next day. Richard's team included LCRK members Andrew Mathers and Len Garvey, Steve Pizzey who is well know to us, and others who paddled with us in training for the big crossing. Congratulations to all and no doubt we will soon hear more from them in person. Meanwhile check out their website here.

2010-02-12 Did you know that while Justin Jones and James Castrission were paddling from Australia to New Zealand, four other young Australians were rowing across the Tasman in the other direction – from New Zealand to Australia? You can read a first-hand account of their trip by rower-turned-kayaker Kerry Tozer, a member of Lane Cove River Kayakers, in the February 2010 issue of Kayak Kapers. Also in this issue:
•  Tony Hystek gives a day-by-day, blow-by-blow account of his victory in the Murray Marathon.
•  Leaders are invited for a new Lane Cove program covering not only paddling but a range of other sports.
•  A 4-page pictorial coverage of Lane Cove River Kayakers’ Christmas BBQ.
•  Important dates in the 2010 race calendar.
You can download this issue or earlier issues of Kayak Kapers free to your own computer.

2010-02-12 Click here to ride down the Murray with Tony Hystek on a 404km, 5-day endurance epic that resulted in a handicap victory in the Murray Marathon, one of Australia’s great kayak races.

2010-01-26 Paddlers are already making plans for this year's Hawkesbury Classic on October 23 and, in response to requests, we are reposting the LCRK guide to paddling a successful Hawkesbury which has been revised for 2010. Read here for our advice on proper preparation and race night strategy. Whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned Hawkesbury paddler we invite you to join our club, train with us in the dark at our Wednesday night time trial and benefit from the club's experience and support facilities on race night.

2009-12-14 Four great events feature on the Paddle NSW recreational paddling calendar early next year - Lower Hawkesbury on January 16, Refuge Bay on February 13, Nepean River on March 21 and a three day Lismore to Ballina "Paddle for Life" on April 17-19. These events are co-ordinated by the LCRK's Tony Carr and for more details see the Recreational Paddling flier.

2009-12-08 The December 2009 issue of Kayak Kapers contains an extended pictorial coverage of both the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic and the World Masters Games, plus full details of how Lane Cove River Kayakers members performed in both these events.
Also in this issue:
•  Vicki McAuley and son Finlay make the initial presentation of the Andrew McAuley Trophy for an outstanding contribution to the spirit of kayaking – awarded to around-Tasmania paddlers Richard Barnes and Phil Newman.
•  Lane Cove paddlers are among those preparing for a group crossing of Bass Strait.
You can download this issue or earlier issues of Kayak Kapers free to your own computer.

2009-11-24 Six Lane Cove paddlers answered a last-minute call to be kayak marshalls in one of Sydney's classic swim races, the Dawny Challenge, which starts from the Dawn Fraser pool in Balmain and follows a 2.4km course around Cockatoo Island and back. A few days before the November 22 race organisers were short of kayaks to escort the 430 swimmers. Ian Wilson, Jeremy Spear, Don Rowston, Matt Swann, Justin Paine and Tim Dodd took their sea kayaks down to help out. No sharks were sighted but several penguins seemed happy to share the water with race competitors.

2009-10-20 The Myall Classic is a favourite of many marathon paddlers, but in the last few years it has been plagued – or cancelled – by high winds. This year’s race was held in gale-force winds which forced the event to be shortened, but at least it was held. Derek Simmonds provided an article and pictures of the event. (See Photo Gallery for all pics.)

2009-10-20 Lane Cove paddlers are busy preparing for this year’s Hawkesbury Classic. It looks like we will have a smaller team than usual, but it will include cross-Tasman kayaker Justin Jones. The names of those expected to make the Windsor-Brooklyn run on October 24/25 are in the October 2009 issue of Kayak Kapers.
Also in this issue:
•  Roger Aspinall and Julie Stanton from Blue Earth kayak shop have moved to Queensland but the shop will remain open.
•  Jeremy Spear explains why kayaks are sucked down and slow down in shallow water.
•  Paddle NSW’s new sprint series is an adrenalin rush.
•  Just looking at details of the exhaustive course for Geoquest makes you feel tired.
•  Terrain dominates the Akuna Bay Multisport race – you always seem to be going up a steep hill or down a steep hill.
You can download this issue and earlier issues of Kayak Kapers free to your own computer.

2009-10-20 Paddlers who use Wharf Road boat ramp in Parramatta River should note that it is closed for extension works. The ramp, on the northern side midway between Ryde rail bridge and Silverwater Road bridge, is being extended and widened. NSW Maritime said the adjoining pontoon is also being improved. According to a small sketch on display, the ramp will be extended to a point about level with the outside edge of the pontoon. Powerboat owners have complained that the depth at the end of the existing ramp is too shallow. The work is scheduled to be completed about early or mid November.

2009-08-18 Steve Russell is the new President of Lane Cove River Kayakers, heading up a Committee which is determined to continue the major advances the club has made in the past year. He was elected at the AGM on July 29, when Mark Sier and Roger Deane were honoured for their dedicated service with Life Membership. At the AGM Ian Wilson was re-elected as Secretary and Roger Aspinall was elected as Treasurer. Other committee members for 2009-10 are Matt Swann, Justin Paine, Liz Winn and Tim Dodd. You can read about the AGM and see pictures of the Annual Dinner in the August issue of Kayak Kapers. Also in this issue you’ll find articles on:
•  What Hawkesbury Classic veterans think about cutting corners during the big race.
•  Well known kayaker boosts the spirits of kids at the Westmead Children’s Hospital by making them origami animals.
•  Expats in Queensland have a day out paddling on the Hinze Dam.
You can download the August issue of Kayak Kapers free to your own computer.

2009-06-23 Four of Lane Cove’s finest were among a contingent of 50 Aussies who tackled the famous Molokai world surf ski championship this year. You can read their first-hand accounts of the race in the June issue of Kayak Kapers.
Also in this issue you’ll find:
•  The seldom-used stretch of Middle Harbour above Roseville bridge was not only a great course but also provided spectators with a tremendous view of the marathon race there on May 31.
•  It’s a bit embarrassing when you capsize in front of the crowd as you are about to cross the finishing line, and even more so when it’s captured on camera.
•  Want to know what it’s like going to the nationals? It’s not all plain sailing, as our yachtie friends might say.
You can download this issue of Kayak Kapers, and any earlier issue, free to your own computer.

2009-05-19 It's time to get serious about the 2009 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic, the famous 111km moonlight marathon, which will be held on the night of October 24-25. Are you thinking about entering? If so you should be reading Lane Cove River Kayakers' Training Tips and Tactics. It's the classic reference on the Classic! It contains advice from LCRK's experienced paddlers who have helped our club win the coveted Commonwealth Bank Cup - for being the top club in the race - for the last six consecutive years. We shouldn't be giving this away but we are! When you read it remember that some things about the race have changed this year. In particular, there is no longer a major check point (where paddlers can meet landcrew) at Dargle.

Are you really serious about the Hawkesbury Classic? Then join LCRK and hear the expert's advice first hand. As a member, you can paddle with us in our regular Wednesday night 12 km time trial. This training is as real as it gets - it's even in the dark! And you will also paddle the Classic backed by the support infrastructure which our club gives its paddlers and their land crew every year.

2009-05-05 Four Lane Cove paddlers have been training hard for the past 18 months for the Molokai world surf ski championships in Hawaii. You can read about how they plan to tackle this great ocean challenge in the April issue of Kayak Kapers.
Also in this issue you’ll find:
•  The State marathon and 10,000m championships were extremely well organised and run, but there weren’t many boats on the water to appreciate it.
•  The annual Bridge-to-Beach race attracted a record crowd, and there are plans for a second race inside Sydney Harbour.
•  Want to go kayaking in Papua New Guinea? Take your own boat – and arrange for an army to guard your car while you’re away.
•  If you’re into ocean paddling, then head for the big runs off Cape Town in South Africa.
You can download this issue and earlier issues of Kayak Kapers free to your own computer. Kayak Kapers is searchable.

2009-03-07 Our special Wednesday night paddle to benefit those who suffered in the Victorian bushfires raised over $2,000. Thank you Lane Cove and numerous guest paddlers who joined us for this event on February 18. All monies have been transferred to the Red Cross Appeal.

2009-02-12 The 40th and final Red Cross Murray Marathon (next time it will be run by the YMCA) attracted a big fleet and was held in great style. You can read first-hand accounts from the 8 Lane Cove crews in the event in the February issue of Kayak Kapers.
Also in this issue:
•  James Castrission and Justin Jones, the first paddlers to cross the Tasman, gave an enthralling account of their challenging trip to an evening hosted by Lane Cove River Kayakers.
•  Richard Barnes, in yet another daring adventure, spent 3 weeks in Nepal in a white-water venture that faced water flows 10 to 1000 times bigger than anything in Australia.
•  The inaugural NSW 5000m Sprint Championships saw K4 crews out in force – and they’re here to stay.
•  The collier which Japanese minisubs used as a decoy to enter and attack Sydney Harbour in 1942 was among a number of majestic but little-known wrecks in Homebush Bay visited by recreational paddlers.
You can download this and other issues of Kayak Kapers to your own computer.

2009-02-12 First we thrilled to the exploits of The Three Musketeers. Then Disney gave us The Three Mouseketeers. Now Lane Cove River Kayakers presents The Three Rocketeers! Read about their adventures in the latest Murray Marathon.

2009-02-11 After a break for technical reasons we are again posting pictures to the Photo Gallery. Check it out for great new shots of the last Lane Cove Marathon, the Myall River Classic and our legendary Christmas barbeque.

2009-02-10 Who were the singing minstrels in the K4 who cheered up every paddler they passed in the long days out on the river in the Murray Marathon in December? Find out by clicking here.

2009-01-15 The Lane Cove River Kayakers Christmas BBQ and paddle was, in a word, boisterous. Santa Claus and other Christmas costumes were on display, and most of them got wet. It was an occasion of great fun with great friends. Everyone agreed that it was our best BBQ yet. The events of the evening were captured in a special pictorial issue of Kayak Kapers.

2008-12-8 Darkness ruled in this year’s Hawkesbury Canoe Classic, with the moon nowhere to be seen. The prestigious contest for the Commonwealth Bank Cup, awarded to the club scoring the most points, turned out to be a cliffhanger, with Lane Cove River Kayakers scoring their 6th straight victory by a mere 13 points! You can read all about it in the December issue of Kayak Kapers.
Also in this issue of our club magazine:
•  Individual interviews with all Lane Cove competitors in this year’s Classic.
•  Lane Cove regulars were among the winners when prizes were handed out at the series trophy presentation night after the Wagga marathon.
•  The Myall River turned on its magic for the other Classic, complete with dolphins, sea eagles, pelicans, swans and a competitor who started out as a kayaker and came home a C1 paddler.
•  The recreational paddle program is in full swing and has merged with Paddle NSW.
This issue and earlier issues of Kayak Kapers can be downloaded free to your own computer.

2008-11-11 Yes there is such a thing as a concrete canoe and civil engineering students in South Australia design and race these craft for no other reason than to prove it can be done. Read more.

2008-11-08 Lane Cove River Kayakers set out to win the Commonwealth Bank Cup, the trophy awarded to the most successful club in the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic, for the 6th successive time when this great annual event was held on November 1-2. You can read about our preparations and the list of paddlers entering this year’s Classic in the October issue of Kayak Kapers. Also in the October issue you’ll find:
•  Lane Cove’s successful recreational paddle program has been expanded into a Statewide affair in cooperation with Paddle NSW. Some interesting outings are coming up.
•  Tom Simmat – the paddler who has won the Murray Marathon handicap three times out of three attempts – has some radical ideas about kayaking, and none more so than kayak design.
•  What is the most suitable material for making kayaks and canoes? Some engineering students decided to build and race concrete canoes.
You can download the October issue or earlier issues of Kayak Kapers free to your own computer.

2008-09-02 Adventure racing offers many attractions for kayakers. You can read a competitor’s view of the Challenge of Geoquest in the August 2008 issue of Kayak Kapers. Also in this issue you’ll find:
•  Whale watching can be thrilling, specially if you do it close up from a stand-up paddle board.
•  Rob Vallis, who leads regular pre-dawn training sessions, is the new President of Lane Cove River Kayakers.
•  There are some interesting personal duels between doubles in the Marathon 10 series.
•  You too can compete in world championships. The World Masters Games, which includes canoeing/kayaking, are coming to Sydney next year.
You can download this issue and earlier issues of Kayak Kapers to your own computer.

2008-09-02 Rob Vallis is the new President of Lane Cove River Kayakers, elected at the AGM on August 8. Formerly Vice-President, he is the driving force behind the pre-dawn K1 trainer wheels squad and succeeds Graeme Jeffries. Others members of the new Committee are Matt Swann (Vice-President), Simon Mann (Treasurer), Ian Wilson (Secretary) and Tim Dodd, Graeme Jeffries, Steve Paget, Justin Paine, Steve Russell, Tom Simmat, Jeremy Spear and Liz Winn. To view pictures of the AGM and Annual Dinner, go to the Photo Gallery.

2008-07-02 Club memberships for 2008-09 are now due. To renew membership or join Lane Cove River Kayakers, you first need to join PaddleNSW in order to obtain the necessary insurance coverage. You can do this on-line, by going to the paddlensw.org.au website, and following the links. While you are there, check out the LCRK page in the Clubs menu. Here, you will find a link to the on-line membership page for our club, LCRK.

Alternatively, once you have joined PaddleNSW you can go straight to the LCRK membership page and complete your renewal or application there. But check out the PaddleNSW website anyway, for up-to-date information on all sorts of paddle related issues.

2008-06-24 Favourable tides are promising fast times for this year’s Hawkesbury Canoe Classic. You can read about forecast race conditions in the June issue of Kayak Kapers. Also in the June issue you’ll find:
•  Stand-up kayaking is addictive, provides a full physical workout, and is fun.
•  The new State canoeing body, Paddle NSW, will make a major change to the paddler registration system.
•  Lane Cove’s recreation paddle program is visiting many of Sydney’s beautiful waterways.
You can download the June issue and earlier issues of Kayak Kapers free to your own computer.

2008-04-09 NSW Canoeing has gone out of existence and been replaced by a new body representing paddlers in this State, appropriately named Paddle NSW. You can read of Paddle NSW’s vision to enhance the sport and the circumstances leading to NSW Canoeing’s demise in the April issue of Kayak Kapers. Also in this issue of Kayak Kapers you’ll discover:
•  What Melbourne looks like at sunset from a kayak
•  Why a boast gone wrong forced some Lane Cove paddlers to wear tu-tu’s
•  How Eskimos build a stealth canoe to hunt whales

2008-03-25 CanoeNSW, the representative organisation for the sport of canoeing in NSW, was wound up at a Special General Meeting held on March 15. At the meeting the board of the CanoeNSW resigned over an impass with the national representative body, Australian Canoeing, which threatened the financial viability of the state organisation. When the meeting was unable to elect a new board the winding up automatically followed. Many clubs which were members of CanoeNSW, including Lane Cove River Kayakers, are now seeking to form a new state body. LCRK Club secretary Tim Hookins represented us at the meeting. His report, and his explanation of the history of this issue, is in the General Discussion forum in the Members Area.

2008-03-11 Lane Cove River Kayakers stamped its authority as the premier marathon racing club in NSW with an emphatic handicap win in the Murray Marathon. Tom Simmat won the big prize – the third time he has won it in three attempts – by a whopping 1 hour 22 minutes 45 seconds. You can read first-hand accounts of their races by Tom and other LCRK competitors in the February issue of Kayak Kapers. Also in this issue you’ll find:
•  A 2008 calendar which includes all the important race dates, plus a number of recreational outings.
•  A double-page picture spread of the LCRK Christmas barbecue.
•  Tom Simmat’s report on the wild 40km ride from Rottnest Island to Sorrento, on the WA mainland, in the World Cup ocean racing ski event.
You can download the February issue and earlier issues of Kayak Kapers to your own computer.

2008-03-11 For Steve Paget, each day of the 2007 Murray Marathon was an exercise in Bum Pain management. Despite his seating problems he persevered and finished the great endurance race 29th on handicap. For an enlightening insight into the challenges confronting a first-timer in this great endurance race, read Steve’s race report.

2008-03-11 Justin Paine was launching his Flash from Wharf Road boat ramp, on Parramatta River, on Monday, February 11, when he noticed a white object protruding from the muddy water about 30 metres out. It was a boot lid, all that could be seen of a stolen car which had apparently been dumped the previous night. He called out to a police van which came past on a routine patrol at that moment and alerted them to the fact that the incoming tide would soon cover the boot lid, creating a hazard for vessels using the ramp. The police called in a diver and tow truck, and a couple of hours later a white Mitsubishi was dragged from the depths. See pictures here.

2007-12-26 A fine time was had by all at the Club's Christmas paddle and barbecue on December 19. This year we turned out in our slowest, shortest, fattest kayaks in honour of Bob Kenderes who paddles a 30 year old, 4 metre B-Line all the time and used it to break the 12 hour barrier in this year's Hawkesbury Classic. Awards given to those who participated included: Fattest Boat - Ian Wilson; Shortest Boat - Tim Sindle; Oldest Boat - Rob Grozier; Oldest Clothing - Merridy & Warren Huxley (35 year old Murray Marathon T shirts); Best dressed Boat - Tony Carr / Tim Dodd; Best Dressed Paddler - Marg and Rob Cook / Jeremy Spear & Matt Swann; Best Pest - Trevor Williamson. See the Photo Gallery for pictures.

2007-12-11 Did you hear the story about the river in the deciding race of the year being so low that the course official waded out to place the turning buoy?  It happened. Click here to read all about the final Winter Marathon Series race in the Murrumbidgee River at Wagga and how Lane Cove paddlers dodged the snags to secure the 2007 trophy by a wafer-thin margin.

2007-12-11 "The next thing I was zooming down the weir, smooth as silk, only to disappear in the froth at the bottom." Click here to ride with Tim Hookins down the mighty Fish River in South Africa in the gruelling two-day Fish River Marathon, one of the world’s top kayak races.

2007-12-08 Lane Cove River Kayakers have won the trophy for the most successful club in the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic for the fifth successive year. You can read all about the 2007 race and interviews with all Lane Cove competitors in the December issue of Kayak Kapers.
Also in this issue:
- Lane Cove wins the Winter Marathon Series in a nail-biting finish in Wagga.
- Tim Hookins survives the great Fish River Marathon in South Africa to tell how he overcame the rapids, plunging weirs and portages in this gruelling white-water race.
- The latest club recreation paddle was on the Georges River.
You can download this issue or previous issues of Kayak Kapers free to your own computer.

2007-11-03: Lane Cove paddlers turned in some blinders during the 2007 Hawkesbury Classic. The eagerly awaited double contest between Rob Vallis/Michael Mueller and Tony Hystek/Tim Hookins in their Supersonics went down to the wire, with Rob and Michael continuing their great season form by winning the Open UN2 category in 8.52.10. Tony and Tim knocked almost 4 hours off the 50+ UN2 class record by winning that in 8.57.00! Tom Simmat made it records in successive years with a fantastic 9.58.35 in the 50+ SRec, while Bob Kenderes won the Open SRec.  Urs and Arni Mader claimed another record in the 50+ XLRec2, and Roger Aspinall (who smashed the 10-hour mark in breaking the class record), James Mumme and Jeremy Spear made it a trifecta for Lane Cove in the 40+ MRec. There were many other outstanding performances, including wins by Steve Paget in the 40+ TK1 and Christie Brown in the Ladies Open UN1.

Congratulations to all who competed and many thanks to the enthusiastic landcrews and LCRK members who acted as officials.

Detailed Classic results are available at www.canoeclassic.asn.au.

For race pictures go to our Photo Gallery. If you have any photos of the Classic, please send them to admin@lcrk.org.au so they can be added to the Photo Gallery.

View the News Archive for previous News Flash articles.

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