Lane Cove River Kayakers

News Archive

2007-10-13: This year’s Avon Descent was a bruiser, with one Lane Cove paddler trapped in the cockpit of his K1 after it speared into a double abandoned in the rapids and was twisted around him. You can read about in the latest issue of Kayak Kapers.
Also in this issue of Kayak Kapers:
- Tips to give your landcrew on what’s facing them in the Hawkesbury Classic.
- Competitiveness came to the fore in the Myall River Classic.
- The first of a new club program of recreational paddles, held on the Central Coast, went past an island of pelicans.
- Peter Anderson relives the 740km Yukon River Quest, billed as the world’s longest kayak endurance race.
- The coast of Turkey, where you can kayak beneath ancient tombs carved into sheer rock faces, is a paddler’s paradise.
You can download this issue or previous issues of Kayak Kapers free to your own computer.

2007-09-14: (Updated 2007-10-13) Lane Cove River Kayakers recently held a seminar to offer guidance on how to prepare for and compete in the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic. An updated summary of comments by the various speakers is available by clicking here and can be downloaded to your own computer.

2007-09-03: New Number System
A new boat numbering system is being introduced for the Wednesday evening time trials. All members will be issued with a black number board with reflective numbers, when they attend on Wednesday evening. They can either keep them or leave them with the club gear each week, and members will be responsible for their own number boards. New and trial members will be given a temporary 'letter' board each week, until they become permanent members and are issued with their own number.

This new method of tracking paddlers will have benefits in many areas. It will avoid confusion at the finish line as paddlers call their numbers to the time keepers. It will simplify start procedures where each craft will be easily identified and accounted for. And most of all, in the winter months, boat numbers will show who is paddling on the same patch of water, and add a social aspect to the paddle.

Permanent number holders are available for purchase on Wednesday evenings, otherwise suction cap number holders, available from some kayak shops, can be used. The number system is being introduced over the next 4 weeks, starting with self-adhesive number holders available from 29th August.

Many Thanks,
Tony Hystek
LCRK Wed night convenor.

2007-08-10: Lane Cove River Kayakers has a new President. Graeme Jeffries has taken over from Tim Hookins, who stepped down after two years in the position. Tim becomes Secretary and Nick Chai was re-elected Treasurer. Other members of the new Committee are Ian Hofstetter, Tony Hystek, Justin Paine, Tom Simmat, Matt Swann and Rob Vallis. For pictures of the AGM and Annual Dinner go to the Photo Gallery.

2007-08-10: About 70 paddlers and friends attended a very interesting presentation, organised by Lane Cove River Paddlers and held at Blue Earth, on June 24 at which Richard Barnes and Phil Newman described their kayak circumnavigation of Tasmania. The centrepiece was an outline on the floor, made up of a series of maps, of the Tasmanian coastline which showed their route. For pictures of the presentation, go to Photo Gallery. Richard has also written a new version of the trip diary to describe highlights of the paddle - download (.doc)

2007-07-09: Make sure you check out the photos from Phil and Richard's Tasmania Circumnavigation. They are in the photo gallery.

2007-06-26: Five Australian paddlers, including four from Lane Cove River Kayakers, are flying to Canada to compete in this year’s Yukon River Quest, a gruelling annual 750km race through the northern Canadian wilderness. You can read about them in the June issue of Kayak Kapers.
Other articles in this issue:
- Elite Australian kayakers team up with club paddlers to raise money for charity.
- Tumut white water is a lure for some of our flatwater paddlers.
- Women kayakers offer ideas on how to improve the sport for them.
- Richard Barnes and Phil Newman return from their 1940km kayak circumnavigation of Tasmania.
You can download the June issue and earlier issues of Kayak Kapers to your own computer free.

2007-08-10: Fancy a carefree paddling holiday on the Great Barrier Reef, where the biggest problem is nesting turtles dumping sand in your kayak? Jeremy Spear tells you all about it. Additional photos are in the Photo Gallery.

2007-08-10: About 70 paddlers and friends attended a very interesting presentation, organised by Lane Cove River Paddlers and held at Blue Earth, on June 24 at which Richard Barnes and Phil Newman described their kayak circumnavigation of Tasmania. The centrepiece was an outline on the floor, made up of a series of maps, of the Tasmanian coastline which showed their route. For pictures of the presentation, go to Photo Gallery. Read Richard's trip diary.

2007-08-10: A small Australian contingent of paddlers has returned from Canada where they put in dominating performances in the challenging 740km Yukon River Quest. You can read about them in the August issue of Kayak Kapers. Also in this issue:
- Richard Barnes describes the 53-day circumnavigation paddle he and Phil Newman made around Tasmania. Illustrated with spectacular photos.
- Jeremy Spear takes us on a paddling holiday 75km offshore on the Great Barrier Reef.
- Lane Cove River Kayakers is launching a series of recreational paddles through scenic waterways. Open to all. Dates and details are given.
You can download this and earlier issues of Kayak Kapers to your own computer.

2007-06-26: Five Australian paddlers, including four from Lane Cove River Kayakers, are flying to Canada to compete in this year’s Yukon River Quest, a gruelling annual 750km race through the northern Canadian wilderness. You can read about them in the June issue of Kayak Kapers.
Other articles in this issue:
- Elite Australian kayakers team up with club paddlers to raise money for charity.
- Tumut white water is a lure for some of our flatwater paddlers.
- Women kayakers offer ideas on how to improve the sport for them.
- Richard Barnes and Phil Newman return from their 1940km kayak circumnavigation of Tasmania.
You can download the June issue and earlier issues of Kayak Kapers to your own computer free.

2007-06-11: Phil And Richard would like to thank all their friends, relatives and others that helped them achieve their goal of paddling around Tasmania, without their help and support it would not have been possible. We were both totally blown away by how friendly everyone we met in Tasmania was, possible one of the last bastion of community spirit. Click here for details. See pictures of the trip in the Photo Gallery.

2007-04-05: Racing right across the South Island of New Zealand in one day is a tough challenge, but having to reach certain points by a cutoff time or be disqualified can turn it into a race of desperation. Read how Neil Meade and Tim Sindle fared and see pictures of them in action in the Photo Gallery.

2007-04-05: The April issue of Kayak Kapers contains a tribute to Andrew McAuley, who lost his life while trying to paddle from Australia to New Zealand, together with some thoughts on what went wrong. Also in this issue you'll find:
• Two Lane Cove paddlers battle the clock as well as the demanding course in a bike/run/kayak race across New Zealand.
• Our women say what they like – and dislike – about paddling.
• Adventure racing can be fun.
• Race reports on the Winter Marathon Series and the Bridge-to-Beach.
You can download this or any other copy of Kayak Kapers to your own computer.

2007-02-28: Having problems with your paddling technique? Olympian Chantal Meek analyses the forward stroke in the latest issue of Kayak Kapers and tells you what you should be doing – and what you shouldn't. Also in this issue you'll find:
• Details of Tom Simmat's courageous world record bid
• First-hand accounts of the Murray Marathon by two class winners
• The first in a new series of Paddler Profiles
• Paddlers Diary for 2007.
You can download this and earlier copies of Kayak Kapers to your own computer.

2007-01-31: LCRK Members turned out in force to act as escort craft for the Annual Surfboard Challenge in Sydney harbour on Australia Day. 33 boats, many of them doubles, guided surfboarders in the race from the Opera House, under the Coathanger and around Lavender Bay to Blues Point. For pictures of the event see the Photo Gallery.

2007-01-17: Download and read about Murray Marathon 2006: Tim, Oli and Jude Hookins (Adobe PDF required).

2007-01-17: Tom Simmat ended his bid to break the world record for the distance paddled by a solo male kayaker in 24 hours after 16 hours 7 minutes 7 seconds. Starting just before midnight on Friday January 12 at the Regatta Centre, Penrith, he paddled 139.74km. The record is 241.95km. Bad blistering of his hands, boat problems and fatigue led to a couple of lengthy stops in the latter stages which put him well behind schedule. Although he failed in his world record attempt, his 115.08km in the first 12 hours is thought to probably be an Australian record for paddling under strict world record regulations, which include no tidal or current influence.

2006-12-15: Photos from the 2006 Classic and Winter Marathon Series Race 8 (Waggabidgee) have been updated in the Photo Gallery. New photos are towards the end of each photo album.

2006-10-22: Frank and Marg McDonald have recently returned from their customary winter swing through northern Australia. They brought back a stunning photographic record of their trip to go with their written account.

2006-09-12: Proposed relocation to the pontoon. At the latest committee meeting of the LCRK we discussed the permanent relocation of the club to the pontoon. We want to ensure the matter is discussed freely and openly amongst all members prior to a final decision being made. You are welcome to log on and utilise the discussion forum to voice your opinion and offer suggestions. Alternatively you can seek out a committee member any Wednesday night and have your say.

We would like to make a final decision by the middle of October - Wednesday the 11th of October. That will give everyone plenty of time until then to discuss the issue, and also plenty of time after the decision to prepare for the move should that be the outcome.

2006-09-12: Lane Cove River Kayakers has a new mailing list. Members - please log into the Members Area for details about signing up and sending emails to the mailing list.