WHAT’S HAPPENING!

Bondi Trip Deadline!

For everyone who signed up to participate in our Fall Bondi Trip, September 19th – 23rd, the deadline to receive your Down Payment cheque of $120  (and your commitment) is this coming Wednesday, June 22nd.  After this date, other Club members (beginning with those on the ‘Waiting List’) will be given the opportunity to fill in any openings and join our northern adventure.
Cheques should be made out to:  Old Salts Seniors Canoe Club. 
Please, also send an email to inform Mark that your cheque is on its way.
After the Wednesday deadline, Mark will contact anyone on the Trip ‘Waiting List’ and anyone who expressed an interest in going to Bondi.
If you have any questions, please contact the Trip Organizer, Mark Zelinka at:  519-651-3186 or  at the email address above. 
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this fun Autumn canoeing trip! 
Mark

Warning: Giant Hogweed is Sprouting!

In the past, we printed a warning about “Giant Hogweed” at the start of our canoeing season.  See here.   So far this season, we have seen some along the banks of the Nith River.

This year, for those of you who are hiking in rural areas, possibly near rivers and lakes, there is a good reason to watch out for these plants as they start their growing season. This may also be helpful for those of you who have cottages or like to camp near rivers or lakes.

The following warning is being sent out via email to other groups. Since we make many stops along the shoreline on both rivers and lakes during our canoe trips and we may encounter giant hogweed, it seems like a good time to share:

The giant hogweed plants have sprouted. They are presently a good contrast against the background of winter-dead and they a are larger than the other plants around.

Please check your riverside properties from the water edge to a place just above the high water lines from the last seven years.

If you find any, they can be dug with a shovel and turned over so the sun can scorch them. It is only necessary to cut the root off at 4” to 6” below the soil.

Please report any new findings with GPS coordinates and a photo to gianthogweed@rogers.com so that we can map the spread.

More info is available at the Facebook group Giant Hogweed Mitigation Project.

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Future Trip Cancellations

A few of our trips were cancelled because no one volunteered to lead them. Therefore, we call on all our experienced paddlers  and those who volunteered to lead trips on their registration forms, to please sign up and volunteer to lead one of the trips listed below so no further trips will be cancelled due to lack of leader (or tower). (Anne will be away on these dates**)

June 30th – Easy Breezy – Stratford Lake

July 5th- Nith River – Drumbo to Canning**

July 12th – Grand River – Bean Park (Paris) – Wilk’s dam**

July 14th – Easy Breezy – Speed River – Royal City Park**

July 26th – Beaver River – Access #2 – Heathcote**

July 28th – Easy Breezy – Grand River -Moyer’s Landing – Riverbluffs**

Aug 2nd – Grand River – Kaufman’s Flat – Shirley Dr.

Aug 9th – Grand River – Brant Park – Erie

Aug 11th – Easy Breezy – Moonlight Paddle

Aug 25th – Easy Breezy – West Montrose – Kaufman’s Flat**

Sept 6th – Big Creek

Sept 15th – Easy Breezy – Hespeler Pond

As you can see, we have some lovely trips planned and it would be a shame to cancel any of them. As members volunteer, the schedule will be filled in….check back often as trips could change depending on water levels and flows.

We have many resources to assist you and extra help is always available….just ask! If you decide to lead or tow for any of these trips, please contact Anne Woolner (519-743-2277 or annewoolner@hotmail.com). Please note that Anne will be away in July, so it would be great if she could hear from you asap.

You can find the membership list here if you want to team up with anyone.

Thanks, in advance to those who answer the call and offer to lead!

Tuesday, June 14th Trip Details (Ayr – Silver Bridge)

In this blog post, you will find the trip details for Tuesday, June 14th.  Please read carefully.   If you are wondering how to sign up for this trip, please read: SO YOU WANT TO GO ON A CANOE TRIP {Here’s How!}

Trip:  Nith River – Ayr to Wolverton
Date:  Tuesday, June 14th
Time:  Meet at the shed at 8:30 a.m. for a 8:45 a.m. departure
Trip Leader(s): Pam Krokoszynski and Betty Dyck
Tower: Eugene Marion
Details:   This is a great 2 1/2 paddle down the meandering Nith River. There are some nice drops in the water with some small rapids.  Good river reading needed.  Note: The take out is challenging as the canoes need to be carried up a small, narrow, rocky hill.
Skill Level: Intermediate training required
Shuttle: Yes. 22 min.
Trip Fee: $8 (exact amount please)

Please contact Betty Dyck  519 669 8314 (home)  519 588 1756 (cell)   rbydyck@rogers.com  or  Pam Krokoszynski     519 577 8524 (cell)      pamkrok@rogers.com  ASAP to save your spot for this trip. You will receive a confirmation email on Monday from the trip leader to confirm your spot.

If you change your mind or are unable to make it for some reason, please let the Trip Leader know asap as this will affect number of canoes required, partners, etc. and won’t leave the rest of the group waiting for you.

    • If you want to arrange partners a head of time, check out the membership list for contact information.
    • When you come out on a canoe trip, please come prepared! (Read this post carefully) Bring hat, sunscreen and snack or lunch.
    • Dress for the weather (don’t wear jeans or cotton)
    • Make sure you bring a waterproof dry bag with a change of clothes (see here for more details on what to bring).  You will be thankful you did should you happen to get wet……and it does happen!
    • Help out where you can so we can all enjoy our day! (see here for what to do on canoe day)
    • If you are carpooling with someone, don’t forget to give the driver some gas money ($5 recommended)
    • Be considerate of your potential partner!  Review your strokes…what they are and what they do. (see here)
    • If you have a favourite trip, consider leading it. Check out the trip shedule. There are lots of trips that still need trip leaders. If you didn’t make it out to the training, see here for an overview on what is involved and/or contact Anne Woolner  at annewoolner@hotmail.com.  Trips will be cancelled if there is no one to lead them!
    • Remember: We are not in a hurry….this isn’t a race…..this is supposed to be fun!

 

Dates to Remember {June}

Mark Your Calenders!

Training is now over! We hope everyone who participated enjoyed themselves and learned something. What did you think? (Please leave feedback and comments in the comments section below after logging into the blog) Hope we see you on the water!

In spite of the lower water levels we’ve been experiencing, we still have lots of trips planned this season for you to enjoy! Check your emails regularly for trip details and take a look at the schedule periodically since some trips may change due to water levels and flow.

Please note that we still require trip leaders for some of our upcoming trips, be they the Tuesday outings or the Thursday Easy Breezy outings, so check the schedule and let Anne know which trip you would like to lead so we don’t have to cancel any more trips due to lack of trip leaders! (519-743-2277  or annewoolner@hotmail.com). If you have any ideas for trip substitutions or would like to scout a new route, let us know!

Wed. June 8th
September Bondi Trip
Organizational & Information Meeting
Trip Organizer: Mark Zelinka
10:30 a.m. at the shed
For more information, see here.

Thurs. June 9th
EASY BREEZY/ Pot Luck
Trip Leader: Anne Woolner
Grand River: Freeport to Pat’s Trailer
Basic Training required.
Trip Fee: $8
Everyone welcome for Pot Luck
For more details, see here.

Tues. June 14th
Nith River: Ayr to Wolverton
Trip Fee: $8
Trip Leaders: Pam Krokoszynski & Betty Dyck
Tower: Eugene Marion
Trip Fee: $8
Intermediate Training required.
More details coming….

Thurs. June 16th
EASY BREEZY – Floradale Dam – aka Woolwich Reservoir
Trip Fee: $8
Trip Leader(s): Volunteer required!
Tower: Volunteer required!
Basic Training required.
More  details coming….

Tues. June 21st
Paradise Lake Fun Day!
Everyone welcome!
Organizers: Social Committee
For more information, see here!

Tues. June 28th
Saugeen River #1: Walkerton – Access #7
Trip fee: $12
Trip Leaders: Carol & Eugene Marion
Tower: Eugene Marion
Intermediate Training required.
This is an all day trip that is a club favourite!
More details coming……

Thurs. June 30th
EASY BREEZY – Stratford Lake
Trip Fee: $8
Trip Leader(s): Volunteer required!
Tower: Volunteer required!
Basic Training required.
More  details coming….

 

UPDATE: September Bondi Trip

BONDI  MEETING  this coming  WEDNESDAY, June 8th, at 10:30am! 

The important Organizational and Information Meeting for our Club’s September trip to the Bondi Lodge, in the Algonquin Park area, (previously postponed from May 20th) will be held this Wednesday at 10:30 am.  Those members who 1) signed up in March,  2) the (few) individuals on the ‘Waiting List’, and 3) anyone who wishes to be placed on the ‘Waiting List’ are strongly encouraged to attend.

We will meet outside the canoe shed.  Please, bring a folding/camp chair for this meeting.  Also, a rain jacket or umbrella is suggested,  if rain is threatening that morning.

Your committment and a downpayment cheque of $120/individual, made out to Old Salts Seniors Canoe Club, are required to reserve the Bondi Lodge for our group.  This will guarantee your spot on the trip but will only be accepted after this meeting  until Wednesday June 22nd.  After that date, members on the ‘Waiting List’ will be given the opportunity to fill in any opening(s).

Please, R.S.V.P. the Trip Organizer, Mark Zelinka asap, if planning to attend zelinkamd@gmail.com    or      519-651-3186.

Mark Zelinka, Bondi Trip Organizer

Direct any questions or concerns to Mark directly!

Thursday, June 9th Trip/Pot Luck Details

In this blog post, you will find the trip details for Thursday, June 9th.  Please read carefully.   If you are wondering how to sign up for this trip, please read: SO YOU WANT TO GO ON A CANOE TRIP {Here’s How!}

Trip: Grand River- Freeport- Pat’s trailer (211 Pioneer Tower Road)
Date:  Thursday, June 9th
Time:  Meet Anne at the shed at 9:00 a.m. for a 9:15 a.m. departure
Trip Leader(s): Anne Woolner
Tower: Frank Kuntz
Details: EASY BREEZY – POT LUCK! All are welcome.  On this trip, we will paddle past the Pioneer Tower. This is a leisurely paddle that will end with a pot luck lunch at a member’s trailer where we will meet & greet both new and returning members! (details below)
Skill Level: EASY BREEZY – Basic training required, but be aware a short portage is required.
Shuttle: Yes
Trip Fee: $8
Pot Luck Details: This is great opportunity to socialize and meet our 2022 members! 

If you are canoeing, please bring your food item in a cooler or prepared for transport and make sure it is in a vehicle going to Pat’s trailer and staying there, not in the trunk of the car returning the drivers to the put in. Bring your own drinks, plates, cutlery and a lawn chair. Coffee will be provided.

People who are not canoeing  this trip are welcome to come for the  pot luck only.   Meet in the parking lot at 211 Pioneer Tower Rd.  at 11 am and Pat will let you in. The Park is called the Pioneer Sportsmans Club.  Directions:  If you take the expressway south from Kitchener towards 401, take the King St. exit, towards London.  When you get to Sportsworld Dr. turn right.  On that side it is Baxter. Take the right hand fork in the road.  That is Pioneer Tower Rd.  211 is on the left after a green area past the houses.

Please contact  Anne Woolner (519-743-2277 or annewoolner@hotmail.com)  to save your spot for this trip. If you are planning to come to the Pot Luck without canoeing, please let Anne know as well so we know how many people to expect at Pat’s trailer.

If you change your mind or are unable to make it for some reason, please let the Trip Leader know asap as this will affect number of canoes required, partners, etc. and won’t leave the rest of the group waiting for you.

    • When you come out on a canoe trip, please come prepared! (Read this post carefully)
    • Dress for the weather (don’t wear jeans or cotton)
    • Make sure you bring a waterproof dry bag with a change of clothes (see here for more details on what to bring).  You will be thankful you did should you happen to get wet……and it does happen!
    • Help out where you can so we can all enjoy our day! (see here for what to do on canoe day)
    • If you are carpooling with someone, don’t forget to give the driver some gas money ($5 recommended)
    • Be considerate of your potential partner!  Review your strokes…what they are and what they do. (see here)
    • If you have a favourite trip, consider leading it. Check out the trip shedule. There are lots of trips that still need trip leaders. If you didn’t make it out to the training, see here for an overview on what is involved and/or contact Anne Woolner  at annewoolner@hotmail.com.  Trips will be cancelled if there is no one to lead them!
    • Remember: We are not in a hurry….this isn’t a race…..this is supposed to be fun!