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LAST CALL for BONDI LODGE/CANOEING TRIP {in September} !!

There are still some openings for our Club’s traditional Autumn trip into the Algonquin Northland!
If you have been on the ‘Waiting List’,  ‘sitting on the fence’ about going, or a new member who’s just ‘really’ hearing about this trip (because of your earlier hectic period of training and adjustment to the club),  now’s the time to make your final decision.   This trip is open to all members with a minimum of Basic Training.  The Final deadline for any members wishing to join our existing group of participants is Friday July  9th.
The trip’s scheduled date is Monday September 19th to Friday September 23rd.
Contact Mark for more information,  to answer any questions, or to discuss any concerns at  zelinkamd@gmail.com  OR      519-651-3186 

Don’t miss the fun and adventure!! 

Mark Zelinka

Link to Bondi Cottage Resort can be found here [link]

Thursday, June 30th Trip Details

In this blog post, you will find the trip details for Thursday, June 30th.  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: Avon River, Stratford
Date:  Thursday, June 30th
Time:  Meet at the shed at 9:00 a.m. for a 9:15 a.m. departure
Trip Leader(s): Brenda Welch and Pat Aiken
Tower: TBD, however, if not enough people sign up to canoe, cartopper volunteers will be required!
Details:  This is a leisurely paddle on the lovely Avon River in Stratford. Enjoy the sights, particularly the swans, but don’t get too close!
Skill Level: EASY BREEZY – Basic training required.
Shuttle: No
Trip Fee: $8

Other Information:  Although this is an Easy Breezy canoe trip, it is also a social outing. There will be a potluck lunch around 12 (noon) in the park behind the Festival Theatre (so no need to bring a lunch). The club is supplying the hotdogs and fixings. You may bring a SMALL salad, appetizer or dessert. We ask that you bring your own beverage, plates and cutlery.

If you are not canoeing, but would still like to participate in the potluck, you are most welcome to either meet at the shed and carpool to the put-in at the park, or you can meet at the park around 11:30 a.m. just before lunch. Feel free to enjoy the walking paths while waiting for the paddlers to be done, but stay away from the swans!

Please contact Brenda Welch at 519-884-2168 or brendajwelch@hotmail.com to register for this trip ASAP to determine hotdog amounts. Please indicate whether you are canoeing (to determine how many canoes to take) or not. If you are going to drive to Stratford for the potluck, let Brenda know as well so the group won’t be waiting for you at the shed.

Directions if you are driving yourself to meet for lunch: If you are coming into Stratford from Kitchener and New Hamburg on Highway 7 & 8, it turns into Ontario St.  After you pass the light at Romeo, make the next right on Parkview.  Continue straight into the park, passing Coburg and Waterloo St.  Continue into the park on Richard Monette Way.  It turns into Lakeside.  For the potluck, park up the hill by the washrooms. The river is down  the hill. If you are lost, Pat’s  cell number is 519-575-2115

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 so the rest of the group won’t be waiting for you unnecessarily.

 

 

Tuesday, June 28th Trip Details

**Please read carefully**

In this blog post, you will find the trip details for Tuesday, June 28th.  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!} [Link]

Trip:  Saugeen #1 -Lobie’s Park, Walkerton to Access #10
Date:  Tuesday, June 28th
Time:  Everyone to meet at the shed for 8:00 a.m. We will leave promptly at 8:15 a.m. 
Trip Leader(s): Eugene & Carol Marion
Tower: Eugene Marion & TBA
Details:  Some moderate rapids and spectacular scenery as we meander north viewing high cliffs, sand banks and observing flora and fauna. We stop for lunch at a lovely bend in the river where some practise rope throwing while others swim and surf in the river. If you plan on swimming, you may want to wear or bring a bathing suit. This is an all day trip that is longer than our previous trips. There will be lots of paddling, but the trip ends with an ice-cream cone as our reward! The paddling time is guestimated at around 3 hrs, not including water breaks and lunch.
Skill Level: Intermediate training required. There will be lots of opportunity to practise river reading and other skills learned in training!
Shuttle: Yes…. 25 min
Trip Fee: $12 (This trip is further than 100 km). Exact amount please!
Things to Note: It takes approximately 2 hours to get to put-in in Walkerton (Lobies Park). We will stop  about half-way there for a Tim Horton’s/washroom break and continue on to Lobies Park. There are washroom facilities there as well. This is an all day trip so don’t plan anything else for this day as we can’t guarantee our return time. After the trip, we always stop for ice cream at Megan & Rob’s Burger Box in Mildmay, although they do have food if you want an early supper, so bring extra money.
Carpooling: This is a longer trip, so you may want to carpool with someone so the drive there and back isn’t so lonely. You can find the membership list here.
Driving Instructions: Directions to Walkerton, Map [links] Please print if you are planning on driving and need directions (we no longer have access to a photocopier)

Please contact Carol Marion at caroline.milla4@gmail.com or 519-570-6250 to save your spot for this trip. Please indicate in your email whether you are a bow or a stern paddler for planning purposes. You will receive a confirmation email on Monday morning  from the trip leader to confirm your spot. If you don’t receive an email, call Carol to confirm you are on the list.

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!

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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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….