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POND TRAINING {April 23rd, 26th, 30th}

Time to brush off the winter cobwebs and get ready for this upcoming canoe season.  You have 3 opportunities to practice your canoe skills before we get on the rivers and lakes. These sessions are open to everyone and cost nothing but your time and energy!

Mark these dates on your calendar:

      • April 23
      • April 26
      • April 30

Meet at the canoe shed at 1:00 pm.

Bring a PFD, hat, water, and snack.  Also bring rain gear should it start to drizzle.

This is the perfect opportunity to practice/learn the basic canoe strokes, ask questions from our more experienced paddlers and get to know other members. Are you a bow or stern paddler? Maybe you are a bow paddler and want to try stern………or vice versa.

In case you missed it……..

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! {MAY} – see what’s coming up in May!

ARE YOU READY? {Training Spots Filling up Fast}

KNOW YOUR STROKES – A Review

SEASON 2019-2020 {Announcements}

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! {MAY}

May 6 – refresher skills training

  • Rain Date: May 8th
  • Glen Morris to Birley Gates
  • meet at the canoe shed: 9:00 am
  • See here for more training details

may 7 – Eramosa river

  • Eden Mills to Stone Rd.
  • Experienced moving water paddlers only (cold water)–must have intermediate training
  • Revival of a delightful, long-overlooked day trip
  • Trip Co-Ordinators: Lynn Warmington 519-846-9243, Dianne Wagner 519-698-2724
  • Tower(s): Eugene Marion, Evan Jenkins
  • Cost: $6

may 9 – Hespeler Pond

  • Easy-Breezy outing
  • Great chance to practice strokes and skills learned in training
  • Open to all members
  • Meet at the shed: 9:00 a.m.
  • Trip Co-Ordinator: Al Dunn
  • Tower(s): Al Dunn
  • Cost: $6

MAY 13 – BASIC RIVER TRAINING – calm water (Day 1)

  • Rain Date: May 17th
  • River Bluffs Park, Cambridge
  • Meet at the canoe shed: 9:30 am
  • See here for more training details

may 14 – Grand River

  • Elora Gorge Conservation Area (Low Bridge) to West Montrose
  • Excellent views of the countryside. Lots of islands!
  • Experienced paddles only! (must have Intermediate training)
  • Pass junction of Carroll Creek and then Swan Creek between Elora and Inverhaugh.
  • Take out at the West Montrose covered bridge.
  • A few challenging turns!
  • Trip Co-Ordinator: TBD (Volunteer Required)
  • Tower(s): TBD (Volunteer Required)
  • Cost: $6

may 15 – basic river training – moving water (day 2)

  • Rain Date: May 22nd
  • Grand River (Galt to Footbridge)
  • Meet at the canoe shed: 9:00 am
  • See here for more training details

mAY 21 – Saugeen RIVER

  • Walkerton (Lobie’s Park – Access #5) to Conc. 10 ( Access #7)
  • Some moderate rapids
  • Spectacular scenery as we meander north viewing high cliffs and observing the flora and fauna
  • Experienced paddlers only
  • Trip Co-Ordinator: Chris Sheppard, Alicia Smith
  • Tower(s): Chris Sheppard, Eugene Marion
  • Cost: $9

May 24 – Intermediate training (day 1)

  • Rain Date:  May 29th
  • Galt to Glen Morris
  • Meet at the canoe shed: 9:00 am
  • See here for more training details

may 27 – intermediate training (day 2)

  • Rain date: May 31st
  • Glen Morris to Birley Gates
  • Meet at the canoe shed: 9:00 am
  • See here for more training details

may 28 – grand river

  • Freeport to Pioneer Sportsman Club (Pat & Murray’s)
  • Social Event (Open to all members)
  • Potluck lunch to welcome new members
  • More info to come via Blog
  • Trip Co-Ordinator: TBD
  • Tower(s): Eugene Marion
  • Cost: $6

may 30 – floradale dam (woolwich reservoir)

  • Easy-Breezy outing
  • Open to all members
  • Great outing….usually followed by lunch at Bonnie Lou’s Café in Floradale
  • Trip Co-Ordinator: TBD (Volunteer Required
  • Tower(s): Al Dunn
  • Cost: $6

For times and other trip information see here!

Please check back often should there be a change in the trip schedule , times, or other trip details! Use the comments section below if you have any questions:)

do not plan any other activities or appointments on canoe trip days. we cannot guarantee when we’ll be back!

Please be on time for scheduled departures so there is time to sign in, pay trip fee, organize number of canoes required, arrange transportation/car pools, etc. The sooner we can get to our destination, the sooner we can get on the water!  You won’t want to end up having to car top a canoe or be left behind!!  (Please leave enough time to get to the shed, but if you get caught up in traffic, please let the trip coordinator know as this will make a difference in how many canoes are required and if we need another tower)

If you have any questions about the canoe trips, please contact the trip coordinators listed with the trips on the schedule.

If you are towing for any of the above trips, please keep track of your mileage from the time you leave the shed to the time you return to the shed after the trip. Remember to either pick up a towing reimbursement form from  the “blue binder” in the shed or download it from here.

In case you missed it…….

What to bring on a canoe excursion.

What you can do to make canoe days fun for everybody!

Safety on the Water!

Canoe Terminology!

KNOW YOUR STROKES!

Every year, OSSCC offers canoe lessons to teach you safe canoeing practices, and canoe strokes and skills to navigate safely on the water. Whether you are a newbie to the club or a member who has been with us for a while, it never hurts to review and practice the basic canoe strokes we learn in our courses and use on our many trips. Each stroke has a purpose. Do you know what they do? Below are links to resource materials to assist with providing a better understanding of basic canoe strokes we should know and have learned in our lessons.

Forward and Back Stroke

J-Stroke & Canadian C-Stroke (Stern) – includes video

Draw and Cross-Bow Draw Stroke

Pry Stroke

Videos

Path of the Paddle: Double Basics (Bill & Paul Mason)

How to Steer and Paddle a Canoe – Forward Stroke – Bruce Lessels

How to Canoe – 3 Key Strokes all Paddlers Should Know -PaddleTV

Tadem Canoe Basics (Paul & Willa Mason)

Tandem Canoe Essentials (Paul & Willa Mason)

Essential Strokes for Tandem Maneuvers – Westwood Outdoors

Parts of a Canoe/Paddle and Strokes – Northern Tier High Adventure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OSSCC CIVIC CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY!

eARTH DAY COMMUNITY CLEANUP – April 26-27

Celebrate Earth Day as we work to remove litter from public parks and trails in Waterloo during our annual city-wide cleanup from April 26 to 28, 2019.  In the past, the OSSCC has participated so we are asking volunteers to come forward and represent the Club. If anyone is interested in taking the lead on this worthwhile project and/or would like to participate, please contact info@oldsaltsclub.com to get the ball rolling.  Your support would be greatly appreciated!

annual stocking of the Conestoga river

Last year, several of our members participated in the annual stocking of the Conestoga River.  This year, the stocking will take place on May 8th and May 9th.  This is a rain or shine event, but in the event of high water may be cancelled as safety is paramount for volunteers.

Volunteers will be meeting on both days at the Macton access between 9:30 – 10:00 am to break into groups and receive instructions prior to the stocking tanker’s arrival. Total fish around 16,000.

Fish on Wed. the 8th will be all stocked with pails, while on Thurs. the 9th we will be using canoes and pails.  If you would like to participate, please let the organizer know.  His contact info is:  Brad Knarr.  His email is: rogue_wave@hotmail.com.  Since club canoes won’t be available May 9th because of the Hespeler Pond canoe trip, you would need to bring own.

What to bring: 1) a friend 2) camera 3) sunscreen 4) hat 5) sunglasses 6) weather appropriate clothing 7) boots, waders 8) snacks, beverages (water, pop will be supplied.

This is a rain or shine event, so please contact Brad if you plan on attending, which days,and if you can bring a canoe so he can get an idea of numbers for planning purposes. Last year, those who participated had a great time.

 

ARE YOU READY? {Training Spots Filling up Fast}

With the 2019 canoe season almost upon us, it seems prudent to provide some resources to review canoe skills for our club members.  All our training sessions provide valuable lessons no matter what your skill level and can certainly be taken more than once – you will always learn something new  or possibly master a maneuver you couldn’t quite get last year.  You can never be over trained when it comes to canoeing!

If you haven’t yet signed up for training, please check out the schedule here and contact Lynn Warmington (lynnwarmington1@gmail.com) asap as spots are filling up fast.  We want everyone to enjoy their canoe outings this year and feel confident and safe while doing so! Whether you are content to enjoy the simple tranquility of our “Easy Breezy” outings or want more challenges with our longer and faster moving water trips, there is something for all skill levels. Check out the schedule here or here.

That said, in the following video, Paul Mason and his daughter Willa demonstrate tandem (bow and stern) basics in a canoe. Included is how to properly get in a canoe without tipping, positions in the canoe, and basic stern and bow strokes.

Pond training (free) at the Victoria Pond is strongly encouraged on April 23, 26, and 30.  This is the perfect opportunity to practice strokes and other skills, getting in and out of the canoe, etc. before we actually get on the rivers and lakes. You might also want to consider our first “Easy Breezy” on May 9th at Hespeler Pond. Details to follow.

If you have any questions, comment below or contact: info@oldsaltsclub.com

 

 

 

SEASON 2019-2020 {Announcements}

The new season is now upon us as we begin our training and the weather slowly starts warming up to welcome us on the water. Our Membership Drive was a great success and we are very happy to welcome 21 new members to our club. We look forward to meeting you all and seeing you on our trips and at our upcoming social events.

Announcements!

  • Some members didn’t sign their waivers on page 2 of the membership registrations/applications.  You will be getting an email to let you know and to make arrangements for you to get it signed and back to us BEFORE you get on the water. You can get the waiver here.
  • Here is the link for you to see a copy of the OSSCC Handbook/Club Rules that was mentioned in the waiver.  Please read and be familiar with it before getting on the water so you are aware of protocols and expectations.
  • The newly revised Emergency Contact cards were handed out at the Membership Drive meeting.  For potential emergencies, it is essential that everyone either has one on them or in their dry bag whenever out on one of our canoe trips. Trip Co-Ordinators will be checking before we leave on any trips. If you don’t have one, they will be available at the shed and at training sessions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Volunteers – the success of the OSSCC depends on its volunteers! Many thanks to everyone who signed up to help.  You will be contacted by the committee co-ordinators. For those who didn’t sign up, please consider volunteering in some capacity. Send a quick email to: info@oldsaltsclub.com. We will send out an SOS when we need you:)
  • The trip schedule will be posted shortly with the names of trip co-ordinators and towers. Take a look and consider signing up to co-ordinate a trip.  There is a detailed “Trip Organizer” job description posted in the “Printables” section of the Blog shortly.
  • MARK YOUR CALENDAR posts will continue this season beginning with May. These monthly posts will tell you about our planned trips as well as any upcoming club events and will be updated as new info emerges. If you are wondering about a trip further down the road, you can find that info on the season’s schedule located on the web page as well as a more complete schedule (with Trip Coordinators and towers) that will be posted shortly in the printable section of the blog.
  • Membership Forms – if you weren’t at the Membership Drive and still plan to renew your membership, please let us know by April 15th so we can keep you on our mailing list. You can find the form on the web page or in the “printables” section of this blog. Don’t forget to sign the waiver on page 2 before submitting!
  • The Blog is still going to be the main communication tool to let you know about trips, cancellations, postponements etc., announcements about club social events, Bondi etc., as well as a resource hub with canoeing videos, the club handbook/rules, forms and other printable material. If you have something to contribute that would benefit club members, let us know at info@oldsaltsclub.com.  You can also provide feedback, suggestions and concerns at the bottom of each post.

We look forward to a wonderful canoe season!  See you soon:)

CELEBRATING SENIORS!

Hello OSSCC Members!

The OSSCC Board is happy to share some wonderful news!!

Our club was chosen by the City of Waterloo to be part  of a city initiative called “Celebrate Seniors“. This is a three part campaign featuring City of Waterloo senior groups that are actively contributing to the health and wellness of seniors in the Waterloo community.

Why? Because they want to showcase senior groups  that are making a difference.  As seniors, we are an integral part of the community with lots to contribute. By staying active, we maintain our overall health not just physically, but mentally and socially as well.  Our canoe club covers all aspects of this in spades, so lets give ourselves a big, collective pat on the back.

We are very pleased that our club was asked to participate in this campaign. Larry Martin and Pat Kalyn kindly volunteered to be our spokespeople and participated in a lovely interview/video which is now featured on the City of Waterloo “Celebrate Seniors” web page. You can check out the write up and  video here.  If you like it, leave a comment after the video!

Thanks again to Larry and Pat for representing us so well!!!!!!

“EMERGENCY CONTACT” Cards – Do you have one?

****2019 UPDATE***
Although accidents and emergencies are rare, they do happen and we need to be prepared to have the best possible outcome.  Therefore, we are strongly encouraging all members to make sure they have a completed Emergency Contact Card on them whenever you are canoeing or on other club activities.  (See OLD SALTS SENIORS CANOE CLUB MEMBERSHIP WAIVER)

 

We are keeping Emergency Contact Cards available at the Wing 404, by our sign-in sheet for our trips.  We encourage everyone to have their pertinent information filled out on one of these cards.   If any of your information changes, please pick up another card.

 

These cards should be kept in a waterproof pouch and attached to your pfd, or kept inside your dry bag. It could save your life!
The Emergency Contact Cards will be available throughout the canoe season.
Thank you.

 

Always carry with you!

Canoe Terminology!

Every year, our canoeing instructor uses canoeing terminology that some of us have never heard of. Wonder what “river left” or “back ferry” means? Check  out “Announcements & News! (Membership Content) menu tab: CANOE TERMINOLOGY

Here you will find a collection of canoeing terms that have been collected over the last couple of years and that we may have all heard at one point or another during our canoe training and outings.

This will be a living list, so if you see something that is missing, incorrect or can add a term,  please use the comments section below to provide your input.

QUIZ (answers below)

What are “painters”? a) people who paint your house b) mesh that is woven for canoe seats c) rope attached to the bow and stern of canoes

What is a “lilydipper”?  a) a slow moving paddler b) the bottom portion of a paddle c) throw bag

What is a “lead boat”?  a) a boat filled with lead b) the first boat down the river c) the boat that tips first

ENJOY THE REST OF THE CANOE SEASON…THERE ARE SOME GREAT OUTINGS PLANNED. YOU CAN CHECK out THE SCHEDULE HERE!

Quiz answers:

c) Painters – Line attached to the bow and stern of canoes, used for tying the boat ashore or lining the boat down through rapids. These should not be stored loose and should have no knots that can catch and hang up the canoe. Painters are also useful to grab hold of after a capsize, aiding in boat rescue and recovery, so that you can go paddling again next week.

a) Lilydipper – A dawdling, slow moving paddler. Also the moniker of a dawdling, slow moving Adirondack paddler of some repute.

b) Lead Boat – The first boat down the river in a trip. Hopefully this is someone who knows the river.