The Old Salts’ Annual Car Rally and Potluck Social is quickly approaching.
This event is always a lot of fun, and it’s one of the highlights on our club’s social calendar.
Come out and join us!
When: Tuesday October 24th Rally: 10:30am to mid-afternoon, followed by Potluck: at ‘Final Destination Home’
Who can attend: All Club Members, plus their spouses/partners are invited.
Time: Meet at Wing 404 parking lot at 10:30am. Please don’t be late as this will impact teams!
Team Formation: Teams of (preferably) 4 participants will be formed @ 10:30am.
The ‘staggered’ departure of teams will begin shortly afterward. Each participant is asked to bring a pen or pencil.
Other Details:
Potluck items may be transferred to Rally Organizers’ vehicles before the teams depart.
Although there’s no fee to participate, a contribution of at least $5
to your Team Driver is suggested.
WASHROOM Stops are indicated along the rally route.
Being part of a team, is also a great way to get to know other club
members!
Registration: Is NOT required.
However, if you have any questions, please contact: Mark Zelinka zelinkamd@gmail.com
Trip:Green River – Township of Ramara & Severn Waterway: Green River and Black River Intermediate training is a must for this trip.
Leader:Michael De Andrade Tower:Michael De Andrade
Cost: $15 (no envelopes necessary)
Time: Meet at the shed @ 8:00am (Parkside and Weber Street are now open) Travel time: From Wing 404 shed to launch point is 2+ hours (Hwy 400 – Hwy 11)
Distance: 7-15 km
Time on water: 3 hours
Trip Details: The Green River is a true hidden gem in Ontario’s Lake County (Washago). The route takes us through cottage country. We will pass marsh areas with beaver lodges, beautiful birds and see fish swim through the crystal-clear waters.
We will visit the Washago Grist Mill (built in 1873) and a number of small waterfalls and rapids along the way. Difficulty:Easy with some light current ~ Intermediate training is required Type of Route:Loop ~ NO car shuttle required
Carpooling, what to Bring and Registration Details: Please make car pooling arrangements before we meet on Tuesday morning. If you carpool, please reimburse your driver ($20 would be appropriate for this trip).
If you drive in a different car each way, please reimburse both drivers.
Bring lunch, water, hat, bug spray (deer flies) ,sunscreen, sunglasses, PFD, and proper foot wear- no flip flops.
Bring a swimsuit and towel to take advantage of the many swimming opportunities along the way or a stop at Washago Centennial Park at the end of the paddle for lunch and swim.
Please contact Michael De Andrade (519-716-5067 or mdeanrade@hotmail.com) to register for this trip. You will receive a confirmation email to confirm your spot.
If you don’t receive a confirmation by Monday night, please contact the trip leader to make sure you are on the list.
If youchange your mind or are unable to make it for some reason, please let the Trip Leader know asapas this will affect number of canoes required, partners, etc
Please check your email the morning of the trip in case of cancellation
As I sit and ponder about blog posts, I wanted to ask members a few things about “HOW” to engage with them-you? HOW many like to receive posts about ‘social events? Do you want/require reminders?
HOW many of you can’t access the blog posts when you click on blog post-read on website? Have you forgotten your password? Do you OPEN the posts or read it via your email for key words or information? Are you receiving TOO many posts in your inbox?
Are there pieces missing you would like to see on the website, perhaps in the membership tab: List of Board and Committee members? List of years of service/membership? Other suggestions. Remember, this information would be for members only
WHY now... We have low # engagement for the blog posts. Does that mean you are not interested in any other events than the weekly canoe trips? Are you busy doing life, you cannot join in? It’s not ‘your jam?
Volunteers are planning amazing trips and the social committee has many fun activities planned, however, if participation is low, we’d like to know how we can improve OR do we allow it to be as it is and go about our merry little way in this thing called life!!
Gentle reminder, this is OURClub and your input is important.
We are successful when folks say they enjoy the club, are having fun, meeting new people and want to return the following year. This is achieved via canoeing and social events with members.
If you have ANYcomments – suggestions, please email info@oldsaltsclub.com and I will pass along to the Board members to discuss and ponder away at.
We are open to receive the good, the bad and the ugly… hopefully more good than bad 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to read this long ponder post, I appreciate it.
In the meantime Don’t Forget: Canoeing ~ Tuesday, May 30th @8:30am. Nith River-Ayr-Blenheim Rd.
Register with Anne Woolner annewoolner@hotmail or call 743-2277
Towers and trip leaders required ~ Please reach out to Ann at her contact info above.
Social Events ~ Friday, June 1st @9:30am. Scenic bike ride – Glen Morris to Paris dam and back again.
Register with Petra Stuffling petrastuffling@gmail.com
or call 519-497-4837
June 8th Pot Luck and canoe trip at Pat’s trailer.
Canoe information will come out in due time.
Those not canoeing, will meet at 11am at 211 Pioneer Tower Road, Kitchener.
June 13th Camp Ki-Wa-Y on beautiful Paradise Lake.
A fun day and club favourite!
$20 per person, breakfast and lunch included. First come, first served. Register with Pam Krokoszynski pamkrok@rogers.com
Ride Details: A leisurely ride along the level rail trail with lovely views over one of our favourite canoe routes along the Grand River. A bird’s eye view of the scenery and no paddling!
Distance:Out and back, total distance 22km, about 3 hours. This is including short stops for lookouts and the Paris dam. The rail trail is unpaved but good. There is one short hill to the Murray lookout, and one long hill to the Paris dam where we stop for a short break.
Bike Notes/Reminders: Helmets are essential, sunscreen recommended. Bring snacks and lots of water.
If you bring lunch there’s an option to stay at Glen Morris for a picnic after the ride. There are portable toilets at Glen Morris.
Please contact Petra: If you plan on joining us, let me know at the latest, 7pm the previous day petrasuffling@gmail.com
May 18th ~ Blackberry Movie night at Landmark Theatre. (previous blog post mentions details)
June 2nd ~ Bike Ride: Glen Morris to Paris dam and back. Start at 9:30am, total distance 22kms. Petra to update
June 8th ~ Pot luck and canoe trip at Pat’s trailer. Open to all current, former Old Salts and their partners. Those not canoeing will meet at 11am at 211 Pioneer Tower Road, Kitchener
June 13th ~ Paradise Lake. A FUN day at Camp Ki-Wa-Y. RSVP to Pam K.
July ~ Escape Room is planned. Terry & Shelly will update
August 10th ~ Mini golf. This year we may try Bingeman’s Golf. Brenda to update
August 24th ~ Corn roast in Stratford. Nancy & Pat to update
September 7th ~ Rockwood Conservation Area – canoeing or walking followed by a wiener roast Marilyn, Janet & Jane to update
Sept 11 to 15th ~ Bondi Village Adventure. A fun week of paddle and friendship
September 26th ~ Regatta at Laurel Creek with potluck and games. Brenda, Betty and Pat to update
October Car Rally~ possibly the 17th or 24th. Mark Z to update
Wednesday, October 18th ~ 1pm to 3:30pm Annual General Meeting. Bruce to update
November ~ Brenda & Janet to update on activities: Bowling, movie and more in the off-season
December 5th ~ Club Christmas Dinner. Brenda to update. Canoe Trips Planned for May & June: Please consider leading or towing for some of the upcoming canoe trips. If you can assist so we don’t have to cancel trips, contact Anne (annewoolner@hotmail.com)
May 23rd ~Grand River- West Montrose to Kaufman’s Flats
May 25th ~ Easy Breezy -Grand River- Moyers Landing to River Bluffs
May 30th ~Ninth River Ayr-Blenheim Road (Intermediate Training required-ITR)
June 6th ~ NEW Trip-Credit River Streetsville Highway #5.
June 8th~ Easy Breezy -Grand River Freeport to Pat’s Trailer. (all are invited)
June 13th ~ Fun Day at Paradise Lake – please register with Pat K. (all are invited)
June 15th ~ Nith River – Blenheim Rd – Canning (ITR)
June 20th ~ NEW Trip-Thames River Fanshawe Dam-Springbank Dam. (ITR)
June 22nd ~ Easy Breezy -Grand River – West Montrose to Kaufman’s Flats
June 27th ~ Saugeen River #1 Walkerton Lobe’s Park-Concession 10 Access #5-Access #7. Ice cream may be involved if desired!!! (ITR)
If you have made it this far, THANK YOU very much for reading along!
Please check to make sure your information IScorrect.
If there is NO phone number listed with your name, let me know your contact information.
If your information requires updates, please email changes to info@oldsaltsclub.com and they will be updated.
If you missed any of our recent meetings ( SpringRegistration Meeting, Orientation/Dryland Training), or haven’t canoed with us in a while, please read this post carefully… (Best viewed on the Blog to see diagrams & illustrations) You may want to bookmark this page for future reference. More resource links are listed on the bottom of this page
How to sign up for a canoe trip
Information will go out to the membership in the form of a blog post/email notification. Make sure that you read and follow the instructions carefully. Respond to the person listed in the email. DO NOT REPLY to the email notification…..it will go to an unmonitored email box!
Once the canoe season starts, emails will be sent out regularly for both Tuesday and Thursday trips. They will be headed by different logos so you will see the difference (illustrated below). Information will be included that will tell you what you need to know (as seen in diagram below):
Diagram #1 – Information that will be included in blog posts/email notifications including different trip images as indicated in diagram
It is our protocol to call or email the Trip Leader to register for your chosen trip rather than just show up at the shed. This helps the Trip Leader know who is expected so they can organize accordingly in advance of the trip. E.g. confirming towers, car-toppers, etc.
Make sure you have the skill level, training and stamina required for the trip you register for. (If you don’t have intermediate training, don’t sign up for a Tuesday trip that requires intermediate training. If you don’t have the stamina or strength, don’t sign up for an all-day trip)
All members are expected tomeet at the shed on canoe day at the designated time to check in, pay fees, choose partners and arrange shuttles.
If you end up not being able to make the trip or are going to be late, let the Trip Leader know asap so the group doesn’t end up waiting for you or is left wondering where you are on trip day.
Show up for the trip with the exact amount for the trip fee (there will be no change available and we don’t do IOUs).
DO NOT make other plans for canoe day. We do not guarantee our return time and will not make alternative plans to accommodate you!
So What Happens Next?
Names of members who register for a trip are noted on a Trip sheet. When you arrive at the shed, you will check in and pay your trip fee.
Trip fees are $8<100 km and $15>100 km. The amount will be noted on the email notification.
Trips can be cancelled due to: 1)excessive rain/thunder/lightning,
2)dangerous water/flow rates, 3)if there is no Trip Leader or no Tower, and 4)if not enough people sign up (<8) and no one wants to car top.
This will be at the discretion of the Trip Leader.
If a trip is cancelled, the Trip Leader will notify those who have signed up for the trip that day. Please check your emails before you leave home.
If there are odd numbers, someone will have to use the kayak.
If fewer than 20 people sign up (but more than 13), up to 3 vehicles will need to car top canoes. Anyone who car-tops an OSSCC canoe for this reason will get their trip fee refunded.
Diagram #2 – Newly updated Trip sheet for 2022
If more than 20 people sign up, both trailers will be used and 2 towers will be required.
Non-member guests are allowed at the discretion of the Trip Leader, but it will depend on the skill level required for a particular trip.
When you come out on a canoe trip, please come prepared! (Read email about the trip carefully)
Dress for the weather (don’twear 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!
Help out where you can so we can all enjoy our day! (see here for what to do on canoe day)
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.
Remember: We are not in a hurry….this isn’t a race…..canoeing is supposed to be fun!
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 atzelinkamd@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]
Jaye ~ Membership Coordinator 
