Calling all ‘Northern Adventure Canoeists’!! …{Bondi Update}

 

There will be an important meeting outside of our club shed on Friday,  May 20th, at 10:30am  to discuss our upcoming fall trip to Bondi Lodge (- located just minutes outside of Algonquin Provincial Park’s west gate).  This trip will take place September 19th to 23rd. 
Because Friday leads into the Long “Victoria Day” Weekend, the meeting will be kept as brief as possible; hopefully 30 – 40 minutes.
 There are several organizational matters to discuss and trip details to consider before individuals commit to participating on this trip.

 

Who should attend this meeting? … 
 
      1. Any member who signed up at the March Membership Drive presentation, with  the intention of going on this trip;
      2.  Any member who has been placed on the trip ‘Waiting List’, or would like to be placed onto the ‘Waiting List’;
      3. Anyone wishing to learn more about the Fall Bondi Trip, with the intention of participating next year
* Note:  Any member who contacted Mark (Trip Organizer)after the March Membership Meeting was placed on the trip ‘Waiting List’.

 

commitment to participate in the Bondi Trip will be necessary

 

This commitment includes a non-refundable  down payment of $120  to guarantee a spot in the group that’s going. (The down payment is by cheque only, and should be made out to Old Salts Seniors Canoe Club”.)  Cheques will be accepted only after this May 20th meeting, and must be received, by Mark, no later than Wed. June 1st.

 

After June 1st, members on the ‘Waiting List’ will be offered the opportunity to fill any vacant spaces.

 

Please, bring a camp chair/lawn chair to the meeting to be held outside of the canoe shed.

 

Anyone planning to attend this meeting is asked to R.S.V.P.  to Mark Zelinka  ASAP at :    Email:   zelinkamd@gmail.com     Phone:  519-651-3186

 

If you have any questions before the May 20th meeting, contact  Mark Zelinka

 

Mark Zelinka
zelinkamd@gmail.com
519-651-3186

 

SO YOU WANT TO GO ON A CANOE TRIP? {Here’s how!)

If you missed any of our recent meetings ( Spring Registration Meeting, Orientation/Dryland Training), or haven’t canoed with us in a while, please read this post carefully….there have been some changes you need to know about if you plan on canoeing this season! (Best viewed on the Blog to see diagrams & illustrations)

What Has Changed?

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

Our protocols have changed where you are now asked 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)

All members are still expected to meet 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).

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 $12>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, an email notification will go out either the evening before the trip or the morning of, so check your emails or the blog before you head out to the shed.

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 will be allowed this year at the discretion of the Trip Leader, but it will depend on the skill level required for a particular trip.

Diagram #3 – Non-Members: Conditions and Waiver

 

Diagram #4 – Emergency Contact Card Sample

    • When you come out on a canoe trip, please come prepared! (Read email about the trip 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!
    • 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…..this is supposed to be fun!

Helpful Links

Trip Schedule
What to Bring on a Canoe Trip
What to do on Canoe Day
Club Handbook & Rules – lots of good information in this book!
Towing/Mileage Expense Form – For the towers!
Past Trip Videos
Canoeing Terminology – Do you know what a painter is? {Hint: It’s not someone who paints}
Welcome Old Salts 2022 Newsletter – in case you missed it!

Walk & Talk Reminder

Jus a reminder that there is a walk planned for tomorrow.

If you plan on joining the group, please call Brenda Welch at 519-884-2168 or email brendajwelch#gmail.com.

Meet in Elmira (where we met the first time), in the parking lot for the Guelph to Goderich Trail (aka Kissing Bridge Trail). This parking lot is just beside the building for the Woolwich Observer(20B Arthur St. N, Elmira, N3B 1Z9).  Coming from the KW or St Jacobs end of town, on Arthur St.(Hwy 21), the Observer is just past the downtown, not far past Church St. It’s a left turn into the driveway.

This time we’ll go the other way on the trail. This side is wide and flat like the other.  It’s an out and back.  If you’re fast you can go further. There will likely be a slower group as well.  We’ll  walk for an hour or so and head back.

Optional coffee stop after.  Bring a mask and money just in case.

Waterloo seeks feedback to improve programming for older adults

 

The City of Waterloo is working with consultant, Recreational Respite, to identify programming that will help improve the older adult experience in Waterloo, and both teams encourage the community to share their thoughts and ideas.

Older adults can provide feedback on the type of programs they would like to see during the safe reopening of Waterloo recreation facilities. In addition, the survey asks about the overall revitalization of seniors programming that will commence in spring 2022. The collaboration with Recreational Respite, and the survey findings, will help reduce isolation, encourage social connection and promote optimal wellness for seniors of all abilities.

In November 2008, Waterloo council approved the recreation and leisure services master plan, which recognizes a demand for new facility space as the city’s population continues to grow and new trends in recreation activities emerge.

To support that vision, we are expanding the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex (WMRC) to include:

  • a new civic front on the east side of the building that will include an activity court/gymnasium, additional lobby space, change rooms, inclusive washrooms
  • a renovated Hauser Haus to allow for additional fitness programming in two exercise studios and a secondary indoor walking concourse
  • a new two-storey building – the Community Pavilion – on the west-side of the property as the new home for the city’s older adult recreation programs currently offered at the Adult Recreation Centre (ARC) and Wing 404 RCAFA Rotary Adult Centre. The building will connect to the WMRC facility with an elevated pedestrian bridge

The information collected in the survey will support new and existing recreational opportunities for seniors, both in-person and virtual options, at this expanded facility.

The survey is open to Waterloo residents and surrounding communities. The deadline to complete the survey is October 31, 2021.

For more information, or to obtain a paper copy of the survey, please contact Nancy Hall-Jupp at nancy.hall-jupp@waterloo.ca or 519-886-1177 x27270.

Media contact: 

Shelly Reed
Communications consultant
shelly.reed@waterloo.ca

 

Read this news update on our website

Added trips

We have added 2  of our cancelled trips onto our schedule- Thurs.Sept. 30- Otterbein to Freeport (Easy Breezie) & Tues. Oct.5- Petrocan to Birley gates.

That will conclude our season. We started later than usual but also ended it later than usual.

I hope to see you all on the water next year!