Suncoast Seniors Recreational Kayaking Club Inc.
SSRKC is a Seniors Kayaking Club based on the Sunshine Coast, Australia.
** REMEMBER **
# 1. As of 1st Sept 2023 our weekly club paddles commence on the water at 8:00 am
#2. Check Events page for September 20th & 21st changes due to Borumba Dam camp date change.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
2nd Sept 2023
YAKFEST LATEST UPDATE
TIGHTEN YOUR TENT ROPES
# 4 WINTER EDITION
K’GARI CAMP April 2023
K’Gari Camp Report (18-22 July 2023) By David Hill
There was planned to be nine but two late scratchings resulted in a small but excitable group of seven paddle campers heading out for K’Gari early on Tuesday morning the 18th of July. Unfortunately for Graham Rose he couldn’t make it due to a late injury and he was unable to enjoy all his fantastic planning work, (well done Graham it was a very well planned camp).
Image: Linsay Gadsby. LAUNCHING AT URANGAN MARINA
The conditions forecast for later in the week meant that our plans needed to stay flexible but this didn’t dampen any enthusiasm at all. Some bouncy water conditions greeted us straight out of Urangan Marina but the sea state calmed down considerably after a wee short break at Pelican Banks. It was at this stop that some idiot discovered their day hatch cover wasn’t secured and all their gear was now floating, luckily Garth had an extra roll of poo tickets and apart from my morning tea that’s all I lost.
Image: Linsay Gadsby. PELICAN BANKS, K’GARI TO THE RIGHT
Our on water leader and mentor was George, and could have been Garth, but with only 10 trips to K’Gari he was well short of the of the Paddle Master’s total. As the sea state had settled after smoko the call was made to raise the sails, and with a fresh SSE wind on our backs and a favourable tidal flow the welcome site of Coongul Creek camping area came upon us very quickly. There was GPS evidence of over 11kph in some of the faster sections.
Image: Linsay Gadsby: K’GARI, ALMOST TO COONGUL CREEK, CAMPSITE # 1
Somehow it was left to me to pick the camp site from the water, and luckily I came up trumps with an absolute cracker of a spot. A lot of comments from the other paddlers in the vain of “your a lucky bastard” so who knows what would have happened if the site wasn’t up to scratch.
There were several firsts on this trip with Rob W having his first Camp out of his Kayak, and Linsay and Peter’s first trip to North K’Gari.
Rob made a bad rookie error by leaving his wine sack in his car, luckily the Paddle Master had seen it all before and had significant spare goon so Rob didn’t go thirsty.
Wednesday morning at the crack of 10am saw us head off up to Awinya Creek Camp Site via smoko at Woralie. We planned to stay 2 nights at Awinya and like Coongul the campsite was superb. We had some Wongari (dingo) visit whilst we stayed at Awinya, however they were respectful and fairly timid, I don’t think they liked the smell of us.
Sundowners was located on the beach at the waters edge and Wednesday night we were treated with an absolute bottler of a sunset, could have been very romantic! There was also lots of talk about how good beach camping is and that we had never been away with such a great looking bunch of Roosters.
Image: David Hill. SUNDOWNERS ON THE BEACH
Image: David Hill. K’GARI SUNSET
Garth and George claimed a lay day for Thursday but the rest of us headed north with the vague idea of getting to Wathumba Creek. Linsay and Rob W got all the way, with Peter, Richard W and myself getting with-in 3 kilometres. Again the paddling conditions were perfect, water clarity off the charts and the company was tremendous, does it get any better than this? Maybe a Whale or two would have topped it off.
Image: Linsay Gadsby. CRUISING THE K’GARI WEST COAST
Image: Linsay Gadsby. ROB W AT WATHUMBA
Image: Linsay Gadsby. THE SERENITY OF WATHUMBA ESTUARY
Thursday night sundowners followed the same format but the sunset was somewhat subdued due to low and thick clouds. We managed to get some phone reception, and it seemed that early morning was the best and occasionally there was 1 bar of 4G, this allowed weather downloads and the forecast for Friday and Saturday got progressively better. We did have a backup plan to get to Big Woody on Friday if Saturday looked too windy, however it had settled to a maximum of 20km/h from the SSE, so we ended up making for Moon Point which gave us a somewhat shorter crossing for Saturday morning.
Image: David Hill. LAST CAMP, MOON POINT, GOODBYE K’GARI
Friday morning saw a Pod of Humpbacks about 300m off the beach and Richard W frantically launched with the determined notion of catching up with them, I think you can write the rest of the script, but he did give it a really good crack, 10 for effort but alas 0 for result.
We all agreed that it was a fabulous camp and that we would all stay friends. What it did settle for me is that the west coast of North K’Gari is one of Queensland’s absolute gems, be it Kayaking, Sailing, Hiking or 4X4 camping, and it’s right on our doorstep!
I’ll be back, very very soon, and don’t be surprised to see a K’Gari camp on the 2024 Calendar.
Cheers,
David, (Fill in Camp Leader)
PS: Are your hatches closed & have you packed the wine?
TATHRA CAMP April – May 2023
Report: Brian Batch, Images: Brian, Rob, Dean
After a couple of false starts in 2021 and 2022 the Tathra Camp had finally come to fruition.
1st Leg Shoalhaven Heads.
A small but enthusiastic group gathered for happy hour on the afternoon of our arrival.
Bruce Nicholson, our fearless leader and Shirl
Dean and Deb Haspell
Mike and Devi Gilsenan
Rob and Sandra Plenderleith
Rod Sheather
Graham and Sheila Woodward
Sharon and myself.
Day 1. Tallowa Dam A 50 minute drive through Nowra and Kangaroo Valley. Slight detour to Cambarwarra lookout with spectacular views over the coast and hinterland. 15 Km paddle up through the gorge. Full complement of paddlers. Dean and Deb, Graham and Sheila, Bruce, Rod Mike, Rob and myself. A very picturesque paddle.
Lovely grassy launch site
Morning tea at one of the campsites on the dam
Spectacular scenery
Day 2. Forecast 15kph winds and some rain. Paddle Jervis Bay. Put in at Long beach with plan to paddle around to Cape Perpendicular. Five paddlers set out Bruce, Rod, Dean, Rob and myself. As we rounded the corner and started heading East winds had increased markedly so we were belting directly into a howling wind and substantial choppy swell. Rod sensibly decided to turn back so Bruce went back with him. The Typhoon Twins Dean and Rod and I continued on to Honeymoon Bay where we pulled in to reassess. I was very pleased when we decided to head back. We could see cape Perpendicular in the distance. Obvious where it got it’s name when you see it. Pretty wild sail back, mostly bracing strokes and hanging on. Some great runners on the swell.
Launch point at Long Point Jarvis Bay
Wet and windy
Day 3. Very windy overnight. Had decided previous afternoon to wait and see what the morning held. We had lost a little bit of faith in weather forecasting. Wind was still blowing strongly so decided to drive upstream and have a leisurely sail down the Shoalhaven River to the caravan park. The wives bought the cars back. Thank You ladies. Bruce, Mike, Rod, Rob, Dean and myself. Not a lot of paddle strokes needed.
Support crew to drive cars back
Very little paddling being done
Next day was a travel day from Shoalhaven heads to Nelligen (about 7km inland from Batemans Bay) Just over 2 hour drive. Delightful coastline. Graham and Sheila left us at this stage heading for a family catchup .
2nd Leg Nelligen.
Day 1. One way paddle from Shallow Crossing on the Clyde River 22.5 km downstream to our campsite. Bruce, Mike, Rod, Dean, Rob and myself (from here on known and the magnificent six). Averaged 7.2kph. Delightful paddle. Reflections on upper part of the paddle quite spectacular. The other highlight of the paddle was Rod decided to take a cool off dip in the chilly waters at the launch spot when he lost his footing getting in.
Causeway about 45cm deep when we launched. Apparently waist deep the previous day
Shallow crossing launch spot. Rod still warm and dry at this stage.
Spectacular reflections
Morning tea spot on the Clyde river
Day 2. Paddled with Trevor and (Epic) Eric for from Bega as guides for the magnificent 6 on this paddle. Would be very easy to get lost in the maze of waterways in Tuross lake. Tuross lake into Tuross River, upstream to the Princes Hwy bridge where we had morning tea. Then a few kilometres upstream into Bumbo Ck and Bumbo lake. Back downstream with wind and tide Averaged 8.5kph on the way back. The last run back across the lake the wind got up to I would guess 30-40kph. It was howling. Total distance 24 km. When we got back to camp, Rod’s campsite was a little the worst for wear despite the ladies’ best efforts to secure things. He became a cabin person after that.
Epic Eric showing the way
Mike and Rod paddling through one of the channels on Tuross lake.
Morning tea
Bridge on Princess Highway over the Tuross River
Day 3. Bateman’s Bay paddle. As we left our campground to drive into Bateman’s Bay my car was telling me it was 4’C. By the time we got to our launch spot at Surfside (northern side of the Bay) it was a balmy 9’C. Deb joined the Magnificent 6 today in the Zebra boat. It was surprisingly warm once we started paddling. Dean and Deb opted to do a bay hopping paddle around the edge. The rest of the group paddle out around Snapper Island and out to the Tollgate Islands where we stopped for morning tea. Lovely spot. A bit of swell running made the sail back a bit of fun.
We all had dinner at the Steampacket Hotel over the road from the caravan park.
Ready to launch from Surfside beach
Rod with Snapper Island in the background.
Tollgate islands at entrance to Bateman’s Bay.
Morning tea spot on Tollgate islands.
Next day was a travel day Nelligen to Tathra via Bermagui. Another picturesque drive (as is most of this coastline. Don’t go far before another georgeous headland/beach, Can highly recommend).
Final leg. Tathra
Day 1. The jewel in the crown. The magnificent 6 along with Trevor and Eric (our locals) Launched at Kianinny Bay. Paddled outside south around 9 kilometres of rocky headlands. Nowhere to land. Fluked great conditions to paddle in and around and the nooks and crannies of the coastline to the beach near Wallagoot lake where we stopped for morning tea. Then back to Kianinny Bay with more play amongst the rocks. Enough swell to make rock gardening interesting, but calm enough to get into most spots. “ Murray River Rod” was a little apprehensive at going outside, but, under the guidance of Eric, he was rechristened “Rock Garden Rod”.
It was a superb paddle made even sweeter because we knew the weather was turning ugly. The following day there was a 2 metre swell hitting the rocks. It would have been a brave kayaker to even try to get out of the bay.
Kianinny Bay from lookout above.
Launch at Kianinny Bay.
Following the Experts.
In behind another rock pillar.
Bruce showing his style.
Paddling around a rock pillar
Another gap to explore.
Another rocky outcrop to go around.
“Rock garden Rod” coming through the last gap into the beach.
Beach for morning tea.
Returning after an amazing paddle.
Day 2. Weather windy and drizzly. Rob had come down with a sore throat etc and didn’t paddle. I sooked out and Sharon and I went driving for the day. The paddle was up the Bega River and return. Those that went said lovely paddle but on return, numb hands made derigging a bit difficult.
Day 3. Cancelled paddle due to conditions. Were going to paddle Wapengo Ck down to the mouth at Bithney Inlet. Instead Trevor guided a walk at Bithney Inlet in Mimosa Rocks National Park. Bruce and Shirl,Sharon and I and Rod went. Very interesting history of Myer house (now owned by National parks but can be rented) at Bithney Inlet.
Who is that masked man.
Overlooking Bithney Inlet.
Day 4. Initially planned to put in on Wallaga Lake and paddle up Dignams Ck but would have involved 3-4 km slog into a fairly strong breeze. Opted for launch at top of the lake and up Meads Ck and Narira Ck. Delightful leisurely 10 km paddle. Deb joined us for this one. Rob still recuperating but RAT negative.
Deb in the Zebra.
Day 5. Another shorter paddle. Wallagoot Lake just south of Tathra. Deb joined us again in ”the Zebra” Morning tea was at almost the same spot as day 1 but on the lakeside.
Nice easy launch spot.
Hundreds of these in the water.
Morning tea spot on the lake 100 metres from the ocean.
That afternoon Trevor had organised a trip to a state of the art dairy just outside Bega. They milk 650 Friesians in two and a half hours twice daily on a 60 cow rotary dairy. Used to take 6 hours per milking. Approximately $3million to set up. Average production 27 litres per cow per milking. 54 litres per day. Despite all the technology, they still wee and poo nonstop.
Dinner that night at the Tathra pub (Humpback Brewery) Caught up with Martin and Jenny Dale, former club members who now live at Tathra Martin doesn’t paddle anymore. Shoulder problem.
Day 6. Launched at Pambula Lake at the Oyster Farm. Trevor and Eric and the Magnificent 6. There appear to be oyster leases everywhere in this neck of the woods. I know a few who took advantage of the 3 dozen oysters for $30 in Tathra, some, multiple times. We paddled out around the oyster leases down Pambula river to the river mouth at Pambula beach. Out around the headlands to Haycock Rock. Back to the river mouth for a play in the surf, before heading back to the launch spot.
Launch point on Pambula lake. Oyster shed in the background.
Morning tea just out from the river mouth.
Rob in his Typhoon.
Haycock Rock
Day 7. Paddle Twofold bay at Eden. 24 Km paddle anticlockwise from Quarantine Bay to Edrom. Checked out the old Davidson Whaling station. Paddle past the wood chipping plant and wharf and outside to check out Boyd tower. Initially built as a lighthouse but only ever used as a whale spotting tower. Looks like a skinny medieval castle. On the way out to Boyd Tower, Rob saw a chance for a bit more rock gardening. Doesn’t look too bad he thought. I can leave my sail up. WRONG. As the wave sucked back and the next one came in, it hit him side on and with his sail up, capsized him. Not easy to roll up with sail up. Tried to stow his sail and do re-entry and roll but couldn’t get sail stowed away properly with cold hands. Dean to the rescue for heelhook rescue. Just as well we practice these. Probably should extend it a bit to include not dead calm conditions. Rob has promised to not do any rock gardening with his sail up.
Launch at Quarantine Bay.
First stop Old Davidson Whaling Station.
Dean catching a little runner on the edge of the bay
Some remnants of the old whaling station.
Dean with the wood chip mill in the background.
The rescue in progress. Poor photo but had to put it in.
Rod with Boyd Tower in the background.
Bowls club for dinner that night to celebrate Bruce’s Birthday. 21 again and again and again and.
A huge thank you to Bruce for his persistence to get this trip done after a few false starts with bushfires and Covid. Superb trip with a great variety of paddles and varying conditions.
Also thanks to Trevor and Eric, Tathra locals for their local knowledge input to the paddles.
30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
DUNETHIN ROCKS WEDNESDAY 5th APRIL 2023
Report & Images: Ken Jeffreys
What a fun day – shout out to Paul for coordinating the day, Jeff for taking charge on the water (yes, he did look and act like a teacher), and after years of hard grind Mal and jenni Rodley handed over the sausage sizzle duties to Jennifer Bell. Thanks for sticking your hand up Jen, and be assured we will give you heaps of support in your new role, but most of all thanks to everyone for getting behind Re-Enactment Day and our ongoing 30th Anniversary celebrations.
BAROON POCKET DAM CLUB PADDLE THURSDAY 2nd MARCH 2023
Report: Linsay Gadsby, Images: Umi McKenzie & Deb Haspell
Overcast and humid but pleasant on the water. Seventeen paddlers enjoyed the morning on the dam.
EWEN MADDOCK DAM CLUB PADDLE MONDAY 1st FEBRUARY 2023
Report & Photos: Kathryn Buder
I’m a few days late in posting these pics from Wednesday’s paddle at Ewen Maddock Dam. It was a fairly overcast day but there were still some beautiful reflections.
EVANS HEAD CLUB CAMP – November 2022
Report: Sue Alcock, Photos: Paul Watt, NSW Global Paddler Book, Sue Alcock
Third time lucky for our club members to finally get down to Evans Head for a week of wonderful kayaking. Planning had commenced in 2019 but due to the Covid restrictions it was cancelled in 2020 and 2021, so it was exciting to return to the sleepy little township this year but that was not all we adventurers had to contend with. The recent devastating floods in the Northern Rivers area also influenced our paddling plans, as many places were still inaccessible, and many waterways had changed. As folk arrived, the caravan park, bowling club ‘Bowlo’ and B & B accommodation were filling with Suncoast Senior kayaking enthusiasts, 35 paddlers and 11 non- paddlers made up the group. A small hiccup with our happy hour gathering occurred when the sign in the park, near the SLSC, indicated a large fine per person if found drinking alcohol in a public place. David Hill offered the grassy area in front of his beautiful cabin, so that was where H.H. was held each evening, over-looking the Evans River.
Click here to read full report
The Greatest Keppel Island “Camp”? – How I remembered it…..! September 2022
Author: David Hill
Please note: this may not necessarily be an accurate representation of the trip, and I apologise in advance to people I may have inadvertently offended in this story.
The day started quite unexpectedly, I like to be early and the plan was to be ready to go by 0930, so I’d scheduled to be at the Ferry for just after 0900 which left heaps of time to unload the car, but to my surprise we were the last to arrive! What seemed like a hundred kayaks and people lined the ferry wharf clothed in a variety tropical and hawaian themed holiday garb, at this point I started to panic, I was only one coffee into my three morning ritual, it looked like I was really late, everyone was looking at me, looking at their watches and shaking their heads. I unloaded the car and ran quickly to the barista to see if she could help me.
Click here to read full report
Sunset on the Sandy Straights
