Suncoast Seniors Recreational Kayaking Club Inc.
SSRKC is a Seniors Kayaking Club based on the Sunshine Coast, Australia.
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR
“EXTRA HALF HOUR SLEEP IN”
1st JUNE to AUGUST PADDLES – ON THE WATER AT 8:30 am
“SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM BACK ON”
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.
Aerial photo of Evans Head
Evans River ( Global Paddlers Image)
DAY 1: Our first paddle commenced from the Evans River boat ramp, where we were surrounded by pelicans and sea birds, while David was fortunate to have dolphins and a turtle accompany him to the ramp. Paddlers had the choice to paddle to the barrage (Pacific Hwy) a round trip of 29km, or paddle at a more leisurely pace up-stream, stopping at a sandy bank to enjoy morning tea, before heading back home. Along the way we enjoyed watching two kangaroos grazing on the green grass before bounding away. The river has the unique distinction of having the Bundjalung National Park to the south and the Broadwater NP to the north with the remains of the Iron Gate linking the two.
Morning tea beside the Evans River
Monday – Setting off after morning tea
Day 2: Our second paddle launched from the Richmond River, across from the Woodburn shops, but before we could enter the water the Northern Rivers Maritime Service cleared the debris away from the ramp (see the full skip in the photo) Our willing ‘support team’ helped everyone over the mud to get underway towards Rocky Mouth Creek. A meandering course that gave us a firsthand view of the damage the floods had caused in the local area. Many appreciated a pie or pub stop after the paddle, supporting the locals where possible.
Richmond river to Rocky Mouth creek
Jeff supporting us on the muddy ramp
Day 3: Day three took us to the picturesque area of Jerusalem Creek in the Bundjalung National Park. The beautiful 15km plus drive into the park was as pleasing as the paddle, with the stunningly green vegetation all around. Parking for 30 paddlers was tight. A shorter paddle of 9km but well worth it, with the relaxing charm of the waterfalls, black tea-tree coloured water, turning into aqua waters, nearer the sea. Many took the opportunity to surf the waves, at the creek mouth, while others sat and watched, enjoying their morning tea break. NSW Global Paddler book refers to the magnificent ‘waterfall bowl’ as the “secret cove” and encourages all to pop in and experience the tranquil environment.
Beautiful drive into National Park
Launching spot at Jerusalem Creek
Anita relaxing in the Waterfall bowl
Break at the mouth of Jerusalem Creek
Graham checking out the Jerusalem creek launch area
Day 4: Our plans were to start our next paddle at Coraki’s man-made, very muddy beach, but we were unexpectedly diverted to the other side of the river, as once again the ‘clean up’ teams were busy at work. Coraki is the Bundjalung word for the meeting of waters …… the confluence of the Richmond and Wilson Rivers. The paddle along the Wilson River was uneventful, except for one small thing …… the sighting of many koalas perched up in the surrounding gum trees, along the western side of the river. An awesome experience, especially when a few of us sighted a mother carrying her baby. Paul & others found a wonderful grassy meadow, with a tricky exit and re-entry but with the support of the ‘guardian angels’ most made it. However, we had an extra visitor poised beside several folk, while they had their coffee ……… a 1.2m goanna was hanging onto a large tree stump, just watching the action of these crazy people, kayaking in his territory.
Healthy, happy mother & baby
Koala snoozing (Thanks Global Paddlers for this image)
Goanna hiding from Dave & Jenny
Superb reflections
Day 5: Our final paddle on Friday started once again at the Evans boat ramp. Rob & Richard chose to paddle up to Brandy Arm Creek, while the other 15 cruised along Bundjalung Creek, stopped to wonder along the walking track up to the top of the Iron Gate, learning a little history on the way. The indigenous people, back in the early part of the 1900’s used to walk across the ironstone wall but in 1914 the Australian Army blew up part of this unique natural bridge. Incredible! Morning tea on another shady sandy bank before we set off looking for Waterfall Creek a little further up-stream. At 11am we all rafted up, to have a minute’s silence on this special Remembrance Day, 2022. Each in turn watched the waters of a little babbling creek cascaded over the embankment into the darker waters of the Evans tributary to complete our last paddle.
Thanks to everyone for their support, friend- ship and team spirit. for another great Suncoast Seniors club camp.
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.
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Sunset on the Sandy Straights
