Our first vision of the Sunshine Coast was in June 1980, it was a sight we loved of sea, rivers and waterways.

The first of our fleet of waterborne craft was a blow up canoe we bought for our kids at Christmas, we had a hell of a lot of fun with that, mainly around Cotton Tree.

After that we begged, borrowed and hired canoes from various sources. Loaded with the three kids we paddled around Chambers Island, canals and Mooloolah River. A neighbour loaned us her canoe on a “take it when you want it arrangement”… the thing must have weighed 35kg, but fitted nicely on our trailer.

Then we purchased our own canoe. One weekend we set off across Lake Cootharaba, but a wave jumped into the boat and we were a floating bathtub. Standing in the Lake we emptied what water we could then made our way to the Rangers Office to empty out the rest of the water. At Fig Tree Point we had fruit for lunch as the sodden sandwiches had become fish food.

And on another paddle up to Harry’s Hut to camp overnight the tent poles were left at home, so Malcolm hung the tent out of a tree with a piece of rope…. looked crazy, but it sort of worked.

Eventually camping at campsite 15…. then return.

Giving no consideration to tides or water movement, at the time, we got stuck in mud during a paddle in the Pumicestone Passage, it was a very hard push to get back to water depth suitable for paddling.

As retirement loomed on the horizon, Malcolm set about moving into Kayaking. The canoe gathered dust in the garage, until sold…. and if you cannot beat them, you join them, so now we have a kayak each.

Jenni R