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| + | <<:lg_jamaica_vacation|Previous Story^stories:bellingham_stories|Story List^english_channel_2008|Next Story>> | ||
| + | ===== The BKCC meeting….. ===== | ||
| - | **The BKCC meeting…..** \\ | ||
| Larry Goolsby\\ | Larry Goolsby\\ | ||
| 01/10/07 #2357 | 01/10/07 #2357 | ||
| - | If you don't know what BKCC stands for, that's because you didn't\\ | + | If you don't know what BKCC stands for, that's because you didn't bother showing up for the meeting. This was the 'once in a blue moon' meeting of the Bellingham Kayak and Canoe Club and in attendence was Reivers, Larry B., Dale, David S., Susan B. and me. After Reivers and I got done fighting over who got to sit next to Susan, we started the meeting. We took a roll call and noticed that there was nobody in attendence from Sudden Valley (go figure?). So the first topic up for vote was whether or not Sudden Valley should be able to incorporate and become their own little city. We unamoniously voted yes as long as it was in Alabama. We also agreed that the name should be changed to Suddenly Valley since YOU BASTARDS SUDDENLY FORGET HOW TO DRIVE WHENEVER IT SNOWS! Please don't think that I am bitter because of the low attendence. |
| - | bother showing up for the meeting. This was the 'once in a blue moon'\\ | + | |
| - | meeting of the Bellingham Kayak and Canoe Club and in attendence was\\ | + | The second item up for vote was for new officers and while the rest of the group was naming possible candidates, I crawled under the table looking for just one more pretzel (service was a tad slow) and when I sat back in my chair, I discovered that I had been nominated and elected president in those 3 seconds that my back was turned. I quickly named Reivers as my vice prez and convinced him of his value to the office with a threat of using his beer glass as a urinal if he didn't agree. The reward for becoming prez was being awarded underwear that formerly belonged to David S. that had the BKCC emblem on one side and yellow stains on the other. Susan wanted to outfit me (another fantasy of mine) with a new uniform but the voting membership shipwrecked her motion before it landed on the table. |
| - | Reivers, Larry B., Dale, David S., Susan B. and me. After Reivers and\\ | + | |
| - | I got done fighting over who got to sit next to Susan, we started the\\ | + | Our next item up for discussion was a boathouse. Yes, a boathouse. Half the table wanted it in Fairhaven and half the table wanted it at Bloedel-Donovan. As your new president, I said "What the Hell, why don't we go for both?" I was on my fourth beer and anything was now possible. In reality, why don't we shoot for both? Fairhaven Boatworks will loose their lease in 2010 and we could use a kayak/outrigger/surfski facility on that corner of the bay. |
| - | meeting. We took a roll call and noticed that there was nobody in\\ | + | |
| - | attendence from Sudden Valley (go figure?). So the first topic up for\\ | + | The waterfront is going through some changes with the demise of Georgia-Pacific and maybe we can get together and become one voice (with the assistance of WAKE) for gaining a recreational human powered watercraft facility. Meanwhile, maybe we could also get behind Duncan Howat for creating a boathouse at Bloedel. If we join forces with the native Americans (they have some federal funding) and we supply some private funding, we can turn their Cyclone fence canoe cage into a covered facility that we could all use. I could have a boat and paddle reside at both boathouses. Then I wouldn't need to drive my gas guzzling Stratolounger to the water each day and instead, I could purchase a new little hybrid Moped and zip back and forth between Fairhaven and Lake Whatcom. I could wear a sleeveless shirt that emphasized my physique and one of those half helmets that resembled a reject from a bowling ball factory. I would be a chick magnet. Women would look at me like I was chocolate. So moving forward with this boathouse thing, I decided that the color of the boathouse is to be pink and anyone that disagrees with this notion CAN SHOW UP AT OUR APRIL MEETING AND EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS.\\ |
| - | vote was whether or not Sudden Valley should be able to incorporate\\ | + | |
| - | and become their own little city. We unamoniously voted yes as long\\ | + | |
| - | as it was in Alabama. We also agreed that the name should be changed\\ | + | |
| - | to Suddenly Valley since YOU BASTARDS SUDDENLY FORGET HOW TO DRIVE\\ | + | |
| - | WHENEVER IT SNOWS! Please don't think that I am bitter because of the\\ | + | |
| - | low attendence. The second item up for vote was for new officers and\\ | + | |
| - | while the rest of the group was naming possible candidates, I crawled\\ | + | |
| - | under the table looking for just one more pretzel (service was a tad\\ | + | |
| - | slow) and when I sat back in my chair, I discovered that I had been\\ | + | |
| - | nominated and elected president in those 3 seconds that my back was\\ | + | |
| - | turned. I quickly named Reivers as my vice prez and convinced him of\\ | + | |
| - | his value to the office with a threat of using his beer glass as a\\ | + | |
| - | urinal if he didn't agree. The reward for becoming prez was being\\ | + | |
| - | awarded underwear that formerly belonged to David S. that had the\\ | + | |
| - | BKCC emblem on one side and yellow stains on the other. Susan wanted\\ | + | |
| - | to outfit me (another fantasy of mine) with a new uniform but the\\ | + | |
| - | voting membership shipwrecked her motion before it landed on the\\ | + | |
| - | table. Our next item up for discussion was a boathouse. Yes, a\\ | + | |
| - | boathouse. Half the table wanted it in Fairhaven and half the table\\ | + | |
| - | wanted it at Bloedel-Donovan. As your new president, I said "What the\\ | + | |
| - | Hell, why don't we go for both?" I was on my fourth beer and anything\\ | + | |
| - | was now possible. In reality, why don't we shoot for both? Fairhaven\\ | + | |
| - | Boatworks will loose their lease in 2010 and we could use a\\ | + | |
| - | kayak/outrigger/surfski facility on that corner of the bay. The\\ | + | |
| - | waterfront is going through some changes with the demise of Georgia-\\ | + | |
| - | Pacific and maybe we can get together and become one voice (with the\\ | + | |
| - | assistance of WAKE) for gaining a recreational human powered\\ | + | |
| - | watercraft facility. Meanwhile, maybe we could also get behind Duncan\\ | + | |
| - | Howat for creating a boathouse at Bloedel. If we join forces with the\\ | + | |
| - | native Americans (they have some federal funding) and we supply some\\ | + | |
| - | private funding, we can turn their Cyclone fence canoe cage into a\\ | + | |
| - | covered facility that we could all use. I could have a boat and\\ | + | |
| - | paddle reside at both boathouses. Then I wouldn't need to drive my\\ | + | |
| - | gas guzzling Stratolounger to the water each day and instead, I could\\ | + | |
| - | purchase a new little hybrid Moped and zip back and forth between\\ | + | |
| - | Fairhaven and Lake Whatcom. I could wear a sleeveless shirt that\\ | + | |
| - | emphasized my physique and one of those half helmets that resembled a\\ | + | |
| - | reject from a bowling ball factory. I would be a chick magnet. Women\\ | + | |
| - | would look at me like I was chocolate. So moving forward with this\\ | + | |
| - | boathouse thing, I decided that the color of the boathouse is to be\\ | + | |
| - | pink and anyone that disagrees with this notion CAN SHOW UP AT OUR\\ | + | |
| - | APRIL MEETING AND EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS.\\ | + | |
| See you there….\\ | See you there….\\ | ||
| Larry G. | Larry G. | ||
| Line 61: | Line 20: | ||
| 01/15/07 #2384 | 01/15/07 #2384 | ||
| - | I'm thinking about doing it but we'll see what the weather holds. My\\ | + | I'm thinking about doing it but we'll see what the weather holds. My anorexia is in remission so my butt has doubled in size since Christmas. Gotta start exercising some kind of control….\\ |
| - | anorexia is in remission so my butt has doubled in size since\\ | + | |
| - | Christmas. Gotta start exercising some kind of control….\\ | + | |
| LG | LG | ||
| Line 69: | Line 26: | ||
| 01/16/07 #2385 | 01/16/07 #2385 | ||
| - | This is suspicious in light of your being elected Presidente'.\\ | + | This is suspicious in light of your being elected Presidente'. Didn't they all become bigger butts once they were elected? I think we should have a Queen as our ruler. There is such a wonderfulselection, don't you agree? Let's see, there's Susan, Debbie, Heather, the Tracies', … so many! |
| - | Didn't they all become bigger butts once they were elected? I think\\ | + | |
| - | we should have a Queen as our ruler. There is such a wonderful\\ | + | |
| - | selection, don't you agree? Let's see, there's Susan, Debbie,\\ | + | |
| - | Heather, the Tracies', … so many! | + | |
| - | We could really shatter the dominant paradigm. uh. But wait, I'm\\ | + | We could really shatter the dominant paradigm. uh. But wait, I'mone of them paradigms. A Queen would have no use for a VP, wouldshe? |
| - | one of them paradigms. A Queen would have no use for a VP, would\\ | + | |
| - | she? | + | |
| Hey Treas, - Does my butt look big in this office? | Hey Treas, - Does my butt look big in this office? | ||
| Line 83: | Line 34: | ||
| argh. | argh. | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **Re: Jerico Race** \\ | **Re: Jerico Race** \\ | ||
| - | Larry Bussinger <lbussing@…>\\ | + | **Larry Bussinger <lbussing@…>** \\ |
| 01/16/07 #2386 | 01/16/07 #2386 | ||
| - | As your loyal subject, I am happy to report that the office has no\\ | + | As your loyal subject, I am happy to report that the office has no noticable effect on you being a butt. Treas. |
| - | noticable effect on you being a butt. Treas. | + | |
| - | \\ | ||
| **name change** \\ | **name change** \\ | ||
| - | Reivers Dustin\\ | + | **Reivers Dustin** \\ |
| 01/18/07 #2390 | 01/18/07 #2390 | ||
| - | I wonder if we could jazz up our club if we changed names. That was\\ | + | I wonder if we could jazz up our club if we changed names. That was the funnest part of forming the original club. We wrangled with each other over monikers like; "Bellingham Bay Boat Bunch", "Old Guys in Spandex", and "Whatcom, Me Worry?". Actually, I think the other guys picked a name when I took a pee break. But I thought up the best names. See, for instance, if the officers continue the present expansion in our nether regions we could call the club "Paddle-Arse". I suppose that wouldn't help the membership growth comittee much. But then, if you can't add members, just expand the members you got. |
| - | the funnest part of forming the original club. We wrangled with each\\ | + | |
| - | other over monikers like; "Bellingham Bay Boat Bunch", "Old Guys in\\ | + | |
| - | Spandex", and "Whatcom, Me Worry?". Actually, I think the other guys\\ | + | |
| - | picked a name when I took a pee break. But I thought up the best\\ | + | |
| - | names. See, for instance, if the officers continue the present\\ | + | |
| - | expansion in our nether regions we could call the club "Paddle-Arse".\\ | + | |
| - | I suppose that wouldn't help the membership growth comittee much. But\\ | + | |
| - | then, if you can't add members, just expand the members you got. | + | |
| - | By the way, is there any members besides the officers? I guess it's\\ | + | By the way, is there any members besides the officers? I guess it's time for another Poll. Well, here's the thing. Sound Rowers has dominated the recreational racer galaxy by being "inclusionary". (Now that I hold political office, new-age-buzzword-jargon are me.) So regardless of all the charming enthusiasm for pink boathouses, the club's agenda is real fuzzy and no one is sitting around waiting to do hard work that suits a small slice of the community. There is a hell of a lot of consensus building to do. |
| - | time for another Poll. Well, here's the thing. Sound Rowers has\\ | + | |
| - | dominated the recreational racer galaxy by being "inclusionary". (Now\\ | + | |
| - | that I hold political office, new-age-buzzword-jargon are me.) So\\ | + | |
| - | regardless of all the charming enthusiasm for pink boathouses, the\\ | + | |
| - | club's agenda is real fuzzy and no one is sitting around waiting to do\\ | + | |
| - | hard work that suits a small slice of the community. There is a hell\\ | + | |
| - | of a lot of consensus building to do. | + | |
| There. gimme another puff of that stuff. eeeahoo, Baby! | There. gimme another puff of that stuff. eeeahoo, Baby! | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **Re: name change** \\ | **Re: name change** \\ | ||
| Daryl Remmler <darylremmler@…>\\ | Daryl Remmler <darylremmler@…>\\ | ||
| 01/18/07 #2391 | 01/18/07 #2391 | ||
| - | Hi Reivers,\\ | + | Hi Reivers, |
| - | \\ | + | |
| You guys could check with your local Coast Guard. I bet they've got some good names for your club!\\ | You guys could check with your local Coast Guard. I bet they've got some good names for your club!\\ | ||
| \\ | \\ | ||
| Line 134: | Line 66: | ||
| Daryl | Daryl | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **Re: name change\\ | **Re: name change\\ | ||
| Larry Goolsby** \\ | Larry Goolsby** \\ | ||
| 01/19/07 #2392 | 01/19/07 #2392 | ||
| - | Reivers (and everyone else), Since we were grounded by the past\\ | + | Reivers (and everyone else), Since we were grounded by the past weather conditions (at least I was), I had some time to think about this club thing. In order for this club to survive and thrive, we need to focus on a sustainable mission. A boathouse at this time would not be sustainable. A lot of the paddlers live in proximity of the water so they would just as soon take their boat home with them. We would have to go fetch our boats before going to an out of town race. Most of us paddle both fresh and salt water weekly in the summmer months and would not use the boathouse. A sustainable mission could be promotion of the sport: like club boats, sponsoring races and holding regattas. Bellingham has the biggest kayak community in the US but a tiny flatwater racing community (K-1 and K-2 paddlers). |
| - | weather conditions (at least I was), I had some time to think about\\ | + | |
| - | this club thing. In order for this club to survive and thrive, we\\ | + | Just imagine what would happen if we took these kayak paddlers and turned them into K-1 racers. We could hold a regatta on Lake Padden sponsored by BKCC. The race would start with 40 K-1's lined up like a picket fence after a wind storm. When the starting gun went off, about half would start paddling and the other half would suddenly realize that they left their gps, compass, or some other navigation device back in their car. The half that did start race would stop about 100 feet off the line to discuss their destination and itinerary. As they would paddle past the swimming area, they would pull off for a picnic lunch. After lunch, they would continue on racing towards the finish line and the winner would most likely be the person that dropped the most amount of weight off at the picnic area. Do you see where I am going with this? Whatever mission we choose, we need to do it in baby steps so that this club can survive. What about doubles racing? We all love to do it but we don't have many doubles. What if BKCC had a membership and took in dues and we put the money towards more double outriggers and skis? We could also purchase a trailer in order to haul these long watercraft and use the trailer for going to faraway races. We could sponsor the A to B race by paying for a friggin' bus to haul all of us over to Anacortes instead of me hauling your sorry asses over there and then having to skip the dinner while I travel back to get my truck. Just some ideas that have been bouncing around in my head. |
| - | need to focus on a sustainable mission. A boathouse at this time\\ | + | |
| - | would not be sustainable. A lot of the paddlers live in proximity of\\ | + | |
| - | the water so they would just as soon take their boat home with them.\\ | + | |
| - | We would have to go fetch our boats before going to an out of town\\ | + | |
| - | race. Most of us paddle both fresh and salt water weekly in the\\ | + | |
| - | summmer months and would not use the boathouse. A sustainable mission\\ | + | |
| - | could be promotion of the sport: like club boats, sponsoring races\\ | + | |
| - | and holding regattas. Bellingham has the biggest kayak community in\\ | + | |
| - | the US but a tiny flatwater racing community (K-1 and K-2 paddlers).\\ | + | |
| - | Just imagine what would happen if we took these kayak paddlers and\\ | + | |
| - | turned them into K-1 racers. We could hold a regatta on Lake Padden\\ | + | |
| - | sponsored by BKCC. The race would start with 40 K-1's lined up like a\\ | + | |
| - | picket fence after a wind storm. When the starting gun went off,\\ | + | |
| - | about half would start paddling and the other half would suddenly\\ | + | |
| - | realize that they left their gps, compass, or some other navigation\\ | + | |
| - | device back in their car. The half that did start race would stop\\ | + | |
| - | about 100 feet off the line to discuss their destination and\\ | + | |
| - | itinerary. As they would paddle past the swimming area, they would\\ | + | |
| - | pull off for a picnic lunch. After lunch, they would continue on\\ | + | |
| - | racing towards the finish line and the winner would most likely be\\ | + | |
| - | the person that dropped the most amount of weight off at the picnic\\ | + | |
| - | area. Do you see where I am going with this? Whatever mission we\\ | + | |
| - | choose, we need to do it in baby steps so that this club can survive.\\ | + | |
| - | What about doubles racing? We all love to do it but we don't have\\ | + | |
| - | many doubles. What if BKCC had a membership and took in dues and we\\ | + | |
| - | put the money towards more double outriggers and skis? We could also\\ | + | |
| - | purchase a trailer in order to haul these long watercraft and use the\\ | + | |
| - | trailer for going to faraway races. We could sponsor the A to B race\\ | + | |
| - | by paying for a friggin' bus to haul all of us over to Anacortes\\ | + | |
| - | instead of me hauling your sorry asses over there and then having to\\ | + | |
| - | skip the dinner while I travel back to get my truck. Just some ideas\\ | + | |
| - | that have been bouncing around in my head.\\ | + | |
| Larry G. | Larry G. | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **Re: name change\\ | **Re: name change\\ | ||
| Michael Gregory** \\ | Michael Gregory** \\ | ||
| Line 200: | Line 99: | ||
| Dale | Dale | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **Re: name change\\ | **Re: name change\\ | ||
| Daryl Remmler <darylremmler@…>** \\ | Daryl Remmler <darylremmler@…>** \\ | ||
| 01/20/07 #2398 | 01/20/07 #2398 | ||
| - | Hello all,\\ | + | Hello all, |
| - | \\ | + | |
| I know that at Sprint Nationals in Canada they have the last day dedicated to Masters racing (Canmas). As there are so many racers (1200 +), they limit it to 500 M events only. It's awesome. I went last year, and raced in 8 events in one day (K1, K2, K4, C4 Mixed events, and War canoe). It was a ton of fun. It's all done in 5 or 10 year age groups.\\ | I know that at Sprint Nationals in Canada they have the last day dedicated to Masters racing (Canmas). As there are so many racers (1200 +), they limit it to 500 M events only. It's awesome. I went last year, and raced in 8 events in one day (K1, K2, K4, C4 Mixed events, and War canoe). It was a ton of fun. It's all done in 5 or 10 year age groups.\\ | ||
| \\ | \\ | ||
| Line 227: | Line 125: | ||
| Hey,\\ | Hey,\\ | ||
| - | You guys have a lot of great ideas. Between the surfskis and the K1s\\ | + | You guys have a lot of great ideas. Between the surfskis and the K1s there is a lot of prospective participants in all ages and paddlecrafts. That way you have enough combined members for an impact and have already made up two or three committees. |
| - | there is a lot of prospective participants in all ages and\\ | + | |
| - | paddlecrafts. That way you have enough combined members for an impact\\ | + | |
| - | and have already made up two or three committees. | + | |
| Boat House committee\\ | Boat House committee\\ | ||
| Line 236: | Line 131: | ||
| Van or Trailer aquisition | Van or Trailer aquisition | ||
| - | Funding may be tough at first but some paddle clubs are hundres of\\ | + | Funding may be tough at first but some paddle clubs are hundres of years old. Projects come in one at a time and build on themselfs. Maybe you could get a jumpstart with a van or trailer donation. I can't believe how many old kayak trailers there are that can be had for less than $1000. They are usually pretty beat up but certainly restoreable. |
| - | years old. Projects come in one at a time and build on themselfs.\\ | + | |
| - | Maybe you could get a jumpstart with a van or trailer donation. I\\ | + | |
| - | can't believe how many old kayak trailers there are that can be had\\ | + | |
| - | for less than $1000. They are usually pretty beat up but certainly\\ | + | |
| - | restoreable. | + | |
| - | Everyone brings something to the table. Fifty K1's and fifty surfskis\\ | + | Everyone brings something to the table. Fifty K1's and fifty surfskis make a club have twice as many. Your club recognition provides clout with the municipalities a little bigger budget and volunteer base to do some significant projects. |
| - | make a club have twice as many. Your club recognition provides clout\\ | + | |
| - | with the municipalities a little bigger budget and volunteer base to\\ | + | |
| - | do some significant projects. | + | |
| - | The boat house will inspire casual paddlers to participate more,\\ | + | The boat house will inspire casual paddlers to participate more, introduce new paddlers, give recognition to the community, provide a bulliten board, schedule tours and classes, be a meeting place to pick-up drop off and repair. Someday the boat house could become a shower, locker room , weight room, washing rack and meeting area. (jacuzzi, ball room, bowling alley, cigar room, hotel and such) |
| - | introduce new paddlers, give recognition to the community, provide a\\ | + | |
| - | bulliten board, schedule tours and classes, be a meeting place to\\ | + | |
| - | pick-up drop off and repair. Someday the boat house could become a\\ | + | |
| - | shower, locker room , weight room, washing rack and meeting area.\\ | + | |
| - | (jacuzzi, ball room, bowling alley, cigar room, hotel and such) | + | |
| - | There may not be enough serious paddles to fill it up a rack, as they\\ | + | There may not be enough serious paddles to fill it up a rack, as they traval a lot, but, it would always be there for you when you need it. Older and younger paddlers and a lot of women who have a hard time loading and unloading paddle more often at a club. Maybe start with an expandable plan and use the space for something other than boats (i.e. weight bench). Besides, it might be a nice place to put your guest boat. |
| - | traval a lot, but, it would always be there for you when you need it.\\ | + | |
| - | Older and younger paddlers and a lot of women who have a hard time\\ | + | |
| - | loading and unloading paddle more often at a club. Maybe start with\\ | + | |
| - | an expandable plan and use the space for something other than boats\\ | + | |
| - | (i.e. weight bench). Besides, it might be a nice place to put your\\ | + | |
| - | guest boat. | + | |
| - | I think of the K1 clubs and other clubs in Berkeley, Newport Beach,\\ | + | I think of the K1 clubs and other clubs in Berkeley, Newport Beach, and others around the country that have kept nice places for years. |
| - | and others around the country that have kept nice places for years. | + | |
| - | I've never heard of any specific surfski clubs except for NorCals\\ | + | I've never heard of any specific surfski clubs except for NorCals Wave Chaser except thay include OC. There is other sea kayak clubs that just survive on a newletter and monthly meetings in local rooms and tours. |
| - | Wave Chaser except thay include OC. There is other sea kayak clubs\\ | + | |
| - | that just survive on a newletter and monthly meetings in local rooms\\ | + | |
| - | and tours. | + | |
| - | I don't live in WA and probably can't participate in a club there but\\ | + | I don't live in WA and probably can't participate in a club there but would certainly be proud to see and help something develop. |
| - | would certainly be proud to see and help something develop. | + | |
| - | Your Mission Statement could include any and all paddlecraft and the\\ | + | Your Mission Statement could include any and all paddlecraft and the club may provide some bylaws to operate effectivly. The individual commettees are where get things done. |
| - | club may provide some bylaws to operate effectivly. The individual\\ | + | |
| - | commettees are where get things done. | + | |
| I don't recomend the Old Guys in Spandix as a name though. | I don't recomend the Old Guys in Spandix as a name though. | ||
| Line 284: | Line 153: | ||
| FUTURA Vince | FUTURA Vince | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **A tangled web we weave…..\\ | **A tangled web we weave…..\\ | ||
| Larry Goolsby** \\ | Larry Goolsby** \\ | ||
| 01/21/07 #2403 | 01/21/07 #2403 | ||
| - | Reivers (the vice prez) and I headed out of Marine park for Whiskey\\ | + | Reivers (the vice prez) and I headed out of Marine park for Whiskey Rock today at 1 pm. Kathleen P. had sent us a couple of pink toques so we left the shore with matching pink hats. We chatted about this club thing on our way south as the wind increased from almost nothing. So far, there has been very little feedback about reviving the club except for encouragement from boat dealers. I can understand their enthusiasim but I have been aware of the silence from the majority of members. Most of us are already members of Soundrowers and will continue on that path. They do a great job of supporting races and their members include rowers, kayakers, flatwater racers, surfskiers, and canoeists. However, what they don't do is buy boats to encourage the sport. |
| - | Rock today at 1 pm. Kathleen P. had sent us a couple of pink toques\\ | + | |
| - | so we left the shore with matching pink hats. We chatted about this\\ | + | The problem with BKCC being open to everyone that paddles is that the majority will rule on how the money is spent and if you are a minority and don't get what you want, you probably won't sign on for another year. So in order for this club to live, we either have to model ourselves like Soundrowers (don't buy boats) or limit our clientele to one or two types of racers. We have very few flatwater racers here so what if we cater to surfskiers and outriggers? We could change the name of the club to Bellingham Outrigger and Surfski organization or BOSO for short. For a small annual fee, you could be a BOSO. We could start out raising funds and buy both a double ski and a double outrigger so we could have more BOSOs on the lake on Wednesday nights. Otherwise, what is the use of reviving the club if we are going to become just like Soundrowers? |
| - | club thing on our way south as the wind increased from almost\\ | + | |
| - | nothing. So far, there has been very little feedback about reviving\\ | + | Anyway, the wind was blowing close to 20 mph by the time we reached Whiskey Rock and the waves were building. It was the most enjoyable and effortless paddle back to Marine Park. Rides galore and long ones too. We beached our boats and came struttin' into the park wearing our pink toques. Just two boys in pink hats having fun. God bless America…..\\ |
| - | the club except for encouragement from boat dealers. I can understand\\ | + | |
| - | their enthusiasim but I have been aware of the silence from the\\ | + | |
| - | majority of members. Most of us are already members of Soundrowers\\ | + | |
| - | and will continue on that path. They do a great job of supporting\\ | + | |
| - | races and their members include rowers, kayakers, flatwater racers,\\ | + | |
| - | surfskiers, and canoeists. However, what they don't do is buy boats\\ | + | |
| - | to encourage the sport. The problem with BKCC being open to everyone\\ | + | |
| - | that paddles is that the majority will rule on how the money is spent\\ | + | |
| - | and if you are a minority and don't get what you want, you probably\\ | + | |
| - | won't sign on for another year. So in order for this club to live, we\\ | + | |
| - | either have to model ourselves like Soundrowers (don't buy boats) or\\ | + | |
| - | limit our clientele to one or two types of racers. We have very few\\ | + | |
| - | flatwater racers here so what if we cater to surfskiers and\\ | + | |
| - | outriggers? We could change the name of the club to Bellingham\\ | + | |
| - | Outrigger and Surfski organization or BOSO for short. For a small\\ | + | |
| - | annual fee, you could be a BOSO. We could start out raising funds and\\ | + | |
| - | buy both a double ski and a double outrigger so we could have more\\ | + | |
| - | BOSOs on the lake on Wednesday nights. Otherwise, what is the use of\\ | + | |
| - | reviving the club if we are going to become just like Soundrowers?\\ | + | |
| - | Anyway, the wind was blowing close to 20 mph by the time we reached\\ | + | |
| - | Whiskey Rock and the waves were building. It was the most enjoyable\\ | + | |
| - | and effortless paddle back to Marine Park. Rides galore and long ones\\ | + | |
| - | too. We beached our boats and came struttin' into the park wearing\\ | + | |
| - | our pink toques. Just two boys in pink hats having fun. God bless\\ | + | |
| - | America…..\\ | + | |
| Larry G. | Larry G. | ||
| Line 344: | Line 187: | ||
| Erik | Erik | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **Wenatchee club boathouse\\ | **Wenatchee club boathouse\\ | ||
| hilburnjjcl** \\ | hilburnjjcl** \\ | ||
| 01/21/07 #2405 | 01/21/07 #2405 | ||
| - | I had the opportunity to see the Wenatchee boathouse a few years ago\\ | + | I had the opportunity to see the Wenatchee boathouse a few years ago and because of it, I actually thought about trying to get a job there. Just the site of seeing all those boats in one neat, dry place gave me goosebumps. I'm all for trying to revive a club if we've done our homework and have a really good shot at building a storage facility. My boys will be paddling in a couple of years and I'd love to have a facility where we could borrow some beginner surfskis, outriggers,etc… I've had to borrow boats from Peter M. when I wanted to take a friend out to paddle in the bay. |
| - | and because of it, I actually thought about trying to get a job there.\\ | + | |
| - | Just the site of seeing all those boats in one neat, dry place gave me\\ | + | More feedback and support will come once the big yellow ball appears again in April or so. Right now people are skiing and not thinking too much about paddling. I appreciate all of the hard work Reivers and Larry G. have already put into this site and the idea of revamping a club. I still remember one of my first Wednesday night races when Reivers welcomed me by saying he was glad to see a new "young" guy paddling. Paddling has really improved my quality of life the past 6 years or so. We have something special here in Bellingham…..special guys wearing pink and proud of it! |
| - | goosebumps. I'm all for trying to revive a club if we've done our\\ | + | |
| - | homework and have a really good shot at building a storage facility. My\\ | + | |
| - | boys will be paddling in a couple of years and I'd love to have a\\ | + | |
| - | facility where we could borrow some beginner surfskis, outriggers,\\ | + | |
| - | etc… I've had to borrow boats from Peter M. when I wanted to take a\\ | + | |
| - | friend out to paddle in the bay.\\ | + | |
| - | More feedback and support will come once the big yellow ball appears\\ | + | |
| - | again in April or so. Right now people are skiing and not thinking too\\ | + | |
| - | much about paddling. I appreciate all of the hard work Reivers and\\ | + | |
| - | Larry G. have already put into this site and the idea of revamping a\\ | + | |
| - | club. I still remember one of my first Wednesday night races when\\ | + | |
| - | Reivers welcomed me by saying he was glad to see a new "young" guy\\ | + | |
| - | paddling. Paddling has really improved my quality of life the past 6\\ | + | |
| - | years or so. We have something special here in Bellingham…..special\\ | + | |
| - | guys wearing pink and proud of it!\\ | + | |
| Hilburn | Hilburn | ||
| Line 383: | Line 211: | ||
| Regards, Mike. | Regards, Mike. | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **Re: paddling (K- and C- 1,2,4) club motivations\\ | **Re: paddling (K- and C- 1,2,4) club motivations\\ | ||
| Larry Goolsby** \\ | Larry Goolsby** \\ | ||
| 01/21/07 #2409 | 01/21/07 #2409 | ||
| - | Jeff….Thanks for your posting and support. We have some paddling\\ | + | Jeff….Thanks for your posting and support. We have some paddling legends in this community but getting these guys organized is a bitch. I have to confess that I have the same disease that the lot of them have: "I jus' wanna have fun". I think the collective thought here is "If it isn't broke, don't fix it". |
| - | legends in this community but getting these guys organized is a\\ | + | |
| - | bitch. I have to confess that I have the same disease that the lot of\\ | + | Why form a club? Good question. We have a great thing going with the cohesiveness of our group, the Wednesday night races, and the San Juans right out in front of us. We are already considered the the top kayaking town in the country and we have more surfskiers than the rest of the country per capita. Like Mike G. said, we could be THE paddling town. We just need to hear you guys voice what it is that you think would make things better. A boathouse is a start but it may not be in the place that we paddle the most. If we are to promote the sport, our boathouse should be at a site that a newbie could use without fear of having to be rescued. |
| - | them have: "I jus' wanna have fun". I think the collective thought\\ | + | |
| - | here is "If it isn't broke, don't fix it". Why form a club? Good\\ | + | I prefer the Fairhaven area because this is my favorite spot to go to paddle, but I believe that a boathouse is better suited on Lake Padden or Lake Whatcom. For me, Lake Whatcom wins because we can store tandems and K-4's there for the Wednesday night races. So its back to the question of "Why should we do this?" That's easy, we do it for the community, our kids, and our neighbors kids. I was so amazed at the amount of kids that showed up for the Cascade distance race. If we are ever to produce another Greg Barton, we need to start teaching kids to paddle instead of harassing old men that can't climb mountains anymore. In other words, discontinue your membership with the silent majority or we'll never get this thing off the ground.\\ |
| - | question. We have a great thing going with the cohesiveness of our\\ | + | |
| - | group, the Wednesday night races, and the San Juans right out in\\ | + | |
| - | front of us. We are already considered the the top kayaking town in\\ | + | |
| - | the country and we have more surfskiers than the rest of the country\\ | + | |
| - | per capita. Like Mike G. said, we could be THE paddling town. We just\\ | + | |
| - | need to hear you guys voice what it is that you think would make\\ | + | |
| - | things better.\\ | + | |
| - | A boathouse is a start but it may not be in the place that we paddle\\ | + | |
| - | the most. If we are to promote the sport, our boathouse should be at\\ | + | |
| - | a site that a newbie could use without fear of having to be rescued.\\ | + | |
| - | I prefer the Fairhaven area because this is my favorite spot to go to\\ | + | |
| - | paddle, but I believe that a boathouse is better suited on Lake\\ | + | |
| - | Padden or Lake Whatcom. For me, Lake Whatcom wins because we can\\ | + | |
| - | store tandems and K-4's there for the Wednesday night races.\\ | + | |
| - | So its back to the question of "Why should we do this?" That's easy,\\ | + | |
| - | we do it for the community, our kids, and our neighbors kids. I was\\ | + | |
| - | so amazed at the amount of kids that showed up for the Cascade\\ | + | |
| - | distance race. If we are ever to produce another Greg Barton, we need\\ | + | |
| - | to start teaching kids to paddle instead of harassing old men that\\ | + | |
| - | can't climb mountains anymore.\\ | + | |
| - | In other words, discontinue your membership with the silent majority\\ | + | |
| - | or we'll never get this thing off the ground.\\ | + | |
| LG | LG | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **Re: paddling (K- and C- 1,2,4) club motivations\\ | **Re: paddling (K- and C- 1,2,4) club motivations\\ | ||
| Dale McKinnon** \\ | Dale McKinnon** \\ | ||
| Line 426: | Line 230: | ||
| The only thing I want to add to this discussion is to echo Eric's contribution: There's more at stake here than generic "flat-earth" attitudes (that everything revolves around me… of which I am occasionally guilty) or maintaining perceived uniqueness in the chop and spray of our home waters. No one will take away the love and freedom of the various paddling disciplines if we become involved in the process of creating something larger and more lasting than our individual needs to revel in Neptune's glory and our ability to play in it. As we get older we can leave a legacy.\\ | The only thing I want to add to this discussion is to echo Eric's contribution: There's more at stake here than generic "flat-earth" attitudes (that everything revolves around me… of which I am occasionally guilty) or maintaining perceived uniqueness in the chop and spray of our home waters. No one will take away the love and freedom of the various paddling disciplines if we become involved in the process of creating something larger and more lasting than our individual needs to revel in Neptune's glory and our ability to play in it. As we get older we can leave a legacy.\\ | ||
| \\ | \\ | ||
| - | No idea is too small to be considered. Weigh in, please…. We need more input from those of you that do not often contribute (with Larry and Reivers writing tomes and making us laugh, it can be intimidating).\\ | + | No idea is too small to be considered. Weigh in, please…. We need more input from those of you that do not often contribute (with Larry and Reivers writing tomes and making us laugh, it can be intimidating). |
| - | \\ | + | |
| Dale McKinnon | Dale McKinnon | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **Boathouse\\ | **Boathouse\\ | ||
| flypaddle** \\ | flypaddle** \\ | ||
| Line 437: | Line 240: | ||
| Hey gang, | Hey gang, | ||
| - | After reading a variety of posts from our friends near and afar, I've\\ | + | After reading a variety of posts from our friends near and afar, I've decided to add my perspective. Having been involved (meaning, knew what was going on, but didn't actually do anything) with this club since it's inception around 10-12 years ago I think I can add some perspective that hasn't been brought up yet. Initially Mickey B, David S, Reivers, Larry B, and myself got together because Mickey had the desire to get a sprint club off the ground on Lk. Padden. After a variety of meetings the process became stalled, little issues such as Lk Padden not allowing gas-powered motors for escort or safety boats, fundraising for a boathouse, who's going to coach the kids,… etc. kept a bunch of us from pursuing it any further. |
| - | decided to add my perspective. Having been involved (meaning, knew\\ | + | |
| - | what was going on, but didn't actually do anything) with this club\\ | + | The issue of having a flatwater club has come up lately, but is this concept actually realistic for our area? On any given Wednesday niter, how many of the 50-60 participants are in sprint boats (other than me)? Fact is if they're such a great boat for this area, everyone would be paddling them. It takes many years to become proficient in those boats, and after that, most people are still not going to paddle them on the bay, or on Lk. Whatcom. There is a reason why the majority of boats out there are either surfski's, and OC's. It's because their fun and there is a freedom of paddling any body of water you want to. I personnally enjoy K-1's, and the concept of having a flatwater club is great if…we have the right location for it, and in Bellingham, Lk Padden, or perhaps Lk Samish are the only places that would work. |
| - | since it's inception around 10-12 years ago I think I can add some\\ | + | |
| - | perspective that hasn't been brought up yet. Initially Mickey B,\\ | + | Here in Bellingham we have a great venue in the Wednesday niter which many people look forward to on a weekly basis. I think if we could piggyback on that race, by having a boathouse within Bloedel Donovan Park, that would get us the most bang for our buck in terms of getting people on the water. This park has it all, bathrooms, boatlaunch, lawn area, and most importantly, it's fairly centeralized within Bellingham. |
| - | David S, Reivers, Larry B, and myself got together because Mickey had\\ | + | |
| - | the desire to get a sprint club off the ground on Lk. Padden. After a\\ | + | At this point, all we need is a place to store boats that the club currently has, and wants to get. Once a boat storage facility is in place, it can go in any direction the members want. Essentially, I think a club will be more successful catering to people who have a certain desire (such as boat storage), then to cater to people who may or may not exist. |
| - | variety of meetings the process became stalled, little issues such as\\ | + | |
| - | Lk Padden not allowing gas-powered motors for escort or safety boats,\\ | + | |
| - | fundraising for a boathouse, who's going to coach the kids,… etc.\\ | + | |
| - | kept a bunch of us from pursuing it any further.\\ | + | |
| - | The issue of having a flatwater club has come up lately, but is this\\ | + | |
| - | concept actually realistic for our area? On any given Wednesday\\ | + | |
| - | niter, how many of the 50-60 participants are in sprint boats (other\\ | + | |
| - | than me)? Fact is if they're such a great boat for this area,\\ | + | |
| - | everyone would be paddling them. It takes many years to become\\ | + | |
| - | proficient in those boats, and after that, most people are still not\\ | + | |
| - | going to paddle them on the bay, or on Lk. Whatcom. There is a reason\\ | + | |
| - | why the majority of boats out there are either surfski's, and OC's.\\ | + | |
| - | It's because their fun and there is a freedom of paddling any body of\\ | + | |
| - | water you want to. I personnally enjoy K-1's, and the concept of\\ | + | |
| - | having a flatwater club is great if…we have the right location for\\ | + | |
| - | it, and in Bellingham, Lk Padden, or perhaps Lk Samish are the only\\ | + | |
| - | places that would work.\\ | + | |
| - | Here in Bellingham we have a great venue in the Wednesday niter which\\ | + | |
| - | many people look forward to on a weekly basis. I think if we could\\ | + | |
| - | piggyback on that race, by having a boathouse within Bloedel Donovan\\ | + | |
| - | Park, that would get us the most bang for our buck in terms of\\ | + | |
| - | getting people on the water. This park has it all, bathrooms,\\ | + | |
| - | boatlaunch, lawn area, and most importantly, it's fairly centeralized\\ | + | |
| - | within Bellingham.\\ | + | |
| - | At this point, all we need is a place to store boats that the club\\ | + | |
| - | currently has, and wants to get. Once a boat storage facility is in\\ | + | |
| - | place, it can go in any direction the members want. Essentially, I\\ | + | |
| - | think a club will be more successful catering to people who have a\\ | + | |
| - | certain desire (such as boat storage), then to cater to people who\\ | + | |
| - | may or may not exist. | + | |
| Respectfully, | Respectfully, | ||
| Line 479: | Line 252: | ||
| Joost | Joost | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **Club location\\ | **Club location\\ | ||
| Morris Arthur <marthur@…>** \\ | Morris Arthur <marthur@…>** \\ | ||
| Line 492: | Line 264: | ||
| Morris | Morris | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **Re: Boathouse\\ | **Re: Boathouse\\ | ||
| Larry Bussinger <lbussing@…>** \\ | Larry Bussinger <lbussing@…>** \\ | ||
| 01/22/07 #2413 | 01/22/07 #2413 | ||
| - | Joost jogged my memory. Lake Whatcom already has a fenced area that\\ | + | Joost jogged my memory. Lake Whatcom already has a fenced area that is available to paddlers. It was chained with multiple padlocks with a key to each user. Until I talked the Native Americans into using it (they used to leave their boats on the ground beside it) no kayakers have used it in the twenty plus years I've been paddling. I think that is because we like to paddle on the lake and the bay; we just leave the boats on top of the car. Its not the best security in the world, but I don't know of an vandalism. If we have such an area and no one uses it, would a boat house fair better? I see K-1 club boats or rowing shells needing a boat house but the K-1's need it at Padden and the rowing shells already have one at Whatcom. …and we don't have many of either. We even have Fairhaven Boat works, but only the heavy row boats and some kayaks use it. |
| - | is available to paddlers. It was chained with multiple padlocks with\\ | + | |
| - | a key to each user. Until I talked the Native Americans into using\\ | + | |
| - | it (they used to leave their boats on the ground beside it)no\\ | + | |
| - | kayakers have used it in the twenty plus years I've been paddling. I\\ | + | |
| - | think that is because we like to paddle on the lake and the bay; we\\ | + | |
| - | just leave the boats on top of the car. Its not the best security in\\ | + | |
| - | the world, but I don't know of an vandalism. If we have such an area\\ | + | |
| - | and no one uses it, would a boat house fair better? I see K-1 club\\ | + | |
| - | boats or rowing shells needing a boat house but the K-1's need it at\\ | + | |
| - | Padden and the rowing shells already have one at Whatcom. …and we\\ | + | |
| - | don't have many of either.\\ | + | |
| - | We even have Fairhaven Boat works, but only the heavy row boats and\\ | + | |
| - | some kayaks use it. | + | |
| - | Maybe we should just charge dues until we have enough money to buy\\ | + | Maybe we should just charge dues until we have enough money to buy some more "club" boats. This would tell us if we have enough people who would support a boathouse and for whom it would service. If the paddling communitee won't support the boats, they certainly won't support the boathouse. $50/yr times 100 members would buy a few good boats, with no overhead.\\ |
| - | some more "club" boats. This would tell us if we have enough people\\ | + | |
| - | who would support a boathouse and for whom it would service. If the\\ | + | |
| - | paddling communitee won't support the boats, they certainly won't\\ | + | |
| - | support the boathouse. $50/yr times 100 members would buy a few good\\ | + | |
| - | boats, with no overhead.\\ | + | |
| Larry B | Larry B | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **The Future\\ | **The Future\\ | ||
| Jeff Hegedus <jhegedus@…>** \\ | Jeff Hegedus <jhegedus@…>** \\ | ||
| 01/22/07 #2414 | 01/22/07 #2414 | ||
| - | Imagine the combined resources of WAKE, Sound Rowers, Whatcom Paddlers, Tribes,\\ | + | Imagine the combined resources of WAKE, Sound Rowers, Whatcom Paddlers, Tribes, Western Washington University, Bellingham Yacht Club and Washingtom Water Trails Association joining in affiliation to promote and support recreational and competitive small craft usage of the Bellingham Bay waterfront and marine waters. Imagine a Small Craft Center on the Fairhaven waterfront, providing storage for sea kayaks, rowing vessels, war canoes, surfskis, ocean canoes, and sailing dinghys. Outside, the center has two chase boats, and storage for trailers. There is a classroom and repair shop, ample parking for visitors, locker rooms with showers, a covered barbecue area, and nice access to the water. The center is located along a greenway, with curious interested people strolling past enjoying the color and hubbub. Lasers, 420's and 505's sit on trailers in the secure parking area, waiting for the next practice run or regatta, and there are plans for a hoist to allow small keelboats water access. The center is well integrated with nearby commercial, industrial and residential mixed land uses, and paddlers enjoy venturing downtown to the redeveloped waterfront, with dock and pocket beach access. The center is nationally acclaimed for its multitude of programs, events, races, membership and safety record. Based on this success, as an extension of center programs, the Lake Samish facility is developed, and flatwater racing surpasses expectations in popularity. |
| - | Western Washington University, Bellingham Yacht Club and Washingtom Water Trails\\ | + | |
| - | Association joining in affiliation to promote and support recreational and competitive\\ | + | |
| - | small craft usage of the Bellingham Bay waterfront and marine waters. Imagine a Small\\ | + | |
| - | Craft Center on the Fairhaven waterfront, providing storage for sea kayaks, rowing vessels,\\ | + | |
| - | war canoes, surfskis, ocean canoes, and sailing dinghys. Outside, the center has two\\ | + | |
| - | chase boats, and storage for trailers. There is a classroom and repair shop, ample parking\\ | + | |
| - | for visitors, locker rooms with showers, a covered barbecue area, and nice access to the\\ | + | |
| - | water. The center is located along a greenway, with curious interested people strolling\\ | + | |
| - | past enjoying the color and hubbub. Lasers, 420's and 505's sit on trailers in the secure\\ | + | |
| - | parking area, waiting for the next practice run or regatta, and there are plans for a hoist to\\ | + | |
| - | allow small keelboats water access. The center is well integrated with nearby commercial,\\ | + | |
| - | industrial and residential mixed land uses, and paddlers enjoy venturing downtown to the\\ | + | |
| - | redeveloped waterfront, with dock and pocket beach access. The center is nationally\\ | + | |
| - | acclaimed for its multitude of programs, events, races, membership and safety record.\\ | + | |
| - | Based on this success, as an extension of center programs, the Lake Samish facility is\\ | + | |
| - | developed, and flatwater racing surpasses expectations in popularity. | + | |
| - | As part of the downtown waterfront redevelopment process, and the updating of the\\ | + | As part of the downtown waterfront redevelopment process, and the updating of the Fairhaven waterfront comprehensive plan, the Port of Bellingham has graciously invited the paddling community to provide input to the planning process regarding user group needs. This will most likely involve a Port hosted public meeting at the Ferry Terminal, for the paddling community at large, following notification to the public and the above organizations. |
| - | Fairhaven waterfront comprehensive plan, the Port of Bellingham has graciously invited the\\ | + | |
| - | paddling community to provide input to the planning process regarding user group needs.\\ | + | |
| - | This will most likely involve a Port hosted public meeting at the Ferry Terminal, for the\\ | + | |
| - | paddling community at large, following notification to the public and the above\\ | + | |
| - | organizations. | + | |
| - | Pie in the sky? Two weeks ago the Bellingham Yacht Club made an excellent formal\\ | + | Pie in the sky? Two weeks ago the Bellingham Yacht Club made an excellent formal presentation to the Port Marina Advisory Committee, which I chair, regarding their user group (dinghy and small non-motorized keelboat sailors) needs; it was very well received, and open discussion ensued on combining infrastructure needs with the paddling community (think critical mass). On January 31 the Waterfront Advisory Group convenes, which I am also a member of, and Fairhaven waterfront land use planning is the main agenda item. |
| - | presentation to the Port Marina Advisory Committee, which I chair, regarding their user\\ | + | |
| - | group (dinghy and small non-motorized keelboat sailors) needs; it was very well received,\\ | + | |
| - | and open discussion ensued on combining infrastructure needs with the paddling\\ | + | |
| - | community (think critical mass). On January 31 the Waterfront Advisory Group convenes,\\ | + | |
| - | which I am also a member of, and Fairhaven waterfront land use planning is the main\\ | + | |
| - | agenda item. | + | |
| Keep up the robust discussion, think big, and stay tuned. | Keep up the robust discussion, think big, and stay tuned. | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **Re: The Future\\ | **Re: The Future\\ | ||
| Erik Borgnes** \\ | Erik Borgnes** \\ | ||
| Line 575: | Line 299: | ||
| Erik | Erik | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **Re: paddling (K- and C- 1,2,4) club motivations\\ | **Re: paddling (K- and C- 1,2,4) club motivations\\ | ||
| Larry Goolsby** \\ | Larry Goolsby** \\ | ||
| 01/22/07 #2417 | 01/22/07 #2417 | ||
| - | Dale…..What I perceive that we could use on the waterfront is a\\ | + | Dale…..What I perceive that we could use on the waterfront is a place on the water. That's all that is needed for now. Throw in some parking, restrooms, freshwater hoses, a dock, and this becomes a place that anyone can use to get access to the saltwater. Marine park has all of this stuff (except the freshwater hoses and dock) and it has been working well for most of us this winter. What this place could also use is enough space to maybe add a boathouse or some other structure in the future. Maybe just a little more space to lease to a commercial business such as a tour company/kayak shop (gawd knows Bellingham lacks one). I look at Deep Cove Kayak and I see a bustling business on the water that promotes all forms of rowing and paddling. So let's start with some space, add a few necessities and go from there. |
| - | place on the water. That's all that is needed for now. Throw in some\\ | + | |
| - | parking, restrooms, freshwater hoses, a dock, and this becomes a\\ | + | This doesn't undermine the need for a facility at another location (I'm greedy). I think we still need a feshwater facility for people that are just learning how to paddle. It was only 3.5 years ago that I spent my first 3 months strictly on freshwater and even after that I didn't go to the bay but a handful of times. Currently I see two different needs for the community: the kayakers + racers needing to be near saltwater and the newbies + racers needing to be near freshwater.\\ |
| - | place that anyone can use to get access to the saltwater. Marine park\\ | + | |
| - | has all of this stuff (except the freshwater hoses and dock) and it\\ | + | |
| - | has been working well for most of us this winter. What this place\\ | + | |
| - | could also use is enough space to maybe add a boathouse or some other\\ | + | |
| - | structure in the future. Maybe just a little more space to lease to a\\ | + | |
| - | commercial business such as a tour company/kayak shop (gawd knows\\ | + | |
| - | Bellingham lacks one). I look at Deep Cove Kayak and I see a bustling\\ | + | |
| - | business on the water that promotes all forms of rowing and paddling.\\ | + | |
| - | So let's start with some space, add a few necessities and go from\\ | + | |
| - | there.\\ | + | |
| - | This doesn't undermine the need for a facility at another location\\ | + | |
| - | (I'm greedy). I think we still need a feshwater facility for people\\ | + | |
| - | that are just learning how to paddle. It was only 3.5 years ago that\\ | + | |
| - | I spent my first 3 months strictly on freshwater and even after that\\ | + | |
| - | I didn't go to the bay but a handful of times. Currently I see two\\ | + | |
| - | different needs for the community: the kayakers + racers needing to\\ | + | |
| - | be near saltwater and the newbies + racers needing to be near\\ | + | |
| - | freshwater.\\ | + | |
| Larry G. | Larry G. | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **club experience\\ | **club experience\\ | ||
| donbuethorn <donbuethorn@…>** \\ | donbuethorn <donbuethorn@…>** \\ | ||
| 01/22/07 #2419 | 01/22/07 #2419 | ||
| - | I was a member of the Seattle Canoe club on Green Lake for a couple\\ | + | I was a member of the Seattle Canoe club on Green Lake for a couple of years while I was a student at the UW. They have a nice structure , docks, protected water, good location and active recreation and competition oriented programs. As a member who mostly wanted storage or access to the club boats I found some problems. |
| - | of years while I was a student at the UW. They have a nice\\ | + | |
| - | structure , docks, protected water, good location and active\\ | + | Race boats are fragile and club boats get used hard and abused. If they are bomb proof to stand the usage they are not satisfying to serious paddlers. Most of us learn to fix our own boats or pay if it gets too tricky. It was very hard to get anyone to work on the club canoes and there was a constant plea for work parties to work on the boats. Some of the work done was really poor. The well organized sprint group seemed to take care of their fleet but the their dues covered that part of the program and was part of the coaching duties. Those boats were not available for unsupervised use. As a casual member who was not a part of the organized programs I had slim pickings for craft. I also wanted to paddle in areas other than Green Lake and taking a club boat off site was quite a process, with good reason. Imagine how hard that could be on club boats. So how does it work out to store a nice race quality canoe in a public boat house ? Every time you unlock the door and walk in and down the racks to where you left your carbon beauty you will be holding your breath. Is it still there ? If it is there does it have some new contours or maybe just some scratches ? |
| - | recreation and competition oriented programs. As a member who mostly\\ | + | |
| - | wanted storage or access to the club boats I found some problems.\\ | + | In Seattle there was a constant posting of notices asking that only members be in the boat house, please no children , please do not move or touch equipment that is not your own or a club boat, please be careful in moving boats and equipment in the aisles, please do not leave the boat house unlocked while you are out on the water, please be sure you have locked the door when you leave and on and on. Locking boats to racks is very difficult and causes problems for everybody but the vandals. I found it much easier to find a storage space at home and to transport the boat to whatever settings worked the best at the time. I think the club worked well for the very organized programs, especially crew. |
| - | Race boats are fragile and club boats get used hard and abused. If\\ | + | |
| - | they are bomb proof to stand the usage they are not satisfying to\\ | + | |
| - | serious paddlers. Most of us learn to fix our own boats or pay if it\\ | + | |
| - | gets too tricky. It was very hard to get anyone to work on the club\\ | + | |
| - | canoes and there was a constant plea for work parties to work on the\\ | + | |
| - | boats. Some of the work done was really poor. The well organized\\ | + | |
| - | sprint group seemed to take care of their fleet but the their dues\\ | + | |
| - | covered that part of the program and was part of the coaching\\ | + | |
| - | duties. Those boats were not available for unsupervised use. As a\\ | + | |
| - | casual member who was not a part of the organized programs I had\\ | + | |
| - | slim pickings for craft. I also wanted to paddle in areas other than\\ | + | |
| - | Green Lake and taking a club boat off site was quite a process ,\\ | + | |
| - | with good reason. Imagine how hard that could be on club boats. So\\ | + | |
| - | how does it work out to store a nice race quality canoe in a public\\ | + | |
| - | boat house ? Every time you unlock the door and walk in and down the\\ | + | |
| - | racks to where you left your carbon beauty you will be holding your\\ | + | |
| - | breath. Is it still there ? If it is there does it have some new\\ | + | |
| - | contours or maybe just some scratches ?\\ | + | |
| - | In Seattle there was a constant posting of notices asking that only\\ | + | |
| - | members be in the boat house, please no children , please do not\\ | + | |
| - | move or touch equipment that is not your own or a club boat, please\\ | + | |
| - | be careful in moving boats and equipment in the aisles, please do\\ | + | |
| - | not leave the boat house unlocked while you are out on the water,\\ | + | |
| - | please be sure you have locked the door when you leave and on and\\ | + | |
| - | on. Locking boats to racks is very difficult and causes problems for\\ | + | |
| - | everybody but the vandals. I found it much easier to find a storage\\ | + | |
| - | space at home and to transport the boat to whatever settings worked\\ | + | |
| - | the best at the time. I think the club worked well for the very\\ | + | |
| - | organized programs, especially crew. | + | |
| **Re: The Future\\ | **Re: The Future\\ | ||
| Line 647: | Line 322: | ||
| 01/22/07 #2420 | 01/22/07 #2420 | ||
| - | Groundwork needs to be laid before formal invitation to the officers of each organization\\ | + | Groundwork needs to be laid before formal invitation to the officers of each organization is made (which I will handle), only after we have an approach outlined and agreed to with the Port. The idea is that the officers of each interested organization will designate a project representative, who will work with their membership, to generate initial feedback on visioning and infrastructure needs, prior to the public meeting. This will also generate some buzz, and increase attendance. The representatives will work with Dale McKinnon, who has agreed to act as Project Coordinator, to facilitate the collection of ideas; it should preferably and most effectively function as a committee. My role will be to act as an interface with the Port. Together, we can present organized thoughtful input to the Port planning process, while defining a more visible common affiliation. Interestingly, each organization brings to the table a different user base and skill set, while the overlap is actually what joins for creating critical mass and flavor. |
| - | is made (which I will handle), only after we have an approach outlined and agreed to with\\ | + | |
| - | the Port. The idea is that the officers of each interested organization will designate a\\ | + | |
| - | project representative, who will work with their membership, to generate initial feedback\\ | + | |
| - | on visioning and infrastructure needs, prior to the public meeting. This will also generate\\ | + | |
| - | some buzz, and increase attendance. The representatives will work with Dale McKinnon,\\ | + | |
| - | who has agreed to act as Project Coordinator, to facilitate the collection of ideas; it should\\ | + | |
| - | preferably and most effectively function as a committee. My role will be to act as an\\ | + | |
| - | interface with the Port. Together, we can present organized thoughtful input to the Port\\ | + | |
| - | planning process, while defining a more visible common affiliation. Interestingly, each\\ | + | |
| - | organization brings to the table a different user base and skill set, while the overlap is\\ | + | |
| - | actually what joins for creating critical mass and flavor. | + | |
| - | Beginnings are sensitive times, and great opportunity is afoot. We'll know more after Dale\\ | + | Beginnings are sensitive times, and great opportunity is afoot. We'll know more after Dale and I meet with the Port on Wednesday, 'twill be soon |
| - | and I meet with the Port on Wednesday, 'twill be soon | + | |
| - | \\ | ||
| **Re: The Future\\ | **Re: The Future\\ | ||
| Brad Clements** \\ | Brad Clements** \\ | ||
| Line 693: | Line 355: | ||
| 01/23/07 #2428 | 01/23/07 #2428 | ||
| - | I can tell you about Deep Cove Performance Paddling Club. It is\\ | + | I can tell you about Deep Cove Performance Paddling Club. It is mostly kids and just in its infancy still. Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak Centre has provided seed money to get the club rolling. My main goal was to get my kid paddling (12 yrs) and I knew that the attraction of him paddling with Pops wasn't going to do it. He needed other kids his same age out there on the water. |
| - | mostly kids and just in its infancy still. Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak\\ | + | |
| - | Centre has provided seed money to get the club rolling. My main\\ | + | |
| - | goal was to get my kid paddling (12 yrs) and I knew that the\\ | + | |
| - | attraction of him paddling with Pops wasn't going to do it. He\\ | + | |
| - | needed other kids his same age out there on the water. | + | |
| - | I lured some of the XC skiing kids that he races with down to\\ | + | I lured some of the XC skiing kids that he races with down to paddle. The parents being active alternative sport types gave the program some support. A couple of the parents were paddlers already and had experience coaching skiing, soccer etc. Some of them took coaching course to learn technique. |
| - | paddle. The parents being active alternative sport types gave the\\ | + | |
| - | program some support. A couple of the parents were paddlers already\\ | + | |
| - | and had experience coaching skiing, soccer etc. Some of them took\\ | + | |
| - | coaching course to learn technique. | + | |
| - | Kayaking being a bit of an obscure sport makes it hard to attract\\ | + | Kayaking being a bit of an obscure sport makes it hard to attract the mainstream sport types…you know soccer, hockey, football types. |
| - | the mainstream sport types…you know soccer, hockey, football types. | + | |
| - | Initially we bought some smaller flatwater sprint boats and as the\\ | + | Initially we bought some smaller flatwater sprint boats and as the kids have grown in size and skill we have added boats. The parents are starting to get involved and are training for some of the races. Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak has put in quite a bit of cash and the club is slowly paying it back. We have also received some donations from a few other generous companies that are interested in supporting grass roots sports. We formed a "Non Profit Society" and last year we received a Student Summer Works grant and hired a young kid, 19yrs who competed on the BC Team and was good with the young athletes. He runs summer camps that generate some revenue so the club can buy more kayaks. |
| - | kids have grown in size and skill we have added boats. The parents\\ | + | |
| - | are starting to get involved and are training for some of the\\ | + | |
| - | races. Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak has put in quite a bit of cash and\\ | + | |
| - | the club is slowly paying it back. We have also received some\\ | + | |
| - | donations from a few other generous companies that are interested in\\ | + | |
| - | supporting grass roots sports. We formed a "Non Profit Society" and\\ | + | |
| - | last year we received a Student Summer Works grant and hired a young\\ | + | |
| - | kid, 19yrs who competed on the BC Team and was good with the young\\ | + | |
| - | athletes. He runs summer camps that generate some revenue so the\\ | + | |
| - | club can buy more kayaks. | + | |
| - | So far we have about 20 kids and some parents. We haven't really\\ | + | So far we have about 20 kids and some parents. We haven't really put it out there for more masters. I know there would be interest but I don't want the nature of the club to change too much. |
| - | put it out there for more masters. I know there would be interest\\ | + | |
| - | but I don't want the nature of the club to change too much. | + | |
| - | One problem is that we are storing our kayaks in somebodies back\\ | + | One problem is that we are storing our kayaks in somebodies back yard. It would be much better to have a boathouse. Currently we have about 10xK1, 4xK2 and one ancient Struer K4 that needs some serious TLC. |
| - | yard. It would be much better to have a boathouse. Currently we\\ | + | |
| - | have about 10xK1, 4xK2 and one ancient Struer K4 that needs some\\ | + | |
| - | serious TLC. | + | |
| - | Team boats like dragon boats and OC6 help bring in entry level\\ | + | Team boats like dragon boats and OC6 help bring in entry level paddlers who may progress to Flatwater but from what I can see at other clubs like False Creek the movement is slow. |
| - | paddlers who may progress to Flatwater but from what I can see at\\ | + | |
| - | other clubs like False Creek the movement is slow. | + | |
| - | The regattas are great because the kids and Masters can compete at\\ | + | The regattas are great because the kids and Masters can compete at the same event. CanoeKayakBC has also combined the Bantam (14yrs and under) and Masters Champs into the same regatta. Flatwater events (200m, 500m, 1000m) are a lot more spectator friendly than lets say, a 10 km surf ski race. Basically you set up a picnic site at the beach and surround yourself with a whack of kayaks and friends and prepare to do battle. Good Times!! |
| - | the same event. CanoeKayakBC has also combined the Bantam (14yrs\\ | + | |
| - | and under) and Masters Champs into the same regatta. Flatwater\\ | + | |
| - | events (200m, 500m, 1000m) are a lot more spectator friendly than\\ | + | |
| - | lets say, a 10 km surf ski race. Basically you set up a picnic site\\ | + | |
| - | at the beach and surround yourself with a whack of kayaks and\\ | + | |
| - | friends and prepare to do battle. Good Times!! | + | |
| - | Gig Harbour near Seattle has a flatwater club that is booming. Alan\\ | + | Gig Harbour near Seattle has a flatwater club that is booming. Alan Anderson is the driving force there. Affordable, high quality flatwater kayaks are available through (//link no longer valid//) |
| - | Anderson is the driving force there. Affordable, high quality\\ | + | |
| - | flatwater kayaks are available through [[http://www.performancepaddler.com|www.performancepaddler.com]]. | + | |
| www.canoekayakbc.ca\\ | www.canoekayakbc.ca\\ | ||
| Line 753: | Line 380: | ||
| Bob | Bob | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **clubs\\ | **clubs\\ | ||
| Alan <Alan.Carlsson@…>** \\ | Alan <Alan.Carlsson@…>** \\ | ||
| 01/24/07 #2430 | 01/24/07 #2430 | ||
| - | I'd like to toss in a few observations from the paddle sport clubs\\ | + | I'd like to toss in a few observations from the paddle sport clubs I've been involved with. |
| - | I've been involved with. | + | |
| - | First, I agree with Joost's comments that the club needs to focus on\\ | + | First, I agree with Joost's comments that the club needs to focus on the members it has rather than any potential members it does not have. Looking to bring in new members as a priority will quickly divert your thinking into a business model rather than a club. As soon as you start weighing off the costs and rewards of a paddling club using a business model you will see ICF paddling and kids programs get cut very quickly. |
| - | the members it has rather than any potential members it does not have.\\ | + | |
| - | Looking to bring in new members as a priority will quickly divert\\ | + | |
| - | your thinking into a business model rather than a club. As soon as\\ | + | |
| - | you start weighing off the costs and rewards of a paddling club using\\ | + | |
| - | a business model you will see ICF paddling and kids programs get cut\\ | + | |
| - | very quickly. | + | |
| - | In all the clubs I have seen that are historical landmarks in the\\ | + | In all the clubs I have seen that are historical landmarks in the community, diversity and adult programs are much easier to support than kids programs. Again, as it was mentioned previously; paddle sports are not the fist choice of many active adults and even less kids. |
| - | community, diversity and adult programs are much easier to support\\ | + | |
| - | than kids programs. Again, as it was mentioned previously; paddle\\ | + | |
| - | sports are not the fist choice of many active adults and even less kids. | + | |
| - | As Joost pointed out, boats and services supplied need to meet the\\ | + | As Joost pointed out, boats and services supplied need to meet the needs of the majority of your club members. If they use surfski and OC1, pushing ICF flatwater boats is not going to please members. Opportunities to try new things are always welcome, but should not be a core service you plan for. |
| - | needs of the majority of your club members. If they use surfski and\\ | + | |
| - | OC1, pushing ICF flatwater boats is not going to please members.\\ | + | |
| - | Opportunities to try new things are always welcome, but should not be\\ | + | |
| - | a core service you plan for. | + | |
| - | My recommendation is that you first decide what the mission of your\\ | + | My recommendation is that you first decide what the mission of your club is and the associated values of the founders. From there you will see your vision evolve. |
| - | club is and the associated values of the founders. From there you\\ | + | |
| - | will see your vision evolve. | + | |
| - | If you don' take the time to give yourself this direction, you will be\\ | + | If you don' take the time to give yourself this direction, you will be struggling to direct your efforts. You will also be able to attract like minded individuals with a clear statement of your purpose. |
| - | struggling to direct your efforts. You will also be able to attract\\ | + | |
| - | like minded individuals with a clear statement of your purpose. | + | |
| - | I just went through this process with a triathlon club and it was an\\ | + | I just went through this process with a triathlon club and it was an excellent exercise and very useful. |
| - | excellent exercise and very useful. | + | |
| - | When looking at successful club models we turned to the USA Swimming\\ | + | When looking at successful club models we turned to the USA Swimming models and info, they are one of the best club systems in the sports world, and with good reason IF you follow their recommendations. |
| - | models and info, they are one of the best club systems in the sports\\ | + | |
| - | world, and with good reason IF you follow their recommendations. | + | |
| - | [[http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=5&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en-US|http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=5&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en-US]] | + | [[https://www.usaswimming.org/coaches-leaders/team-leaders/managing-your-team|USA Swimming]] |
| Best of luck! | Best of luck! | ||
| Line 802: | Line 407: | ||
| the wind picture is still incomplete. | the wind picture is still incomplete. | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **Re: clubs\\ | **Re: clubs\\ | ||
| Dale McKinnon** \\ | Dale McKinnon** \\ | ||
| Line 816: | Line 420: | ||
| Dale | Dale | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **Re: clubs\\ | **Re: clubs\\ | ||
| Alan <Alan.Carlsson@…>** \\ | Alan <Alan.Carlsson@…>** \\ | ||
| Line 842: | Line 445: | ||
| Design 3: very large club multi story with indoor workout facility | Design 3: very large club multi story with indoor workout facility | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| **Re: This club thing…..\\ | **Re: This club thing…..\\ | ||
| Jeff Hegedus <jhegedus@…>** \\ | Jeff Hegedus <jhegedus@…>** \\ | ||
| 01/27/07 #2442 | 01/27/07 #2442 | ||
| - | Go to [[http://www.jsca.bc.ca|www.jsca.bc.ca]] and check out the Jericho Beach boathouse on Engish Bay. Notice\\ | + | Go to [[http://www.jsca.bc.ca|www.jsca.bc.ca]] and check out the Jericho Beach boathouse on Engish Bay. Notice the list of clubs contributing to its use (combined small craft sailing and paddling) including the Jericho Outrigger Club. Lots of programs and events and activities and people, made possible and economically viable by a certain level of user group organization. Bellingham's version of such a waterfront facility would be different, but the concept is a very useful model perhaps. |
| - | the list of clubs contributing to its use (combined small craft sailing and paddling)\\ | + | |
| - | including the Jericho Outrigger Club. Lots of programs and events and activities and\\ | + | |
| - | people, made possible and economically viable by a certain level of user group\\ | + | |
| - | organization. Bellingham's version of such a waterfront facility would be different, but the\\ | + | |
| - | concept is a very useful model perhaps. | + | |
| - | As soon as I wake up my face, LeAnne and I are headed up to this facility for todays race.\\ | + | As soon as I wake up my face, LeAnne and I are headed up to this facility for todays race. Wow, lots of sun today, enjoy it! |
| - | Wow, lots of sun today, enjoy it! | + | |
| - | \\ | ||
| **Re: This club thing…..\\ | **Re: This club thing…..\\ | ||
| Dale McKinnon** \\ | Dale McKinnon** \\ | ||
| Line 876: | Line 471: | ||
| **Re: the officially 'unofficial' club\\ | **Re: the officially 'unofficial' club\\ | ||
| Dale McKinnon** \\ | Dale McKinnon** \\ | ||
| - | 07/31/09 #6747 | + | 07/31/09 #6747 |
| - | As a headzup on the paddling history here in B'ham, re: giving back to the NW paddling scene with some official races...\\ | + | As a headzup on the paddling history here in B'ham, re: giving back to the NW paddling scene with some official races…\\ |
| Had it not been for a group of very interested and loosely connected surfskiers (whatcompaddlers), the Dan Harris Challenge would not have continued after that first race, five years ago. As race director for the first three years of the DHC, I personally know that had it not been for the social and participatory support (hosting the after-race feeding and making sure that pre-race munchies are present for competitors), and the supplying of safety boats, all by members of the whatcompaddlers' loosely organized group, our very own DHC simply wouldn't exist. We are now going into our sixth year of the DHC and it's becoming a major event in the NW paddling scene. | Had it not been for a group of very interested and loosely connected surfskiers (whatcompaddlers), the Dan Harris Challenge would not have continued after that first race, five years ago. As race director for the first three years of the DHC, I personally know that had it not been for the social and participatory support (hosting the after-race feeding and making sure that pre-race munchies are present for competitors), and the supplying of safety boats, all by members of the whatcompaddlers' loosely organized group, our very own DHC simply wouldn't exist. We are now going into our sixth year of the DHC and it's becoming a major event in the NW paddling scene. | ||
| - | In terms of giving back, whatcompaddlers is more effective, more flexible and more supportive and welcoming to newcomers than any "official" club or organization dedicated to a specific water sport that I've witnessed in the NW... except for soundrowers. To bog whatcompaddlers down in "official" clubness begs the question: Why? Why is that necessary. Because that's the thing to do? Wear T-shirts? Have a clubhouse? Have insurance? How is any of that going to further the growth of surfskiing, OC-1 paddling, standup paddling or whatever new water sport comes along. What does acquiring a trailer to help tranpsort boats got to do with being a club? I call it cooperation amongst friends. | + | In terms of giving back, whatcompaddlers is more effective, more flexible and more supportive and welcoming to newcomers than any "official" club or organization dedicated to a specific water sport that I've witnessed in the NW… except for soundrowers. To bog whatcompaddlers down in "official" clubness begs the question: Why? Why is that necessary. Because that's the thing to do? Wear T-shirts? Have a clubhouse? Have insurance? How is any of that going to further the growth of surfskiing, OC-1 paddling, standup paddling or whatever new water sport comes along. What does acquiring a trailer to help tranpsort boats got to do with being a club? I call it cooperation amongst friends. |
| The virtual organization of whatcompaddlers is all that is required to connect people doing what they love to do. Arbitrarily imposing a rigid, legal artifact on a social phenomenon will alter and degrade it. Change to this phenomenon will come in its own, self-organizing time. | The virtual organization of whatcompaddlers is all that is required to connect people doing what they love to do. Arbitrarily imposing a rigid, legal artifact on a social phenomenon will alter and degrade it. Change to this phenomenon will come in its own, self-organizing time. | ||
| Line 889: | Line 484: | ||
| "The person who says it cannot be done\\ | "The person who says it cannot be done\\ | ||
| should not interrupt the person doing it."\\ | should not interrupt the person doing it."\\ | ||
| - | ... an old Chinese proverb | + | … an old Chinese proverb |
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