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  • 9 Oct 2024 11:48 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Friday 8th to Sunday 10th November at Barwon Heads.  Members, please check the Trips Calendar and your email inbox for further information and to register.

  • 8 Aug 2024 12:57 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    On the afternoon & evening of Friday 2nd, two dozen kayakers from VSKC & NSWSKC converged, bit by bit, upon the camp kitchen at the Boydtown Beach Holiday Park, located halfway between Sydney and Melbourne. Most had travelled a long way and, if they arrived in time, enjoyed a friendly welcome over soup and damper to help recharge the batteries. Later in the evening, a fire was lit and a sizeable group gathered around for a drink and a chat before heading off to get some shut-eye.  The forecast for the next three days was for mainly sunny weather with light winds and low swell ... and that is how it turned out.

    The next morning, all gathered again back at the kitchen.  Trip suggestions had been written up on corflute and stuck to the deck's railings for people to mull over. There was something for everyone, which is not surprising given the size and variety of both shoreline & aspect available around Eden & Boydtown.  Sandy M started the meeting and 20 minutes later the destinations, leaders and pods were sorted.  It was time to launch into Nullica Bay.

    (Some paddle-trip details are included in the upcoming issue of Sea Trek)

    Two huge tables were booked for us at the Sea Horse Inn for Saturday night's dinner.   The Inn sits right on the beach and adjoins the holiday park.  Very handy to be able to walk to and from dinner.

    Sunday's trips were organised in the same way as Saturday's.  David W dropped in briefly to say hello (you were missed, David) and that evening, back in the camp kitchen, we were treated to videos, photos and stories on kayaking and also some thought-provoking boating fails.

    Some lingered on for paddling and bushwalking on the Monday, with another evening gathering to christen a brand new fire pit.  All had headed off by the Tuesday morning.

    Thanks to David W for getting a fabulously fun weekend off the ground!  Thanks also to the trip leaders, cooks, presenters and everyone else who made it all happen!


  • 27 Jul 2024 9:18 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    In June, Sue C organised and ran the annual trip to Snake Island! On the Saturday morning, a dozen happy kayak campers met up in Port Welshpool in glorious winter weather, keen to enjoy two nights at the Cattlemen’s Huts.

    The paddle over went to plan. After landing on the island and setting up camp, it was time to collect wood then get a fire going.  Some cooked outside, others in the huts, before settling around the campfire for a well-earned dinner, great company, some shared snacks and a very relaxing night. Hog, dear, kangaroos and an abundance of wild life grazed nearby and sipped at the waterholes.

    The Cattlemen's Huts is a fantastic place to begin your kayak camping expedition. You are able to get out of the weather, with first time kayak campers having the luxury of flushing toilets, potable water and equipped kitchen with table, chairs, couches and sinks. No Power of course. Surrounded by a veranda, to sit on and watch the wildlife come and go, in very comfortable chairs with the fire pit nearby.  For those who don't have a tent, there are bunk houses with beds - including mattresses (if you wish to take up this option) to use with your sleeping bag. You will need to have some form of stove, a trangia or jet boil.

    On Sunday, due to the weather conditions, a unanimous decision was made - in conjunction with other leaders in the group - that we have an off the water day.  So, rather than paddle, the majority of the group set off for a lovely walk out along the beach: chatting, enjoying the views and also clearing an entire 12km stretch of rubbish. Some cockle shells and pippies were also bagged before heading back to camp along a slightly overgrown track (once actually located). After five hours and close to a 20km walk exploring areas that most have not explored before, we arrived back at camp for a cuppa and some sustenance.

    Monday was a bit blowy but mainly dry. Led by Kate and Joe, catching the start of the incoming tide, some of the group set out across Entrance Point to Biddys Cove, then meandered around the northern contours of Wilsons Promontory to the little cove past Freshwater Cove. Then, with a leg stretch and rest, the group paddled across Singapore Deep (an area where five channels meet) with ease, following the Lewis Channel back into Port Welshpool, with some using their sails for the first time. The return paddle was just bumpy enough to justify tales told about the inlet’s moving water. A second, smaller pod paddled straight back from camp to the boat ramp at Port Welshpool.

    A trip enjoyed by all. Thanks and well done Sue!

    (This article results from contributions from a range of trip attendees. Pictures:  Peter C)


  • 6 May 2024 5:56 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Congratulations to all our Sea Skills and Intro to Sea Skills candidates for putting in such a great effort at the Inverloch assessment weekend. They were lucky to have perfect conditions for learning, for skills demonstration and for having a great time.

    Many thanks to the hard-working assessment team Helmut H, Terry M, Terry B, Rob K, Greg M who gave their time to help others improve and test their skills.

    It is truely a credit to the club and its hard working members, that days like this can be held and be so successful.

    Thank you also to Etsuko for all those delicious snacks.

    Many thanks to all involved and I look forward to seeing you all out on the water.

    Glenn Wilkins

    President I VSKC


  • 16 Oct 2022 2:57 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Edition 98 of Sea Trek is available now!

    In this edition we explore on-water clothing as part of a semi-regular series called Gear and Gadgets, we explore the history of Station Pier, and Peter Newman takes us on a tour from Sandringham to Mordialloc.

    We also have our regular features, 'Who am I', 'Places we have been' and photos from around the club.

    As this is your magazine, your contributions are very important and we want to hear from you with your trips, stories and ideas - things that others will be interested in and may learn something from.

    Please sent your contributions to Glenn at publications@vskc.org.au.

  • 16 Oct 2022 12:14 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Registration is now open for the VSKC's Blue Water Festival at Barwon Heads,11-13 November. Register via the Trip Calendar or the Event Announcement email. View the action-packed program here.

  • 10 Jul 2022 8:05 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    We've compiled a list of items that you may wish to consider if you're putting together a basic first aid kit for day and multiday sea kayaking trips. You can view the list here!

    If you have any questions or suggestions for additions to this list please email Sue at membership@vskc.org.au

  • 4 Jun 2022 7:18 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Edition 97 of Sea Trek is available now, just in time for these long winter evenings!

    In this edition we explore a recent expedition to Flinders Island, a circumnavigation of Wilsons Promontory, a sea kayak assessment weekend and kayak lighting, which is a must for any kayak trip in the dark.

    We also have what will become regular features: 'Who am I', 'Places we have been' and photos from around the club.

    Enjoy!


  • 1 Jun 2022 8:51 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Congratulations to our new VSKC Introduction to Sea Skills paddlers - Carmel Fraser, John Martin, Kim Cafarella, Denis Clare, Luke Rasmussen, Marc Snijders and Tom Sherbourne on passing their assessment  last month in San Remo!

    Many thanks to Ron Morris for running the assessment weekend, and Keith Russell and Helmut Heinze for assisting in their capacity as Sea Instructors.

  • 1 Jun 2022 8:49 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Members - please check your email inboxes for the May 2022 President's newsletter!

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