Intro to Sea Skills for the Lismore FNC Canoe Club members.

Karen Dallas conducted this course on Saturday 5 May at Arrawarra Bay, north of Coffs Harbour. 

After much trepidation forecasts were for 4m swell and strong wind, the weather turned out to be picture post card perfect. The sun on the waves on Arrawarra Bay in the early morning was breathtaking.

Arrawarra Bay on a perfect autumn morning.

This was a fantastic day. Karen Dallas, a qualified sea instructor, was very clear in her instructions and planned the day very well. She was assisted by her husband, Col and sea skills trainee Trevor Saunders, as stated by Colin Cussel

Tim Limbert, Richard White, Lynn Delaney, Chris Allen, Colin Cussel attended from FNCCC. Sean Harrington from Coffs harbour, who was on the recent Paddle for Life, and Lynn’s friend, Fiona, also attended.


Paddlers began the day with some theory instruction. Paddlers then practiced their strokes on the grass leaning against the hill to mimic the slope of the wave. Then progressed to traversing the broken waves in the “slop zone,” in line with the beach, so they could get used to handling the waves side on and learning to brace into the wave. 

Karen standing in water directing proceedings

Then practiced our paddling out through the waves and paddling in backwards, so we could get used in and out through the breaking surf zone.



Some of the paddlers enjoy morning tea and a well earned rest.

After morning tea we all ventured out and caught waves into the beach with varying degrees of success. Our last activity was deep water entry in the ocean. We practiced both assisted and unassisted re entries.

Colin Cussel  said we all learnt so much. Thank you Karen. Hopefully the same group can get together for more practice and perhaps another day of instruction from Karen.



Mariner 12.5 Propel WINS Diawa Hobie Bream fishing round in the Clarence River NSW 29th April.

Congratulations Justin Thompson of Brisbane QLD, whom purchased the Native WaterCraft Mariner 12.5 from Skee Kayak Centre.
Justin is a keen angler and the opportunity to compete in the kayak fishing series was a way to see new areas, meet new people and compete in competitions while catching bream.
The series qualifier was held on the Clarence River on the North Coast of NSW.

It was the reverse capability that allowed me to coax the fish away from structure. I was using 2lb straight through not 3lb and my bag weight was 1.83 kg. Big bream came as my last fish to fill my bag. Said by a very proud Justin.

 

The versatility of the craft makes it a good stable platform to work from. Justin can stand and still move his kayak around by using the Propel pedals with his hands, not too many kayak to do this.
Also being able to reverse simply by peddling in the opposite direction is a plus when chasing fish that like to swim into/ or under structures.

Photos courtesy of Justin competing in the Mooloolaba round.

We wish you luck and tight lines for the rest of the series of tournaments.

 

Rogue 9 - Jackson Kayak:

One boat with two distinctly different personalities. Designed to be the quiver of one for the paddler whose appetite for river adventure is a bit more sampler platter than main course. Versatility is the calling card of the Rogue thanks to a hull shape designed to expertly bridge the opposing performance characteristics of being fast on flatwater while nimble in whitewater. Transitioning from light touring down meandering rivers to Class II-III whitewater is this Rogue’s calling card.

The Rogue 9

Construction: superlinear, rotomolded

• Length: 9″4″
• Width: 25.75
• Weight: 44 lbs
• Cockpit size: 34-3/4” x 20-1/2”
• Maximum capacity: 200 lbs

http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/recreational-touring-kayaks/rogue/rogue-series-promo-video-and-walkthrough/

The Basics: Jackson Kayak designs have made our whitewater kayaks #1. There is exceptional history behind the craftsmanship of in-house designer Tony Lee. From a materials standpoint, we use the same plastic resin in our touring kayaks as we do for our most hardcore whitewater kayaks. Although this may be considered over-kill, we are proud to offer these materials along with a lifetime warranty on all our recreational and touring kayaks.

The Rogue’s reason for being is to give paddlers a drier, more stable, stronger and supremely comfortable ride for longer treks and overnighters in a diversity of paddling conditions. Attention to detail means the Rogue’s roomy rear hatch will store more than enough gear for multi day excursions. . Jackson Kayak sets the bar very high with the Rogues focus on comfort. The Rogue sports Jackson Kayak’s infinitely adjustable “Sure Lock” back band system, hip pads, thigh pads and ultra comfy SL seating, bringing extended comfort and enjoyment on all your excursions.

The most comfortable seat I have ever used in a kayak!

What you can expect from the Rogue:

• Beginners - A boat that will grow with your skills. Stable, fun and easy to paddle. This kindly Rogue is your best friend when you suddenly find yourself in river conditions a little bumpier than expected and need a boat that will turn on the auto-pilot to keep you upright and smiling. The durability of our plastic will also forgive the new boater for their treatment as they are dragged over rock and sand, and tossed up onto cars.
• Intermediates - Confidence-inspiring is one of the chief goals of all Jackson Kayak designs and the Rogue does not disappoint. When you’re ready to test your mettle in tougher whitewater, the Rogue will right there at your side – well actually, under your bottom – to quell any hesitation and let you charge like champion.

Experts - You’re a veteran and with experience comes discriminating taste. You have exacting performance expectations. We do too. We infuse that same

• championship mentality that makes us world champions in whitewater into the design of every design we make. From best-in-class materials, to ergonomic outfitting, adjustability, aesthetics and speed the Rogue delivers more for the money.

Skeg makes the kayak paddle straight for flatwater paddling

Come into SKEE KAYAK CENTRE and see the new Rogue 9, great kayak for paddling rivers like the Nymboida River, Mann, and Jackagery section.

Its an interesting kayak to play in the small waves for some extra fun.

Jackson CUDA: has arrived

Similar to the Coosa, the Jackson Kayak team has once again peppered slick, angler friendly features throughout the boat. The Cuda will introduce for the first time Jackson’s rod tip cover, tackle stagers, mesh side pocket, pockets on the elite patent pending hi/low seat, fly rod stagers, safety flag, stand assist handle and a 26 inch center hatch that can have an insert to make it dry storage or a fish cooler big enough to fit a beautiful slot redfish! The hatch insert can be removed for easy access to the interior of the boat and for easy rod storage while on the water. Of course the previously introduced features are also there including the rod stagers/holders that are big enough for offshore rods! Fans of the Jackson fishing line will also recognize the friendly paddle stagers and holders, as well as the popular removable skid plate, large bow and stern hatches and a new and improved beverage holder!
The new sleek, low profile, design will make fishing in the wind a breeze! However, when things do get tough just drop the rudder and you’ll track even straighter on your way to a killer day on the water. With all this, new colors and accessories, it should be a good 2012 for Jackson ‘Cuda anglers!
http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/kayak-fishing/cuda/cuda-series-walkthrough-video/

Length: 4.28m   Width: 74cm  Weight:33kg  
The Cuda is finally the answer to the big water fisherman’s dream because it has both the speed needed to trek long distances quickly, and the rare ability to be stable for standing when you get to your destination. However, you may not want to stand because of the comfort of the patent pending hi-lo seat! The option to move the seat high or low depending on your preference and fishing environment, and the ability to remove it from the boat, makes it one of the top seats on the market today.
Made in USA ,         3 year warrenty , High density PE plastic - Built to last.

Stock is limited:  orders for specific colours for the next container are been taken now!
don't be disappointed for the start of the next summer fishing season.

71 Paddle Boards: SUP

The new craze in the area of paddling is Stand Up Paddling.
Being a wave ski surfer or sea kayaker Karen of Skee Kayak Centre
was unsure whether her core stablilty of sitting on the water could be
transformed into actually standing up on a board. All fears were allayed,
 on the 11 foot 71 paddle board first go, with my dog as well to work out
my core stability even more. 3 off us ventured up to Brunswick River in February

to try out  the 10 foot and 11foot paddle boards.
We had so much fun paddling up and down the river, balancing when boats went by,
tackling in coming tides, and the strong afternoon north easterly winds. The 71 paddle board

managed everything easily. These boards are so stable, my dog would just walk around the board or hang 10 on the nose watching the water go by, stability wasn't a problem.

You can just sit down and cruise around with a couple of dogs on board and just relax and take in the sites.

NOW: for the more technical side of the 71 Paddle Board:

Construction:

The new 2011 71 Paddle Boards are manufactured using revolutionary recyclable IXPS foam. Among the advantages of using IXPS are lighter weight, stronger, stiffer, lessened chance of delamination and dents and IXPS is a closed cell foam meaning less water absorption than traditional foams. The blank is then laminated with a layer of super tough 5mm bamboo on the top and multiple layers of high quality glass and epoxy resins for a hard tough finish.

IXPS - Extruded Polystyrene Foam
In the last couple of years IXPS foam has started to be used in surfboard manufacturing. Not to be confused with XTR foam used by some overseas companies, IXPS foam does not have any de-lamination problems. It is a closed cell foam, therefore has very low water absorption when dinged. This foam is very light and strong and is resistant to denting. Extruded foam surfboards are more responsive than EPS foam cored boards due to a better flex pattern. To top this off the foam is totally recyclable. The IXPS foam boards surf as well as the PU foam boards and some say it is more responsive. Although relatively new on the scene, all the indicators are saying that IXPS foam makes for a very durable, light and very lively board.

Special package deals are available on the 10', 10.6' 11foot boards either on there own or with deck pad, leg leash, padded board bag and carbon paddle.

Come in and have a chat to Karen about which board will suit you, and join in the fun and fitness.

Mariner 12.5 propel v's TUNA!

This is a 16 Kg (35lb) Bluefin Tuna, caught in my Nativewatercraft Mariner 12.5 kayak on the  morning of Feb 18th 2012. I was fishing for snapper when this locomotive came through and grabbed my bait heading south at 100 knots. It took 30 minutes to land and it dragged the kayak for 500 metres.

Karen, the kayak did everything I needed it to do and was extremely stable throughout – another testament to the mariner.

For those people who were not sure if a Mariner 12.5 propel would be suitable for ocean conditions, I think Garry from Woolgoolga has proved more than once it can.

Green with Envy Landscapes

Shane Newton owner of Green with Envy landscapes has been creating a work of art to the entrance of Skee Kayak Centre.

Mullaway known for its clay soil Shane and his assistant Matt had their work cut out for them.
Shane was hands on, not only designing but also the actual creation of the new gardens.

Shane Newton owner of Green with Envy landscaping.

There was quite a bit of weather to contend with, storms, wind and hail. The work was completed
on time and very professional.






The landscaping has transformed the entrance to the showroom from dull to bright and vibrant, which makes it a pleasure to walk down the driveway.

Matt doing the finishing touches.



I would like to thank Shane, Matt, Lindsay Excavations and Andrew from Northern Beaches Tree Care.

For anyone who requires some landscaping contact Shane Newton ph: 0408 554 000 for a quote.