(08-09 Archives click here)
(09-10 Archives click here)
(10-11 Archives click here)

Pub Raffles

The new roster for this year is now available for your names. If everyone helps out at Smithtown, you will only need to do it 2-3 times a year. This ia a great money spinner for the club.

If you are not going to CNY please help out and put your name down for Feb 4th.

State Titles

Are at Penrith on Mar 11th. There are no other local regattas until May (Urunga). This is a chance to paddle at a longer distance - 500m and against metro clubs. Names have to be in early so that a training plan can be put into place, so please make your decision NOW.

Synchronized y/n?...you decide.

See facebook..."Swan Fake"

Westport Challenge

was another great display of fitness and power. The club picked up 1st place in the Sports Challenge and Mens Challenge along with $850 in prizemoney and perpetual shields.

CNY

As you are aware, we have excess paddlers for CNY - which is a credit to the club. Unfortunately, all cannot be included in each Division. The Selection Panel has drafted a list of paddlers and Divisions which will be available to view at the next paddling session. Please note that this is a draft and not necessarily the final team list.

It is assumed that all paddlers who have their names on the regatta list are still going to CNY. If this is not the case and the club has organised your accommodation, you must notify Deirdre by Jan 8th or you will be liable for the deposit.

Ratchievement Award

Was presented to all you paddlers for an outstanding year. So when it is your turn to accommodate the trophy, take an unusual photo and send it to me or facebook it - there could be a prize!

Presentation Night

Christmas Party and Presentation Night again was the club's biggest night of the year... all things Hawaiian!..it was great to see nearly all club members and a partners attend this friendly get-together. Congratulations to all the award winners:

Most Consistent Paddler : Anna Kirk
Almost Most Consistent Paddler : Maria Potter & Cathy Turnbull
Sweep Award : Sue, Judy, Rosemary & Joka
Rookie of the Year : Janelle Wooldridge
Ratchievement Perpetual Trophy : The Paddlers
Paddlers Paddler : Joka Viney
Encouragement Awards: Helen Lobry & Trevor Fenly
Great Grand Dragons Award: Sue Hill
Couples Award: Sue and Bernie

Paddling Sessions

Please note that the Tuesday 5:30 session will be for Tacoma paddlers. If this session is not full by Tuesday, then it is open to al

Christmas Party & Presso Night

Date has been set for 17th December at Judy's Hacienda, Gowings Hill Rd. Keep this date free so you will have the chance to let you hair down and chew the fat with your fellow paddlers. Overnight camping is available. For catering purposes please show an expression of interest on the REGATTA page. Partners and friends are most welcome.

Venue : 397 Gowings Hill Rd (mob:0449876173)
Start time : 6:00pm
Dress : Hawaiian
Cost : $10ea
BYO : Drink, CHAIR, cossie, towel, attitude.

Jewellery Party

An invitation is extended to fellow DB'ers. A presentation by Melanie Parker of Esteem Jewellery (www.esteem.com.au) will be conducted at Janelle's place, 365 Old Station Rd, KEMPSEY on 23 November 2011 at 5.30 PM.

A mixture of Classic and Contemporary pieces from office wear to weekend fun. View the above website to familiarise yourself with pieces of interest. Payment is accepted at the presentation. Credit card/EFTPOS/cash. If payment made on the day delivery is within 14-21 days from 23 November 2011. Just in time for Xmas.

PS, I promise it won't go too long, Janelle.

Tacoma

The Central Coast Motel (Ph: 02 4353 2911 ) will be reallocating rooms if confirmation is not received this week. If you are going to Tacoma and need somewhere to stay, get in quick. There will be NO bus to Tacoma and we still need more women for a women's team.

Chinese New Year

CNY is now available for names. Due to the number of entries we must qualify for this regatta, we must have raced in a division at a DBNSW regatta ie. Masters Women, Masters Mixed and Grandmasters. To date, this hasnt happened and the only regatta that is available for us to qualify is Tacoma (which is in need of women to enter).

However, additional teams will only be considered once all teams have been confirmed (and if there is space left to fill).

At this stage, we have 10 rooms available at the Seasons Hotel, Darling Harbour. Each room sleeps 3 (1D + 1S, $150 per room). So if you need accommodation, please email Deirdre ASAP.

Water Trials

Will be happening 12th November from 6:30am. Distance is 300m and should take 3-4 minutes to complete. I can test 2 people every 20 minutes. Its best to do this test with similar sized people.

Preference given to those who havent recorded a time, but have a go if you want to re-try. Please remember that a water time trial forms part of the regatta selection guidelines.

Grafton Regatta

Another successful result for the rat machine. 1st in Womens and 1st in Mixed. Due to the number of paddlers, the club entered another team in the Mixed division. Despite having ony 16 paddlers (3 of which were men) and up against teams with 3 times as many men, this team finished a very credible 3rd in both heats.

But more significantly, the club had its first hit out at a longer distance - 2km, (again with only 3 men in the boat) and missed out on another 1st by half a second!. This was a truly amazing result and shows the resolve that has been built within the club. Congratulations to all paddlers on the fantastic results and weekend and also to Judy and Rosemary who are now L3 Sweeps.

General Meeting

Our next general meeting is scheduled for TUESDAY 8th November after the 5.30 paddle session. That's usually around 7pm. This is our big regatta organising session – we will be asking for volunteers for all the positions needed to keep the regatta running smoothly. Everyone gets a job – so this is your chance to speak up for a job you may actually enjoy. Firstly – decide if you want to paddle on the day – some jobs occupy you all day and therefore paddling is definitely OUT.

Facebook

A comments box has been added to NEWS as below. Please keep any comments NEWS specific and put everything else on the Facebook page.

Cold Chisel Tickets

4 tkts are available for the 4th November concert at Coffs. Please see Deirdre.

Regatta Sessions

Please note that the 2 regatta sessions on Tuesdays are identical sessions. Consider putting your name down for the earlier session if possible so that there are enough paddlers for the session to go ahead....this is training for an upcoming regatta.

If either session is not full by TUESDAY MORNING, the session becomes open to all paddlers, so come on down and have a go at regatta training...you might get addicted...also, please note that daylight saving starts this Sunday 2nd October.

Breakfast

A Date for the Diary.....Lisa from the Smithtown hotel is hosting a breakfast for Breast Cancer on the 9th October so grab some friends and book a table. Ph her on 65 674581 we had a great time last year.

General Meeting

Is this Thursday 7:00pm at the bowlo. The meeting is open to all financial members, so come along and have a say.

Mylestom Regatta

This was a first in more ways than one. It was disappointing that the weather forced an early end this regatta. It was the first time the club has competed at a DBNSW regatta that was abandoned before the finals. Nevertheless, trophies were still awarded on fastest times....the club remains undefeated so far this season!. Well done to all who made the journey...and...spankings dont hurt, much.

Also, well done to Rosemary who received her provisional Sweep's accreditation.

Come & Try Day

Is this Saturday 8:30. We will need a paddlers to help out.

Forster Regatta

Has been CANCELLED due to the venue being double booked.

Mens Day

Come and try day is this Saturday 8:30 to 10:00am. We need all men to attend this session. If you know anyone who may be interested, please let them know.

Mylestom Regatta

Is September 25th. To date, the women's crew is in need of at least 3 more paddlers.

Facebook

.........................We are now on, click on above - we need friends badly!.........................................

Regattas

Camden Haven regatta was the first of the regatta season and was the most successful attended thus far with all 3 first placings and prizemoney to boot. (One suggestion is that the prizemoney goes into the kitty for Grafton - sounds good to me, any other suggestions, let me know).

* 9 paddlers contested all 12 races - Anna, Chereyll, Inga, Loretta, Lynne, Maria P., Pauline, Susie and Sue E. who all deserve the greatest of recognition at this regatta.

Regattas take up a lot of resources and time for the organisers and participants. It also involves a high degree of fitness and resolve for paddlers.

Acknowledgement of services also goes to Pam M for collecting the financials, "handy" Maria EB for marshalling, Anna for the gazebo, Deirdre for the organisation and....."food factory" Bernie for keeping his stomach full and his teeth clean!

The Rat Machine rolls on to the next regatta in Mylestom, so get your names down if you havent already.

Emails

Please click on link above.

Regatta Session

is every Tuesday at 17:30. This session is exclusive to paddlers who are training for an upcoming regatta. However, if the session is not full by Tuesday morning, it then becomes open to all paddlers.

All regatta paddlers are reminded of their responsibilities towards team training.

Tacoma Regatta

Please note the date has been changed to January 14th. This regatta is 400m and against different clubs for a change. A bus will be organised leaving on Friday 13th about 4:00pm and returning Sunday.

Overnight accommodation has been tentatively booked at the Central Coast Motel, Wyong for Friday and Saturday nights (about $100 p/p/p/n) but this has to be confirmed and deposit paid by August 12th. So make the decision and put your names on the REGATTA page. I will assume that all names entered will be travelling by bus and will require acommodation (let me know otherwise). This is a "must go" regatta and will be the second time we have entered.

Paddling Surprise

.........A W A I T S ! .........

Memberships

Are due from July 1st. This year the fee will be $130 of which DBNSW receives $85. Be sure to download and print the KMDBC Membership form and DBNSW Membership form and include BOTH with your payment. Please don't make this a drama for the Registrar!

2011-12 Membership forms ARE NOW AVAILABLE via the FORMS link.

AGM

Is Sunday 31st at the RSL at 11:00am. Nibbles are provided. A General Meeting will follow. All members are encouraged to attend.

Training Day

Has been organised by some north coast clubs at Macksville this Saturday 23rd 1:00pm to support the newest north coast club Nambucca River Dragons. If anyone is keen for a paddle, please turn up at Macksville.

Rego Day

Was enjoyed by all who attended. Thanks to Charles and Christina for maning the BBQ, Julie the "tealady" and Bernie for his "soft bottoms" approach!.

Please note that the first wave of memberships will be forwarded to DBNSW this week. The 2nd wave will be sent late next month, so if you want to paddle in regattas, get your membership in by Friday 22nd.

Boracay

Link has been updated!

Rego Day

The action kicks off this Sunday 17th at 10:00am Riverside Park. Meet at the bowlo at 9:30 to help take everything down. BBQ, tea and coffee is provided along with a "twisted 6" paddling contest which will cost 50c a go, winners take all. And also dont forget your rego fees and BOTH membership forms.

Freddo Paddle

Was a hoot, so I hear...each way was about 45 minutes, the day was sunny with little wind and food was cheap and tasty. Unfortunately the Freddo boat ramp will be closed for a few months so it looks like Smitho will be the next assault. Stay tuned!

Urunga DVD

A momento of the Urunga experience is available on DVD. Send me an email and I will make you a copy!

Regattas

Grafton Regatta is late October and CNY is early Februray. If you intend to go to these regattas and you havent organised your accommodation with Deirdre, please do so ASAP or you will have to find your own accommodation.

Freddo Paddle

Will be happening on July 9th. This is the club's first attempt at this distance (6-7km). The plan is to leave 11am Riverside Pk. Its about an hours trip down. Lunch at the pub ($5) if you buy a (Non – alcoholic for paddlers) drink .  Leave for the return 1.30 ish maybe 2pm depending on the crowd. Two crews possible – one up – one back or you can even paddle in both AND there’s the option of only going one way...but remember that if you only paddle one way, you have to get back and so does the boat. So there must be a crew to bring the boat back or the day just wont happen!

So, tuffin up, put your name down and lets get crackin!