Harry at Wyong River Weir - 15 May 2012
TOUKLEY KAYAKERS
toukleykayakers@gmail.com
Website created on 9 Jan 2009. Last updated on 16 May 2012 1630 hrs
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Tuesday 22 May 2012 - Wallarah Creek, San Remo. Meet at Budgewoi Lake, Highview Avenue, San Remo near power station hot water service. Paddle up the creek to Spring Creek, Blue Haven and beyond.
We are an informal group of friends who like the outdoors and a healthy lifestyle. This page provides a Notice Board where we can display our kayaking program, and any other information we might want to share, and some photographs of our activities.
We meet on Tuesdays. Launch time is 0900, so if you want to join us arrive by 0845 please. We have morning tea/lunch afterwards. Bring something nice to eat if you can, and a couple of dollars to cover the tea, coffee, milk etc.
We paddle in all lakes, lagoons, creeks and rivers from Berowra to Clarence Town, and everywhere in between.
We generally paddle for 2 - 3 hours and travel between 6 and 12 km, at a gentle pace.
All the above businesses support our club and will give special discounts to our members.
East Coast Roof Racks has a wide range of bike and kayak racks. Click on the logos to go to their websites.
To summarise: Wear a lifejacket at all times except in enclosed waters (rivers/lakes) within 100 metres of the shore.
For cycling reports and forthcoming rides click here
Kayaking reports:
The perfect weather continues - cool to start but warming to a blistering 18°C, cloudless sunny sky, faint breeze... Thirty-five members of the public assembled by coincidence at Lions Park, Wyong, so we all paddled up to the weir, where many turned back, presumably to go back to the lake. Nine of us dragged our kayaks over the weir, followed 20 minutes later by sleepyhead Russell, paddling up to the narrow channel where our further progress was blocked by fallen trees. Doug and I got through (surprise!) but the others were struggling, so we decided seeing it was already 10.30am that we would head back. Doug had taken the anabranch to find an easier way through, and we met him at the bottom of that creek.
Richard turned at the weir and paddled down to the Tuggerah Lake, then back to base, completing I think about 16km, while the pioneer group did about 11km, and the rest, who knows, about 8km?
A couple of faces fairly new were those of Greg, and Wendell so welcome again, guys!
Wyong Creek still holds much interest for us, with its beauty and its challenges, a lot of fun! Blissful!
Danny
Ray and Bob's photos are here. Harry's photos are here.
A top day with perfect weather greeted us at Ettalong Beach. There was some confusion about where to park and launch due to a discrepancy between the map ref I had nominated, sight unseen, and the better venue further north, with plenty of parking and a toilet. However, we all launched where we wanted to and met on the water from where we paddled with the incoming tide up to Rip Bridge where we discovered just how fast the tide was, as we attempted to cross to the eastern side of Brisbane Water. It was a battle to make headway, but we managed, although some guys decided to go the Kincumber and return with the change of tide.
The rest of us headed south along the east side of Brissy Water, passing the quaint and pretty townships of Killcare, Hardys Bay and Wagstaffe before crossing back to our point of departure. The Palm Beach ferry came screaming out of nowhere into the channel and did a sharp right turn around the channel markers, quite a sight! I paddled out around the markers into the choppy water before the breaking waves on the bar and followed the ferry back into the lagoon. We could go further out here next time.
We had a long wait for the Kincumber adventurers to return, Rolf being the first, before Mark put his kayak back in the water to go and search for Keith and Paul. He found them down at The Rip Bridge, and accompanied them back to base, thus having completed the trip twice. Remember though that this is the guy (Mark) who started at Gosford early one morning and paddled down through here, out on to Broken Bay, up the Hawkesbury and up Moonee Moonee Creek, and back, for a 17 hour day of paddling another time (16 August 2011).
Anyway, for the 20 of us who were there today it was a memorable outing in perfect conditions. We also celebrated Trevor's 70th birthday today - congrats, Trev!
Danny
Bob's photos are here. Also, Kee made a short video of my launch. Click here.
No report today as I wasn't there, but Bob has taken some nice photos (no captions, sorry). Click here for photos.
Danny
We were blessed with a very pleasant sunny day with a light breeze, 28 kayakers, and a visitor checking us out (David).I got there just as everyone was paddling away and never saw them again, till morning tea. Rob and Robyn left just after me and we headed north and stuck to the shore. That was our mistake as we shoulda gone across to Woy Woy Channel, but kept going up Paddys Channel to Saratoga and open water.
Still, we had an enjoyable if quiet paddle for an hour and a half, and got back just ahead of the main team, apart from Boston Bill who lost the others and came back by himself. Jen and Graeme paddled down under Rip Bridge and out to the ocean within sight of Lion Island etc.
We were lucky to miss the rain which fell on the way home and continues all afternoon. As we speak. So, lucky to get in such a good day's paddling. Harry's photos are here.
Danny
The cloudy sky soon dissolved into rain as we set off from the picnic area on the lake and paddled north. Patchy rain at first, but by the time we got back it was steady and soaking. Not that we cared. We soon found Pourmalong Creek, which was a surprise, and it turned out to be perfect for our paddling requirements - long enough, wide at first gradually narrowing till it dwindled away about 4km upstream (that's just a guess). A few loggy hazards soon sorted out the cruising kayaks from their cross-country cousins. Doug, Danny, Russell and Harry went as far as we could, with the shorter boats having the advantage.
About 30 people paddled, a good turn-up given the weather, and despite the rain we all enjoyed ourselves. Getting changed was a bit hard, in the rain, but we found a beaut shelter with picnic table for our morning tea. I saw hundreds of little furry macropods - so cute, but a bit soggy today.
Harry's photos are here.
Danny
It's a shocker of a day for anything on the lake, with SE winds 20-25 knots and whitecaps abundant. Luckily, we had arranged to have a try-out for the Dragon Boat team, and didn't have to face the weather in our kayaks. Seating 20 paddlers, the enormous boat held most of our eager members, with dragon boat ladies organising and steering the vessel.
They paddled up towards The Beachcomber at a rate of knots, indistinguishable from a professional crew (because of the spray). I launched my kayak and had a paddle around, following the DB up towards the Beachcomber, at about half the speed. We all came back with the wind even faster and gladly called it quits for the day.
Carol brought her beautiful paddle board and showed us how to use it. Bob and Rolf both had a go, but it's very hard the first time, and both fell in a couple of times, but at least they had a go, good on them!
After everybody was dry and warm again, Doug and Sue set up the barbecue and morning tea tables, and we all had an early lunch and a good chat. There was a very nice salad to go with snags and chicked kebabs, and yummy cakes and buns, with the theme being chocolate. For a very windy day we finished up having quite a good time, one that we'll never forget. Harry's photos are here.
I was chatting with Barry and Gloria Squires and they mentioned that they lived on a yacht for 9 years, including sailing around the world for 5 years. They mentioned the Mediterranean, Panama Canal, Galapagos Islands, and how they got hit by a 70 knot storm off eastern Australia. Fascinating stuff! Got any photos, Gloria?
Danny
On a warm sunny day, over 30 paddlers arrived at the excellent venue north of Swansea near Coon Island, with its beach, swimmable water, parking and toilets.
With the tide flowing out at speed, we paddled across the sand island towards the centre of the lake, west of Spectacle Is and Pelican Is and some other big island, up to Marks Point and around Cane Point. Some of us continued north, with serious paddlers like Bernie and Sue, and Andy and Judy, going as far as the Belmont 16ft club. A few others, including Doug and Mark, entered Cold Tea Creek, at the north end of the reserve next to the highway, going under pipes and the highway to reach the Belmont Lagoon and Sewage Works. Sounds like fun! Mark fell in when his kayak drifted away as he attempted to board it.
I was sharing Jill's double kayak and we paddled up to the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club Marina, with Barbara and Warren. From there we just paddled all the way back to Coon Island without stopping. She's a hard task-mistress that girl! Julie and Mick got lost coming back and headed towards Eraring, but Warren followed them out into the middle of the lake and saved them.
When we arrived back, the car-park was filled by then with not only our cars, but picnickers and swimmers, so we grabbed a table for our morning tea. Actually, Colin didn't paddle for medical reasons, and stood guard over our stuff and reserved the table. There followed an unbelievable feast of all things naughty and nice, and some healthy stuff.
The distance up to Belmont and back was about 10-11 km, and it took only 1 hour 45 for Jill and I to do it. The more adventurous guys were longer. I think they had more fun, and if I had been in my usual boat, I would have been there wif 'em.
Photos are here.
Danny
Hi! Cockle Creek is a fair way from home, but it was worth the trip. Weather was perfect (25°C, slight breeze, scattered cloud), and 34 kayakers to share the morning with.
Most people wanted to head up Cockle Creek as usual, and away they went, while Ruth, John and I paddled out to the lake and set a course for Warners Bay. After a while a late-starting Baz joined us three and we stuck to the shore watching people on the bike path as we churned down to Speers Point (the point) and into Warners Bay (the bay). Ruth, being a local, was able to direct us into North Creek which was a very pleasant paddle of about 500 metres, each way. We then headed across towards Eleebana and South Creek, very similar to its northern cousin, both creeks ending at a rock weir where we turned around.
Feeling tired by now, we headed back to Cockle Creek, under orders from Ruth to head towards Mt Sugarloaf TV towers, which was spot-on. We didn't arrive back at the venue till 11.30am, later than the Cockle Creek paddlers, who had a lovely time, apparently, but not as much fun as us. Some of the Creek group turned around at the confluence, completing about 9km, while the rest of us, in both contingents, paddled about 12-13km. Enough to work up an appetite which Sue sated with some hot sausage and mustard (food, glorious food!), and all the other yummy provisions which the rest of us brought.
Ray took a few photos and they are all here.
Danny
We last came to Woy Woy only 4 weeks ago, but with only 4 kayakers to enjoy the waterfall then, we thought we had better do it again. This time 27 paddlers turned up, which is enough for the little car-park at Correa Bay, even then we parked 2 and 3 deep.
The waterfall was much subdued, but still worth the visit. The weather was very pleasant, about 23°C with a slight N breeze. The round trip to the waterfall was only 9 km so quite a few of us went further, eg. north to the railway bridge, or south to Woy Woy Creek, paddling under the road and up to big pipes with not enough water in them. All good fun and very pretty scenery!
Bob's photos are here.
We had to change the venue as announced last week on news of the water being drained out of Avoca Lagoon. I did change the venue on this website on Wednesday, but 3 people still turned up at Avoca this morning. Sorry for that, guys! In case such a change is made due to conditions, always check this page again on Monday night.
Also, a message from a visitor -
Hello,
I made my first visit with the Toukley kayakers today at Woy Woy Bay. I enjoyed the paddle very much and intend to attend further paddles in the future. I had not realised that after the paddle tea & refreshments were served and each of us was meant to bring something to eat. I will make up for that error at future visits.
I managed to take some shots if you are interested and attach same (Follow on from Bob's pix).
Thanks for the great morning
Happy days
Ian Pentony
Danny
An unbelievably beautiful day - about 23°C, no breeze, sunny - welcomed about 47 paddlers (not sure how many as we are not an organised club, remember!). The water at Vales Point, Mannering Park, was like glass, only softer, so we couldn't resist going back down to The Pipes (an ancient natural formation under Rutleys Road), instead of a boring old paddle across to Morisset. Everyone enjoyed it, and many had not done this magical paddle before.
We had a big raft-up on the Enchanted Lake, but we couldn't get everybody in one photo, and some had already gone upstream, and no, I'm not going to Photoshop you in. At a big fallen tree which was easily negotiated many paddlers turned back, thus completing about 10km, while those of us who went further did up to 13 kilometers. Enough to earn a decent feed back at the mess hut.
Today's photos are here.
Danny
Tuesday 14th Feb, Jill took the morning tea bits for the remaining paddlers that turned out at Wyong that week, I think she said there were 25 paddlers. Jill might be able to elaborate.
Tuesday 21st Feb, 4 paddlers braved the elements that were ever present at home and headed to Woy Woy in the hope it wouldn’t be raining there. They guessed right! Carol, Bob, Rolf and Peter had a very good paddle without rain until the home run and a slight shower passed over and kept going. Doug and Sue were there at the end with morning tea and a shelter (just in case), but the rain didn’t reappear until, all but Bob, had packed up and left. So yet again, the weather didn’t spoil a Tuesday paddle – for 4 at least. Carol has photos and said the waterfall was magnificent, given all the rain we have had lately.
Tuesday 28th Feb, a glorious sunny, somewhat hot day (by this summer’s standard). I think it managed to rocket to 29 degrees! 46 paddlers including 5 “newbies” made their way up to the weir. A few paddlers then decided to venture further down the creek and out to the lake. It was very calm and warm out on the water, very pleasant. Morning tea was its usual feast of delights enjoyed by all.
Reports gathered by Sue
The photos for all these paddle events are on the Albums Page. (Well worth looking at, too, especially the Waterfall Bay ones)
Quite a nice day with patchy clouds and warmth. A southerly breeze of 15 knots kept us busy on the open water. We firstly paddled down to Whiteheads Lagoon for some comfortable cruising, then out onto Myuna Bay and around Rocky Point where we copped the full wind and choppy water, with waves up to half a metre, and lots of whitecaps.
Some hardy types kept going south towards Dora Creek, with Jenny and Graham making it to that place in their super tandem tub. After a frolic in the waves most of us turned back to Myuna Bay with some heading directly for home and others crossing said bay and returning along the opposite side. Azzie came to grief off Rocky Point with the wind and the waves combining to tip him over in the shallow water.
We paddled between 6 and probably 10 kms for the day and were safely back on shore by 11.00am, except for J & G who were late back from their trip to Dora Ck.
Plenty of fresh air, not too much wind-chill, and a good chinwag made it a grouse day out.
I have some skimpy reports and hundreds of photos from the last 3 weeks, including a 4MB CD of 287 photos from Dunns swamp, which I will publish in a few days.
Today's photos from Ray and Bob are here.
Danny
Click here for YouTube video.
What at first appeared to be a gloomy rainy day turned out nice, with the rain staying up and the 15 knot southerly breeze not able to reach us except on the Broadwater.
About 42 kayakers made it to the Gosford Sailing Club, so it was another excellent presentation by this non-club. Narara Creek isn't all that beautiful, but it's interesting and you can get lost in Fagans Bay if you don't know where you're going. If you go up far enough it may get quite nice, but I didn't make it. However, a 12 km paddle is good anywhere and there are plenty of worse places to go and things to do.
The return across from the railway bridge to the sailing club was quite exciting if you're not used to the choppy water. But we all made it back OK and were met by Boston Bill who didn't have his car, so rode his bike instead.
Bob's and Harry's photos are here. See Kee's YouTube video above.
Danny
Also, if you need a good roof-rack, check out our For Sale page here.
Quite a distance from Toukley, but well worth the trip - Cockle Bay and Awaba Bay were a delight, with 26°C, a slight breeze, cloudy so no sun, perfect!
We launched in Cockle Creek which has the best facilities - boat ramp with floating jetty, plenty of parking, taps, lawn.. The toilet is there somewhere I think. Out of Cockle Creek and around Cockle Bay to the boats and stuff at Booragul, around Marmong Point, named after the local marsupial rabbit which died out about 500 years ago. Just a slight ripple on the water made paddling so easy. We kept going down the coast to what's called Awaba Bay, even though it's a straight coastline and down past Bolton Point, the suburb not the point. I went for a swim in the water, on purpose, but nobody else was inclined to. Then we saw some dolphins about 30-40 metres away - just the icing on the cake for a top day!
Most of us paddled about 10-12km so were pleased to get morning tea with such beautiful food brought by everyone. After a good hard paddle you feel justified in tucking in. Very sociable!
What had been a light northwester changed into a fairly brisk SW around noon, so we were lucky not to get caught in that, the water became quite choppy with white-caps. A blissful day on the water!
Danny
PS Bob's photos are here.
We launched today at a new venue, Highview Avenue reserve, San Remo. Plenty of parking, toilets, picnic area... This meant a biggish paddle across to Wallarah Creek and up Spring Creek, past the Motorway Link bridge and beyond. I paddled about 200 metres past the bridge which gave me a total trip of about 12km, a good workout.
Conditions were warm, humid, cloudy, 10 knot SE breeze and some rain, so pretty good for paddling, although many paddlers had their jackets on against the rain, but soon took them off. It got a bit choppy on the lake on the way back, but it was beautiful up the creeks.
Thirty-four kayakers participated, not bad considering the rain. It's always very pleasant up these creeks, Wallarah and Spring, and so it was today,scenic, placid water, a rowdy audience of dogs, and sheltered from the wind.
Photos are here.
Danny
A warm day with breezes with about fifty paddlers out having a ball! The locals couldn't get a parking spot. We paddled up to the confluence with Stockton Creek, turning left into this fine creek. A lot of us, including me, made it to the Freeman Drive bridge then turned back, totalling about 10 km which took me about 1 hour 50. Others with faster kayaks went to the end (beginning?) of this creek, and some went back to Dora Creek for a squiz.
Not much wildlife here, but a good paddle with plenty of water and room to move. There were a few new faces today, namely Knut's son Kristian, Deb's friend Gary, Peter, and back after their stay in Boston, Bill and Kerry. A very pleasant paddle and a very nice morning tea afterwards. This started out as a thermos and a few bikkies - not sure what happened, but we need 7 vacuum pots of hot water, a vat of ice water, 3 litres of milk, and enough food to feed 100 people!
Sue, bless her heart, made me a presentation of a photo display in a big frame as a token of appreciation for my efforts on this very website. The three photos are of me in 3 of my first 4 kayaks (no photos of #3, sent back after 1 week) showing the evolution from toy kayaks to my present workhorse tub. Thanks you guys, but don't do it again!
Danny
Harry's photos are here.
What a night! The evening was overcast with a fresh north-easter blowing but this didn't stop the people turning up for the Moonlight Paddle. Doug said count the boats, but it was like herding cats. I got to 34 singles and 7 doubles but there could have been more. [could be 50 people]
We took off to the south around the weed beds then headed north towards the channel markers. The nor-easter was whipping up the waves but paddlers ploughed on. After heading for the eastern shore and along the channel behind the island, the paddle became a delight with the breeze helping to push us down under the bridge past the caravan park and the waterfront buildings toward the sea entrance. We certainly drew attention ourselves as we passed the fishermen and walkers and diners with all our lights shining and flashing. The sunset was bedazzling with enough cloud to set up a fantastic afterglow (hope the photo artistes caught the colours).
We then headed back towards Picnic Point but not until most waited on the water to see the moon rise through a light cloud cover.
After landing, the tea and coffee was set up and the food laid out. The table was loaded with all sort of goodies (some healthy and some full of calories) and the conversations started.
General agreement was that it was a fantastic night. Sue had certainly organised a fantastic sunset and moon rise for us.
Gail and Glenn
Photos are here.
A beautiful day to start the new year - 30°C, 15 knot breeze, I would have said NW but Seabreeze says NE, sunny... About 40 people chose to join us today, but most of them I didn't see till morning tea, as I launched away from the main group. We just headed north around Summerland Point and hugged the coast all the way up to Point Wollstonecroft, where many of us had a swim in the limpid waters. Delightful!
On the way back Gloria and I mistook Frying Pan Point for Summerland Point and headed off down the middle of the lake. You always know when you are lost because you can't see anybody else. Barry's new GPS came into play as he directed his wife and me in the right direction. The distance was about 14km depending on how much of a shortcut one took across the bay.
The perfect activity for us on such a nice day!
Danny
Bob and Harry's photos are here.
We didn't expect too many starters on this holiday but 24 paddlers made it, plus a few more for morning tea. Sue had her new boat which she just got for her birthday. We had some newbies, viz John and Joyce, friends of Carol's, who enjoyed their first outing.
Above the trees and out on the lake the wind was blowing at 20-30 knots, but we were protected and cosy in our little valley. Meanwhile up past the road bridge and on to the railway bridge, it was very pleasant and calm and excellent paddling conditions.
When we got to the weir, 8 of us went over the top, with a bit of portage, while the others went back downstream or turned around on meeting these turncoats, and had an excursion further down towards the lake where they reported it was white with foam in the near-gale (Beaufort Scale). The distance from Sunshine Park to very top of the creek and back was 11.4 km. Not a bad little paddle!
Harry's photos are here.
Danny
I just added 7 new photos to last Tuesday's album - missed some of Bob's pix by not scrolling my attachments. I've added them onto the start of the other photos. To see them, click here. Also, Kee has made a video of the day. Click here.
Danny
As you can see from the Seabreeze® graph, there was a stiff breeze during our paddle from 9.00am to 12.00 noon, which meant that there were few places we could paddle in comfort, for those of us who like comfort.
We (about 45 of us) started at MacKenzie Park and paddled up the channel north of the island, heading to what we thought would be sheltered lake on the west side of Lake Munmorah. There was a good tail-wind but we became more exposed the further north we went, so many of us turned around before Colongra Point and headed back looking for calmer water. Six or eight keen kayakers kept going up to Colongra Creek and the Inlet Channel where they had a lot of fun and completed about 10km for the day.
Mike went left onto Budgewoi Lake to check out the creek in the golf course and also enjoyed himself. John Stone and I led some others round the south end of Munmorah Lake, but the wind got us there too, so we bailed (not literally) and called it a day. Back to base by 10.30 and only about 5km for us, but quite enough for us old guys.
Meanwhile Sue and her little helpers had been preparing our Xmas lunch at the shelter sheds. The council have been renovating the barbecue area for Xmas, with new paving and bbq's, and the tradesmen were still there but accommodated us in our own area. What a feast! Chicken salad, bread rolls, trifle and delicacies from Claire and Fred, and a huge bowl of fruit punch fed the by now 60 of us, with non-paddlers arriving to join us for lunch.
We also made presentations to Bill and Darryl who turned 70 this year, and received the photo-on-canvas present reserved for 70 year olds. Sue turns 60 tomorrow so she got a cake and prezzies too.
A fantastic day together with a record attendance, even if the weather was somewhat wintery for 4 days before Xmas.
Bob's and Harry's photos are here.
Danny
Report from Glenn - 27 paddlers on an overcast and cool day set off from the launch site. There was concern about us being leaderless as Doug was required to drive for the Cancer Group, Sue had car problems and Danny was unavailable. The main issue was whether Sue would be there with morning tea on our return.
We headed upstream until a large log stopped progess. As no-one had a chainsaw, this turned us back. Peter decided to test the condition of the water and found it wet and cold. On the run home a few of the adventurers turned up the other stream to extend the paddle. Eventually we all returned and waiting for us was Sue with morning tea so all was well. Doug and Danny put in appearances for a cuppa with us. There was an absence of photographers today with Kee being the only snapper to show.
Next week is the Xmas paddle and it will be at Budgewoi. Please note it will be fully catered so no morning teas needed. You will need to bring your own chair however.
Remember to behave yourselves as Santa is watching!
No photos but Kee made a video for us:
Kee's photos are now available here.
Thirty paddlers presented themselves at Vales Point Park at Mannering Park this morning, in chilly temperatures (14?)and a 5 knot SE breeze. This is a nice park with all facilities and plenty of parking, as long as you double up in the trailer spaces.
Right on 9 o'clock we set off to the south end of Wyee Bay, into the headwind and choppy but warm water. Keith came later having got lost on the way. The story from last week about Keith's paddle is that after he lost it again and got towed back by Harry, Judy and Andy went up to Porters Creek Bridge, where Allison Road goes over it, and Judy went down to the water and found it floating in a little side pond exactly where she predicted it would be.
We had no trouble getting through the pipes this time. Last time, on the 12th of July, a visiting schoolboy freaked out and wouldn't go any further and had to be taken home. His mate, Angus, fell in but carried on regardless. Many of us had not seen the Enchanted Forest before so were well rewarded for their efforts in making the unusual trip. Some of us turned back at the Forest, others at a fallen tree, and the rest kept going to the end, which in Russell's case was where the water ran out. Russ and Andy, Judy and Peter must have paddled 16km, Harry and I about 12 and the others up to ten kilometers. Well done everyone even if you did wuss out. We did see a large lace monitor high in a tree and an azure kingfisher.
The trip back was much easier although the wind had picked up according to Seabreeze.com® so it took me only 12 minutes to paddle from the pipes back across the bay.
Thanks everyone for coming, and bringing the food. It's been an awesome morning.
Danny
Bob's and Harry's photos are here.
For all older reports (pre May 2011) and the old Photo Album, go back to the old website.