We are about half way through the summer season now and some of us are winding down from our longer trips / journeys along the coast.  With the shoulder season approaching many of the active paddlers are starting to focus on day trips closer to home, and hopefully they will provide paddling opportunities for other club members by hosting events.

If anyone has any questions about hosting, the hosting handbook is available on the Nanaimo Paddlers website (www.nanaimopaddlers.org) under the Trips tab, or directly at: http://www.nanaimopaddlers.org/uploads/1/8/0/1/18018567/hosting_handbook_complete_document_may_2_19.pdf

If clarification is needed, or to discuss any specific issues that have come up on past paddles, please contact the Hosting Committee directly:

Gordon Allen:    geo_ga@yahoo.com

Louise Thompson:     lvthompson@me.com

For anyone interested in becoming a host the process is relatively simple.  To qualify to become a host a paddler’s skill level has to be “Advanced Beginner.”  This means that they have acquired a few basic skills as defined in the self assessment table, but most importantly that they can perform a self and an assisted rescue.  Someone in the Hosting Committee or club executive should be familiar with a candidate’s skill level.  If this is not already the case, we need to organize a paddle together to make that assessment.  Other than that they should read through the Hosting Handbook and be familiar with hosting responsibilities. 

Once it is clear that a host candidate is qualified, all that is required is that a Meetup administrator gives that person posting privileges.

We look forward to seeing you on the water.  If you are interested in becoming a host, and setting up your own trips for Club members, please contact Gord Allen at hosting@nanaimopaddlers.org or the address above.

Gordon Brown Releases New Book Come and join Gordon Brown to celebrate the release of his latest book on Wednesday, August 28 (this coming Wednesday) 7pm at Ocean River Sports in Victoria (1630 Store St.). Your newsletter editor apologizes for this late notice.   Following on from his hugely successful book Sea Kayak, Gordon Brown brings his vast experience and unique style to this latest publication - Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue Each chapter begins with a real-life incident which sets the scene and helps to emphasise what follows. The underlying principles are highlighted, practical lessons learnt and the hard skills explored in detail. Numerous colour photos complement and illustrate the text. This book is essential reading for any sea kayaker, and will be enjoyed and valued by both novice and experienced paddlers alike. Gordon Brown has recently moved from the Isle of Skye in Scotland to Vancouver Island in Canada. He has a lifetime’s experience of kayaking in all its forms and well over thirty years of coaching sea kayaking. In 1992 he completed both sea kayak and white water kayak BCU Level 5 coach qualifications, and was involved in the development, training and assessment of these awards until they were discontinued when the award scheme was reorganised. In 2016 he completed a Masters Degree in Performance Coaching and has produced a set of three instructional DVDs in the Sea Kayak with Gordon Brown series, the world’s first sea kayak rescue video, Over … and Out, as well as writing the book Sea Kayak also. Gordon believes that everyone has the potential to achieve more, and that a creative and supportive environment can lay the foundations for the greatest advances in personal development. He values the importance of taking time to reflect and learn from the experience. His most rewarding experiences are when helping someone else achieve their potential. He likes acoustic folk music, close friends and good food although not necessarily in that order. Gordon has previously said that he has the best job in the world. He still believes that to be true and looks forward to his time on the water with all students.