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NLK News - July 2019
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Time for a paddling getaway? 


Hi paddlers,

Imagine waking up to this on the first day of your Paddling Getaway to Tasmania’s East Coast. With 3 major barway or point breaks in 40km of coastline (plus a few secret spots) we are spoilt for choice! Last year’s Getaway crew started their trip with crystal clear conditions on the Freycinet Peninsula, a short distance from the Hazards mountain range. 

In the afternoons, our downwind runs let us spread or wings and fully explore this unique area. We were lucky to spot humpback whales last year, and finished up with picnics on the beach. The chances of favourable conditions for downwind trips on Tasmania’s East Coast in November are 85% according to 53 years of BOM data, one of the highest probabilities of any location/month combination in our State. From the Chain of Lagoons to the Friendly Beaches, 3 or 4 prime downwind runs between 10 and 20km can be paddled north-to-south or reverse, often with a decent groundswell helping things along. In westerly conditions, the paddle between Swansea to Swanwick is epic...fast skating runs on a shallow bottom close to shore, with the catching net of Coles Bay and the Hazards. With options on the inside or outside of the Freycinet Peninsula, we can access a huge range of paddling options from our central accommodation base.

Don’t miss our East Coast Tasmania Paddling Getaway from November 8th to 11th, our only Tasmanian based multi-day trip for 2019/20. For reservations and more information please check out this link

Scroll down for all the latest NLK news and we look forward to seeing you on the water soon!

All the best,
Ben, Roz, Tory, Sam & Simon


Blue spaces in urban environments


New research by the Michigan State University is the first to find a link between health and the visibility of water, which the researchers call blue space.

"As urbanisation escalates globally, urban neighbourhood features which may improve physical and mental health are of growing importance" the study explains. The researchers were specifically interested in studying how water affects those in cities — does it actually reduce stress? To find the answer, they focused their research on Wellington, New Zealand, a city with nearly half a million residents. They pulled topographic information from national databases and mapped forested areas, parks, and coastlines that are visible to people. Then, they looked to a survey that questioned health, lifestyle, and other factors of the Wellington citizens. Afterwards, they combined the two sets of data.

Even after taking into account residents' wealth, age, sex and other neighbourhood factors, the study found that having a view of the ocean was associated with improved mental health. "Increased views of blue space is significantly associated with lower levels of psychological distress," said co-investigator Amber Pearson, "However, we did not find that with green space."

"It could be because the blue space was all natural, while the green space included human-made areas, such as sports fields and playgrounds, as well as natural areas such as native forests," Pearson said.

The study appears in the May issue of the scientific journal Health & Place


 

Blue Spaces study



August ski & kayak transport


Our next interstate trip for ski collection and transport is August 13 to 19, please get in touch if you need your ski or kayak moved somewhere...or if you’re after something special from the Epic warehouse in Sydney! All rates include full marine transit cover.

August 13 - Hobart to Devonport 
August 14 - Melbourne 
August 15 - Melbourne to Sydney 
August 16 - Sydney 
August 17 - Sydney to Ulladulla via Wollongong & Kiama 
August 18 - Ulladulla to Melbourne 
August 19 - Devonport to Hobart 
 

NLK Delivery Service



Back-to-back international podiums for Sam 


NLK coach Sam Norton was in great form during his recent trip overseas, taking out 3rd at the Canadian Downwind Championships and 5th at the Gorge Downwind Championships (USA). To have an athlete of this calibre taking the time to coach our groups, helping local paddlers improve and being “on tap” to anyone across our beginner-to-advanced pathway is just terrific...we are very lucky...well done Sam!

Sam joins a growing list of globetrotting Tasmanian paddlers this year, with Andrew Fuglsang (ocean racing), Richard McMinn (wildwater & ocean racing), Daniel Watkins, Kate Eckhardt and Demelza Wall (whitewater slalom) all featuring at the pointy end of international competitions in June and July. Roz Barber and Sandra Gadsby (ocean racing) both depart for events in New Zealand and France, respectively, during September.



Winter Challenge & Freycinet Challenge ski hire 


Multisport season is just around the corner! If you need gear hire for Tasmania's two big multisport events please get in touch. Hire rates include delivery to the event, ski, paddle, PFD and leg leash. With nearly 20 craft to choose from, we're sure to have something suitable!
 

Ski Hire - Tasmanian Events



Guardian Lights now available 


We are excited to be adding lights to our range of gear! 

To comply with Marine and Safety Tasmania regulations and many similar regulations around Australia, a "white strobe light or all round light with 360 degrees visibility" must be displayed when paddling in darkness or poor visibility.

We've tried all sorts of paddling lights over the years, and we spend about half the year using them for at least some part of our 6.00am and 6.15am group sessions. With the Derwent River busier than ever, and a record number of cruise ships due into Hobart over spring and summer, we've decided to step up our lighting game. 

Our first Guardian Lights order arrives this week, and the following options are now available for purchase through the NLK webstore:

Tektite Steady Light w suction mount $79.00 - the brightest marker light available
(Tektite suction mounts and lights can also be purchased separately, and we'll have these options available on the webstore a little further down the track)

Tag It Light $28.00 - white only

Stern Suction Light $39.00 

Navisafe White 360 w Go Pro Suction Mount $99.95 

If the tech talk with some of these lights makes your eyes glaze over, throw your questions our way and we will be happy to explain the differences to you!


 

View Guardian Lights products




Coaching trip to Launceston & NW Coast 

 

We’ll be in Launceston and the NW Coast for coaching on September 13, 15 and 16. A few of you from this area have been in touch recently about clinics, group sessions and 1-on-1 lessons. We have a pretty flexible schedule and are keen to work with paddlers of all levels. 

If you’d like to express your interest or arrange a coaching timeslot please get in touch
 

Coaching Enquiries




Spring Skills & Safety Courses - Ulverstone and Hobart


We are stoked to be running our Spring Skills & Safety Courses again this year in partnership with Paddle Tasmania.

These courses cover safety and rescue techniques suitable for ocean skis, surfskis & multisport kayaks in beach and open water environments. Held in September, the courses help prepare paddlers and paddlers-to-be for changeable spring conditions.

Courses include:

▪️ Provision of skis, paddles, PFD’s & leg leashes 
▪️ 3 month triallist Paddle Tasmania membership 
▪️ Course notes 
▪️ Discounted safety gear & apparel

For reservations and more information please check out:

Ulverstone - 5.00 to 7.00pm, Friday 13th September, Leighlands Avenue pool 

Hobart - 5.15 to 7.15pm, Saturday 28th September, Clarence YMCA pool 


 

Spring Skills & Safety Courses




2019/20 Paddling Getaways 


East Coast Tasmania Paddling Getaway - Freycinet Peninsula TAS (Nov 8 to 11, 2019) 

20 Beaches Paddling Getaway - Sydney Northern Beaches (Dec 4 to 9, 2019) 

Great Ocean Paddle Getaway - Victorian Surf Coast (Jan 29 to Feb 3, 2020)

Makai Cup Paddling Getaway - NSW South Coast (Feb 5 to 10, 2020)
 

NLK Paddling Getaway enquiries




Vaikobi Ocean Performance specials


Take 20% off V DRY Lightweight Jackets and V COLD Flex 2 Pants by using discount code "VAIKOBI20" during checkout.

*limited sizes, while stocks last, not valid with any other offer
 

View Vaikobi products


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