Rock the Docks at Wilcox Paddle-a-thon, Open House and Member BBQ

The
Mad Paddler, Canada’s newest Canoe-Kayak magazine, is reporting thatstrange tidings are afloat at Ontario’s most creative canoe club. Reportsindicate that the first ever Richmond Hill Canoe Club “Rock the Docks on LakeWilcox” Paddle-a-Thon was the site of innovation, exploration andexperimentation.

Tostart with, led by Andrei’s Z, C, B, E, and D, the club’s masters paddlersoffered lessons and support to 80 families who came by to “Try it for a Toonie”in any one of the club’s various floating party boats. Visitors were impressedby the masters’ knowledge and experience, especially in response to variousquestions from the new paddlers like “which end of this thing do I hold onto?”, “can all five of us fit in there?” and, often heard as they drifted awayfrom the dock, “what do I do now?”

Thevisitors, including a reporter from the Richmond Hill Liberal who came by toexperience the event, were treated to extensive displays of creativity duringthe Paddle a Thon as many of the 35 members in attendance were divided into twoteams, inventively named “Blue” and “Red” and challenged to complete as manylaps of the course as possible in as many different boats and team combinationsas possible.

Highlightsof the Paddle-a-Thon included kayaks powered by canoe paddles and canoespowered by kayak paddles, 21 dragon boat paddlers working in what mightgenerously be called harmony, the first ever solo K4 event which was won by theonly participant, Muchen Zhou, and Katy Stewart paying tribute to herAustralian paddling buddies by going backward around the course to illustratethat water “in the loo” spins the other way around down under. There was alsoseveral new trends including “stand up while you are paddling because it lookslike fun,” “paddle on your knees in a K4 to see if it’s possible” and “howexactly do you paddle with a noodle-flag sticking out of your life jacket?” The event also saw RHCC’s senior paddler, Charlie Stevens, illustratethat old age and treachery do indeed win out of over youth and good looks whenhe grabbed the award for “Hardest Working Paddler” with 16 laps around thecourse.

Theevent was a huge success, saw 6 new members sign up right away with many otherindicating that they were interested in continuing due in large part to thefancy brochures Donna created and the wonderful energy and enthusiasm of theevent. Not to mention that everyone got to eat burgers – veggie or otherwise –share some fun and friendship and spend time doing what they love – hang out onand around the water.

Watchfor a write up in the Richmond Hill Liberal in the coming weeks and continue tospread the word about the world’s most friendly, creative Richmond Hill CanoeClub.

Congratulationsto everyone for Rocking the Docks at Wilcox!!