BCKC AGM and Award Night Nov 25

Finally the long season is over and everyone is settling in into winter training in the cold and rain and dark so it is time to reflect back to the events of the summer and honor the athletes and volunteers that put in so much effort in making BCKC one of the best clubs to be a member of. But before the fun would begin we "had" to have our AGM to select our new board of directors. Welcome back Jeff Raymond as Commodore, Hugh Alley as Vice Commodore and Dan Bisalputra as treasurer und good luck to the newby on the board, Heide Eden as secretary. Thanks for volunteering!!!!!
Once done with business we first rewarded ourself with a potluck dinner where all members stepped up in bringing so much excellent (if not always the healthiest) food - before we entered the fun part of giving away awards. Besides giving out the "serious" awards like best team boat of the year (Kiran & Rebecca in K2), best volunteer (John George), commodores award for outstanding contributions (Dave Nosella) and main sponsor (Westbeach - Micky McDonald) our Coach Lynn takes a lot of pride in giving out the "fun" awards. And for sure the members enjoy the entertainment. Below a few examples (more pictures to be posted soon):

Dancing King - Jim (only because Lynn doesn't like his music)

Don't test the ice - Kiran (because it just doesn't get cold enough to freeze solid EVER!!!)

Had to paddle her K1 on the big open ocean - Kristin (and paid for it)

Most nostalgic car - john (well some think it must the the nostalgic value that make him drive that "thing") Our young stars - Eric and Tess (for JUST being kids)

No wake allowed - Katja (because any ripple makes her fall out of her to tippy K1)

Someone else likes swimming better - Rebecca (and Krista thought it would be a second award for Katja)

Afterwards the high performance sprint athletes thanked their coach Lynn, sub coach Dick and masters training partners (which they now all beat) for a great year of encouragement and support:

Lighthouse Park Nov 18

One of those beautiful sunny fall days we don't get many off here on the westcoast. Blue skies and flat calm conditions made for a really relaxing 17km surfski paddle out from Ambleside to Lighthouse Park. BCKC master Chris, Darrell, Jeff and Katja were joined by local paddlers Reid and Paul.

And while the masters play on the ocean some of the keen juniors (Kiran & Kristin) are running around Burnaby lake followed by an easy paddle on the same. Guess who had more fun!

Saturday Practices Nov 17

Finally it's weekend again and Burnaby Lake was busy -two sprint practice session were held on the lake today. The younger athletes had the early shift and Kiran, Kristin, Rebecca, Emily and Connor were joined by Elliot and Jordan from Fort Langley Canoe Club for a paddle and weights workout. Afterwards the master showed up for an hour long technique paddle. Besides the rain we had a good turnout with Jeff, John, Gary, Chris, Darrell, Caroline, Jackie and Katja. The only ones complaining about the rain were our two Coaches Lynn and Sara (FLCC) - I am sure they would have rather joined us on a paddle rather than sitting still in the coach boat and just watch.

While the younger athletes are getting ready for their weights (above: Kiran and Kristin)
the master make their way out onto rainy Lake Burnaby (below: &Coach Lynn ,Chris & Gary and Darrell).

Adam visits BCKC Nov 14

Olympic gold medalist Adam VanKoeverden visited Burnaby Lake on Wednesday morning and most of our junior athletes, as well as some athletes from Fort Langley & Maple Ridge, took the opportunity to paddle with the champ. Kiran, Rebecca, Emily, Connor, Kristin, Jim, Maggie, Elliot & Jordan were surrounding Adam in the red K1 (centre image).

Another Ocean Day Nov 11

After we spend Saturday training in K1's on Burnaby lake enjoying a nice sunny morning (with no pictures), the weather turned "normal" on us over night and Sunday welcomed us with strong winds and rain. Nevertheless we had a large group of 11 surfskis and 2 sea kayaks joined together for a late morning ocean paddle.

BCKC members Jeff, Darrell, Daryl, Ben, John, Chris D, Heide (SK) and Katja were joined by local padders Sean, Chris N, Martin and Sean (SK) as well as Jerome who visited us from Victoria. Jerome is probably the one to blame that so many of us now enjoy ocean racing - before he moved to Victoria some couple years back Jerome was the star paddler on the Tuesday Night Races out in Deep Cove (a weekly race serious throughout the summer) and we all wanted to be as fast as him.

Everyone was bundled up in winter paddling clothes ranging from wet suits to dry suit as you can see below with Chris and Darrell warming up.

After we left the protection of Stanley Park, it was hard work crossing from Ambleside over to False Creek with the wind was gusting into our faces.

BC Long Distance Champs Pitt Madeows Nov 3

Nov. 3 was the BC Long Distance Champs at Pitt Meadows Paddling Club.
It was arguably the worst race day that the current team has ever seen.
It was wet, windy, and COLD all day and Rebecca, Kristin, Kiran
and Jim spent much of the day between races sitting in Jim's truck with
the heater on. Conor and Emily were hanging out around the propane
heater under Burnaby's tent. Besides the cold and rain, the tide in the
river was very low, so consequently it was narrow, and several racers
bottomed out on the turns. Finally, the outhouse had been taken away,
so there was no bathroom. Thank goodness for a Ridge family's camper
trailer and hot tomato soup! Despite all that, the Burnaby athletes did
well. Kiran and Rebecca came 2nd and 3rd in the 2k and 1st and 2nd in
the 6k. Conor came 1st in both his races, Emily came 3rd in both races,
and Kristin came 2nd in both of her races. Jim came 5th in his 2k. The
only master who came out was John, and he came 1st for Masters men.
Congratulations to all who braved the conditions to race!