In the midst of the recent trip cancellations, the executive is looking toward the future with a positive frame of mind. Therefore, we have scheduled our annual trip planning session, via Zoom, for Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 10:00 am.
We will plan the trips with the best intentions that they will happen. If some need to be cancelled, so be it. But at least we will have a schedule of trips ready when the world is ready for us.
We are asking that all our current trip facilitators and those of you who would like to facilitate your first trip, to put on thinking caps as to where they would like to take us. And, at this time, plan the trips so that they do not include shuttles or car pooling.
To attend this meeting, flip a message to web@pikakayak.com to request an invite.
JF says “words are not strong enough to describe”. Antarctica has whales, elephant seals, penguins. Also calving glaciers, avalanches, glaciers turning… he says the amount of noise from the ice is crazy. South Georgia he described as “the highest concentration of wildlife in the world”. His presentation will be a combination of videos and still photos.
Watch your email for an invitation to this exciting event!
PIKA places a high value on training and safety and as a result we require that in order to participate in any club paddle, you must be able to do an assisted re-entry, both as the assistant and the assisted. To participate in PIKA classification 2, 3, or 4 paddles, you must also be able to do an unassisted re-entry. To participate in PIKA classification 4 paddles, you must also be able to do a roll. These skills must be practiced once within the previous 365 days as a basic safety precaution.
Normally, in addition to courses and clinics offered by the club or its members, we also host winter training sessions at local pools. Unfortunately, this year as a result of COVID-19 related precautions, many courses and clinics were cancelled and it remains uncertain that we will be able to host pool sessions over the winter.
Qualification change
Consequently, PIKA has decided to extend the requalification period for all members who have previously completed these requirements. Members will now have until May 31st, 2021 to practice re-entry skills and may participate in PIKA trips in the meantime. We plan to hold some open air sessions in the spring so that you can requalify before the May 31st extension deadline.
Please keep in mind that we have been experimenting with some slightly different versions of the assisted re-entry in order to maintain a bit of distance. You may want to review those techniques.
Here is a video of COVID-19 safe assisted rescues.
New members will still have to practice these skills at least once in order to paddle on PIKA trips. We understand that it may be inconvenient, but your safety is important to us. New members can complete these requirements by either taking a course with a local instructor, (if you need a contact, please see our list of local kayak instructors), or by attending one of the outdoor sessions put on by our experienced club members as below.
Upcoming outdoor re-entry practices
We are hosting a few outdoor sessions just for re-entry practice before the cold weather sets in.
PIKA’s October 2020 meeting will be held as a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, October 14, our regular club meeting night.
Note start time change to 7:00 pm.
Invitations have been mailed to members.
John Bakker is putting together a slideshow of this year’s kayaking photos sent to him from club members, and he will share that with you at this Zoom meeting.
With the health and well being of our members foremost on our minds, and in following governments guidelines and consulting with other paddling clubs, we are cancelling all PIKA functions scheduled for April and May, 2020. This includes the club meetings as well as all scheduled training sessions and group paddles.
