=====//NO NEWS FOR NOW//=======
Old news can be seen below:
24 April 2010
Re registration evening on Tuesday the 4th of May. There might be one on the 27th of April too for all those
who want to do the race that weekend but this is still to be confirmed.
1 April 2010
Hi all, the website will be kept up to date from now on!
So please visit it every once in a while because new content will become available through the course of the year.
Time trial results are going to be posted on the site as well as timetrial rosters.
11 April 2008
Hi All
Just a couple of points
1) Registration evening
We will be having our registration evening on Tuesday the 6th of May. Please make a note of that. We will send out more detail closer to the time. If you need to register before then please let me know so we can make the necessary arrangements.
2) Grass/weed treatment
As we all know the weed situation in the lake has become very problematic in certain sections of the lake. GAC and the council have arranged for the chemical treatment of the lake and this will happen when the water temperature drops.
3) GAC Closing cruise 20 April 2008
GAC are having their closing cruise on the 20th and have asked if they can have the lake from 10H00 on that day so that they can ski before the wind comes up. This doesn't affect us too much but just be aware that they have the rights on that day and that there will be a lot of freezing skiers on the water as well.
4) Water Usage
GAC and all the VLC sections have signed an agreement on water usage. I will post the schedule on the notice board and place it on the website as well. Nothing much changes from our side as long as we stay on the outside of the buoys. What we can now do is insist on exclusive use on Tuesdays after 17H30.
In closing I would just like to say good luck to Sandra's junior section that is going down to the SA Sprints and Schools next weekend. Good luck, hope you do well and most importantly we hope the kids have a good time.
Regards
Jaco du Plooy
9 April 2008
Dear Everyone
The VLC Canoe section AGM took place on Tuesday the 1st of April. Thanks to all who attended.
A new committee was voted in and consists of the following people:
Chairman Jaco du Plooy
Vice-Chairman Tim Baker
Club Captain Stuart Caldwell
Event Organiser Olivia Neves
Secretary Nicola du Plooy
Treasurer Trish Goetsch
Safety Officer Kevin Hutcheon
Other key members
Development Sandra Eardly
Running Captain George van Zyl
I would just like to use this opportunity to thank last year's committee for a job very well done. Thanks to their efforts the club is in very good shape. Some key members have decided to stand down but there are enough people from last year's committee to provide continuity.
Welcome to the new members. There is some new blood on the committee and with that comes a lot of enthusiasm for the club and its interests in the coming year.
If you need to contact any of the above people the website will be updated with their contact details.
I will be managing the mailing list from now on so if there are any messages you would like to address to the club please mail me and I will forward it to the club.
If there are any questions or queries please feel free to contact me.
Regards
Jaco du Plooy
September 2007
Chairman's Brief - September 2007
� With spring just around the corner there is a lot of noise about our natural environment, discussions around impalas pronking, otter sightings, animals coming out of hibernation and fish. For some of those paddlers who did not go into hibernation, the season is well underway and they have managed to conquer the likes of the Berg and the Breede. For the rest of us, now is the time to start dusting off the cobwebs and planning for the season's forthcoming attractions, including Fish, Vaal, Ithala and Dusi to name a few.
� Congratulations to Danie Coetzer on his selection for the South African team to go to the World Masters Marathon champs, and to Grant Conlon for his excellent Berg performance.
Club events:
Although it has been winter, we have hosted numerous club events.
Those of you who took part in the inaugural 'VLC Amazing Race' will all agree this was an outstanding success and a must for next year's calendar. Thanks to all those members and families who assisted in the organization of the event and congratulations to Jason and Sally-Ann for organizing a fantastic event.
VLC also recently hosted a new K4 series which was aimed at creating an interest in K4 racing within CGA. Although it got off to a slow start with the lack K4's in a suitable racing condition, the event did gather momentum and landed up with a final total of ten teams competing. The event highlighted the plight of K4 racing in the province and VLC has proposed to GCU to become the home of K4 racing in Gauteng.
Another event worthy of mention was the recent hosting of the VLC Winter Challenge or 'Slow Poison' - always a good preparation event for Fish. Although we had fantastic weather, great prizes, and excellent organization, the attendance this year was disappointing. Thanks to Jason, Greg and all the willing helpers for the excellently organized event and I am disappointed for you that it did not attract the field it deserved.
� Main club news:
� The club AGM has come and gone - congratulations to Fergus on his re-appointment as Club Vice-Chairman and Pepe (Jose Barreto) on his appointment as Club Treasurer. It's great to see the commitment from the canoeing section to the overall well-being of the club.
� Sadly our club manager, Stuart Caldwell has resigned to pursue other opportunities, but in the short time under his management Stuart has proven the value of the club manager role and has put some good basic management principles in place for his successor to leverage. Stuart, good luck in your new endeavor and thanks for all the hard work.
� On 1st August, the club switched over entirely to the new security system. If you have not paid your fees, you will have to sign in as a visitor until such time as you do.
� Progress on the smoking issue raised at the AGM: The club executive has acknowledged the importance of implementing a no-smoking area in the main bar and is busy addressing it. The social section has committed to encouraging all smokers to move outside to smoke by October, with a view to enforcing this in the near future or until such time a designated smoking area can be commissioned.
Upcoming Club Events
There are a number of events planned in the next few months:
1. Club Night - first Tuesday every month - The next Club night is the start of spring and promises to be a great evening. Once again, we will host our Novice Time Trial, and as usual there will be some light food served in the ladies bar with plenty of banter. This Tuesday, there will be 3 great lucky draw prizes up for grabs, as well as the monthly award of the 'Pink Noodle'. So please come down and join us and bring families and friends.
2. Gauteng Dragon Boat Race - Saturday 8th September - For those of you who have never done this, this is great fun and you do not have to be an accomplished paddler to partake. The event is aimed at being a fun event and requires a team of eight ladies and 12 men to complete a full team. Our Dragon boat Captain, Billy Venter and Vice-Captain, Kerri Stanton will be at Tuesday's Club Night recruiting, if you are keen to partake in something different (or contact Billy on 082 456 4678).
3. Fish River Marathon - 28th/29th of September - This is usually a big club event with a large contingent of paddlers usually camping together. This year, the camping will be at the Cradock Spa and VLC will send an advance team down to try and secure a camping area for the club. For input on camping and the use of the club trailer, please contact Tim 'Spyker' Baker.
4. Pre-Fish Trip on Vaal - The club is planning a trip on the Vaal on 9th September in preparation for the Fish. The trip is planned to be around 32K's, starting at the dam wall, finishing at Tim and Grant's place on the Vaal, and followed by a braai. All paddlers are welcome.
5. VLC Golf Day - Thursday 27th September. This is a fund-raiser to improve facilities of the main club. Please contact Barry Dingle (082 600 6099) if you are interested in a fourball or in sponsorship.
Development News
Development is continuing under the guidance of Sandra and David. The Club has been fortunate to secure the allocation of one of the Lotto trailers and some Lotto boats, which will boost significantly our development capability.
Club Captain News
1. Summer Time Trial commences on 4th September and starts at 17H45 every Tuesday evening. The format moves back to the 3 full laps with the juniors doing the shorter laps.
2. Fergus' Saturday morning school commences in earnest next Saturday, when he is planning on introducing various structured sessions. Your input in this regard is valued so please chat to Fergus at next week's Club Night.
3. The committee is planning on putting together a River Trip calendar, where we will be aiming to have at least one planned club trip per month, at either the Croc, the Vaal, the Klip or Trichardtspruit. More news will follow.
Life Jacket Reminder
� For anyone who is not aware, it is compulsory all juniors 16 years and younger to wear life-jackets when paddling at all times.
� Life- jackets must be worn by everyone after dark and that it is the club's responsibility to ensure this is adhered to. This does also mean training and time trials.
Best wishes and happy paddling!
Wayne Saunders
Chairman VLC Canoe Section
082 414 8627