Ocean Planet
Wet World - July 2004
Page 03

    I have listened to feedback for years on the desire of people to meet other people who want to paddle, yet do not want to be involved in a traditional "Club" format.

    Then............ I got to thinking (look out!)

    So I came up with a great idea ......... well at least I reckon it is! Each edition, we will introduce someone who paddles because they love it and want to share it ....... and who will be out there on the water with a great selection of trips.You will be given a profile of that person and the types of paddles they do, and a calendar link (in the very near future) will be set up where all the paddlers can put on their trips.

    Simple - Ocean Planet has no association with any kayak clubs - just individuals who paddle and want to paddle with others and share their trips and experiences.

    Some trips will suit you, some will not. These trips are a completely private, arranged between the paddler and the people who want to go out with them, type affair. Ocean Planet has no association with this other than to act as a medium for people to get to meet each other.

    So meet Henry Van der Kolk ....................

    I started sea kayaking around 3 ½ years ago, it seems like yesterday. After paddling a Canadian touring canoe for many years around the central and northern New South Wales rivers, it was often too far to travel for a weekend.

    Switching to a sea kayak was a pleasure, I promptly set my priorities right from the start and removed all the grass from around the house planted natives, sold the Lawn mower and never looked back.

    I enjoy a variety of paddling with my prime interests in scenery/exploring new places. Always take my camera along to capture these pleasurable moments. You don't need to be an Olympic paddler to enjoy the beauty of our rivers and coastline.

    Another one of my interests is fishing. Although not a serious fisher with most being released, I do take the occasional one home if it makes a meal. The one shown above was sent back to see his grandchildren.

    Some of my favourite places like Jervis Bay setting out for an early morning crossing to Honeymoon Beach. Safety is one of my prime concerns and will only paddle with people who carry appropriate gear that is suited to the conditions.

    With the right conditions and the right equipment the off shore paddle is exhilarating. With a good check on weather conditions and knowledge of the area where you are paddling. A great experience is to be had. (and it's as free as the wind)

    Just a nice photo – This was Fingal bay last year.

    The Hawkesbury river has many secrets but not as dramatic as the corridor of Mangroves.

    A winter camp out at Murramurra National park. With distance getting further and further each year – my specialty has turned into more and more overnight paddles where all these areas become accessible regardless of distance.

    So ............. if you want to get out with Henry and his group of paddlers, drop him an email at:

hkolk@iprimus.com.au

Or drop in to Henry's web site, soon to be fully up - and have a look at what he is up to, including a calendar for everyone to post their trips to!!!

http://home.iprimus.com.au/hkolk/kayaksolitude.htm
Read about The Dobroyd Head Incident
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© OCEAN PLANET 2004