Since the last newsletter, our fundraising has got into full swing. Our fantasy football is nearly at an end with just two players left in it. The tickets for our club draw have been circulated to all club members. As for paddling, weather has not been super but we have got out a few times.

Lough Hyne Trip: This trip took place on February the 8th. Weather was quite good for this, but unfortunately interest was not great. There were 5 instructors and only 7 Level 2/3's turned up. We paddled across Lough Hyne and down through the rapids where we stopped for a while to play. Henry showed us all up with his fancy moves in the rapids. After this we paddled out to sea and around the headland where we seen a number of seals basking in the sun. We paddled into some of the numerous caves (well some of us did) to see how far they went back. A short boat is ideal for this, or else its a lot of reversing. After this we paddled back to the slipway, where some of the people from the rolling sessions in Aura decided to try their roll in the cold water. Great success to all who attempted their roll.

Fundraising: To date our fundraising committee have come up with a number of different initiatives in order to try and raise much needed funds for our Clubs new building project.

1. Fantasy Football: This was the first inititive, that the committee ran with and we got 30 people to sign up to it. A bit dissapointing, but from little seeds great things grow. At present there are only two left in this which means that by next week we could have our first winner in the fantasy football pocketing a handy €200 for a few minutes work every week.

2. Club Draw: This is the main fundraiser for this year, and we really hope that all members will embrace this and sell as many tickets as possible. As you can see the prizes are excellent and even though a lot of them are kayaking related the club will offer cash alternatives to the paddling prizes. These cash alternatives can be seen further down in the newsletter. We hope that this draw will raise in the region of €12,000 to €15,000 for the club. This sounds like alot but only partly funds the first phase of te building work which gets us to base level. A huge thank you must go to all our sponsors who really pulled out all the stops to support us this year. We ask all our members to support our sponsors, who without them this draw could not take place.

3. Table Quiz: Our Club Quiz night is due to take place on Friday April the 24th. I am a bit short on info about this, but as soon as I have it on hand, I will pass it on. All I ask is that each club member brings enough people for one table. Remember all money raised will go towards OUR new clubhouse.

Club Draw: Cash Offers instead of Kayaking Prizes

The cash equivalent being offered by the club does not match the exact value of the prizes and we would advise people that if they do win these prizes and wish to cash them in, that they may make more money in a private sale.

NEW WAVEHOPPERS:More wavehoppers have arrived this week for Phoenix Kayak Club bringing our total to six. (this maybe seven as one club member changed his mind after ordering, this has to be confirmed) These are a great boat, and were got initially for wildwater racing. Their season has all but come to an end, however the marathon racing season is just beginning so hopefully we will get paddlers out on the water for some of these races. Even if you have no interest in racing, I encourage you just to try these boat out, if not just for the sheer beauty at how they cut through the water, both flat and rough.

Lower Harbour Sea Trip: River Levels have been quite dissapointing lately and a number of members have been hinting at a sea-paddle, so there's no time like the present. A Sea-paddle was organised for the lower harbour and also for an offshore paddle from Cork Harbour around to Inch Bay.

The trip within the Harbour was aimed at members who had done little or no sea-paddling before and was just going to give them an introduction to sea-paddling. The trip was planned to take in the island of Haulbowline and also Spike Island. With time tight due to the Ireland Rugby Match, we got under way. There were 14 of us in total, which was great to see as the club boats were lying idle for so long. The pace was slow and we stayed together as a group until spike island.At this stage, the harbour became quite choppy due to an increasing wind. Some paddlers were feeling quite confident, so we split the group in two with some heading back around Haulbowline, while more took in the sights around Spike Island. This was a nice relaxing paddle and we all got back in time for the Rugby match (Micheal McSweeney wanted to see)

The offshore trip, fell victim to a heavy swell outside of Roches Points, so the more experienced paddlers joined the group in the Harbour for a paddle. This was great as the extra experience is always handy.

Much thanks to Donal Clancy for collecting the boats and towing the trailer to Cobh and to Micheal McSweeney for assisting him.

Hopefully this is the start back of Sea-paddling within the club, and who knows we may try and push to get members assessed in Sea-kayaking proficiencies if the interest is there this year.

Code of Ethics in Sport: A number of Instructors have now completed this course in the past few weeks and with the frequency of courses increasing, hopefully all will have completed in the near future.For more info on dates and venues, check out the 'Club Forum'

NEW BEGINNERS COURSES FOR 2009

Limited Club Clothing left. 3 jackets, 4 hoodies and 2 polo shirts. So if you have not got your hands on some yet and wish to, then e-mail glide45@gmail.com stating what you require and what size. Limited sizes left so first come - first served.

If you wish to have something included in our next Newsletter please e-mail info@phoenixkayakclub.com

Yours in Paddling,

Dave