Ahoy!

With the season half over, we have many triumphs and good accomplishments to our name, including new summer evening programming, a tighter and cleaner Hallets Cove program, and the ability to represent LICCB at many community events simultaneously.

Just last weekend, we had no less than three Swim Support teams underway on the same day.  We received much appreciation for our collective ability to keep swimmers true to course!

Upcoming:

…the Ever Popular Late Summer Night Circ of Manhattan Island

Soon the mystery will be ended and you’ll know when to stock up on some sleep before staying up all night paddling around the tiny island!  Exciting details to come.  Check the Calendar at www.licboathouse.org for details and how YOU can participate!

…General Membership Meeting Wednesday August 31, 2011, 7:30pm@Boathouse

Come out and hear about the following, and more:

…Big Hallets Cove Labor Day weekend

Please bring all your excellent Volunteer Mojo to the Cove.  We are there Saturday, Sunday, and Monday September 3rd, 4th, and 5th!  We are eager to make up for some missed days due to inclement weather and unfavorable water conditions this past summer.  Come out and celebrate!

There will be special end-of-day trips created for after the public walk-up paddling program day, with preference given to participants who assisted with the program.  And, a couple of celebration barbeques on Saturday and Sunday when we get back to the Boathouse.

We are looking for volunteers to assist with the barbeque and also to show their trip participant skills in leadership/safety roles on the end-of-day trips.  Sign up, and mention your willingness to assist in creating a memorable positive experience for other participants.

…September Activities and Trips

Please check the calendar for additional trips posted/to be posted, including an incentive trip for volunteers who are members of the ACA (American Canoe Association.)  We are planning a skills enhancement outing up at Lake Sebago in early autumn.  If you haven’t been to the camp, you’re in for a treat!  That is, if you like the Adirondack Camp style of hanging out–old wooden structures, a lovely lake with lots of human-powered recreation going on, stone fireplaces, rustic living.

The camp is located in Harriman State Park, less than an hour’s drive west from NYC.  The trip will be coordinated with area trees, which promise to be in blazing glory.

More information, including car pooling, equipment hauling cooperation, and actual dates to come!  Join the ACA now, or don’t worry about it, just pay a per-day fee up at the camp, which I believe is $5.  There is also a camp day fee of $8 for ACA members and $12 for guests.  But all must sign a waiver for participation at the camp.

…Financial Report

Wesley Miller, LICCB Bursar, will present a report of where’s-the-money.

…Riverbank Winter Sessions Pool Program for Kayak Skills

For the past two winter seasons, LICCB’s parent organization, the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club (GDCC) has afforded members the opportunity to learn and master new skills in the protected environment of an indoor pool at Riverbank State Park.  Some of our members have taken advantage of this excellent opportunity and will present a report of how it works and how you can get involved.

…Progress on our Dock Project

Last Spring, several of us stayed up late and got up early and spent hundreds of hours creating a proposal for a safe launch from Anabel Basin.  We are anticipating news about this exciting project and you’ll be hearing about it at the meeting!

…Security Enhancements at the Boathouse

As several of you have noticed, there are more locks and keys in our physical structures–the dock and the boathouse building itself–all of which is privately owned space we utilize through the generosity of Plaxall, Inc.  The neighborhood has seen greater activity and alas, crime in the form of vandalism seems to be on the rise.  Residents and businesses are more wary as actual dozens of car windows are broken at night.

Despite enhanced police presence and enforcement capacity, we must all take measures to protect ourselves and those to whom we are accountable for our situation.  There does not seem to be an increased danger to persons present in the area–far from it–but to property, specifically.

Thus we cannot be too careful.  We are requesting all participants to become very aware of their surroundings and to remain alert.

…New Volunteer Opportunities Page on the website

Many of you have wondered, “how can I get more involved with the excellent work LICCB is doing?  I want to participate and contribute more of my talent, but how?”  Up until now, you’ve had to try to catch the ear of a busy person running past with a boat on their shoulders.  But coming up, we’ll be adding a layer of systematic approach, available to all able-bodied and able-minded folks who are ready and willing to create positive influence in LICCB!  Stay tuned for this exciting enhancement.

…Warm Water!

The second half of the season is the most fun for many.  The water has been smiling under the summer sun all season and as a result, is a sanguine consistency of a viscous salty liquid unique to the New York Harbor.  It is lovely.  The pleasure of a late summer night on the water is indescribable to anyone who has not actually experienced it.

You are encouraged to commit yourself to the enjoyment of participation in a righteous community effort AND the delight of unusual urban sport with the LICCB in this beautiful second half of the kayak season in NYC!  We welcome you.  Come and play with us!

Cheers,

Victoria Olson, Beach Chair LICCB 2011