 | Each year, the Windhappers celebrates the new year with a paddle and a party. This year's turnout for the paddle was a bit slim due to high winds, but four of us braved the gales and paddled a 2-hour loop through the canals around the town of Poeldijk. A toasty member-filled clubhouse awaited our return, welcoming us with a table full of wine and snacks! |
I arrived at the clubhouse around 12:55, panting from my 1+mile run-walk after missing my bus stop. Alfons (brave trip leader), Alwin, and Twan were already there, just starting to put boats into the water. Alwin is the proud new owner of a sparkly purple Nordkapp, which made me miss Big Purple back in the US. We launched and headed south down the main channel.
Other than sudden gusts of wind, the paddle wasn't too eventful. Paddling between the greenhouses is always pretty, and we met some incredibly fuzzy black sheep. Alfons spotted a rare western yellow wagtail and a buzzard. Around certain corners the wind was so strong that it sometimes pushed us up against the side of the canals. At least one hat was lost. It was a good challenge after a 2 month (undesired) kayaking hiatus. And of course, It was great to have met some flatwater paddlers!
Alfons was kind enough to share his photos, which you can check out in the slideshow below.
Other than sudden gusts of wind, the paddle wasn't too eventful. Paddling between the greenhouses is always pretty, and we met some incredibly fuzzy black sheep. Alfons spotted a rare western yellow wagtail and a buzzard. Around certain corners the wind was so strong that it sometimes pushed us up against the side of the canals. At least one hat was lost. It was a good challenge after a 2 month (undesired) kayaking hiatus. And of course, It was great to have met some flatwater paddlers!
Alfons was kind enough to share his photos, which you can check out in the slideshow below.
After the paddle, I took some time to investigate the little Windhapper harbor in front of the club house. It's been under construction for the last month or so. The sheetpile walls around the harbor are being replaced, as you can see in the photos below. When it's all done, there will be new docks for the kayakers and new lights for the kayak polo court!
 New sheetpile walls installed around the perimeter of the Windhapper's harbor area. |  New sheetpile in place, now time to backfill and replace the cobblestones. |
The new year's party was equally fun, and it was nice to start seeing familiar friendly faces from the whitewater trip in Belgium, kayak polo, and other events. On Friday the month-long rolling seminar begins at a local pool, and I'll be attending to help out. Stay tuned for some fun underwater pictures next time!
Date: Sunday, January 11th, 2015
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 6 miles (9.6 km)
Weather: Cold, incredibly windy, but momentarily sunny (even though the photos don't show it)!
Date: Sunday, January 11th, 2015
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 6 miles (9.6 km)
Weather: Cold, incredibly windy, but momentarily sunny (even though the photos don't show it)!
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