Our weekly paddles, in review

7th April, 2026 - Summer;and Point

 

 

 

Tues 7th April a glorious day for a paddle out of Frying Pan Bay, Summerland Point. Sunny, warm with little to no wind, ideal. Approx 32-34 "adult" paddlers & 3 "junior" paddlers joined us for the day. School holidays can be an issue for some, so if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Today we had Zander, Ivy & Hendrix. Perfect timing as it was Hendrix's 9th b'day. So cake, candles, lollies etc were on the menu. "Happy Birthday Hendrix". Everyone enjoyed their paddle, even managing to avoid all the pleasure craft out and about on the water. Morning tea was sumptuous, as usual, with added extra treats from the birthday celebration. I trust those that paddled from Mannering Park made it back safely.

 

 

31st March, 2026 - Cams Wharf

 

 

31/3/26 The day started out a sunny morning and by the time we reached Catherine Hill Bay on our trip up, it started pouring with rain. When we arrived at Cam's Wharf, it was back to sunshine, which remained for the rest of the morning. 28 paddlers in attendance today and the lake was calm, picture perfect with no breeze. A delightful day for a paddle. John says "I  experienced a small ‘bump’ from underneath my kayak, in deep water. I don’t know what it was….. I can only guess?" while paddling near Pulbah Island. Harry reported two or three eagles this paddle. Morning tea was a real social event, as usual.

 

 

24th March, 2026 - Wyong Creek

 

 

24/03/26 After early morning rain, it was a glorious day to be on the water. 32 paddlers hit the water, which was like glass. A fantastic day for "artistic" reflection photos. A few went up and over the weir and all made it back for morning tea. Erica joined us this morning to "try before she buys". A perfect day for a first paddle. Please note the change of venue for next week's paddle, now at Cams Wharf.

 

 

17^th March, 2026 – Mannering Park

 

 

17/03/26 Thirty two kayakers turned up for today’s paddle at Mannering Park, with some arriving by water from around the bay.  We all headed south toward the pipes under Rutley’s Rd to see if we could navigate the pipes on a rising tide. All but six kayaks went through and crossed Mannering Bay and onto another sunken forest (the Enchanted Forest) on/in Wyee Creek, under the colliery's conveyor belt.

After the sunken forest most headed west further up  Wyee Creek toward the M1 motorway over pass which was a paddle to far for today and most turned near or not far beyond a sand island and returned to the pipes and headed for home.

The round trip was thought to be approximately 10k, in beautiful conditions.

Morning tea was enjoyed by everyone and was up to the usual standard.

 

 

Tuesday 10th March 2026

 

 

10/3/26 For the second week in a row rain threatened our paddle, but half an hour before launch time the skies cleared, and the sun came out on a peaceful Lake Munmorah – someone upstairs must have taken notice of Sue’s weather demands.

Twenty six paddlers set off in a nor-westerly direction, past many a nice waterfront property, toward the sunken garden, which is a collection of dead trees resulting from mine subsidence.

Several of the group detoured into a creek, just past the forest and the channel to the old power station, then back home in reverse.

Others continued along the foreshore to return back to the launch site via the middle of the lake, while others continued along the foreshore to complete a 12k loop.

Morning tea/lunch was a relaxed affair with many lingering well past noon. Thanks to the contributors to the fare and to Sue for the sandwiches and Len for the piping hot water for tea and coffee.

 

 

Tuesday 3^rd March 2026 Newcastle Harbour

Fifteen TKG paddlers turned up on an overcast and wet morning at Carrington for the weekly outing. True to form the BOM’s prediction of clearing showers at 9.00am eventuated, and we were presented with dry but overcast conditions, with little wind.

Most paddlers set off in an easterly direction, with two breaking off to paddle to the coal loader, while some of the others had their sights on the heads, one being swamped by the wash of the a very fast moving fishing vessel coming home from its catch.

Other paddlers headed for the Stockton ferry then retraced their route, then heading west up Throsby Creek and its adjacent parkland and housing areas as far as the mangroves.

One member was a non-starter, despite bringing two kayaks with him!

One of the paddlers went to the end of the break wall and the ensuing choppy conditions, while the other three were a little more cautious and stayed within the harbour albeit in a nice swell. Many finished the day with a paddle up Throsby creek.

Everyone convened for a chat and morning tea, before heading home.

 

 

Tuesday 24^th February, 2026 – Picnic Point, The Entrance.

What a glorious morning for paddling – a wafting breeze, balmy temperature and sunny skies.

There were forty two, yes 42, kayaks in attendance, with three “newbies” (welcome to our group). Mostly the flotilla went eastward under The Entrance bridge to the channel, past the caravan park, turning around before being swept out to sea with the outward running tide then around the two islands and back to the launch site through the “shallows” where a number decided it was better to walk than to paddle. Some others went southward to the to Long Jetty ‘jetty’.

Some of the group had a break near to where the council is working on dredging the channel, and were asked by the surf life guard what they were protesting about -   Newcastle Harbour has been besieged by Rising Tide members protesting, in kayaks, regularly over past few years -  so this may be more applicable to next week’s paddle at Newcastle Harbour.

Dennis turned 70 this week and was presented with the customary canvas photo, and Chris and Bill, who were on the group’s first outing 17 years ago, were paddling today – hope to see them more often.

All in all a great day out, with a lovely morning tea, thank you for the contributors.  Looking forward to next week in Newcastle.