Race Results: The Hal Rosoff Classic
Fundraising and Donations
We plan to do a “Paddle-a-thon” this year so our youth athletes can raise funds to offset the cost of attending the National Championship regatta held at the end of July and start of August. We estimate the cost to send one youth paddler to Nationals to be between $1,200 and $1,500 with travel, housing, race fees, and other logistics needed for getting equipment across the continent. While we are able to keep our monthly dues low thanks to having low operating costs, being a volunteer run organization, and through the generosity of our paddling community, we still need to fundraise to get our youth to regattas and to afford new equipment. We accept donations year round should you be inclined to help out.
An example of the generosity of our community includes having a donation of an older carbon fiber K1 that is in excellent condition with no need of repairs or parts being replaced. Thanks go to Conrad Hammond, a former Ventura Olympic Canoe Club member, for this kayak donation!
Waiting for the Light to Come Back
While winters in Southern California are usually mild, especially here in Ventura, this is still the club’s “off season” largely due to the challenges and dangers of paddling in the dark. Experienced adult paddlers can manage with a light on their boats, wearing PFDs (we always wear PFDs!), and perhaps limiting their workouts to wind protected areas like the Ventura Keys. However, our youth, and especially first year paddlers, would be put in unsafe conditions if paddling at dusk or after sundown. Early morning practices might work for some if they can manage getting to school on time, but this is a challenge for all of our current youth paddlers.
As such, we have gone to having only one club workout on a weekend morning during the winter period and stressing the need for the youth to take part in school sports, weight training, running/biking/swimming, and other land workouts during the week.
Now that it is the middle of February, we are getting closer to having enough light after 5pm to restart our afternoon/evening workouts during the week. We will still have to contend with much colder ocean water and may need to keep our workouts to just 45 minutes or so. It’s important to know that our club does not have a motorboat for coaches to use; our coaches paddle along side the club members, doing the workouts with the athletes and giving corrections along the way. For safety, we need sunlight and the ability to get our paddlers out of the cold water quickly if they tip over.
We’re very much looking forward to spring time training!
