CALLING ALL PADDLERS

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CALLING ALL PADDLERS

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Come and join our mass paddle on the 3rd of Jan

As a way to both raise awareness of and funds for our two charities, 1000kms4kids is holding a 'Mass Paddle' on the Derwent River. Full details are contained in the flyer below, but basically we would like any paddler who is able to join us for a 9km paddle on the 3rd of January, starting at 9am on Kingston Beach and finishing at Long Beach, Sandy Bay.

We hope you can join us for what should be a fun day. By the way entry is by donation and you could win some prizes.

VIP Packaging provides 1000kms4kids with vital practical support

VIP Packaging, who are based on the North West Coast, in Devonport, have come on board as our final Silver Sponsor.

The company very generously provided us with several hundred charity collection tins, which will be distributed through out the state in the businesses that are supporting us for this years event. For people in parts of the state other than Hobart you will find our tins in any IGA store or at your nearest McDonalds Family Restaurant.

VIP Packaging Tasmania is part of a larger plastic and steel packaging provider that has manufacturing sites throughout Australia and New Zealand. It uses superior technology to deliver packaging solutions for a range of applications including food and beverage, personal care, household and surface coatings through to chemical, agricultural and building products.

From our point of view, we had difficulty finding a manufacturer who could produce the item we need nationally, let along locally, so it was very pleasing indeed to find a local company that not only delivered the goods on time, but was a pleasure to deal with. We would highly recommend VIP Packaging to anyone who has a need similar to ours, or who has a new product that needs a packaging solution.

You can contact VIP's Tasmanian site through one of two free call numbers, for steel products call 1300 558 479 or for plastic call 1300 668 479. You can also visit their website at www.vippackaging.com.au

Far north-east coast trial run provides some important lessons

Policemans Point, with Eddystone Lighthouse in the distance.

Northern side of Eddystone Point, with Stumpys Bay around the distant corner.

On the morning of November 14 Chris meet up with three other paddlers – who would accompany him for the first few hours of his paddle – at the picturesque seaside village of Binalong Bay, on a perfect paddling day – the sun shining and almost no wind. It was to be the start of just over 100kms of paddling, spread over the following 30 hours or so.

The wind was to play a fairly significant factor in the trip, which consisted of around 13 hours of actual paddling time. While the photos you see above suggest that the weather was great for the trip, alas that was not to be so. Around midday on Saturday a southerly wind began to blow, the wind was accompanied by menacing clouds and by 1:00 pm, what had began as a paddle into a very gentle head wind had turned into a surfing session on a very choppy 1.5 - 2 metre following sea, with very cool 25-30 km/hr winds, wiping up the surface into a mass of white-caps. These conditions continued until final landfall at Stumpys Bay was made at around 5:15 pm.

Waking to an overcast morning and a wind that while it had dropped in speed, was still blowing in from the south east, pretty well the direction the days paddling would be heading. The trip up had been a bit rushed, which had meant that Chris's plan to carefully simulate the planned paddle / rest schedule had not been adhered to all that well.

So it was that he set of with an eye on the time and a determination to stick to a system of 1/2 hourly breaks (during which a goodly amount of fluid and some energy rich food was to be consumed), this proved to be an excellent test of the system that will in theory provide the team with the hydration and energy needed to keep going for the whole 26 days of the 'real thing'. On completing the second day, which had consisted of multiple at sea rests and three land based "bum breaks", Chris was surprisingly fresh and apart from some wind-burn, felt great.

We are proud to welcome McDonald's Tasmania as our 2010 Major Sponsor

McDonald's Tasmania is proud to be the major sponsor of the 1000kms4kids charity event, raising money for Cerebal Palsy Tasmania and Ronald McDonald House Hobart.

McDonald's Tasmania believes that as an integral part of daily life for thousands of Tasmanians, we have a responsibility to give as much back as we can to the communities in which we operate. Hundreds of educational, environmental, artistic and sporting programs - designed to assist a broad range of people across Tasmanian communities - get off the ground and operate each year because of McDonald's assistance.

1000kms4kids welcomes IGA (Tasmanian Independent Retailers) as our first platinum sponsor for 2010

It is great to see a great Tasmanian organization such as Tasmanian Independent Retailers getting on board with us in the inaugural year of what we are sure will become a fantastic annual event.

We are very grateful for the support given to date in helping us achieve our goal of raising $100,000 for our two charities.

IGA Supermarkets

IGA Supermarkets throughout Tasmania are extremely proud of their association with 1000kms4kids 2010 and its fundraising initiatives to provide much needed financial support and assistance to both Cerebral Palsy Tasmania and Ronald McDonald House in Hobart.

Both Cerebral Palsy Tasmania and Ronald McDonald House in Hobart provide much needed support and assistance to so many within our community and are truly worthy of the benefits that will follow as a result of this fundraising initiative, in many respect they are local Tasmanian Hero's.

IGA Supermarkets is privileged to be involved in this event that has so much community support and involvement.

About Tasmanian Independent Retailers

Tasmanian Independent Retailers is a co-operative and is owned by its members who trade under the very successful IGA brand in Tasmania. Tasmanian Independent Retailers provides support services such as marketing, ranging, pricing, advice and support for our retailers wishing to upgrade their stores. Tasmanian Independent Retailers directly supports around 100 IGA retail outlets and over 150 small independent retail outlets throughout Tasmania who collectively employ around 3600 Tasmanians. Both Tasmanian Independent Retailers and our IGA retailer network are extremely proud of the support and service they provide within our local communities and to the wider Tasmanian community.

1000kms4kids welcomes Redbill as a Gold Sponsor

We are very grateful to Pat and Jacqui for the generous support they have shown towards helping us achieve our goal of raising $100,000 for Tasmanian kids in need.

The Redbill surf shop in Kingstons Channel Court Shopping Centre, is well known for providing both a great range of quality surfing equipment and apparel, complemented with expert advice from people who are passionate about the stuff they sell and the tasks their customers use it for.

Redbill was established in 1994 in Bicheno, before Pat and Jacqui made the big move south to set up their current store in 2003. It was a big move for more than one reason as they happen to have six kids.

Since moving business has been good and they are happy to announce the grand opening in December of this year, of their new store in Sorell.

Redbill stocks a huge range of quality products from brand such as Billabong, Fox, Quicksilver, Hurley and DC, to name but a few. They are open Monday to Friday 9-5:30pm, Saturdays and Sunday until 4pm. Contact them on (03) 6229 9899 or redbill@bigpond.com

Eco Behizigs shine during show day paddle

It was a pretty hot day, with a bit of a sea breeze building when Charles and Ben set off on a 50+kms paddle that would see them circumnavigate the South Arm Peninsula. The guys managed to hold the boats at an average speed of around 8.5kms/hr, which saw them cover the 50 kms in 5 hrs and 40 minutes.

The training run served a dual purpose in that is was also a chance to explore the coastline to scope out possible camping sights for the third night of the event... mission accomplished.

1000kms4kids welcomes Hazel Brothers onboard as a bronze sponsor.

Hazell Bros is proudly Tasmanian, with a talent of 500 employees throughout the state.

With over 60 years' experience in various facets of the construction industry, we specialise in:

• Construction - Building and Civil
• Transport and Equipment Services - Transport, Cranes and Equipment
• Production - Quarry, Concrete and Product Testing
• Facility Maintenance - Contract Management and Fleet Maintenance

Diamond sponsor enjoys a paddle on the Derwent

Early on Sunday the 10th of October Charles took John Geary, of Margate Pharmacy (our Diamond Sponsor) for a paddle in our wonderful new Mission Eco Bezhigs. They paddled for a few hours and John was very impressed with the boats -- who knows we may have sparked a new sporting interest in him?

The East Coast turns on a few nice days for a paddle

There are going to be many days during the paddle spent paddling through Tasmania's beautiful picture postcard coastal area, recently Chris had two very enjoyable paddles in the famous Bay of Fires area, and above are the photos to prove it.

All together at last for a paddle to Bruny Island

26th Sept, 2009

It was a stroke of luck that we managed to have such good conditions for this paddle as the following day the conditions were off the show!

The three of us meet at 6:50 am and were on the water just after 7:00 am for a paddle to Bruny Island. We had no specific point on the island set as our turning point, so we just kept paddling for an hour and a half. In that time we managed to comfortably reach Bull Bay, which is on the north eastern side of the island. Along the way we saw some seals playing out in the entrance to Storm Bay, and we observed a Sea Eagle who was apparently not welcome amongst the Sea Gulls.

The Eco Bezhigs performed very well, with our average speed for the trip just under 9kms/hr.

A word from one of our key sponsors, Snow Gum - Hobart

Keith Scott and the crew at Snowgum are proud to help out 1000kms4kids and look forward to supporting us for future endevours that we take!!!

Keith has managed Snowgum for over 3 years and is married to Rosy and have 2 great kids with a third on the way. While the family and Snowgum keep him busy, he enjoys the odd paddle of his own with the kids.

For over 34 years Snowgum’s gear has been the essential traveller's companion - from the Alps of the Himalaya to the Deserts of Somalia, across the Outback, up the Amazon and paddling around Tasmania - visiting every corner of the planet. As they travelled, Snowgum’s products evolved.
Today, you're as likely to see the Snowgum brand label on Sydney Harbour daytrippers, London Tube commuters or visitor’s enjoying the Piazzas of Rome as on serious trekkers in Nepal or Machu Picchu – Snowgum’s range of Lifestyle Climate Control Clothing is constantly growing to meet the demands of active lifestyles everywhere. As well as the Snowgum brand, they stock other leading brands such as Icebreaker, Merrell, Teva, One Planet, Eagle Creek, Aku, STS and Mission kayaks.

Snowgum Hobart can be found at 104 Elizabeth St Hobart and can be contacted on 6234 7877 and are open 6 days. Pop in and say hi to Keith and the crew and they will endevour to help you out with any of your adventure needs at a very competitive price. Also ask about the Snowgum Club for further discounts and deals!

A word from one of our key sponsors in Mission Kayaks

Mission denotes not just the best experience on the water, but the journey to, the kitting up, the adventure along the way and the joy, achievement and/or solitude found at the journey’s end. It is both the journey and the destination. Mission planned, enjoyed and accomplished. It’s an incredibly strong name, suggesting the zest and zeal that paddlers share, regardless of their chosen type of water. But it has a softer and more meditative quality that counterbalances its initial sense of energy and motion. Its sibilant hushed double ‘s’ evokes a quiet peace, the kayak stilled, the ‘pilgrim’ awed by the beauty and tranquillity of the setting he or she has found, or the moment of unnameable joy at the end of a wild ride.

1000kms4kids welcomes another bronze sponsor in The Coffee Break

The Coffee Break, located in the Eastlands Shopping Centre, is a family operated business that has been trading in the same location for 25 years. Currently being run by Carly and Sally – Carly is the daughter of the original owner – The Coffee Break has grown to become much more than just a coffee shop, now providing a fantastic restaurant service to both the local community and shoppers in the Eastlands complex.

Between them they Kylie and Sally have four children and so like many of our other sponsors were very happy to support our efforts to raise money for two very important charities that are doing such great work for Tasmanian Kids in need.

The Coffee Break is open 7 days a week. Monday to Thursday you can enjoy breakfast from 7 am, with all day dinning continuing until 6 pm. Fridays The Coffee Break serves dinner and are open until 9 pm. On the weekends you can enjoy a coffee and snack or one of their delicious main meals from 7 am to 4 pm.

So if you need a coffee break that is also a breakfast, lunch or dinner break, you need The Coffee Break!

Day one of the real thing simulated

16th September

65kms, loads of seals and perfect conditions, resulting in an average speed of just over 8kms / hr. This was a great day out... commencing as usual from Blackmans Bay beach, with the guys having a nice stop over at Verona Sands, before they pushed on to Southport.

A good day on the water was topped off with a very pleasant over night stay at Southport, with wives and kids also enjoying all that Southport has to offer, before returning home the next day.

1000kms4kids is pleased to welcome LegsnBreasts as a bronze sponsor

LegsnBreasts owner Ted Giannis and his wife Hayley, along with their four children are great supporters of good causes, and we are very grateful that they have seen our event as one they are happy to be involved in.

The name LegsnBreasts is synonymous with great tasting chicken, but as anyone who has enjoyed a meal from one of the nine outlets around the greater Hobart area would know, they are a great place to go for a delicious and complete meal solution. You can choose from a wide range of both steamed and baked vegetables to accompany your chicken, you can also choose from a delicious range of burger meals, then there are the salads and tasty deserts to compliment your meal. All freshly prepared while you wait and at wallet friendly prices.

For a complete list of LegsnBreasts locations and contact phone number, just go to www.legsnbreasts.com.au.

As with all the businesses who are helping us to achieve our goal of raising $100,000 for Tasmanian Kids in need, we would ask that you show your support for those generous businesses that are so kindly helping us to make this years event possible.

Backmans Bay to Peppermint Bay

13th September

Charles and Ben are joined on the lawns at Peppermint Bay by Charles kids as they get ready to head back after lunch.

This was the first training run that simulates a two stage day with Charles and Ben covering a good solid 50 kms all up. Once again the conditions were a mixed bag of reasonably calm water and choppy water in the more exposed areas.

The paddle was interesting with quiet a large number of seal showing interest in the brightly coloured kayaks as they made their way down through the channel.

A very nice lunch was had a Peppermint Bay, as the guys enjoyed a well earned break they were joined for lunch by their families. The kids enjoyed the facilities at Peppermint Bay almost as much as the food ... this place is a must stop over on the first day of the big paddle.

The next training run down the channel will push Ben and Charles even more as they plan to spend Wednesday morning paddling from Blackmans Bay to Southport – some 70 kms! Hopefully they will get some good weather and some good photos to share?

East Coast waters proving very testing!!!

12 September

Chris has been busy putting the orange boat through its passes in some very testing conditions. The latest ocean paddle consisted of a roughly 20 kms round trip, from Burns Bay on St Helens Point around past Binalong Bay and part way around the picturesque Bay of Fires. It was a very clear and sunny day, which meant lots of beautiful scenery, but what made the trip challenging was the very strong head wind and nasty chop that was encountered as Humbug Point was rounded and continued to the end of the paddle.

While initially the wind and chop made forward progress very slow, once the half way mark was reached and the wind and waves were behind the return journey was a very speedy affair indeed! With the boat continually latched onto waves and shot along at a cracking pass... what a hoot!!!

That was the morning paddle, but the day was not over as Chris and wife Janette headed off after lunch for a much more leisurely paddle in the upper reaches of the Scamander River.

Beginning the paddle at a very nice spot called Trout Creek – where a boat ramp provides a good launching point – the paddle took them to the very up most reaches of the 'left arm' of the river. Approximately 15 kms was covered all up, with a rest and a picnic lunch about half way up, enjoyed on the grassy banks (although we could have done without the mosies!!!). The kayaks moved along at a good pass through the beautiful meandering waterways, passing lush green fields, an orchard and rocky hills that rise up at impossible angles from the rivers edge. Hidden from the wind the water is so smooth you feel as if you are paddling on silk, then there is the amazing sight of those rugged hills reflected in almost perfect mirror image ... just breath taking.

Talk about a day of contrasting kayaking experiences. Sadly the duffer didn't think to take a camera to capture the amazing natural wonders that he spent several relaxing hours gliding through... maybe next time?

1000kms4kids welcomes the beach restaurant aboard as our 7th bronze sponsor

For the past seven years Andrew and Alison Gerstkamp have been busy carving out a well deserved reputation for providing dinning excellence, which dinners can enjoy the fruits of while drinking in the spectacular views across Storm Bay.

The beach restaurant is open 7 days, providing all day dinning. Andrew in his role as head chef is meticulous in sourcing everything he put on your plate from local producers and suppliers, ensuring you experience a culinary journey with a distinctly Tasmania influence.

Catering for large functions and weddings is a speciality with the restaurant purpose built to facilitate private functions in the upstairs area, which is complete with its own bar and even more wide spread views of the bay.

Each paddler in this years can personally recommend the quality and consistency of the food and service, as we each have frequented this Blackmans Bay icon many times.

You can make a reservation (and we suggest you do, as these guys get full very quickly), on (03) 6229 7600. This truly unique cafe, restaurant and bar can be found on Ocean Esplanade, Blackmans Bay. To quote the beach restaurant's own website ... "where else but 'the beach'?".

New kayaks go out to 'sea' Betsey....

Friday 12 September, 2009

On a sunny and somewhat blustery day Charles and Ben prepared for their longest training session to date, a five hour paddle from Blackmans Bay Beach to Betsey Island. On the way they pass by their previous longest marker, the Iron Pot Lighthouse.

The conditions for the paddle were challenging at times, with winds gusting up to 50 kms from the North. The boats handled the choppy conditions well, with an average speed of 7 km / hr achieved overall.

Betsey Island was an impressive site, with cliffs reaching right down to the water line around much of its coastline. As Ben had been out the the island previously he knew of a good spot to make landfall ...........

1000kms4kids is thrilled to welcome Tackle Us as a bronze level sponsor

Tackle Us are the only specialist fishing supplies store south of Hobart. Catering for fresh and saltwater fishing and stock a huge range of rods, reels, lures and fishing equipment.

In addition to their comprehensive range of off the shelf rods and reels Tackle Us also have available a fully customised rod building service and rod and reel repairs.

Tackle Us also sell: cray pots and rings, ice boxes, fly fishing gear, fish smokers, waders, sunglasses, floundering gear, fishing apparel, ropes and buoys and much much, more.

We would ask that you show your support for Tackle Us, just as they have shown their support for 1000kms4kids. Make them your first choice for all your fishing equipment requirements. You can find them at Shop 11, Kingston Plaza, Kingston Tas 7050.

P: +61 3 6227 2400 F: +61 3 6229 2411

1000kms4kids welcomes Charlotte Peterswald for Property's Dion Flanagan as a bronze sponsor

We are delighted to have the support of Dion Flanagan of Charlotte Perterswald for our 2010 event.

Dion is not only a very successful property consultant, he is also a dedicated family man. Dion and wife Dana were married in 2001, Dana is a working mum employed as the Practice Manager for Prime Dental in Sandy Bay. Together they have two young children Anahi born in 2004 and Mason born in 2008.

Dion has a special place in his heart for the sea, having been a member of the Royal Australian Navy for ten years. These days he still loves to get out on the water when ever he can, but in a much smaller boat.

Charlotte Peterswald has a well deserved reputation as leaders in the Tasmanian property market, please show your support for them as one of our sponsors, whether you are selling or buying a property in the greater Hobart region, you can trust that the consultants and staff at Charlotte Peterswald will make you feel right at home.