Tragic Loss...

Posting the comments from Stu & Di, "Linda Englehart, a Calgary kayaker who also paddled in our region and with ORCKAn's died yesterday following a mishap on the Kicking Horse on Saturday. There's some more info. on the CalPaddle blog and news reports should emerge."

This is a sad day, as always when someone so young dies. As from the Calpaddle forum

Traditional Buddhist Prayers will be held in the Chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 and Wednesday, August 1, 2007 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. A Celebration of Linda's Life will be held in the Chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home on Friday, August 3, 2007 at 2:30 p.m. If so desired, memorial tributes in Linda's name, for her daughters' education fund, to be directed to the Royal Bank (#144, 250 Shawville Blvd. SE, Calgary, AB, T2Y 2Z7). Arrangements entrusted to MOUNTAIN VIEW FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY, 17 Avenue SE at Garden Road, (1.5 km east of 84th Street SE) Telephone (403) 272-5555.

I will talk to the executive about a donation to the education fund, as she was an active member of our paddling community. I'm sure many of you had a chance to paddle with her or read her postings on our blog.

Our thoughts go out to her family and the rest of the ORCKA members as they paddle this season. I know many of you will still be on the rivers this season so "Be Safe" and paddle smart.

High Level Paddle and Barbecue Sunday July 15th

High Level Canoes & Kayaks are holding a public paddle down the Oldman River to Pavan Park. Following the paddle they will be having a barbecue to finish off the days activities. If you are in the area please come and support some local paddling activities. If you have any further question contact High Level @ 327-4506, or go to their website link on the side of this blog (events), or click on the link below.

http://www.highlevelcanoesandkayaks.com/events.htm

ATTENTION!!! local kayak/canoe volunteers needed.

The Magrath Triathlon is asking the ORCKA club for volunteers to help with the morning swim on St. Mary's reservoir. The Triathlon will be held on Saturday, July 21st . They are holding two separate swim events, an Olympic swim, and a sprint swim. They are asking for a minimum of three paddlers per swimming event (minimum of 6 paddlers total). The reason they are asking for kayakers and canoers is because of the LOW water disturbance created by our smaller boats making it easier to stay close to the swimmers, without disturbing them, if they need help at any time. The Olympic swim starts at 8:45 a.m. and the Sprint swim starts at 9:15 a.m., but they have asked us to show up at the Boat Launch at 8:00 in the morning on Saturday, July 21st. At that point we can organize which paddlers go with which group of swimmers.

To anyone that is interested in helping in this annual event will receive a free T-Shirt from the Magrath Triathlon. So if you agree to volunteer for this event we will need to know your shirt size. We could sure use the help so please leave a comment with your name, contact information, shirt size, and any questions you might have, or call Scott Greer @ 315-0114.

The only favour that we ask of anyone agreeing to volunteer, is that you keep your commitment to volunteer on this date, but if you cannot make it for whatever reason, PLEASE find someone to take your place. Don't drop it on anyone to fill your spot at the last minute. It would be more convenient for us, and better for the Triathlon if we have our needed number of paddlers on the morning of the event.

HERE'S A MAP...