Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Maskwa Starts Next Week - Swim Schedule/Paddling Schedule

Lots going on as usual.

Two things I'm hoping someone might be able to donate to the club - a whipper snipper and clippers. We really could use these so our custodian can keep the area clean and trim back the bushes.

This year the parents on the beach will be happy with the two new canopies - we really felt these were needed to help offer parents/kids more shade. Thanks so much to Gordon MacLeod for taking care of this.

Next week all paddling and swimming classes start on Monday. I have posted the new updated swim schedule and paddling schedule in this blog. It will also be posted at the beach on the old club house. One thing I would like to remind parents is to watch how you park your vehicles. Please make sure when you park in the first parking lot that there is enough room on both sides for cars from the back to get out. Please also feel free to encourage your children to bike - we do have bike racks located in the 2nd parking lot.

Also new this year are lockers in both the male/female washrooms. These are small lockers and free to use. No wet clothing and no food. Please provide your own lock. I suggest for those kids not willing to part with their cell phones/I-pods to bring a plastic bag and put those electronics in that first and then lock them up while you are either paddling or swimming. Or better yet leave them at home - there is a phone inside the club house for all to use for free.

The gym is to be used only by our High Performance paddlers or 18+ members. All members wishing to use the gym please see me for a gym waiver.

Maskwa Swimming 2011 Summer

Whale 11:00-11:30
Sea turtle/ Salamander 10:45-11:15
Sun Fish 11:30-12pm
Swim Kids 1/2 10:15-10:45
Swim Kids 3 9:45-10:15
Swim Kids 4 10:30-11:00
Swim Kids 5 9:30-10:15
Swim Kids 6 10:15-11:00
Swim Kids 7/8 9:30-10:15
Swim Kids 7/8 11:00-11:45
Swim Kids 7/8 11:15-12:00
Swim Kids 9/10 9:30-10:15
Swim Kids 9/10 11:15-12:00

Competitive Swimming Skills 10:15-11:00


12:30-2:30pm Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross, Bronze Medallion
Stroke 1 2:00-2:30 Lev. 1-4
Stroke 2 2:30pm-3:15pm Lev.5-10

2:30-3:30pm Swim Patrol, Rookie and Ranger Star & Bronze Star

Junior Lifeguard Club Monday& Friday 3:00-4:00 &
Wednesday 4:00-5:00

Adult Lessons Tuesday/ Thursday 4:00-5:00

Paddling Schedule 2011 (A, B & C groups are by invitation from Head Paddling Coach)
Time Group
8-9:30 A Group
B Group

9:30- 11C Group
Atom boys SB
Atom Girls WC
Bantam Girls SB
Bantam Boys WC
Peewee Canoe group


11-12:30 Pewee Girls WC
Bantam Canoe group
Peewee Boys SB
Atom Boys WC
Atom Girls SB

12-1:00 Kiddie Kayak

1- 2:30 Pewee Boys WC
Pewee Girls SB
Bantam Girls WC
Midget Mixed SB
Atom canoe group

2:30-4 Midget Boys WC
Midget Girls WC
Bantam Boys SB


4- 5:30 A Group
B Group
C Group

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Maskwa Orientation Night

Hi everyone:
Orientation Night is Monday, June 27 from 6pm-8pm at the club. This is a great time to pop in and get your membership packages. We will also be selling paddling kits (buns, lifebelts, singlets) and other great Maskwa gear. It's also a chance to meet your coaches and ask questions about paddling and swimming.

Our season officially starts on July 4th for everyone! Yes, there is no staggered paddling this year so please come on Monday, July4th and please also be patient with us as we all get completely organized.

Right around the corner are 2 big regattas this year hosted at Maskwa. Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 16 for the Peewee Regatta and Sunday, July 17 for the Bantam Regatta. This means I desperately will need volunteers to help with parking, directing people where to go and to man our BBQs for both days plus we will need safety boat people. Please email me if you can help at manager.maskwa@gmail.com.

And on that note regarding safety boats - Next Wednesday, June 29th the ADCKC will be hosting a course for those wishing to obtain their safety boat operator’s license. It will be held at the BARC, time TBA. To register for the course please contact Cassie Edgar, Program Coordinator- Atlantic Division CanoeKayak CanadaOffice: (902) 466-9925programcoordinator@adckc.ca.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Update and CrossFit at Maskwa

Hi everyone:
Talk about a beautiful day. Enjoy the sun while you can. I wanted to give everyone an update. Membership cards are ready for most. The people who registered this week will get cards by end of next week. I have packages in my office with your tax receipts and Maskwa information. Please drop in - I will be in most days from 9am-2pm but please call ahead to make sure I'm in and not running errands. My number is 443-0178 ext: 221.

I think this is the year our Dragon Boat program will take off. I had lots of calls from people who tried it out on Wednesday night, and they liked it so much they are planning to join the club - that's great. Thanks so much to Chris Haley for organizing this program.

Many of you might be wondering who those people are running through the trails and doing weights in our gym. I'm thrilled to announce that we have Tannaya Hantelman running her CrossFit program out of Maskwa. Tannaya will be offering a 20% discount to Maskwa members interested in her programming at Maskwa. She's also kindly offered to take on 45-min course for my day campers this year, which will be optional for parents as it's an additional cost of $10/per class, but the goal is to get kids interested in workouts. Below is more information on her programs.

Ladies and Gentleman and Kids!

Are you looking for some fun this summer that will take you to the next level of performance? Do you want to stand out on the field, court, or in the gym and your everyday life or simply look and feel better? If you answered yes to either one, then CrossFit is the answer. You may think that you are in great shape and that you should just continue playing Wii fit, jogging, and doing countless reps of bicep curls, leg presses, and bench presses. Simply take one CrossFit class and you will see the difference. CrossFit is the “Sport of Fitness” and as such you will be required to focus on the dynamic elements of athleticism, including balance, coordination, speed, power, endurance, and accuracy. This is the strength and conditioning program of choice for Mixed Martial Arts, S.W.A.T., Navy Seals, Police and Fire units, and elite sports worldwide. You will push and pull heavy weights, learn Olympic lifts, run, row , climb and jump in a fun environment with me constantly by your side.

The beauty of CrossFit is that every exercise is scalable to your fitness level. You will NEVER be asked to do something that will jeopardize your safety. You will, however, be asked to use every muscle in your body to perfect your form, ultimately leading to a rewarding workout. You will love it because this program works for the ordinary person delivering quick results. I encourage you to email me with any questions that you may have. I, or any of the clients from the gym, would be happy to talk to you and make you feel welcome. It will be one of the best decisions you make in your life.

Tannaya can be reached at tannaya11@hotmail.com

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Saturday was a great Maskwa Day!

Saturday at Maskwa was jammed pack with lots of things happening. First we started off with our work party to move the docks, rake the sand, and generally get the grounds ready for our fast-approaching season. A huge thanks to all who came out to help. A special thanks to Bob Pickrem of Rapco Services Limited, whose company graciously donated their time and equipment to move our docks! A major thanks Bob as this means a lot to the club.

Then at 6:30pm that same day we launched our brand new War Canoe. She is a beauty. I love that for all boats we get to refer to them as “she” because really we women rule the water as my father would say – he was a fisherman for years so some of those expressions have become ingrained in me. Special thanks to again to Mike Haley who at the beginning of August 2010 with only 4 weeks left in our paddling season offered to spearhead a campaign to raise $25,000. Shows you the power of great leadership and lots of Maskwa commitment. To the HRM councillors who came, Peter Lund and Mary Wile, thanks so much for helping us christian the War Canoe and special thanks to all the councillors for your very much appreciated donations.

At 7pm our Wine Tasting Fundraiser kick started our Maskwa season off. We had over 70people attend the event and Harvest Wines were a huge hit! I just have to write here that I tried the red Heavyweight wine and honestly when I drop into Harvest Wine’s I’m buying a bottle for myself. It was great seeing everyone turn out for this event. We raised over $3,000 with the Credit Union matching contribution. As part of the night the Credit Union’s Kearney Lake Branch Manager Annette Shumey awarded the first Maskwa athletic scholarship valued at $1,000 to Jessie Scott, who was the lucky and hard-working recipient. I just know that next year lots more paddlers will be applying for those scholarships and the $1,000 Credit Union community scholarship.

Things are well underway for a great paddling season. I’m in most days from 9am-2pm (except this Monday I’m working from home). If you need to reach me please call my cell at 495-0212.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Club Hours

Hi everyone:
I quickly wanted to let people know that I will be at the club tonight from 7pm-9pm. Feel free to drop in to drop off registration. I am also hoping to have packages for pick up by end of the week. Stay tuned for an email.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Work Party Rescheduled for next Saturday, June 11 @9am

We had to reschedule our Clean up Work Party for next Saturday starting at 9am. The boom truck couldn't make it for tomorrow so we thought we'd try to do everything for next Saturday.

We will need at least 8 people to help load the trucks into the water.
We need help sanding/painting the playground
We need help raking the lawns/sand etc.
Please bring rakes and shovels.

That night is our Wine Tasting Fundraiser - great way to reward yourself for all that physical labour. Tickets are $30/each. Please RSVP Renee at manager.maskwa@gmail.com for tickets.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Update and Congrats to Mark De Jonge on World Cup Medal

Hi everyone:
A quick update. I won't be in the office tonight as originally planned but I will be back in the office on Friday 9am-2pm and Saturday 10am probably until 2pm.

Saturday is our work party which starts at 9am. Please come and help us get things ready for the upcoming Maskwa season. Bring rake and shovels if you have them as we will be spreading sand once the docks get placed in the water. I'm looking forward to seeing the playground again.

I also wanted to shout out a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Mark De Jonge and Richard Dalton.


On the weekend, Mark De Jonge captured a World Cup Bronze medal - this is his first world medal and hopefully the beginning of many more. Mark won the bronze medal in the men's K-1 200, which was one of nine medals for Canada.

Also Richard Dalton was in the men's C-1 200 relay team and they placed third.

As John Moore, our previous Commodore pointed out, Mark and Richard got their start at Maskwa so it's quite a tribute to the club to see an athlete go this far.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Work Party @9am on Sat and MP Geoff Reagan

Hi everyone:
A friendly reminder many hands make light work. Please join us at Maskwa this coming Saturday at 9am to help clean up the grounds, put the docks in and get the playground ready for play for the children. I promise hot coffee and treats for all!

Also, I wanted to post this recent notice about our MP, Geoff Regan, who has been so helpful to Maskwa over the years. Way to go Geoff!

Regan appointed Liberal Critic for Industry and Consumer Affairs

June 1, 2011 (Ottawa) – Geoff Regan, Member of Parliament for Halifax West was appointed Wednesday as the Liberal Critic for Industry and Consumer Affairs.

Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae announced his new team on Wednesday and noted the talent and experience he had to draw on.

Mr. Regan’s new critic portfolio will put him at the heart of a number of key issues in the 41st Parliament and his responsibilities reflect his experience in the House and his record of standing up for Canadian consumers and promoting Canadian businesses.

“I’m pleased our leader has given me these important responsibilities,” Regan said. “These portfolios will touch on issues that are crucial to my constituents in Halifax West and to all Canadian consumers.

“I look forward to holding the Harper government to account on a number of significant files.”

Mr. Regan has held several central critic roles, including Human Resources and Skills Development, Public Works and Government Services and Natural Resources.