general
The Foo Redo
After two years in the blistering sun and a mild encounter with a rock last summer, Susanna Foo is in need of a little TLC. The plan is to get started with sanding as soon as the weather will permit.
We would like to have all of the painting and varnishing done before the bugs arrive.. So, we’re looking at early May. Right now, Susanna is still wearing her winter coat, while being stored at RPM. Refinishing will be difficult without indoor space. However, it can be done one section at a time as the weather permits. If you know of an indoor space that we can use for a couple of weeks, we’d love to hear from you. If you have any expertise in boat refinishing and would like to help, please contact Phil Meades phil.eng@bell.net or Carolyn Ellis mcellis@interhop.net and we will make sure you know when the work begins!
Lois Deacon – a new coach for the 2016 season
I love to do almost anything associated with paddling – canoeing, kayaking, dragon boating etc. My first experience with dragon boating was many years ago as a paddler with a team of work colleagues at the Peterborough Festival. I then had the good fortune to be asked to volunteer as the steersperson for The Dragon Flies – a team of breast cancer survivors that paddles out of Lindsay. I steered for them for 10 years and had the opportunity to travel to dragon boat festivals all over Ontario.
The last several years, I have been paddling with iB Dragon Boating, a mixed team from Lindsay. It’s a great group of people. We enjoy all the good things about dragon boating, including being out on the water, perfecting paddling technique, exercise, camaraderie and fun.
I am looking forward to helping out with coaching the Haliburton Highlands Paddlers – a group that also appreciates all those good things about dragon boating!
Paddles up . . . .
Gold Medal at Dundas
Janine Papadopoulos
Janine Papadopoulos has been coaching dragon boating for more than eight years. After coaching for a recreational festival in Fredericton New Brunswick for six years, Janine was glad to see a group form in Haliburton. 
She was also part of that group of committed volunteers who were instrumental in purchasing a boat and offering coaching for the newly formed Haliburton Highlands Paddlers. If you can’t hear her sing while paddling then she is probably off making pizza with her business – Into the Blue Bakery.
Janine is dedicated to getting people of all ages, physical ability, shape and size out on the water with her fun approach to coaching. “Paddles Up!”
Scotty Boyd
I have been asked to write something about myself. I find it difficult, sometimes, for it feels like bragging. Well, here it goes.
I’m affectionately known as Scotty, for obvious reasons. Only my Mum and a couple of family members call me by my given name.
My Dad immigrated from Scotland in 1954. Mum and the rest of us came a year later, crossing the rough Atlantic Ocean in an old boat in April. That is when my love for water started. The majority of my schooling, therefore, was in Canada but they say I still have an accent!
I am very happily married to Jane (she said to say that) and we have 4 children. She has a boy and a girl from a previous marriage and I have two boys. We have five wonderful grandchildren, 3 boys, 2 girls, and a sixth expected in October. Enough about family…never.
My career included being a Constable with the Toronto Police Force and then a Recreation Supervisor with the City of Scarborough Recreation and Parks Department. I retired in 1998 when the cities amalgamated. We moved to Minden in 2003 when Jane retired from teaching.
I love sailing and many other sports. With sailing, I have been fortunate to have competed in numerous regattas, both locally and internationally. These included sailing, non-stop, around Lake Ontario, representing Lake Ontario in the U.S. Nationals, racing twice in the Rolex Regatta in the Virgin Islands and in the World Championship in Thunderbirds in Canada. I have been a competitive footballer (soccer for you Canadians), badminton player, curler and now dragon boater.
I have become a Certified Competitive Curling Coach, working with children, youth and adults. Presently, I am coaching a Bantam boys’ team.
When the Haliburton Highlands Paddlers group was formed, I wanted to become more involved, not simply a paddler. After taking courses last May and fulfilling requirements over the summer, I am now an Accredited Community Coach and Steersperson. The coaches, organizing committee and members are fabulous. I have thoroughly enjoyed being in the boat and ALWAYS look forward to each session. This has been a most rewarding experience and know that this year will bring more of the same.
Our club is so fortunate to be made up of great people who are committed to the sport.
I am looking forward to another wonderful year with stories to be told and, of course, great paddling.
” PADDLES UP AND TAKE IT AWAY”.