I love, love, love paddling, don’t you? The open waters, the ocean smell, the feeling of the watercraft surging and gliding. It’s so much more satisfying than running, right? Anyway, here are the highlights for February:
- Another Icebreaker Success!
- Outrigger Season Opener with Greg
- Recap ERG Workshop & Upcoming Events
- Rapid Fire with Elson Kung: Membership Officer
- Reminders!
Another Icebreaker Success!
Big thanks Tara, our amazing Race Organizer who handled all the logistics and kept communication flowing with the teams. Special thanks to Grace, Val, and Steve for their many efforts in making the Ice Breaker happen! Thank you to the racers, volunteers, and everyone involved. It’s amazing what we can accomplish as a community.
If you haven’t heard, $1,920 will be donated to charities on behalf of the racers this year from the Icebreaker event!
➡️ More Icebreaker highlights and sentiments here.
Outrigger Season Opener with Greg ☕️
Lotus members! We’re kicking off the season with a casual chit chat session this Saturday.
When: February 21, 2026 (10:30AM, after practice)
What: Greg will be going over the upcoming race season, practice times, coaching plans, and what to expect in the months ahead. It’s a great chance to ask questions, share ideas, and get excited about what’s coming. There may be snacks!
Recap ERG Workshop & Upcoming Events
We had two insightful ERG (Ergometer) sessions with Ayden in January, giving paddlers a chance to explore different paddling styles and the opportunity for dryland training. Thank you Ayden, Tara and Grace for the pointers.
Just like in life, there’s more than one way to do things — and paddling is no different. The key is to observe, experiment, and find what works best for you and your crew.
Looking for more to do? Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
Paddle Repair Workshop with Steve
When: April 4, 2026 (11AM, after practice)
What: Ever wonder how to maintain and repair your paddle? Join Steve on April 4th to learn how!
Lotus Spring Maintenance
When: April 11, 2026 (11AM, after practice)
What: Come help Lotus prepare for the spring season – cleaning, repairing, and whatever else needs a little care around the clubhouse. The more hands, the quicker it will be!
(I have to stress “after practice” because us newbies thought it was a full morning of maintenance last year and did not dress for practice…)
Rapid Fire with Elson Kung: Membership Officer
How long have you been part of the Lotus family and how did you get involved?
This is my second year but it will be my first full season! I joined in January 2025 because Tiffany and I needed to train for our 30km canoe leg of the Sea to Ski team relay.
What’s your most memorable race and why?
The V12 to V21 race in Victoria that just happened. It was my first away OC race. I loved the company on the trip and it felt great to beat all but one Team Canada boat in our heat! Bonus: learning to keep score at darts.
What do you love about being a Lotus Club member?
I love being a part of a club with my partner, in a sport that’s near and dear to her. What better way to connect to the past of your loved one.
What new ideas do you have for growing and maintaining a better number of Burnaby members?
I would like to get 100 Burnaby residents to attend an open house this summer. The club is supported by the City of Burnaby and growing Burnaby memberships helps us serve Burnaby residents better. I am looking for volunteers to plaster the city’s health and wellness facilities and businesses with Lotus posters and flyers!
Is there a question you want to ask the next board member? (Maintenance)
Maintenance is essential, yet it’s unseen and underappreciated. What keeps Steve motivated?
Reminders!
We’re taking race jersey orders and membership renewals. Reach out to board members if you’d like to get your race jersey order in! We’ll be using the same beautiful design as last year.
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