Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing Association

GCKFA Constitution (Adobe Acrobat pdf )

GCKFA Constitution (Microsoft Word document)

GCKFA Membership Application (Adobe Acrobat pdf )

GCKFA Membership Application (Microsoft Word document)

GCKFA On-Line Membership Payment, via PayPAL

Press Release (Printable Adobe Acrobat pdf version)

Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing Association
2012 Plan for Membership

The stated purpose of the GCKFA is to promote the sport of kayak fishing along the Gulf Coast of Alabama and NW Florida. We accomplish this through activities that include kayak fishing tournaments, meetings, clinics and demonstrations. The plan for 2012 is to continue these activities with some significant changes.

Tournaments - The date for our 2012 Spring Tournament is April 28th, 2012 As in the past, our weigh-in will be held at Shoreline Park, Gulf Breeze, Florida. Last year we had several members help organize the event and it was the best yet. For 2012 we need equal if not higher levels of involvement to make this years tournament even better. We have identified the following committees and are asking for volunteers to chair each one. Anyone who volunteers and successfully carries out the duties of committee chairperson will have his/her tournament entry fee waived. Returning volunteers from last year will have first "dibs" on these positions. The committees are as follows:

The Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing Association also runs a Master Angler program which is a continuously running event to recognize those kayak anglers who show their mastery by catching trophy sized fish in several species. Rules and instructions can be found on the GCKFA website. All qualified anglers will be recognized at the Captains' Meeting for the night before the tournament.

In addition to our own Spring Tournament, there are several other tournaments held by neighboring clubs that we encourage all GCKFA members to support. These events will be posted on the Tournament and Calendar pages of the GCKFA website.

Meetings - During 2008 we paid rent to the Bream Fishing Association for the privilege of using their clubhouse for meetings. Although we had several good meetings, attendance was not high enough to justify renewing the rent arrangement and the officers felt that there are better uses for club funds. We have therefore decided that for 2009 and beyond we will combine meetings with other events such as rigging clinics and fishing trips. On occasion, we will call for a meeting at a restaurant to conduct official business as required by FL law.

Clinics - One of the most popular and consistently well attended events are the rigging clinics. This makes sense because kayak anglers seem to want to drill holes almost as much as they want to fish. There always seems to be a need for consultation, advice and extra hands whenever new gear is purchased. We have held one rigging clinic already and will hold them throughout the year. If you missed the January event or cannot attend a particular future clinic, do not hesitate to ask for help. Many people are willing to help fellow yak anglers. As you see new rigging events posted, please join us.

Demonstrations - The GCKFA has several local retailers that have consistently supported the club through discounts, tournament sponsorship and visibility. These include, but are not limited to Key Sailing, Pensacola Kayak and Sail, Academy Sports, Gulf Coast Kayaks, Liquid Surf and Sail and West Marine. The calendar of events for these demonstrations is under development. Dates will be added so please visit the calendar section of the website periodically. After 2009 an incentive program for sponsored events. Any GCKFA member who attends 2 or more demonstration events will earn $10 off the entry price of the GCKFA Spring Tournament.. To earn this discount, GCKFA members must bring their kayaks to the events and "work" the events by representing the club and answering kayak and fishing questions from event guests.

On behalf of all of the GCKFA Officers, Members and Sponsors I welcome you to join and actively participate in the wonderful sport of kayak fishing.

Regards,
Ted Gorder

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GCKFA membership drive

Dear fellow kayak anglers:

As you know, membership in the GCKFA is nominal – we have asked for $20.00 in dues upon joining. Your membership fees go to maintaining the website and forum, providing funds for club events and to help organize and run our annual tournament. Even though we have been in operation for over 5 years, up to now we have not asked for any membership renewals and have run a very frugal club. We have some funds in our account, but when we think about getting club shirts / hats made, providing seed money for our tournament or perhaps planning other club events, it can be depleted quickly.

We would like to take the step of soliciting renewal dues from our members based on the calendar year. Frankly, keeping track of when everyone joined and renewing based on that anniversary is an administrative burden I would like to avoid. Renewing your membership every January will accomplish a couple of goals:

• Allow us to build our funds and open the club to more options to enhancing your membership benefits
• Keep an accurate count of the active club members

New membership applicaitons after November 1st will be counted as 2012 membership dues.

If you wish to remain a member of the GCKFA, please renew your membership for 2012 in January– you can do so in several ways:

• Via PayPal - in the remarks, please indicate a renewal
• Mail in a new membership form with check / cash
• Club events – we will accept renewals at any club event.

Thanks for your continued support and I think we are in for a great year – the sport of kayak fishing continues to grow and the GCKFA will be at the forefront of the action in NW Florida!

Ferd Salomon
President, GCKFA

GCKFA
c/o Ferd Salomon
3201 ST Andrews Drive
Pace, FL 32571

Membership has it's privileges

GCKFA Club Kayaks - The club purchased three used kayaks for use by club members, their guests and those who would like to try out the sport before investing in their own boat. We recently sold two kayaks due to lack of use, we now have one (1) Ocean Kayak, Malibu II XL. The Malibu II XL's are designed as either tandems or singles - they have three sitting positions - and offer the flexibility of both. The pictures below are of the Malibu II XL, rigged as a single. At 13 feet long and 34 inches wide, the Malibu II XL is exceptionally stable and easy to paddle. It is one of the most popular kayak models in the world.

We have partially rigged this kayak with an assortment of rod holders, bungees, hatches and other rigging items. We have paddles and some other gear - seats, crate with rod holders, anchor w/line, Scotty mounts with rod holders and perhaps we can lend you a PFD. They are ready to go fishing - all you would need is fishing gear (and a license).

This Malibu II XL is located in Pace. Please contact us via e-mail or by posting your request on our forum if you (a GCKFA member) would like to borrow this kayaks.

The waterways, river, and ocean can be a dangerous place so please make sure that you take the proper precautions to ensure you have a safe adventure and obey the navigational rules of the water. As the reader you recognize this, assume all risks of property damage, personal injury, and death, and agree to hold the publishers of this site and our staff harmless from any liability as a result of your use of the information provided in these pages.

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