Queensland Hobie Crew

Do you own a Hobie and live in Queensland? If so, read on, as this is for you!

This Crew Makes The Cut

The world is obsessed with social media. There are few people who can honestly state they are not involved in at least one of the popular social media streams. With over 2 billion users, Facebook is the giant which dominates a growing group of communication obsessed individuals.

Sadly, specific interest pages on social media do not necessarily mean that you will find a sociable environment. Some pages are controlled by market interests, with heavy censorship of posts to ensure they favour the manufacturer. Others are loosely administered. with the internet “trolls” providing a divisive and unpleasant environment for reasonable users.

When you find a Facebook group with no commercial interests and a positive feel, it is a genuine surprise. These groups are sadly not the norm, so when you find a page which defies the trend of self interested or aggressive posters, it is a revelation.

Having been prompted to consider a Hobie kayak by my Hobie owning brother, I joined various kayaking pages to research options on the market. Knowing that I wanted an upgrade to a pedal propelled kayak, my choices were limited to a few major suppliers.  After joining general kayak groups and brand specific pages, I finally made a commitment to buying the new Hobie Compass, which ticked all of the boxes I personally needed for a lightweight pedal-craft.

After my purchase, I wanted to learn everything possible about my new purchase. As a relative newcomer to kayaking and being freshly acquainted with Hobie, I joined multiple kayak-related Facebook pages. Most of these were very quickly “unfollowed”, as I discovered the content was not relevant, or moderators did not control the behaviour of posters who insisted on denigrating other members of the group. After quitting nearly every page I had previously joined,  I stumbled upon the Queensland Hobie Crew.

At first, I assumed the Hobie Crew would be similar to all of the other pages on Facebook: full of brand obsessed zealots or angry keyboard warriors. Membership restrictions are tight, as if you do not currently own a Hobie, you are not able to be part of the Crew. Given the reputation for Hobie owners to be a one-eyed about the brand, I joined the group with few expectations.

I was pleasantly surprised by the welcome I received to the group. On joining any Facebook page, you are often welcomed by regular posters. However, I was shocked not just by the welcome I received, but the sincerity and warmth of initial responses to my first post. The QHC is a small group, which often means a tight-knit group of established friends, who may be slow to welcome visitors. In this instance, the welcome was warm and genuine. How could this be? Aren’t Hobie owners uptight, latte sipping brand snobs who frown upon all outsiders? Should I not have to provide a blood sample, financial records and sign over my first-born child to truly become part of the group?

The Crew seems truly unique. The atmosphere is welcoming, there is no need for moderators to delete posts with personal attacks and there is no commercialisation. Unlike some pages, talk is not focussed on the brand that we all own, but simply on the social aspects of being a Hobie owner.

QHC creator Tim Donselaar exemplifies the spirit shown by members of the Crew. After meeting like-minded kayakers from the Brisbane Kayak Fishers Facebook page, Tim was impressed with the Hobies used by some members and decided to upgrade his kayak. Tim decided that there was a need for a Hobie specific social group to organise outings, fish together and share knowledge, so he created the Queensland Hobie Crew page. 

Tim makes no secret of the fact that he also owns a competing brand of kayak, a fact for which he is incessantly the brunt of jokes from other QHC members. Known by the group as the “Hobie Godfather”, Tim is passionate about the brand, but he is also aware that kayaking is a diverse sport with many excellent products. It is an open secret that Tim spends a lot of time kayaking in a cheaper hull, to avoid scratching the finish on his precious new Hobie Pro Angler. This provides the opportunity for many humorous attacks, which are all delivered and received in the friendly nature which is intended.

Tim not only created the page, but he is its greatest advocate. Every member is welcomed and encouraged to participate with other members. All members share knowledge and assist those that ask advice, but Tim also adds an organisational element for group “meet and greets”, plus other group activities. My own battle with landing my first kayak-landed fish is well documented within the group, with Tim taking personal responsibility to ensure that I am successful. Despite a plethora of advice and personal invitations to fish with Tim and many others on the group, this feat still seems to be eluding me. Unfortunately, great advice and persistence does not necessarily a fisherman make!

Prominent member Ron Hess is glowing in his praise of Tim’s efforts.

“Tim is a unique character. His dedication to the group is second to none and there is nothing he will not do for the Hobie Crew. The time that he puts into the group, whether organising events, sponsorship for competitions, or even the simple things like basic merchandise is phenomenal. Most would not spend the time he does and I must wonder what his wife thinks!”

Apart from the well attended and organised activities that Tim offers, the social nature of the QHC also means that your next fishing trip is rarely alone. If you seek solitude on the water, the Crew is not the place you wish to discuss your next trip. Within moments of posting details of your next on-water adventure, you will have offers of “tag alongs”, as being together is what this group is about. It is entirely inclusive: while it is a small group, it has a broad demographic of people who share a common love and simply want to be with others that share the same passion.

The QHC is unapologetically for Queensland-based owners of Hobie only. Those that sell their Hobie are asked to remove themselves from the group, as the page rules are very clear. While this may seem elitist, there are sound reasons for the very strict rules. Numbers on many groups are filled with former owners or those with other brands, who offer little or nothing except distractions to the primary aim of the membership. More people invariably means more necessity for moderation and a move away from the core aim of the group. The QHC is clear about its intentions. This is a group of Hobie owners in Queensland who want to fish together, socialise together and share knowledge. While this sounds restrictive, in reality it offers the most incredibly social atmosphere of any Facebook group that I have encountered. If you sell your Hobie, you are encouraged to continue your social interaction with members, but leaving the page is not optional. Friendships may last forever, but the QHC page remains focussed on current owners.

There are some interesting attempts to join the Crew. The word “Hobie” is quite brand specific, but those with literacy challenges believe the page may be a great page to indulge their “hobby”. Model train owners, vintage motorcycle enthusiasts, hunters and other hobbyists are known to make join requests. They are politely refused, but do offer the Hobie Crew a reason to smile.

The well organised social events are an opportunity for members to meet en-masse. Fishing competitions, food and giveaways are the norm, but the focus is simply on people meeting to enjoy the company of fellow kayakers. Prizes are secondary to welcoming fellow Crew and enjoying a day on the water. Members will travel great distances to be part of these days, as the social atmosphere needs to be experienced to be fully appreciated.

I believe the Crew spirit is easily summed up by what is seen on the water, as well as the chatter that plays out on the Facebook page. While launching my kayak recently, I came across some members of the crew who were loading their kayaks onto their vehicles. One of the owners had inadvertently launched her kayak with the bungs removed. While paddling with others well offshore, it was noticed the Hobie was sitting very low in the water. Fellow owners acted quickly to save the sinking kayak, with one brave soul taking to the water, despite the known threat of sharks in the area. The only thought was for the paddler in distress, so the Hobie Crew swung into action to ensure the safety of a fellow member. It is this sort of fellowship, that makes me proud to be part of the Crew.

While many of the team from Sunstate Hobie are members of the group, there is amazingly no commercial discussion. They are on the page for the same reason as the other members, as they offer advice, take part in activities and share their exploits on their Hobies. They are clearly enjoying their Hobies as much as other owners, without descending into the overt sales pitches that can be seen on other forums. All products can be discussed, provided it is focussed on increasing the enjoyment you receive from using your Hobie kayak.

Ron gave me some insight on why he loves being part of the Crew. “It’s not all about fishing. It’s about mateship, a common cause, it’s about sharing information”. I doubt any members of the Queensland Hobie Crew could say it better. 

To join the Qld Hobie Crew, check out their Facebook Page. You must live in Queensland and you must currently own a Hobie vessel.