Paddling News Bits: El Niña Expedition

April-May 1998

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

 

In May 1998, five Canadian women will embark on a 4 month kayaking adventure along the exposed Outside Passage of Canada's West Coast and into the history books. The trubulent 3000 km route from the Southern tip of Alaska to the harbour city of Vancouver has never before been completed by a team of women.

Beyond the physical rigours of paddling the entire coastline, this is an environmental expedition. El Nina Expedition, in conjunction with the BC Forest Service and Leave No TraceTM will conduct environmental assessments, restore impacted beaches and educate coastal communities on Leave No TraceTM practices.

The five naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts who comprise the El Nina Expedition recognize the importance of wild area preservation and look forward to leaving a clean wake.

The object of El Nina is to promote the expedition, sponsors and message effectively at the local and national levels. For this purpose, a First Nations organization Ancient Voices will host a welcome feast, July 11 in Telegraph Cove. The expedition will come to an end on September 6th at Ambleside beach where a Leave No TraceTM presentation and public reception to follow.

For information on sponsorship donations in exchange for exposure, write or call El Nina Expedition, 21 View St. Nelson, B.C. Canada V1L 2V3. Ph: 250/354-4025 Fax: 250/354-1401.

New Pentax Binocs

Asahi Optical Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce the addition of two binoculars to the popular Pentax DCF series: The 8x42 DCF WP and the 10x42 DCF WP. Despite their compact, lightweight design, these two models feature a fully water-shielded body construction and high-performance roof-prism optics using phase-coating roof prisms. Their waterproof design makes these models ideal for use around and on the water, as well as for observations in harsh weather and extreme climates.

The waterproof body of these DCF WP models is rated filled with nitrogen to prevent fogging caused by sudden temperature changes. The newly developed inner-focus optics used in these binoculars not only makes them smaller and lighter, but also assures a sharp, bright image without distortion. In addition, these models incorporate a host of attractive features to make viewing pleasant and fatigue-free.

Another new addition to the Pentax family is the 8~16x21 UCF Zoom binoculars. Featuring user-adjustable magnifications between 8x and 16x, this compact zoom model inherits the attractive looks, easy operation and many outstanding features of the UCF series, including a user-friendly center-focus system and innovative dual-axis eye-distance adjustment system, high-refraction BaK4 glass prisms and aspherical lens elements. Coupled with its sister model, the 10~20x24 UCF Zoom, the UCF zoom series of binoculars combines outstanding versatility and portability with high-quality viewing in many different applications.

Tieken Takes on Ontario

In March of this year the small town of Gananoque, Ontario became the new distribution centre for Tieken Kayaks, in addition to their continuing operation in Nova Scotia.

"We're at the centre of Ontario's recreational growth," says owner Harrie Tieken. "We now have the opportunity to better service the needs of Ontario's and Quebec paddling community-plus the proximity to Ontario's sailing community allows us to sharpen the focus on our WindRider trimarans." Quicker delivery of product and ability to provide dealer support were also cited as key reasons for this move.

Since leaving a career in the Royal Dutch Navy in 1969, Harrie Tieken has been designing and building kayaks in wood and fibreglass. Harrie pioneered in Holland with one of the first Dutch manufactured fibreglass touring kayaks. He ran his company Tiekano for over 17 years in Holland and specialised in designing and building his own touring, sea going kayaks and Olympic style racing kayaks. In 1987 he sold the company in Holland and emigrated with his family to greener pastures in Nova Scotia Canada and established his new company Tieken Kayaks.

Manufacturing a line of racing kayaks was the main activity in the beginning, but soon Harrie developed his own Inuit style sea going kayaks for the North American market. The Sealution seakayak made its introduction in 1988 and soon became a popular seakayak, and other new seakayak designs were soon developed.

Wilderness Systems, North Carolina USA, started to manufacture the Tieken designs in fibreglass, and later polyethylene in early 1989. Wilderness Systems markets and exports their products, sea kayaks, touring kayaks and sailing trimarans worldwide, while Tieken is the sole representative from Wilderness Systems and WindRider Trimarans for the Canadian market.

Tieken Kayaks Maritimes

Highway #7

Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia

BOJ 1NO

Ph: 902/827-4383

Fax: 902/827-3297

(open year round)

 

Tieken Kayaks Central/Western

145 River Street

Gananoque, Ontario

K7G 2P8

Ph: 613/382-2531

Fax: 613/382-8769

(open: March-September)

Sea Kayak Survey

Parks Canada has contracted a research team from the School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism at Lakehead University in Ontario to conduct a study regarding the needs of sea kayakers and the possibility of establishing a water trail network in Bruce Peninsula National Park and Fathom Five National Marine Park. The study encompasses paddling treands, sites and growth. It will attempt to document the growth of kayaking through manufacturers, paddling associations and tour operators. A study of sites comparable to the two parks is also being undertaken through a survey of water trail associations. If your company/organization has not been contacted and would like to participate, please contact the research team via e-mail at Ikuunila@flash.lakeheadu.ca

It is hoped that this study will provide documentation relevant to organizations which provide recreation opportunities for paddlers. If you have any questions regarding the study or feel you can contribute information, please do not hesitate to contact Laani Uunila or Dr.Russell Currie via e-mail or by phone 807/343-8610.

Gulf Area Water Trails

Gulf Area Water Trails Society (GAWTS) is dedicated to paddling and camping on the beautiful coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico, striving to make paddling areas more accessible and safer for all those who participate.

GAWTS publishes a bimonthly journal, and various guides to paddling areas throughout the gulf coast. They also host an annual paddling rendezvous to be held this year in the New Orleans Area on Sept. 26 - 27.

To join the GAWTS, send your name, mailing address, email address, the type of boat you paddle, sail, surf, or kite in, a description of your favorite paddling area, along with $25 to cover your first year's membership.

You will receive six great issues of "The Gulf Area Paddler", a Rendezvous Pass ($10 Value), Updates to the "Gulf Area Water Trails Paddling Guide", and paddling information.

Gulf Area Water Trail Society

Membership Chairman

P.O. Box 6743 New Orleans, LA

70174-6743

Ph: 504/432-0417 Fax: 504/392-8937 Facsimile <gawts@earthlink.net>

Victoria Club Change

Anne Watt is the new Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club kayak program co-ordinator and newsletter editor. Thanks to Dave Blacoe for all his past hard work.

Anne's home phone is 250/356-3575. Her email is <anne.watt@gems3.gov.bc.ca>

Small Vessel Regulations

A set of proposed changes to the Canadian Small Vessel Regulations are now in the works. The changes have been developed by a joint Canadian Coast Guard ­ User Working Group. These changes represent the first major update since the Regulations were first published some 20 years ago. Look for the official changes they're expected to be in place by the 1998 boating season.

The proposed changes are in response to the emergence of new water activities, innovations in lifesaving equipment and the technological evolution of watercraft (e.g. jet skis). The new Regulations will be simplified and updated, making them clearer and more easily understood by the boating public.

As a recreational boater, you are expected to know the rules that apply on Canada's waterways. To obtain a detailed document on the proposed changes or to get a copy of the Safe Boating Guide, please contact the nearest Canadian Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety or by calling the Boating Safety Infoline at: 1-800-267-6687