Editorial: The Turning Point

April-May 1999

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

by Alan Wilson

Cover Photo: Ted Chisholm during Ecomarine Assistant Guide Course in Clayquot Sound Photo by Sue Handel

Many years ago I had an experience that taught me a great deal very quickly about the importance of kayak instruction. I was out for an evening paddle with a close friend enjoying the lengthening days of spring after a long winter, just chatting and floating about. As dusk began to fall, the wind freshened, and I noticed we were drifting towards a passage with a strong current. I pointed out it was time to head back and started to paddle towards shore.

My friend, an inexperienced paddler, was having difficulty turning his kayak as the breeze caught the bow. "Try back paddling on the other side", I called to him. He pushed tentatively with the back of his blade and flipped over!

It was almost funny. But then it hit me that he probably had no idea how to get out of his boat. He'd been out with me and other friends a few times to float around the bay, but he wasn't crazy about the water and probably no one had shown him how to do a wet exit.

Fortunately I was able to rescue him but it was a close call and it drove home the point that however inexperienced we may be, we suddenly become leaders whenever we take out less experienced friends or family. It's our responsibility to ensure their safety, and that means ensuring they know the basics.

My friend's close all, and the lesson it was for me, was part of inspiration for the first Ocean Kayak Festival, an annual weekend of instruction and fun which WaveLength organized for five years and which grew into a major event, ending up at Royal Roads University in Victoria. The Festival brought together top instructors from throughout the paddling industry to teach basic to advanced skills.

After five years, we decided we had done our fair share to promote kayak instruction. There was just too much other work to do on the magazine and website, so we handed the torch back to the two long-time events in this region, the Coast Kayak Symposium on nearby Thetis Island and the West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium at Port Townsend Washington.

We become leaders the moment we take out the less experienced. Photo Rajé Harwood

These two events are going strong and getting better each year, but the demand for kayak instruction is growing even faster. As a result, this year, three new events have been launched in British Columbia alone: a Paddlefest in Victoria May 16, an Okanagan Paddle Festival near Kelowna, June 19-20; and a Vancouver Island Paddlefest in Ladysmith July 31-Aug 2.

There are also many other events held around North America each year under the auspices of TAPS, the Trade Association of Paddlesports (organizer of the Port Townsend event). You can find out about these and others by checking out our Guide beginning on page 23.

In addition to paddle festivals and symposia, there are innumerable instructional opportunities vailable commercially, ranging from companies that offer basic instruction, or specialize in guide courses or first aid, to those which impart basic skills as part of their tours. A listing of many can be found on pages 25.

In this issue we also offer a range of articles by experienced kayak instructors which should give you an idea of what there is to learn and how to learn it.

Rememeber, you become a leader the moment you find yourself with someone less experienced. Make sure you are prepared for that moment.