Editorial: Wooden Kayaks, Part 2

February-March 2001

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

by Alan Wilson

Cover photo: Courtesy of Wendell Phillips

When we started WaveLength ten years ago, someone said, "But how can you have a magazine just about paddling? Aren't you going to run out of things to say pretty soon?"

Looking around the office at our past covers posted on the walls, I shake my head in amazement. They're proof that the more you look, the more you see. Every facet of paddling we've explored over the years has been like embarking on a trip-meeting new people, going new places, learning new things, discovering worlds within worlds, each leading to the next.

For example, when we set out to do an issue on "Wooden Kayaks", we received so many articles, from both the east and west coasts, that it grew into two issues. We limited the first one to cedar strip kayaks and plywood stitch & glue kayaks (Dec/Jan). The current issue (Feb/Mar) has articles on those forms but also looks at traditional arctic wood-frame boats.

Harvey Golden of Portland and Wendell Phillips of Kelowna, both afficionados of wood-frame arctic kayaks, tell us of their passion for this traditional form. Ralph Hoehn of Stamford on the east coast tells about the evolution of European-style folding boats from their arctic progenitors to modern day.

Frequent contributor Adam Bolonsky of Gloucester, Mass. details use of the Greenland wooden paddle, and gives a lucid introduction to its use.

We get lots of detail on cedar strip building with Mike Walker of Vancouver and stitch & gluing with Eric Schade of Stamford. And we include a look at woodworking safety with frequent contributor Doug Lloyd of Victoria.

We continue our examination of the loss of wilderness with Dan Lewis of Tofino-a veteran of the struggle in Clayoquot Sound-and Alexandra Morton of Echo Bay-an outspoken observer in the Broughton Archipelago. Both columnists warn that forestry practices in British Columbia are little changed after decades of effort-wilderness is still being destroyed and trees are falling at an usustainable rate.

On a more upbeat note, we offer a success story in Ecoforestry, a model of how things will be if ethically-based market forces cause the forestry sector to refocus on eco-certification and sustainability.

Boat frame and Greenland paddles, Okanagan Paddle Festival 1999. Photo by Laurie MacBride

Corey Friedman building a baidarka at WaveLength’s 1996 Ocean Kayak Festival Photo Alan Wilson

Buying 'green' can effect change, as we saw last time, but green investing also gives us a significant voice in how the world operates. Especially at this time of year, with the tax deadline for retirement savings plans approaching, consider the ethical implications of plan contributions-however large or small.

Socially and environmentally responsible investing is a way to provide for our personal future without mortgaging the future of our children.We can build our retirement savings and 'vote' for sustainability at the same time.

The world is now experiencing the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth in human history as baby-boomers inherit the savings of the preceding generation. This makes for an unprecedented opportunity and is transforming the way business works.See this isue's article Green Investing by Chris Bowman with a book review of Investing With Your Values

I hope you will join us for our April/May issue: "Paddling Basics"-with basic skills, essential gear and safety training. Deadline: Feb. 19th.

And we look forward to seeing you at the Outdoor Adventure Show in Vancouver, at BC Place, Feb 16-18. Check out the News page or our Calendar of Events page for details. Alan Wilson