NEWS

October-November 2006

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

KAYAK-KRAZY RAFFLE!

Adventure guide and writer, Hayley Shephard, took time to admire one of the kayaks which the Georgia Strait Alliance is raffling during the two fundraising slideshows she gave recently about her solo paddle around Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands). Her shows were sponsored by WaveLength, with proceeds to GSA: www.georgiastrait.org.

Three companies have donated great prizes to the Georgia Strait Alliance’s raffle this year. First prize is a beautiful, 16.5’ fiberglass ocean kayak by Atlantis Kayaks (www.atlantiskayaks.com) worth $3,614.95. Second prize is a kayak trip for two donated by Pacific Northwest Expeditions (www.seakayakbc.com) worth $1,000. And the third prize is an inflatable kayak donated by West Marine (www.westmarine.com) worth $367.99. See ad page 52 for full details. All proceeds to the marine environment.

KAYAKERS FOR MARINE CONSERVATION

Georgia Strait Alliance and People for Puget Sound will benefit from this year’s Silent Auction at the West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium in Port Townsend, September 15-17 (www.wcsks.org). Last year, the Silent Auction was a huge success bringing in over $4000 which was divided between two charities. Both GSA and PFPS are deserving recipients this year. The organizations have worked cooperatively over the years on various projects, including the Orca Pass International Stewardship Area initiative, straddling the border. Since 1990, the Georgia Strait Alliance has been working to protect the marine environment in and around the Strait of Georgia in British Columbia (www.georgiastrait.org). The People For Puget Sound has been working since 1991 to protect and restore Puget Sound and the Northwest Straits (www.pugetsound.org). The Silent Auction will consist of product donations from the kayak industry which is a long-time supporter of the marine conservation movement. If you wish to donate to the Auction, contact Nikki Rekman, this year’s Symposium Director: nikki@gopaddle.org.

KAT ‘06

The Assistive Technology Centre in Nova Scotia is planning Kayak for Assistive Technology—KAT’06—on August 26 in Mahone Bay Nova Scotia, to raise money for children and adults with disabilities. Last year’s event raised $15,000. KAT invites you to join them on the water August 26th and collect pledges in support of Assistive Technology Centre Society (registered Canadian charity) or donate online at http://assist-tech.ednet.ns.ca and follow the KAT signs to the Donate Now button.

Contact Barbara Welsford: bwelsford@eastlink.ca or . Ph: 902-624-8051 or 902-275-7906 (cell)barbara.welsford@nscc.ca

 

INDIAN ARM SIGHTSEEING CRUISE

The Land Conservancy (TLC) is offering an exclusive boat cruise of Indian Arm, Sunday, August 13 from 1 pm to 4 pm, departing from the Deep Cove public dock in North Vancouver. TLC will provide educational commentary (thanks to the Deep Cove Heritage Society) along with snacks and drinks. The boat will cruise by one of TLC’s recreational properties, Thwaytes Landing Park, an impressive 130-acre site, as well as other sites on the way to Wigwam Inn at the top of the Arm. Proceeds from the cruise will go towards preservation of Thwaytes Landing. Space is limited so reserve your seats by calling (604) 733-2313. Tickets cost: $65+GST (non-member) or $59+GST (TLC member). Boat provided by Summer Sun Charters Ltd. See www.conservancy.bc.ca.

PNE DONATES TO CONSERVATION

To any returning guest or anyone recommended by a past guest, Pacific Northwest Expeditions is offering the choice of a 7% discount on scheduled tours or, if paying the full trip cost, PNE will donate 10% to one of the following non-profit organizations of the client’s choice:

• The Nanaimo and Area Land Trust: www.nalt.bc.ca
• The Georgia Strait Alliance: www.georgistrait.org
• The Killer Whale Adoption Program: www.killerwhale.org
• Johnstone Strait Killer Whale Interpretive Centre: www.killerwhalecentre.org

For more information, email to info@seakayakbc.com.

 

Kayaker gets a close look at the Pulling Together paddlers. Duane Burnett photo.

PULLING TOGETHER

Proud First Nations and RCMP paddlers on the Pulling Together canoe journey arrive in Porpoise Bay, Sechelt, BC in June, en route to Canada Day celebrations in Vancouver. Pulling Together was founded by retired RCMP Staff Sergeant Ed Hill in 2001, modelled after 1997’s Vision Quest Journey when RCMP officers and First Nations people visited many First Nation communities on the coast of BC on a quest of healing and unity.

ENJOY THE VOYAGE!

Check out Ocean Voyager, a new online experience from Mother Jones magazine. It’s a great way to learn about the threats facing our ocean—and to take action online. You can learn more and sign up at www.oceanvoyager.org

LITTLE WING WINS GOLD

Warren Light Craft of Salem, MA was a gold winner at this year’s Industrial Design Excellence Award (IDEA) competition in July. The company won this prestigious award for the design embodied in their innovative sea kayak, Little Wing. The IDEA competition is co-sponsored by Business Week and the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA). Warren Light Craft designs, builds and sells customized sea kayaks. The kayaks are called Little Wing due to a design feature—the flares or little wings that help increase stability. www.warrenlightcraft.com.

 

In June, John Gray sent us this image of Thailand’s Royal Barge Procession, celebrating King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 60th year on the throne. Here, the royal barge Anantanagaraj passes before the Grand Palace with gold-gilded blades raised by 54 oarsmen in red silk uniforms. Constructed from a single teak tree between 1851-1868 and reconstructed in 1914, Anantanagaraj is 44.5 meters long with a crew of 2 steersmen in green silk, 2 officers, 1 standard bearer, signalman and chanter and 7 royal insignia bearers. On either side are the red “Tueng” class boats, Pali Rang Thaweep and Sukreep Krong Muang, with monkey-emblazoned bows and purple suited paddlers, as safety escorts. In the first and fifth (outside) columns, Rua Daeng (Black) class ‘police’ boats form a perimeter of protection. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan recently presented the Thai King with the UNDP Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with Thailand’s poor. For more Royal Barge photos, go to John ‘Caveman’ Gray’s images at http://johngray-seacanoe.com/gallery-category33.php.

 

GLOBAL WIND POWER EXPANDS

The Earth Policy Institute tracks twelve trends they call Eco-Economy Indicators to measure progress in building an environmentally sustainable economy—an eco-economy. Wind electric generating capacity is an indicator because wind is poised to become the foundation of the new energy economy. Global wind electricity-generating capacity increased by 24 percent in 2005 to 59,100 megawatts. This represents a twelvefold increase from a decade ago, when world wind-generating capacity stood at less than 5,000 megawatts. Wind is the world’s fastest-growing energy source with an average annual growth rate of 29 percent over the last ten years. Over the same time period, coal use has grown by 2.5 percent per year, nuclear power by 1.8 percent, natural gas by 2.5 percent, and oil by 1.7 percent. See www.earthpolicy.org/Indicators/Wind/2006.htm. For an index of Earth Policy Institute resources related to Wind Energy see www.earthpolicy.org/Indicators/Wind/index.htm.

TRAWLING DESECRATES

Every four seconds, marine life in an area of ocean floor the size of ten football fields is wiped out by high seas bottom trawlers. In a single day, the global fleet of some 300 high seas bottom trawlers drag their heavy nets across an estimated 1,500 square kilometers of deep-seabed, destroying some of the most diverse, ancient and fragile ocean life on the planet. “If this was happening on land, there would be an international outcry. It’s a question of out of sight, out of mind with the destruction of these beautiful ancient undersea worlds—and all for just a few fish,” says Greenpeace. “Huge bottom trawl nets are dragged along the seabed, smashing ancient corals and destroying the other marine life which makes up these fragile deep-sea communities that have taken thousands of years to develop.” The deep-sea is believed to contain the largest pool of undiscovered life on earth. Scientists estimate that 500,000 to 100 million species exist in the deep-sea. Unless high seas bottom trawling is halted now, the entire area of vulnerable deep-sea corals will have been trawled at least once within the next 16 years. www.oceans.greenpeace.org.

FIRST NATIONS ALLIANCE ON AQUACULTURE

BC First Nations signed the First Nations Strategic Alliance on Aquaculture (FNSAA) at a June meeting of the First Nations Summit. The member Nations of the FNSAA resolve to collaborate on legal, political and cultural strategies to protect traditional territories from further degradation and risk from open net cage fish farms. Also in June, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs passed a resolution supporting the objectives of the FNSAA resolution. The traditional territories of the member Nations to date encompass the majority of the Broughton Archipelago, Bute Inlet and the Johnstone Strait/Narrows area near Campbell River. Combined, these territories contain the majority of open net cage salmon farms on the BC Coast.

For further information: Chief Darren Blaney, 250-287-0204 or Carole Perrault/Robert Mountain, 250-974-5516.

SALMON FARMING EXAMINED

In June, the BC Government’s Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture (SCSA) began a series of public hearings in 19 BC communities, seeking input on the economic and environmental impacts of the aquaculture industry (primarily fish farming), sustainable options to balance economic goals with environmental imperatives, and how regulation of the industry in BC compares to other jurisdictions. Ten Members of the Legislative Assembly make up the committee, with a majority from the Official Opposition.

Numerous conservation groups have made presentations, including the Georgia Strait Alliance’s Laurie MacBride on the inadequacy of the province’s regulation and public consultation processes over the past dozen years. Additional hearings will be held November 13, 14 and 15 in Victoria, Vancouver, and Powell River.

The committee has not heard from many in the tourism industry yet or the recreational community, so please take the time to let them know your concerns, whether by way of a written submission or a presentation to the hearings (if the latter, you must book in advance).

The Georgia Strait Alliance has produced an excellent online information kit with all the details you’ll need, along with links to the committee’s schedule and other pertinent information, available at www.georgiastrait.org/Articles2006/CAAR-GSA-SCSA-InfoKit.pdf

 

Calendar of Events

To list your event here, send e-mail to diana@WaveLengthMagazine.com. It's free. Web banners available. Contact us for details.

 

July 2006

July 22-23, Sea Kayaking CRCA Level I Course, Madawaska Kanu Centre, Barry's Bay, ON. Phone: 613-594-5268 or 613-756-3620. Email: paddle@owl-mkc.ca Web: www.mkc.ca

July 22-23, Guide Essentials Workshop with Wayne Horodowich, Flathead Lake, Kalispell, MT. This intensive workshop is designed for those who lead groups or find themselves having to step up to the plate when challenges occur. Some of the topics covered may include preparing the group and setting expectations, equipment checks, supportive strokes that work, practical capsize recovery techniques, on water repairs, group management, towing & transfers, and more. Contact Susan Conrad, Silver Moon Kayak Company. Phone: 406-752-3794. Email: susan@silvermoonkayak.com Web: www.silvermoonkayak.com

July 30, NLPA Canoe & Kayak Instructor’s Clinic, St. John’s, NL. A provincial clinic for Paddle Canada instructors, to improve your teaching skills and make your courses more effective and enjoyable. Instructor trainers include Doug Alderson from BC. Open to past and current CRCA/Paddle Canada instructors only. For more information contact Ian Fong (ifong@nf.sympatico.ca) at 738-0156

July 30, Willamette Challenge, Portland, OR. The first-ever Willamette Challenge, a small-boat paddling relay and family festival at Oaks Park on July 30, 2006. All proceeds will benefit the Willamette Riverkeeper, the nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Willamette River. Contact: Sarah Shier, Portland REI (503) 221-1938. Email: sshier@rei.com. Web: www.willamette-riverkeeper.org

August 2006

Aug. 4-6, R2K6, West Coast Wooden Kayak Rendezvous, Fort Worden State Park, Port Townsend, Washington, tentatively scheduled for August 4-6. Demos, skills classes, salmon bake, door prizes, kayak building demos and clinics. Contact Joe Greenley: joe@redfishkayak.com

Aug 5-6, Paddle the Mississippi River Challenge. Help Friends of the Mississippi River protect, conserve and restore the Mississippi River. On-line registration and pledging is now available at: www.mississippiriverchallenge.org. For the latest updates on FMR events and programs, visit www.fmr.org

Aug. 12-13, Sea Kayaking CRCA Level I Course, Madawaska Kanu Centre, Barry's Bay, ON. Phone: 613-594-5268 or 613-756-3620. Email: paddle@owl-mkc.ca Web: www.mkc.ca

Aug. 17-20, Canadian Whitewater Championships, Madawaska Kanu Centre, Barry's Bay, ON. Phone: 613-594-5268 or 613-756-3620. Email: paddle@owl-mkc.ca Web: www.mkc.ca

Aug. 17-20, Ladies Of The Lake Sea Kayak Symposium, St. Ignace, MI. The only all women's kayaking symposium in the states! Clinics, instruction, trips, slide shows, demos and more! Sponsored by Impex Kayaks and Down Wind Sports. Tel: 906-226-7112. Email: gear@downwindsports.com

Aug. 19-20, Small Craft Builders Rendezvous, Peterborough, ON. Everyone welcome. For more information contact Ted Moores and Joan Barrett at 877-392-8880. www.bearmountainboats.com

Aug. 20-26, Rideau Canal Folding Kayak Flotilla II, @ Chaffeys Lock. Canal info: www.rideau-info.com. Camp @ lock $4/night. E-mail: mlomas@magma.ca or Phone: 613-239-0014.

Aug. 25-27, Naturally Superior Adventures’ Greenland-style Symposium, Wawa, ON. Lake Superior goes Greenland! Learn to paddle with a traditional Greenland-style paddle, refine your skills or try your hand at some skinny-bladed surfing at the mouth of the Michipicoten River. Ontario’s only Greenland-style symposium brings renowned instructors Doug Van Doren and Bonnie Perry to the Rock Island Paddling Centre in Wawa. The event also includes fun-for-all Greenland-style paddling, rolling and hunting games. The use of hand-crafted Greenland-style paddles is included with registration. $275 all-inclusive. www.naturallysuperior.com. 800-203-9092.

Aug. 26, Kayak for Assistive Technology (KAT 06), Mahone Bay, NC. Please join us on the water August 26th and collect pledges in support of Assistive Technology Centre Society (registered Canadian charity) OR donate online at http://assist-tech.ednet.ns.ca. On August 26th KAT will be offering: Kayaking for first time paddlers through East Coast Outfitters, Mahone Bay; Barbecue and Beverages; Entertainment (live band); Kayaking for experienced paddlers to a beach side cottage in Mahone Bay; Mini Technology Flea Market (TBC); Silent Auction. Contact: Barbara Welsford, 902-624-8051. Email: bwelsford@eastlink.ca

Aug. 26-27, Sea Kayaking CRCA Level I Course, Madawaska Kanu Centre, Barry's Bay, ON. Phone: 613-594-5268 or 613-756-3620. Email: paddle@owl-mkc.ca Web: www.mkc.ca

September 2006

Sept 2 - 4, 3rd Annual Tyee Kayak Surfing Derby, Moutcha Bay Resort, Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island, BC. This is the one and only Kayak Fishing Derby in the Pacific Northwest, all proceeds go to Nootka Sound Watershed Society for local Salmon Enhancement programs. If you always wanted to catch a "TYEE" in a kayak, this is where you need to go. For more information visit the website www.moutchabay.com/Kayaking_Derby.htm or call 250-923-2908. Don't miss the Home Video for the event also on the website.

Sept. 8-9, Newfound Rendezvous, Cancelled for 2006 www.newfoundrendezvous.org

Sept. 15-17, West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium, Port Townsend, WA. The 23rd annual paddling event hosted by the Trade Association of Paddlesports (TAPS). Phone: 800-755-5228. Email: info@wcsks.org Web: www.wcsks.org

Sept. 15-17 Pender Harbour Jazz Festival
Featuring: Sibel Thrasher Quintet, Darren Sigesmund Quintet and much more.
Tickets/Info: 1-877-883-2456
Web: www.phjazz.ca Email: info@phjazz.ca

Sept. 17, GoZero Kayak Race, Beacon, NY. A low impact, zero emissions kayak race. Cash prizes, 9-mile long race, 2-mile short race. Men/Women categories. Racer Registration $25. Web: www.gozero.info

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Delmarva Paddlers Retreat, The original traditional paddling event in the US, held in Delaware. Paddle and building clinics, on-water classes, guest speakers. www.qajaqusa.org

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Naturally Superior Adventures’ Surf Confluence, Wawa, ON. Enjoy laid back soul surfin’ or intense ender sessions in the freshwater surf playground at the mouth of the Michipicoten River in Wawa, ON. This informal gathering of surf-seeking intermediate to advanced paddlers takes advantage of autumnal gales and late summer warm water to provide an informal, instructional and by all means entertaining way to cap off your paddling season. You’ll be wishing the weekend will never end. $100 includes camping and meals. www.naturallysuperior.com. 800-203-9092.

Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Bay Area Paddlefest, Coyote Point Park, San Mateo, CA. California's Largest Kayak and Canoe Educational Event. Demonstrations, Clinics, Information on Kayaks and Canoes, Where to Go Paddling, How to Go Paddling, Paddling for Fun, Fitness, Fishing, Bird Watching, Seniors, Kids and Families and more.
Web: www.bayareapaddlefest.com

October 2006

Oct 13-15, Traditional Kayak Rendezvous, Lakeshore Group Campsite, Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, WI. Phone: 920-794-2500. Email: info@superiorkayaks.com Web: www.superiorkayaks.com

Oct 16-21, Build Your Own Chesapeake LT™ Kayak, Web: www.clcboats.com/events/chesapeakeltclasswb.php

Oct 23-28, Building Your Own Shearwater™ Sea Kayak, Web: www.clcboats.com/events/shearwaterclasswb.php

2006 Editorial Calendar

Each issue has a specific focus (see below), but each also features our regular columnists, kayak & gear listings, news, calendar, books and effective advertising in both print and web versions.

December 2005/January 2006

WOODEN KAYAKS - The joys of building and paddling wooden kayaks.
October 20 Deadline

February/March 2006

MARINE ADVENTURES - Wildlife watching, motherships, kayak tours.
December 20 Deadline

April/May 2006

SCENARIOS - Stories / Skills / Schools / Symposia, with an East Coast flavor.
February 20 Deadline

June/July 2006

PADDLING PARTNERS - The social side of paddling. Group paddling, families, clubs, racing.
April 20 Deadline

August/September 2006

PADDLING PLUS - Sails, kites, folding boats, fishing, etc.
June 20 Deadline

October/November 2006

GETAWAYS - Southern paddling trips as well as off-season paddling at home.
August 20 Deadline

December 2006/January 2007
This final issue of 2006 is being postponed to January, as part of a transition to a quarterly.

2007 CALENDAR ISSUE! - A special treat with lots of great photos!
October 20 Deadline


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