News

February-March 2006

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

STEWARDS OF THE STRAIT

The Georgia Strait Alliance has launched a new program called Stewards of the Strait, focused on paddlers, boaters, beach walkers, anglers, birders, divers, sport fishermen, shoreline property owners and others. Click on the Stewards of the Strait icon at www.GeorgiaStrait.org to take one or more of the free pledges, and spread the word to encourage others to join this growing network of recreationalists committed to ‘best practices’ on and around the coast.

MEC AND PATAGONIA TEAM UP

Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), Canada’s largest outdoor retailer, and Patagonia Inc, the California outdoor apparel company, have created a new alliance that will see Patagonia products sold at MEC beginning in fall 2006. The move also provides for the two companies to further wilderness conservation initiatives in Canada. With the move, Patagonia products will form MEC’s second-largest apparel line next to its own and MEC will join 1% For The Planet, an organization co-founded by Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia’s founder, under which one per cent of MEC’s gross sales will be directed to Canadian environmental initiatives. MEC will also join Patagonia as a member of the Conservation Alliance, a non-profit outdoor industry organization that aims to protect wild and natural areas. In 2007, MEC and Patagonia will work together on a joint project to build greater capacity in the conservation community in Canada. Supporting environmental initiatives is not new to MEC. It has donated more than $7 million to environmental projects since 1987. Last year alone it gave over $770,000. Patagonia is noted internationally for its commitment to product quality and environmental activism. Its environmental grants program has contributed over $20 million US to grassroots environmental activists since the program began in 1985.

NEW ZEALAND TEAM COMPLETES CIRCUMNAVIGATION

On Oct. 31st, New Zealand’s Adventure Philosophy Team completed the first ever circumnavigation of South Georgia Island’s 600 km coastline. South Georgia lies 1287 km east of the Falkland Islands and 1600 km from Antarctica. 161 glaciers, ice caps and snowfields cover about 75% of the island in summer, and the winter sees the island completely covered in snow. The team stayed warm and dry in their Kokatat GORE-TEX Dry Suits with integrated socks. Says team member Graham Charles: “Each day entailed getting suited up in the freezing cold, spending an hour in heavy snowfall packing up kayaks and camp, getting in our kayaks, paddling in the snow and waves for up to 11 hours, making a new camp in the snow and finally crawling back into our sleeping bags. After all that, we could just take our suits off, roll them up and get into our bags DRY! The suits are truly remarkable and incredibly well made.” Find out more about the Adventure Philosophy South Georgia Expedition, the team, and their sponsors at www.adventurephilosophy.com or www.kokatat.com

LITUYA BAY TRIP

This spring, Alaska on the Home Shore is launching a unique mothership kayak expedition to Lituya Bay, a remote Gulf of Alaska location in Glacier Bay National Park. Captain Jim Kyle, skipper of the Home Shore believes some of the inlets in the area have never been paddled. The 62-foot classic fishing vessel Home Shore accommodates six guests in three private double staterooms and is one of the few charter boats that are fully permitted by the National Park Service for Lituya Bay. The proposed expedition is planned for May 27 through June 3. See www.homeshore.com, email info@homeshore.com or call (360) 592-2375.

MISSISSIPPI FUNDRAISER

Paddle the Mississippi River Challenge, August 5-6, 2006 and 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 Friends of the Mississippi River events and programs, visit www.fmr.org.

OCEAN RIVER SPORTS SALE

One of North America’s leading paddling outlets, Ocean River Sports, located at 1824 Store Street Victoria, BC is holding their spring Gear Up Sale March 18 and 19th. For more information, see www. oceanriver.com or call 250-381-4233 or 1-800-909-4233. Now entering its 25th year in business, and locally owned and operated, ORS strives to provide superior function and style in outdoors clothing and footwear. ORS recently won a cross-Canada competition among Blundstone boot retailers for the best window display featuring a large poster of their ‘shy’ staff dressed in nothing but a canoe and B l u n d s t o n e b o o t s . Blundstone is an Australian company founded in 1870.

BIG CHANGES AT TAPS

Executive Director of the Trade Association of Paddlesports (TAPS), Paul German (see photo right), has resigned to take a new job in St. Lucia in the southern Caribbean. Members of the TAPS Board of Directors admit it’s tough to compete with the lure of Caribbean beaches. Meanwhile TAPS is still moving forward in 2006 with the momentum of the past year. Until the new Executive Director is in place, Communication Coordinator Nikki Rekman is handling dayto- day operations. TAPS is also accepting nominations to their Board of Directors until February 15 for individuals in the Paddlesports industry, especially for the positions of retailer, manufacturer and outfitter. Contact Nikki: nikki@gopaddle.org, 604-514-5011.

CONGRATULATIONS!

In December, Paul German, former Executive Director of the Trade Association of Paddlesports (and a photographer whose work has often appeared in WaveLength), married Kelly Fleming on the beach at the Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino. The pair have now started their new life at Anse Chastanet Resort in St. Lucia where they will be managing 130 local staff and overseeing a 600 acre adventure centre that includes diving, kayaking, mountain biking, climbing, hiking, sailing and more (www.ansechastanet.com).

ABORIGINAL ECOTOURISM

Frank Brown, a specialist in aboriginal ecotourism, is promoting his native village of Bella Bella for visitor services on British Columbia’s remote Central Coast. The village offers marine transport for sea kayakers, local historical and cultural tours, sport fish guiding, accommodations such as B&Bs within the village, a campground, artwork from local tribal members (basket, silver, wood carvings, etc.) and traditional salmon BBQs. Tourism spending in such remote communities provides real and lasting impact on the quality of life for locals. Frank, who was recently elected to the Board of Aboriginal Tourism BC, also offers aboriginal ecotourism training and native canoe tours in the Gulf Islands with stories and feasts. For further information visit www.nalaadventures.com.