Editorial

June-July 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

by Alan Wilson

One of the great secrets of paddling is that it’s not just about ‘you and the ocean’, the sort of image often pictured of the solo adventurer on an isolated coastline (but who took the photo?). In fact, paddling is usually a far more social experience. The social process begins with instruction, usually in a group, and at some point you have your first paddling trip, usually a commercial group or club trip, or maybe a trip with family and friends.

I remember well my first ten-day kayak expedition fifteen years ago, to legendary Haida Gwaii, and what a social revelation it was for me. I realized along the way that the incredible beauty of our surroundings wasn’t the main focus at all, just part of the story. When trip leader Peter Marcus confided to me that probably 80% of a paddling trip is social, it clicked.

That particular experience had its ups and downs on the social front. On the downside, someone went off their meds, flipped and had to be flown out. But then there were the more romantic developments, not to mention those group soaks on Hotspring Island, and the wonderful warmth and hospitality shown by the Haida people—evidence of an admirably attuned social culture.

At WaveLength we always advise paddling with a partner for safety, but this doesn’t mention the fun involved in being with others. And that’s what this issue is all about. It begins with a focus on the minimum social unit—two people—from a piece on how to choose a reliable paddling partner, to the pros and cons of paddling doubles. Then we move on to group paddling, including the responsibility we have to communicate our whereabouts to our off-water companions. We also include examples of group paddling ‘for a cause’ and the fun of working together for something much bigger than ourselves.

We encourage you to take a look at our Paddling Partners list (online at wavelengthmagazine.com) where you can browse through over 500 people from around North America and beyond, to find paddling partners. Perhaps you’ll even be tempted to post your own name? We wish you happy and safe social paddling this summer.