Localcurrents West
illustrations by lorenzo del bianco
Progress contin- ues in the devel- opment of Parks Canada’ s Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conser vation Area (NMCA) which encom-
passes offshore islands from Haro Strait in the south to Saltspring Island in the north. This summer, govern- ment officials will complete a marine atlas of the proposed 900-square- kilometre area. Since NMCAs are intended to integrate a variety of recreational and commercial uses, it’s important that paddlers have their say. Get the details at
www.pc.gc.ca/progs/amnc- nmca/cnamnc-cnnmca/dgs- ssg/
index_e.asp, and learn more from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (www.cpaws-
bc.org/marine/sites/ssg.php).
Robert Service said “Strange things are done under the midnight sun,” and the Yukon River Quest is no exception. Billed as the longest endurance marathon canoe and kayak race in the world, this year’s challenge runs from June 29 to July 3, covering 742-kilometres between Whitehorse and Dawson City. Find race info or read team bios and keep up on results at
www.yukon-
riverquest.com.
July 11 to 23 may mark the first time sea kayaks have entered the realm of stage drama. The Other Freds, a theatre production taking place on False Creek, tells the story of Fred, a lonely Vancouverite and his adven- tures with the Other Freds, from par- allel universes (where else?). The production will involve 15 kayakers participating in choreographed scenes. Information and show times at
www.otherfreds.com.
Besides the usual local outfitter and club races that take place regularly throughout B.C., this summer fea- tures additional multi-sport races such as the Shore2Shore race on August 6 in Vancouver. Billed as an “introduction to adventure racing,” the 40-kilometre event starts atop North Vancouver’s Cypress Mountain where competitors will careen downhill to sea level on mountain bikes. The race culminates with an eight-kilometre sea kayak crossing of English Bay, ending at Jericho Beach. Rules online at
www.sea2summit.com.
Paddlers planning to visit Vancouver 48 // Summer 2005
Island’s Nootka Sound may want to brush up on turning strokes before- hand. According to Tofino Coast Guard Radio, Luna the orca whale remains in the area, and is especial- ly interested in rudders. Due to an increase in “physical interactions,” sea kayakers are well advised to keep their rudders up and skegs retracted when paddling in the area. — Conor Mihell
west@adventurekayakmag.com Central
Central paddlers looking to devel- op skills or find some new pad- dling buddies can start off with a summertime symposium or four. This year’s Inland Sea
Symposium runs from June 16 to 19 on the southwest shore of Superior at Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands (
www.inlandsea.org).
Superior
Outfitters’ Rossport Island Symposium takes place June 24 to 26 amidst the north Superior’s splen- did archipelago (807-824-3318). Naturally Superior’s Paddlefest runs July1 to 3, on Michipicoten Bay near Wawa (
www.naturallysuperior.com). Finally, the 21st annual Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium takes place stateside, July 14–17, at Grand Marais, Minnesota. The event includes BCU-certified instruction, seminars and an “all-comers,” three- mile race (
www.glsks.org).
Toronto’s Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak Centre’s summer schedule is as full as the daytimer of a Bay Street exec, minus the corporate meetings. GTA paddlers can visit Harbourfront for clinics, seminars, certification courses and social tours on just about every day in June and July. Highlights include risk manage- ment and rescue courses, finesse paddling clinics and covert down- town night paddling. Full schedule at
www.paddletoronto.com.
The Great Lakes Sea Kayak Association (
www.glska.cjb.net) has plenty of trips planned for the sum- mer. Start off by catching some CRCA-certified instruction and enter- tainment from folk singer Dave Hadfield and the Outdoor Life Network’s “Survivorman” Les Stroud at their annual rendezvous June 24 to 26 at the Oak Point Marina and Campground on Georgian Bay’s Parry Island.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56