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SUP GATHERING ON THE BOW RIVER PHOTO: JENN GIVENS
I AM WRITING THIS in the middle of March after returning from a ski trip in the Appalachian Mountains. With the extraordinarily warm weather in the east, the only snow left is certainly manufactured. As this early spring thaws lakes and rivers in many parts of Canada, our courses and paddling events will hopefully be filling up at record pace. Paddle Canada (PC) has had a busy start to the 2012 season. A number of committee chairs and directors met in January with the National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS) to discuss the devel- opment of a PaddleSmart program. Thanks to sponsorships from Ontario Tourism and NSS AdventureSmart, PC volunteers were promoting our programs at Outdoor Adventure Shows in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa and Calgary with a brand new trade show booth. I will be attending and coaching at the Paddle Canada Atlantic
The
DIRECTOR’S STROKES
Symposium, May 11 to 14. I look forward to seeing many members there once again in East Coast style. In late April, I will be attending Transport Canada’s National
Recreational Boating Advisory Council meetings in Ottawa. We are excited that Paddle Canada will now have an official voice in this forum and be able to submit agenda items. I am pleased to see so many article contributions in Rapid Media’s
Spring 2012 issues from and about PC members. Andrew Westwood and Christopher Lockyer had technique articles published, an inter- view with instructor Becky Mason was printed in Canoeroots and photos of Conor Mihell and David Wells appeared in Stills. Until next time, keep your stick in the water, GRAHAM KETCHESON Executive Director
AFTER TEN YEARS OF wrangling, I am pleased to say that we have solved the insurance barrier with Scouts Canada. This is a grand day for both organizations to say the least. Scouts can now participate in Paddle Canada cours- es and train youth to become Paddle Canada Instructors. Our new insurance provider will also offer participants more protection and flexibility for any organization unable to sign the liability waivers. This also breaks down past barriers with the Armed Forces and other government agencies interested in taking PC courses. Last year we embarked on a mission to get past these roadblocks to foster an obvious synergy of training-hungry paddlers and PC Instructors. More exciting news will be coming soon about PaddleSmart. Paddle Canada is partnering with NSS Adventure Smart to provide a safety program for novice pad- dlers. Emphasis will be placed on trip plan- ning, PC training and bringing the essential wilderness gear into the backcountry. Get out and get wet, BLAIR DOYLE President & Regional Director (Nova Scotia)
FROM the PRESIDENT
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