ADVERTISEMENT


The


DIRECTOR’S STROKES


IN MAY, Scott MacGregor of Rapid Media met me at his office on the Madawaska River in Palmer Rapids, Ontario, to finalize the National Pad- dling Week booklet and poster. After working out the details, we went for a refreshing paddle that reminded me exactly why I enjoy the paddlesports business so much. I spent the rest of the weekend with


my family playing Frisbee, having bon- fires and, of course, paddling. While the rest of the paddlers in the camp- ground had agendas filled with daytrips and courses, like a Paddle Canada Moving Water course, my family and I relaxed and enjoyed what the Mada- waska River had to offer. My son, Owen, tried out various


kayaks near the shore and experiment- ed with each kayak’s capabilities. We had a great time playing in the water, swimming and enjoying each other’s company.


WE OFTEN GET ENGROSSED IN TRAINING OR TRIP SCHEDULES. LET US NOT FORGET TO SIT BACK, RELAX AND ENJOY WHAT NATURE HAS TO OFFER.


This weekend reminded me that


sometimes, simply messing around in boats, flipping, rolling, climbing, swim- ming and enjoying the playground that the river provides for different levels of challenges, is perfectly fine. Some of the best learning happens here. We often get engrossed in training or trip sched- ules. Let us not forget to sit back, relax and enjoy what nature has to offer. I wish you all the best in your summer paddling activities and until next time, may your paddle always pull water. GRAHAM KETCHESON Executive Director info@paddlingcanada.com


58 ADVENTURE KAYAK | SUMMER/FALL 2013


MESSAGE FROM THE


FROM the PRESIDENT


NEW PRESIDENT


YOU MAY BE READING this as paddling season comes to a close but as I write this, paddling season has only just begun. What a winter we had this year. It seemed like it would never end. But I guess they all seem that way. When it finally let go, and the warmer temperatures arrived, winter’s runoff gave us plenty of exciting paddling opportunities. I start this paddling season as Paddle Canada’s new President. Although not


new to the Board, I am looking forward to the fresh opportunities that lie ahead. I joined Paddle Canada six years ago when Richard Alexander was leading


the way with a revamped national vision for Paddle Canada members. What exciting changes we have seen in our board since then! We have updated and expanded programs, established new partnerships and broadened the services we provide to the public. I am grateful for Blair Doyle, Past President, who has continued to offer his insight and support as I become familiar with this honoured position. As we move forward, I do not forget to look back and remember who was


integral in making possible what Paddle Canada is today. I take this opportu- nity to say thank you to our most dedicated and distinguished members who, over the years, have provided invaluable contributions: Doug Taylor of British Columbia, Corey Locke of Newfoundland, Alex Stuit of Nunavut, James Hilland of Manitoba, Viki Cirkvencic of Saskatchewan and Rick Wise of Ontario. I also want to thank those dedicated individuals who sit on, and lead, our


various Program Development Committees: Tony Palmer for SUP, Mick Lautt and Rob Lemmon for River Kayaking, Brian Johnston and Dave Wooldridge for Canoeing, David Johnston for Sea Kayaking. They have done great work along with their teams. In addition, I must thank Peter Kasurak who leads our Safety Committee,


Rick Wise and Alan Goodridge, who are dedicated to the Membership Commit- tee, Bryan Sarauer, leader of Communications and Marketing, and Jay Morri- son for the Environment Committee. We are truly grateful to Dawn Callan who is our lead for National Paddling


Week. I’d also like to thank Eric Williams, the steady current who provides the Board with valued wisdom from the past and support for our future. And without a doubt, Paddle Canada’s backbone is Executive Director


Graham Ketcheson who works tirelessly for us. He is the jack of all trades; answering phones all day, dealing with mounds of paperwork, writing grants and of course working through anything and everything we throw at him on a day-to-day basis. In partnership with my fellow Board members, all of the Paddle Canada committees, groups and members, I will work diligently to make Paddle Canada the number one resource for national paddlesports training. I make this com- mitment not only for our instructors, but for the public and, most importantly, Canada’s youth, who are our future paddling ambassadors. Paddle on everyone, PRISCILLA HASKIN President


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  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64