Hoot & Blat White Squall News

GBLT Paddle For The Bay Expedition hopes to raise $5000

Kayaker, Patrick Stark, will begin his journey circumnavigating Georgian Bay raising awareness for the archipelago in Georgian Bay, as well as, money for the Georgian Bay Land Trust (GBLT) on July 1st, 2008.

Working as an Industrial Designer nine to five, he is taking the summer off raising awareness about the natural and cultural features of Georgian Bay. He hopes to raise $5 for every kilometre he paddles during his 1000 kilometre, 40 day expedition for a total of $5000 in support of the efforts of the GBLT.

Stark hopes to aide in the preservation of the wilderness areas of Georgian Bay “for future generations”, he has been visiting the Carling community for the past 30 years and has “seen the increased development of properties on the Bay.”

In 2004, the eastern coast of Georgian Bay was designated a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The GBLT works with many partners to help protect the ecology of the area which includes a variety of reptile and amphibian species. GBLT acquires land for conservation to maintain the habitats for these populations and other natural habitats, to flourish.

For further information, donations and inquiries please contact Wendy Cooper, Executive Director of the GBLT at info@gblt.org, 416-440-1519 or visit www.gblt.org

I don’t know if you all know what a talent we have here at White Squall in Doug, but the guy is in demand all over the world for his underwater digital photography. I just got a note from him…..well, the words explain themselves…

“As we speak, I am in the Norwegian Arctic (Tromso - northern tip of Norway just as it goes around into Russia). Got an assignment to shoot for the Norwegian Naval EOD Commandos …. lots of things blowing up, snowing like crazy and then …. RAIN!!!! Crazy weather but lots of “fun” Some of the joys of the Norwegian Arctic…. still bloody cold! Cool” eh??? Pretty cold (-10) and a 40KM wind ….. for 6 hrs!! Blew up 4 mines from the Tirpitz yesterday. Bloody plume was 200 meters high” Later, Doug

Doug Elsey is White Squall’s resource staff for “Thom & Doug’s Excellent Photo Kayak Adventure on Georgian Bay“

We are hosting our annual Georgian Bay Kayak & Canoe Festival once again this year, May 2, 3, 4, 2008. There’s a whole lot jammed into one weekend including a film festival, concert with the Arrogant Worms and two days of outdoor and paddling related workshops & presentations from top instructors from all over Ontario (& Quebec too!!). Learn to kayak, learn to canoe, learn to paddle or improve skills & techniques from strokes to rescues. You don’t have to be a paddler as there are plenty of slide shows and land workshops - from edible plants to gps navigation to astronomy!

Some of the presenters confirmed so far include:

• Wendy Grater - Kayak/Canoe Instructor and Director of Blackfeather
• Mark Scriver - One of Canada’s premier solo canoeists and instructors
• Serge Savard - Long distance kayak adventurer and Paddle Canada instructor Trainer from Quebec
• Scott MacGregor – Paddler & Editor of Rapid Media - publishers of several paddling magazines including whitewater, kayak touring, kayak fishing, canoeing and camping magazines, the Reel Paddling Film Festival, on-water events like Palmer Fest, and Internet publishing.
• Andy Hawksford – kayak instructor & master sailor
• Becky Pollock - Ecologist, paddler and researcher with the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve
• Larry Woolner – Engineer, sailor and gps instructor.
• Staff from many of the best paddling schools in eastern Canada.
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There will also be Free Test Paddling, Refreshments and World Famous Cardboard Kayak Race on Saturday and Sunday.

Should be a pretty exciting weekend - hope to see you there - if you want more information please visit Georgian Bay Kayak & Canoe Festival Page.

Tim’s Tips!

#1
(i’m stealing this one from Mike Pardy)
Tuck Tape-better than Duct Tape for field repair of boat hulls and other things that go bump in the night. This is the red stuff you use for vapour barrier seams when you’re helping your friend build a house and you wonder what on earth you’re doing? Well, toss a roll in your pocket when he’s not looking cause it bonds really well, and is smoother on an outer surface so less friction – plus being red, it’s way better looking than the old battleship grey duct tape.

#2
when you’re doing a seal launch off a 12’ high dock, make sure you have a really strong friend who pushes you off, or otherwise the rear end of your kayak will bang on the on the side as you plummet downwards, and your other friends will think you’re an idiot. If you have no idea what a seal launch is, imagine sitting in your kayak ( or canoe) on land, or on a pier, and then shoving off into the water. It’s a really fun thing to do, but ya gotta have a smile on your face or the entire effect is ruined. Watch a video of a kayak seal launch…….

#3
don’t let snow build up on your boat that is stored outside because you’re too cheap to rent space where it would be protected. it only takes a few freeze/thaw cycles for weight to increase, and then all of a sudden you’ve got a boat with a bo-bo.

Big news! We have found a wonderful set of cabins at the mouth of the Key River on northern Georgian Bay that we can use. They are right in the midst of some of our favourite paddling country.. The owner is Peter Turkstra, who along with some other fellows-skied to the north pole as a fundraiser for children’s charities, raising a half million dollars! ( see http://www.topoftheworldforcharity.ca ) The site is Diamond Key Lodge, and we have arranged to use some of their cabins for three of our trips. What it means is we can daytrip in the prettiest island and delta country in the world….and come back to a roof over our heads each evening! Of special note, for this season only, the overall cost is pretty much the same as our regular trips. So, we’ve got our “Ecology” trip with Gerard Courtin, Our “Yoga” trip and our laid back “September Moments” trip all based out of there. It’s kinda cool as we’ll boat out to the site and the kayaks will already be there!

Visit our kayak adventures page for more info on these trips.

The Arrogant Worms are set to play an evening concert on May 3rd, 2008 as part of White Squall’s Georgian Bay Kayak & Canoe Festival Weekend (May 2 eve, 3, 4, 2008).

The Arrogant Worms are a musical comedy act sure to make everybody laugh. This group have provided tuneful and silly escapism all over North America and Australia in venues of all shapes and sizes - from small clubs to theatres to arenas to Disney to Central Park to The Grand Canyon…. and now the shores of Cole Lake (just north of Parry Sound Ontario) - under the Big Tent!

The Arrogant Worms were recognized in 2003 as the Touring Act of the Year by the Canadian Arts Presenters Association. They have released nine independent albums & sold over 150,000 albums. Read more about the Arrogant Worms.

Concert starts at 7:30 pm - (Doors open at 7:15 pm)
Cost: $25. (+GST) / Ticket - General Admission Seating

For more info visit whitesquall.com/festival.php