-nothing to do with paddling, but what the heck - we get many resumes coming across out desk, and i’m floored by the number that are not well written. Actually, they are really bad. Somehow this urban myth has arisen that they should be brief - to the point of excluding interesting things that make that person and their story unique. So….to all you resume writers out there, say if you used to be a bouncer-tell us that you volunteered for the Hooterville ladies auxilary bake sales for 5 years
and don’t leave out that you won the 1995 Miss Catfish Creek Conservation Award. These are the things that will get you a job - not some blather about wanting to “work as a team member in a challenging outdoor environment” That’s just corporate-speak and won’t help in getting a job here. Maybe we’re a bit different ( some would say off the wall) , but my
guess is that other employers also want to see creative, unique applications.
Tip #2 - Funny Compass
-this tip is all about checking your gear. we just came back from the wilds of Algoma, winter camping and back-country skiing. Had a great time but truth be told, we kinda got lost in the middle of nowhere…..and when we checked our compass, the silly thing had 400 degrees instead of your basic 360 ( go figger) We still don’t know what kind of compass it is
(anybody out there have an idea?) but I do know that it does throw you off a wee bit, which isn’t too healthy in a nondescript bush. Lesson? Check your gear-dunno how many times I’ve said that, but it’s time I listened to myself!!
( we’ve since found out since via several email replies to our newsletter - the 400 measurement is in Grads / or mils. A military measure used mainly in the past and still a bit now in Europe)
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
It’s the dark times of winter, a time when little boys and girls should really be off skiing, not worrying about watery times to come. But Mother Nature works in wild ways. Right now there’s a 50 knot blow on the Bay with a full-on riot of big waves. A fine way to get in the mood to ramble on about paddling…..
Superior Dreaming
Have you ever taken a big tipi and woodstove and stuffed it into the back hatch of a kayak? Well we did in late Oct. for our annual staff adventure up the northeast shores of Superior. See photo gallery http://www.whitesquall.com/v/superior07_001/
Outhouses & A Great Summer Job!
The Bay needs looking after, and we’re involved with several community groups working together with both levels of government to hire and train summer students as Bay Stewards. It not only provides great summer jobs, but their presence out on the water encourages campers to paddle and tread softly. It’s a grass-roots success story, and we’ll continue to help. I figure one day I’m gonna apply for that job …. New Kids on the Block
After many years. we’re welcoming back Valley Sea Kayaks from the UK, as well as an expanded lineup from P&H.
- read more about new boats, boat prices dropping as the planet heats up, and kayak programmes at White Squall on our Squaller Holler Newsletter page at http://www.whitesquall.com/squaller_holler.php
Boat Shows This is the season of Boat Shows of all description. We wanted to let you know that up here, there have been transport trucks arriving all winter - and it’s a funny sight to see us hauling new recruits through the snowdrifts. There are well over 200 new boats on site right now. So…..if you see your dreamboat in a show winking at you, chances are we have it here. . We’ll store if for free til springtime, and will cheerfully match the lowest show price anywhere in Ontario. See : http://www.whitesquall.com/boat_inventory.php for complete listing of what’s here.
Tim’s Tip #1 If you stuffed your drytop or suit away in the basement, go down there right now and put 303 on the gaskets. If ya don’t, they’ll dry out more quickly and then you’ll need new ones and they ain’t cheap.
Tip #2 When it’s windy and cold out, Vaseline works well to prevent frostbite on exposed skin. Dermatone is the fancy stuff (and I like it best cause it smells better) Point is you need something durable to prevent convective heat loss from your skin surface.
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.
#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!
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
