Squallers Hollering in 2012
Change wanders in, sometimes like a freight train, more often like evening mist. Sometimes you don’t even know it’s about. The freight train variety came one quiet summer day when Kathy and I were out by the lake enjoying a cup of tea. A float plane suddenly appeared overhead and landed with a splash in front of us. Our son Jesse was at the controls, and before we could fully blink, the plane accelerated back off the lake into the cotton clouds. As the afternoon settled back to waves lapping on shore, we wondered where time had gone. Twenty years previous we were hovering over Cole Lake waving to my parents while being helicoptered with our newborn son back to Parry Sound. Time flies, seems so does Jess – who knew?
In the heat of the summer two of our staff, Stacy and Kevin – married on the shores of Lake Temiscaming. You can’t beat the sight of a beautiful bride paddling to the alter on a Stand Up Board!
In early fall our dog Benji signed off the planet. We slowly adjusted to life without our best buddy, the finest visitor services specialist you will ever meet. Where else would you get a warm wet nose waggled in your crotch just for being you? You can’t buy that attention to detail – no way, no how.
Heather Metcalfe, our friend and longest serving employee hung up her manager’s hat in October. Though she’ll be about for special ops, parachuting in to help sort out my messes, for the most part we’ll fix our own mistakes now. Change….
These days have a special energy - we have Stacy and Christine Utas at the helm of the Squall winter office. Young with new ideas, they have made it quite clear they won’t put up with my self-inflicted messes “Heather, where are you…..” Greg Mason, our new senior manager, seems to have a similar youthful take on whether or not to even listen to me, let alone sort me out.. All of which means, like Rodney Dangerfield, I get no respect....
So where does this all lead? New horizons that’s for sure! Wild Parades, Snowshoe Hikes, Squall Nights in Town, Winter Youth Camps on Franklin Island, Film Festival, Kayak Sledding – heck, haven’t even mentioned the watery stuff we do.
Sea Kayak Boot Camps, Instructor Assessments, Cabin and Wilderness Island Trips, Forays to Beasoleil Island, clinics at Killbear Park, along with our flagship Saturday Lessons and Sunday Daytrips are just a hint of the stuff we’re up to. We’re doing guerrilla paddling in Parry Sound, showing up with Stand Up Boards, Canoes and Kayaks hoping to find some unsuspecting soul willing to jump aboard to come paddle with us.
The Provincial Kayak Polo Team, White Squall and Habitat for Humanity are teaming up for a special day in August of beginner instruction in this amazing sport. The team will bring boats and gear to teach basic strokes, strategy and simple rolls. Lunch is provided, then afternoon fun games to try out new skills. I can hardly wait! Everything is donated and proceeds go straight to H for H. A new and different way to learn the essentials of good paddling.
Stand Up Paddling is capturing the imagination of everyone – even Jack. He’s ordered a bunch – from well-designed poly boards right up to the high tech composite tourers. I love getting on the lake after work for an hour. No fuss – just jump on and go for a full body workout. Not that I need it.....
The Valley Etain sea kayak was a winner this year – so we’re bringing in more to join the orphanage. Current Designs has put some thoughtful improvements into their Unity tandem – making it an excellent weekend tripper with speed and comfort. I’m particularly happy about the new Prodigy tandem from Perception – looks like a lighter, more user-friendly poly rec tandem – and anything that’s lighter is good in our books.
Our Free Open House & Paddle Party returns on the May long weekend! Didn’t do it last year and boy, did we get mail. A fun, informal time for everyone to get on the water. We’ll have mini lessons, games & frivolity, nothing serious. Over 400 canoes, kayaks & SUP’s will be waiting anxiously for you to paddle. Please carpool if you can.
The most encouraging thing for us lately is the support we’re getting from a wide variety of groups for the Outer Island Stewardship. We send out staff with tools and a power boat. In one day they can cover a lot of water, checking on campsites, relocating and installing wilderness thunderboxes. It’s working, most often we find little garbage or damage so the boxes are really helping.
Time to sign off – thanks for listening everyone, we hope to see you soon. Byeee – Tim |
