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Spring on the Loose - hooting and blatting |
Ode to Breakups of the Happy Kind
This past weekend we skied out to the Mink Islands. Heading up over rock and snow of the southern chain, I could here a familiar sound - big waves crashing on the western shore. So there we were in bright sunshine with fine powder and firm crust carving almost legible telly turns - and backdropping this magic was wide open Bay!
In a few short weeks (April Fools Day to be exact) - this tom foolery finishes and we're back to being adults as the Squall opens up for the 25th season. Boats are arriving in droves - and just quivering with excitement. I keep telling them to simmer down and not get their deck lines in a knot - the novelty of being wet all day trucking folks over the waves from island to island will soon wear thin. If that ain't enough, these odd humans will haul you up on your backside out of the water and onto cold hard rock - then walk away to brew a coffee leaving you shivering with a soggy skirt sittin' on your bellybutton. Oh the life of a kayak...
So there you are in the back of beyond - and your buddy just stabbed hisself while falling on his new swiss army knife trying to peel the top off a great bottle of ten dollar wine. There's red stuff oozing out of his shirt and you get this funny feeling it's not wine and it not going to be a normal evening. Far-fetched like tea from china? - but it can happen and ya gotta know what to do. There are three different Wilderness First Aid Courses coming up in April taught by Internationally recognized Wilderness Medical Associates with a few spots still available. If you are a perspiring outdoor guide - or just want to have that confidence and knowledge to act when your buddy gets hurt, these courses are your ticket to stardom. You don't have to be god's gift to bandaids to take 'em - just a willingness to learn. It's nothing like standard first aid - they start with the assumption that advanced care is a long way off and it's up to you to sort things out.
My pride and joy - the 11 day Sweetwater Senior Youth Expedition from Parry Sound to Little Current - is looking for more participants. If you are an older teen with past sea kayak and camp experience looking for adventure - and a national skill certification to boot - please get in touch. These kinds of trips are rare - so git off your keester and apply :)
 Rick Mercer will be talking to Mark Scriver on March 9 about Stand Up Paddling. Not to be outdone by the Mercer Report, we've asked Mark to come to our Paddle Party on the May Long Weekend - we'll have more than chickens "standing up". Mark will have plenty of Stand Up Boards for you to dazzle yourself on Cole Lake. We've got a bzillion other things happening that weekend - canoe ballet, gps for dummies, trip navigation for nimrods, yoga for stiffnecks, el camino revisited, colorado hook demystified, and all the basic to intermediate canoe and kayak skills you could ever imagine. If you call or e-mail in and tell us you're coming, we'll put your name in for our big outdoor gear draw. It's all free except for the Saturday night concert - speaking of which - if you don't have your Fred Eaglesmith spots booked yet, give our town shop a call and they can sign you up! (705) 746-4936 Our website has current information and it's being updated weekly.
Paddle Canada Certification Courses - we've got top sea kayak guns teaching skill and instructor courses throughout this spring, summer and fall. Take time and get your paddling life on track - your offside hanging edged draw (with a smile) will never look the same. For course details, see whitesquall.com
Thanks for listening everyone, and remember - you CAN paddle your way through life, despite what mom told you.....t |
