Franklin Island Trip

by

by Jennifer Kilbourne

A beautiful island on a gorgeous weekend. What more could a paddler ask for?

We were six eager paddlers who met at Snug Harbour the morning of Friday, May 18. Arend, Vivian, Ralph and I had camped just south of Parry Sound the previous night, testing the cold weather ratings of our sleeping bags and sleeping pads. Beth and Akira drove up that morning, beating the long weekend traffic. After packing our kayaks and going over a few safety rules, we set off due west for the south end of Franklin Island.

This was an “Exploratory” trip. Ralph had a map with some island campsites marked on it, but we didn’t know which ones were best for landing kayaks and setting up camp. The wind was from the southwest, creating a steady chop around the south end of the island. A passing shower and increasing winds had us doubting the accuracy of the weekend weather forecast which had called for very warm and sunny weather. After checking out two or three possible sites, we decided on one that offered a very sheltered landing area for the kayaks and a variety of tent sites. The rest of the day was spent setting up camp, relaxing and enjoying the fine art of camp cooking. The wind dropped as the day went on, creating a new hope for fair weather on Saturday.

Saturday’s weather was amazing. The winds were supposed to increase as the day went on, creating waves up to one-half metre. Instead, the winds dropped, creating glassy calm conditions. No one complained about the lack of accuracy of the weather forecast! We had decided to paddle counter-clockwise around Franklin Island, meeting with Scott and Lori just outside of Snug Harbour, as they had driven up that morning. We found a terrific camping spot with a large sandy beach for landing kayaks on the east side of the island, and made note of it for “next time.” The sun was beating down, and those who had worn dry suits were dunking themselves in the frigid waters of Georgian Bay to cool down. I was surprised about the lack of powerboats and jet skis on the water, which made for some very relaxing paddling. The paddle down the west side of the island was through calm waters, as opposed to the “up to one-half-metre waves” that had been forecasted. After a bit of relaxation at the camp, four of us set off to explore some of the coves along the west side of the island. We found another campsite with a sandy beach, tucked ’way back in. It would be a good place to be holed up in a storm off the Bay. You could spend hours exploring the nooks and crannies created by the islands and bays on the west side of the island.

Arend and Vivian set off for the mainland on Sunday morning, and the rest of us paddled across to Red Rock Lighthouse. The water was glassy calm again. We paddled around many of the Mink Islands, admiring the rock formations and cottages, dreaming of plans on how to spend our $50 million Lotto Max winnings (if Scott won, he hasn’t called me yet, and I can assure you I didn’t win). The dry suits were left back at camp this time, as it was still very, very warm (not that I’m complaining…) Beth set off for home after we got back to camp, and I paddled back to Snug Harbour with her to pick up some popsicles for the rest of the group back on Franklin Island. That seemed a bit wrong, buying popsicles when we were “roughing it”, but it was hot, and they were there.

Monday morning, we headed back to mainland, ready to tackle the 400 southbound, along with hundreds of others who had escaped to Up North for the first official holiday weekend of the summer.

Of course, a GLSKA trip can’t happen without some memorable experiences. Arend had spent Friday telling us about the ground beef and turkey he had dehydrated, in order to make shepherd’s pie for supper for Vivian and himself. He sure had a perplexed look on his face Friday night when he realized that he’d left the main ingredient for two suppers at home. Vivian was surprised by the capacity of her new boat, and regretted not bringing more wine. Akira had the inaugural lighting of his new Dragonfly stove. Ralph set new seismic records with his snoring. Scott and Lori demonstrated that you can sleep in while camping. Beth took a brief dip in a foot of water. And my supply of dryer lint proved useful for starting our evening campfires.

Many thanks to Ralph for setting up and leading this trip. A beautiful destination, amazing weather, and a great group to travel with: a guaranteed formula for a super weekend.

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GLSKA Waiver

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

DEFINITION

In this Release Agreement, the term Sea Kayaking Activities shall include but is not limited to: all activities, events or services provided, arranged, organized, conducted, sponsored or authorized by the Releasees and shall including moving water, still water, lake and ocean kayaking; loan or rental of kayaks (hereinafter "the boats") and other equipment; orientational and instructional courses, seminars and sessions; all travel, transportation, and accommodation; food, beverage including water supply, use of equipment, and multi-day camping or overnight stays in the outdoors.

In this Release Agreement, the term "Negligence" includes the failure by the Releasees to use such care as a reasonably prudent and careful guide, instructor, trip organizer or sea kayaking operator would use under similar circumstances, or breach of any other duty of care imposed by law.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

Participation in Sea Kayaking Activities involves various risks, dangers and hazards including the risk of serious injury, paralysis or death. Sea Kayaking Activities often take place in remote wilderness locations, where assistance, medical and first aid services and evacuation may not be readily available, and communication may be difficult or not possible. The risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered include, but are not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from the departure point; slips and falls while getting into or out of the boats; overturning of the boats; loss of balance; impact or collision with objects; cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia; drowning; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, high wind, high waves, and lightning; encounters with domestic or wild animals; infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact; negligence on the part of other participants; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES.

Please refer to the GLSKA Risk Management Strategy section of their website for further information regarding the risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered during Sea Kayaking Activities.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

I AM AWARE OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES AND I FREELY ACCEPT AND FULLY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS RESULTING THEREFROM.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

In consideration of the Releasees allowing me to participate in Sea Kayaking Activities as defined in this Release Agreement, I hereby agree as follows:

  1. TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that I have or may in the future have against the Releasees and TO RELEASE THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any loss, damage, expenseor injury including death that I may suffer, or that my next of kin may suffer as a result of my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities, DUE TO ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT, OR BREACH OF ANY STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY OF CARE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES REFERRED TO ABOVE;
  1. TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any property damage or personal injury to any third party resulting from my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities;
  2. This Release Agreement shall be effective and binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, assigns and representatives, in the event of my death or incapacity;
  3. This Release Agreement and any rights, duties and obligations as between the parties to this Release Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted solely in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and no other jurisdiction; and
  4. Any litigation involving the parties to this Release Agreement shall be brought solely within the Province of Ontario and shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario.

In entering into this Release Agreement I am not relying on any oral or written representations or statements made by the Releasees with respect to the safety of Sea Kayaking Activities, other than what is set forth in this Release Agreement.

I CONFIRM THAT I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT, AND I AM AWARE THAT BY ACCEPTING THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT I AM WAIVING CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH I OR MY HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, ASSIGNS AND REPRESENTATIVES MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES.