Kayak Safety Tips

by Paula Huber From my 40 years’ experience as a cold water scuba diving instructor, cold water scuba diver and zodiac hard hull dive boat operator I have learned many lessons about safety in and on the water. These lessons are transferable to kayaking. COMMON SENSE Be mentally and physically prepared for your paddle day. … Read more

Get Wise About Bears

Most kayakers who enjoy multi-day or overnight trips will sooner or later come across some evidence of a bear, or even meet the animal in person. The more you know about bears and their behaviour, the safer you (and the bears) will be. Mike McIntosh is a committed to improving our bear knowledge and was … Read more

Cold Water Paddling

by Ralph Gardave

You may be thinking that this article has little relevance to you as you are not one of those “crazy” people who paddle in winter weather conditions. If you missed my last article in Qayaq you may wish to read it, as it will bring relevance to this one. The Peel Marine Unit considers any rescue in Lake Ontario to be a “Cold Water Rescue” when the surface temperatures are 20° C or colder. For Lake Ontario that usually means any month other than July, August and September. Most of us paddle in waters farther north and therefore the window of time is even shorter.

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Paddling with Risk

by Ralph Gardave

We all paddle with risk every time we go out. I know I do it with little thought about it anymore. Recent events this summer have made it more top of mind. Do I give it the respect and consideration that it deserves? The answer is probably not enough and not often enough.

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On-water Group Management and Communication

by Ralph Gardave
(GLSKA Trip Committee Chair)
As the Trip Committee Coordinator I get feedback from trip leaders regarding The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of their trip leading experiences. The most frequent concern I hear about is challenges in managing the group on the water. To me the art of group management on the water breaks down into three key areas: (1) The Leader, (2) The Group itself, and (3) The Sweep.

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