by Jennifer Kilbourne
My husband has a fishing kayak. I have a sea kayak. Last August, we both wanted to “get away from it all” and spend a few days enjoying some time on the water as well as some backcountry camping. The classic sea kayak journey through the Apostle Islands wasn’t an option, and fishing at Lighthouse Cove on Lake St. Clair just wasn’t adventurous enough. Solution: a week at Craig Lake State Park in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
by Ralph Gardave
The fun of this trip began before I arrived. A considerable amount of time had elapsed since I had booked the hotel accommodations. I called to confirm them a week in advance and asked if it was easy to arrange transportation from the airport. When I asked this question there was a very long pause on the other end of the phone and then I was informed that it was in fact easy to arrange transport or I could simply walk across the street.
by Ralph Gardave
The fun of this trip began before I arrived. A considerable amount of time had elapsed since I had booked the hotel accommodations. I called to confirm them a week in advance and asked if it was easy to arrange transportation from the airport. When I asked this question there was a very long pause on the other end of the phone and then I was informed that it was in fact easy to arrange transport or I could simply walk across the street.
by Nancy Morgan
Photographs by Gerry Felsky
Phillip Edward Island is a large island on the coast of Georgian Bay just east of Killarney. Arend de Boer and Tom Bruin organized a group of seven GLSKA members for a five day trip to Phillip Edward Island out of Chikanishing Creek, the access point for the islands out of Killarney Provincial Park. The plan was to set up a base camp and explore Islands, including the Foxes, in Georgian Bay. The group gathered in Killarney on Sunday, August 22 at the Roche Rouge Campground, set up camp for the night and set off for fresh fish and chips at Herbert Fisheries, a feature of any trip to Killarney. The next morning we packed up gear and headed for our starting point, after a detour for breakfast in Killarney. A young black bear scrambled across the road on the way into town emphasizing our anticipated adventure.
by Jennifer Kilbourne
Photographs by Gerry Croney
The spring of 2011 was a wet one. It was a rare stretch of two or three days in April and May that didn’t see a few showers, if not heavy rains. Gerry, the trip organizer, wisely changed the destination of this mid-May kayaking and camping adventure from Franklin Island to Beausoleil Island due to the presence of a very good cooking shelter at the north end of Beausoleil.
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!
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.
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.
In consideration of the Releasees allowing me to participate in Sea Kayaking Activities as defined in this Release Agreement, I hereby agree as follows:
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.