by Jocelyn Bertheau
“There’s a small watercraft warning and a thunderstorm coming up later in the day … the local kayak outfitter is not renting!” we heard from the ranger at the new visitor centre of Fathom Five National Marine Park, just outside Tobermory.
by Vivian Wade
Eleven of us met at Big McCoy Island for a great extended weekend of paddling. The trip, which was led by Ron Coulson, included Nancy Coulson, Brian Rohde, Bill Jackson, Rod Govan, Arend de Boer, Sarka Lhotak, David Ivens, Johanna Wandel, Kaz Kusmierczak and Vivian Wade.
by Deborah Jackson
Kayak clubs, I have been informed, are typically guilty of being populated by snobbish folks with less than warm welcomes for newcomers. I have run across such clubs, but GLSKA is definitely not one of them. When the club president makes an effort to break the mould and reach out to newcomers by planning and leading a trip, open to all, it surely speaks to a higher understanding of how to build a great Association. The time and patience invested in slowing the pace to guide, encourage and inspire new members will contribute to the group’s base of proficient kayakers and ensure greater enjoyment by all. I applaud this move and am thankful to have been able to participate in the fourth annual GLSKA First-timers trip to Massasauga Provincial Park, in Georgian Bay.
Neil Burgess
As the twin otter swooped in over the hills surrounding Nain and dropped towards the airstrip, I couldn’t help feeling a rush of anticipation. Our adventure was about to begin. This adventure was not a wilderness expedition, however. It was the meeting of two paddling cultures – one old and another new.
Flowerpot Island
by Marti Uher
I have always loved the Bruce Peninsula. Perhaps this is due in part to fond childhood memories of taking summer trips along the shores of Lake Huron with the destination being Tobermory or a ferry crossing to Manitoulin Island. My grandparents, from Holland, would make a biannual trip to Canada and invariably we would end up in the north as my father wanted to proudly show them the rural landscape of where he had settled as an immigrant farmer. Though my father’s initial struggles to settle the land along the shores of Lake Huron, near Goderich, were fraught with long hours working in the salt mine, and running a 100 acre farm, he somehow always made a little time to appease that adventurous spirit that he had. He couldn’t wait to head north with kids and in-laws in tow.
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.