By Doug Cunningham
Founder and First Chairman of the Georgian Bay Committee
I remember the day well. It was the occasion of the GLSKA Annual Meeting in November 1993 and the final agenda item, Other Business, was tabled. I spoke up, expressing my concern for the fragility of the Bay Islands and the need to preserve their quality for the enjoyment of future generations.
Donna Griffin-Smith
Monday, August 2, 6 a.m.: Our group of eight kayakers stood on the beach staring into a dense pea soup fog. Contrary to its reputation, Lake Superior was flat calm. Not a whisper of wind and no waves. Somewhere before us, were the Slate Islands. We knew they were out there somewhere, but where?
by Wendy Killoran
I’d arrived on Manitoulin Island’s shore with a great sense of mystery. The world’s largest freshwater island is situated at the northern tip of Lake Huron. As I paddled counterclockwise around its convoluted coastline with my paddling companion Michael, a natural paradise of spiritual presence, mystical wonders and magical moments revealed itself.
Wendy Killoran
The exhilaration of sitting in a kayak at the foot of an actively calving glacier got my adrenaline flowing and my heart thumping! As a paddler, I’d dreamt of paddling in Greenland, a paradise of ice, for a long time. An icy kingdom wondrously revealed itself to me as I paddled its fjords of ice. I’d paddled in a small group for almost two weeks in this realm of sculpted icebergs, drift ice, snow-capped serrated mountains, immense glaciers and sheltered fjords.
Wendy Killoran
The exhilaration of sitting in a kayak at the foot of an actively calving glacier got my adrenaline flowing and my heart thumping! As a paddler, I’d dreamt of paddling in Greenland, a paradise of ice, for a long time. An icy kingdom wondrously revealed itself to me as I paddled its fjords of ice. I’d paddled in a small group for almost two weeks in this realm of sculpted icebergs, drift ice, snow-capped serrated mountains, immense glaciers and sheltered fjords.
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.