by Donna Griffin-Smith
September 11, 2001 will remain in my memory as a day of startling contrasts. It started off on an emotional high. For us, it was calm, clear and sunny at 7 a.m., the beginning of a perfect paddling day and the final day of our trip in the North Channel. It ended with the devastating news and TV images of the attack on the National Trade Centre that crushed our sense of euphoria like a burst balloon.
David Whyte
Michipicoten Island lies in the northeast corner of Lake Superior, approximately 67 kilometres west of Wawa and about 14 kilometres south of an uninhabited stretch of Lake Superior’s north coast. The island has a total circumference of about 65 kilometres, excluding bays and inlets. It contains approximately 30 remote lakes, and is both rugged and heavily wooded.
by Bob Knapp
I wasn’t used to carrying three sea kayaks on my car, but since we only had to drive from Owen Sound to Tobermory, we tied them on and headed north. The plan was to catch the ferry from Tobermory to Manitoulin Island on Monday morning and somehow, between fellow kayaker Ron and I, get the three kayaks and all of our gear loaded on the MS Chi-Cheemaun.
by Wendy Killoran
Awakening before the sun at 3:55 a.m., I bleary-eyed prepared myself in darkness to start a paddling adventure, an attempt to cross Lake Erie, via Point Pelee, Pelee Island, Middle Island, Kelleys Island (Ohio) and on to Cedar Point and Sandusky, Ohio. I drove quiet roads, normally brimming with traffic, to Komoka to pick up Jim Gear, who would join me on this attempted Great Lakes crossing. In the calmness of this clear night sky, I watched a falling star, wishing for a successful paddle across the eleventh largest lake (measured by surface area) in the world.
by Doug Cunningham
The Lake Huron side of the Bruce Peninsula slopes gently toward the west and cradles warm, almost bathtub-like waters, which are punctuated now and then by smooth sand beaches. Great for swimming or practising your Eskimo roll. Some of the most spectacular sunsets on the Great Lakes can be viewed from the western coast of the Bruce Peninsula.
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.