GLSKA Spring Rendezvous 2011

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by Nancy Morgan
Photographs by Gerry Felsky

rend11-1.jpgUndaunted by rain, lush poison ivy or the distance travelled, kayakers gathered at Cape Croker Park, on Sydney Bay, on the Bruce Peninsula near Wiarton, to socialize and reminisce about past trips, plan new ones, and for new members, to get acquainted with our club. We were welcomed by a representative of the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation who registered each group and assigned a campsite. Tents were set up in this location of immense beauty, with the jagged battlement of the Niagara Escarpment at our back on the crystal clear water of Georgian Bay.

Dawn and Andrew Lawrence were first on site on Thursday; kayakers arrived through the day on Friday, set up tents and rallied to the registration and welcome reception site at 7 p.m. to sign up for workshops and trips as well as meet and greet each other. Susan Sutherland and Karen Granville had a well organised information table that guided us in our choices for the weekend. Well prepared campers ensured a successful and comfortable weekend with shelters that accommodated tables and chairs for people to gather in and chat in a bug free environment and watch the fireflies display in the evening.

The program featured an array of instructional on-water sessions at various skill levels, as well as many on-land workshops. Kayakers at all levels enjoyed the workshops offered which included: planning a trip destination, weather, personalizing your kayak, trip leader training, and on water skills. A novice trip was led by Dorothy van Esbroeck and a more challenging trip and hike by Sandy Richardson. The weather cleared and we were enjoyed a beautiful day on the water followed by the Oayaq Olympics. Laura Matthews and Rob Muylwyk formed five teams of competitors, from our membership, who took part in: tug-of-war, backward and sideways paddling, towing, a relay where paddlers work with half a paddle or just their hands and the challenge of paddling out to the finish line, taking your pants off then turning then inside out and back on again, and paddling back to the start line. This final activity seemed to be the most challenging one for our competitors and was won hands down by Sharon Rosenberg.

A highlight of each Rendezvous is the Potluck Dinner. Laura Matthews, the organizer of this event, set the stage with picnic tables in a circle and a circle of fire in the form of lanterns. Wolfram Esser chopped wood and set the fire in the centre of the site, a focal point for the occasion. Red and white table cloths on the picnic tables and candles in the centre of each table completed the framework for the fabulous dinner. Thanks to all participants for the very satisfying meal provided and wonderful desserts.

Jory Nash entertained us with a blend of folk, jazz, pop, country, soul and blues music including many of his own works. Jory is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter who plays acoustic guitar, both finger-style and flat-pick strum. His strong, warm voice encouraged people to listen, and we did as the fire burnt low and the crowd gradually thinned out as tired kayakers found their tents.

Half day and full day trips organized for Saturday and Sunday took off for a variety of destinations. Some of these trips started right at the Sydney Bay beach, while others required a car shuttle to nearby destinations. I joined Dawn’s trip to the Grotto, one of my favourite places on the Bruce Peninsula. We started the trip at the end of Little Cove Road and paddled along the shore. There were 14 kayakers from novice to expert in the group. Her strategy of having a group of 4 or 5 lead kayakers and a similar group at the back seemed to ensure cooperation among all paddlers. The group at the back went to the front at the half way point on the way to the Grotto. Paddlers enjoyed paddling close to shore, under overhanging rock and through openings in the rock. A busload of young people from Toronto were enjoying climbing the rocks around the grotto, a favourite spot and a wonder of our escarpment. The paddle and sharing of responsibilities on the way out and back, taking pictures of each other, swimming and lunch enhanced by a few treats from Dawn, encouraged interaction and we all knew each other quite well by the time kayaks were loaded for the return trip home.

Thank you to the organizing committee for a successful and fun filled weekend: Rob Muylwyk, Karen Granville, Laura Matthews, Susan Sutherland, Howard Tulloch; and to the presenters: Dawn Lawrence, Sarka Lhotak, Rob Muylwyk, Sandy Richardson, Keith Rogers, Dorthy van Esbroeck, Ed Wong, and Jack Elliot (White Squall).rend11-2.jpg

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GLSKA Waiver

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!

DEFINITION

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.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

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.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

In consideration of the Releasees allowing me to participate in Sea Kayaking Activities as defined in this Release Agreement, I hereby agree as follows:

  1. TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that I have or may in the future have against the Releasees and TO RELEASE THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any loss, damage, expenseor injury including death that I may suffer, or that my next of kin may suffer as a result of my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities, DUE TO ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT, OR BREACH OF ANY STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY OF CARE ON THE PART OF 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 REFERRED TO ABOVE;
  1. TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any property damage or personal injury to any third party resulting from my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities;
  2. This Release Agreement shall be effective and binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, assigns and representatives, in the event of my death or incapacity;
  3. This Release Agreement and any rights, duties and obligations as between the parties to this Release Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted solely in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and no other jurisdiction; and
  4. Any litigation involving the parties to this Release Agreement shall be brought solely within the Province of Ontario and shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario.

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.