31 July – 3 August Exploring Georgian Bay geology I – Snake Island/McCoys

We will join members of the Georgian Bay Land Trust on the Geological walk led by Dr. Nick Eyles, professor of geology at UofT. This event is organized for and by GBLT. Dr. Eyles has kindly agreed that we could participate in the event.

We will meet at Snug Harbour on Thursday morning and paddle to the Geological walk on one of the islands. That night we will camp on Snake island. On Friday we will paddle to Green or Big McCoy island. Based on weather, on Saturday we will attempt a daytrip to Limestone islands where we will look for fossils. Expect several 6km long open crossings and daily distances around 20 km.

21 – 26 July 2014 DUCK ISLANDS – LAKE HURON

*** CANCELLED*** Launch from Purvis Fisheries on Burnt Island and head along shore either east or west for the first night of camping within approx. 2.5 hours of paddling. Will set up camp for 1-2 nights at a time and explore the Duck Islands and associated shoreline. Depending on weather we may camp on some of the Duck Islands. Will do some hiking on the islands, visit two shipwrecks, and an abandoned lighthouse. This trip will include exposed paddling between islands and as this is Northern Lake Huron be prepared for cool water although at this time of year air temperatures may be high

10 May 2014 Club Day at The Complete Paddler

GLSKA and The Halton Outdoor club are putting on presentation booths at The Complete Paddler on May 10th from 10:00am to 4:00 pm. Volunteers would be appreciated to help out manning the booth and answering questions about the club.

13 – 15 June 2014 Key & Lower French River Tour

Launch from Key River. On Day 1 we will head west out the Key River (~26 kms) to our Base Camp for 2 nights on the Vixen Island which is located in the French River Provincial Park so a camping permit is recommended. From our Base Camp on Saturday we will visit different areas in vicinity of the mouth of the French River – e.g. the Bad River Channel, perhaps the Bustards, Bass Creek, etc – depending on the group wishes and the weather, returning to the Base Camp that evening (another ~30 kms of paddling empty this time). On Sunday we plan to head back from our Base Camp to the Marina. This trip will include exposed paddling between islands in Georgian Bay and will require a minimum paddling speed of 6 kms/hr to cover the long distances that are planned. As it is still early in the season be prepared for cold water by wearing either a wet or dry suit and bring appropriate clothing for the potentially cooler weather at night.

Remembering Rob Muylwyk

Rob, a longtime GLSKA member, died on April 14 at his home on the Bruce peninsula. He was a keen kayaker and involved himself enthusiastically in the activities of our club. Rob organized trips and particularly enjoyed leading groups on the search for orchids growing on the limestone islands of the Bruce. Rob was a frequent contributor to Qayaq and willingly took on tasks such as assisting in the production and distribution of the newsletter. He served in various positions on the Board of Directors, acting for some years as Secretary and as President from 2009 to 2012. He will be truly missed by his many friends in our club.

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.