Small skill is won by those who cling to ease,
The hardy sailor hails from stormy seas.
Years ago when I first toured the Agawa Bay pictographs, I encountered the legend of the Ojibway lake divinity, a horned panther that lives beneath the waters and is dangerous to humans. I seem to recall a story of a native family who had lost a small child to this monster. I thought at the time that the myth was somehow a folksy way of warning of the dangers of the big lake.
GLSKA’s Annual General Meeting will take place on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 249 Dufferin Street South in Alliston. (This facility is again being made available thanks to Sam Wyss.)
by Ralph Gardave
We all paddle with risk every time we go out. I know I do it with little thought about it anymore. Recent events this summer have made it more top of mind. Do I give it the respect and consideration that it deserves? The answer is probably not enough and not often enough.
by Nancy Morgan
Patti Cupit, an enthusiastic kayaker and tripper, initiated the idea to kayak the Saguenay in the summer of 2013. Through her exploration of several websites, she identified the Aventure Ecotourism Quebec website, and an independent guide to lead an eight-day trip from La Baie to Tadoussac. Patti’s contact suggested the length of the trip, and the timing which was the last week of July. We provided all the food and our own equipment with the exception of a double kayak for the group, a necessary safety precaution for a long trip in an isolated area. We met at Auberge des Battures at 8:30 a.m. on July 25th for an information sharing session, and discussed our concerns and expectations.
by John Fitzsimons
Although starting off cooler than normal in 2013, the weather in southern Ontario had fallen into that all too familiar pattern of high heat and humidity, made all the worse by a persistent Bermuda high. With climate change, paddling in southern Ontario during the peak season has at times meant enduring high heat and humidity, a situation that is rarely encountered on Lake Superior. Against this backdrop, Sarka Lhotak, Dave Morningstar and I, along with our trip organizer Sam Wyss, headed off on the 12 hour trip to Pukaskwa National Park south of Marathon, for a week of paddling July 13-20.
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.