by Tim Dyer
(White Squall Paddling Centre)
I’ve been thinking a lot about rescues. Maybe it’s because every time I open a paddling magazine or view the list of topics for symposia, sea kayak rescue in all its guts and glory is dissected ad nauseum. To add to the nausea, I thought I would weigh in. Here are some thoughts about that most humbling piece of paddling – saving a life.
Jan de Grijs
It was Monday August 16 and Ursula, Patty and I were starting our long anticipated trip to Greenland. We were on a flight from Reykjavik to Kulusuk on the east coast of Greenland. As we approached Greenland all that was visible from the aircraft window were mountain tops above the cloud. The landing gear went down; we circled; the landing gear went up. Then an announcement came over the intercom, “This is the captain speaking. We are unable to land due to the fog, forcing us to return to Reykjavik.” We returned to Iceland and checked into the Reykjavik Youth Hostel.
by John Fitzsimons
On the weekend of September 17 to 19, nine hearty souls were treated to some of the best and some of the worst that Georgian Bay can dish out all in the quest to make the Bay a better place to paddle.
by Rob Muylwyk
I was looking to my right, scanning the shore for a suitable campsite, ideally one with Brian camping on it, when I suddenly saw a huge, hardly submerged rock in my peripheral vision. It was right in front of me, about a paddle stroke and a half away! The adrenaline kicked in, I put the brakes on and started back-paddling like a “little engine that could.” This was successful; there would be no new gashes to be repaired in the off-season, but my imperfect back paddling technique left me with my bow pointing to where I had come from. I had been heading into the 25 knot westerly, so now I had to start to get my boat turned around again. The theory says that kayaks will weathercock, or turn into the wind, all by themselves, but in real life I had to power sweep to get back on course, while trying to evade the rocks that kept popping up all around me.
by Rob Muylwyk
I was looking to my right, scanning the shore for a suitable campsite, ideally one with Brian camping on it, when I suddenly saw a huge, hardly submerged rock in my peripheral vision. It was right in front of me, about a paddle stroke and a half away! The adrenaline kicked in, I put the brakes on and started back-paddling like a “little engine that could.” This was successful; there would be no new gashes to be repaired in the off-season, but my imperfect back paddling technique left me with my bow pointing to where I had come from. I had been heading into the 25 knot westerly, so now I had to start to get my boat turned around again. The theory says that kayaks will weathercock, or turn into the wind, all by themselves, but in real life I had to power sweep to get back on course, while trying to evade the rocks that kept popping up all around me.
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.