Five Days on the Sea of Cortez – Mexico

by Mark Noppe

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Sea of Cortez, Baja, Mexico

In February 2009, I paddled beautiful green and blue waters for 5 days and camped on white sandy beaches for 4 nights, exploring a chain of uninhabited desert islands in the Sea of Cortez, off the south east coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. I stopped to swim and snorkel amongst sea lions, whale sharks, and colourful schools of fish. Every day was sunny and 25 to 30 C. It was a leisurely, solo winter adventure, and an economical and active alternative to a resort style vacation.

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GLSKA New Trippers Trip

Massassauga Park: June 20 – June 22

by Sally Dobson

We drove through driving rain but the rain stopped as we readied for launch at 11:45 a.m. – amongst clouds of mosquitoes. Under Dave Beckett’s gentle and expert guidance, and the assistance of his friend, Ed Irwin, 6 of us (Gerry Croney, Jens Truebenbach, Paula Huber, Barry Butcher, Arend de Boer and myself, Sally Dobson) paddled and made our way to a great campsite. It was sunny and warm as we set up tents. Ed offered to take anyone interested on a “short paddle” before dinner – those who did learned a new definition of “short” and were thereafter cautious! Over dinner preparations, we unabashedly examined and questioned each other about gear, packing and cooking tips and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of various travel reward systems. (Some shared that their partners were “Holiday Inn” rather than kayak tripping-type travelers.) We learned a new acronym from Arend: FOF – Friendly Old Fellow. There was a lovely generosity of spirit and sharing of food, tips and stories.

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Lake Superior Kayak Trip – Michipicoten to Cascade Falls and Back

by Brian Rohde

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Everything Ron and Nancy promised in their GLSKA trip listing happened over the nine-day trip. We had plenty of fog, big seas, lots of surf landings and launches and some long days on the water. To say the least, it was quite an adventure!

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Umbrellas and Cathcarts

by Rob Muylwyk

umb1.jpgThis was the third year in a row that Šárka Lhoták had organized an overnight trip to the Umbrellas and Cathcarts, island groups south of Parry Sound; but it would be the first time that her group would actually make it to the Umbrellas.

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How to get into a Kayak and Other Mysteries

by Jennifer Heppner

In the spring of 2007 I joined a dragon boat team for a fundraising competition. Little did I know that this would be the start of something great – learning to kayak! Reaching the second half of my life was an awakening to try new things before the body wasn’t as able as the mind. The dragon boat race required no skills other than being able to swim –which I could do – so I signed up. Once I was on the water something woke up inside me. Skimming quietly over the top of the water looking at herons and loons was heavenly. The 22 panting people around me in the Dragon Boat – not so much. Not to mention that we placed last in the race. Sheesh!

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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.