Promoting Stewardship: GLSKA’s Georgian Bay Committee

by

By Doug Cunningham
Founder and First Chairman of the Georgian Bay Committee

I remember the day well. It was the occasion of the GLSKA Annual Meeting in November 1993 and the final agenda item, Other Business, was tabled. I spoke up, expressing my concern for the fragility of the Bay Islands and the need to preserve their quality for the enjoyment of future generations. In my previous 8 years of camping and kayaking Georgian Bay I had encountered increased kayak and camping traffic among these Islands. Not only that, but recently, Outside magazine had advertised our beautiful Georgian Bay Islands as one of the best places in North America to pitch a tent! A warning bell went off. In a few decades will those gems of Georgian Bay, those unpolluted waters and pristine, wind swept, shallow-soiled Bay Islands and Coast be able to survive the inevitable onslaught of eco-tourism and cottage development? The President of GLSKA asked me if I was willing to chair a Committee to address this issue and determine an appropriate manner for GLSKA to respond. My comments must have struck a chord because over the next few months over 30 members expressed an interest in participating and 20 of them actually came to the Miller’s Family Camp on the Bruce Peninsula in early May, 1994, to participate in a two-day Georgian Bay Committee organizational meeting. The Georgian Bay Committee was born! I was indeed fortunate to have an outstanding group of talented GLSKA individuals offer their services. I think most Qayaq readers will recognize the names: Rudi Rauch, Howard Williams, Stephen Threlkeld, Vic Thompson, Sue Hutchins, Rita D’Angelo, Sandy Richardson, Don and Donna Smith, Tim Dyer, Glen Davy, Dave Ivens, Tom Schultz, Fred Binding, Hart Haessler and Doug Cunningham. They gave freely of their time, talents and energy in the pursuit of stewardship; I sincerely thank them for their efforts and contributions. GLSKA was fortunate to have these wonderful people volunteer to serve on the committee.

We were all united by our commitment to promoting Responsible Stewardship and Low-Impact use of the Bay. The goals and objectives for the Georgian Bay Committee emerged after a number of meetings held at Howard Williams’s home near Midland. In particular our goals were to ensure that:

  1. Responsible and low-impact use of Georgian Bay by kayak and canoe tourers be recognized as a legitimate and necessary use;
  2. Future generations be able to enjoy the same opportunities for wilderness paddling on Georgian Bay as we do now;
  3. Any future development on or near Georgian Bay would be designed to protect the Bay’s cultural and natural resources;
  4. The people kayaking on Georgian Bay be able to access information that enhances their knowledge and appreciation of the Bay and encourages them to become informed and active stewards of the Bay.

Ambitious goals! But the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. And the Georgian Bay Committee has taken a number of first steps.

In the political arena, Committee members Rudi Rauch and Stephen Threlkeld made a representation on behalf of sea kayakers to the “Lands for Life” panel; Doug Cunningham and Tom Schultz represented the interests of GLSKA kayakers at the Georgian Bay Association’s Annual Meetings in Honey Harbour; Rudi Rauch represented GLSKA at the International Kayak Water Trail’s Conference held in the Sault; Stephen Threlkeld consulted the Georgian Bay Trust regarding GLSKA paddlers monitoring their Georgian Bay land holdings, and Doug Cunningham spoke at the Georgian Bay Symposium regarding our stewardship initiatives.

To support the goal of promoting stewardship among the kayak paddling community, the committee took the initial steps towards publishing a Georgian Bay Paddling and Stewardship Guide. We divided Georgian Bay into four paddling regions and Rudi Rauch solicited, collected and collated trip reports. Rudi also convened and chaired the first Paddling Guide Editorial Board, which established the paddling guide format. This project is a major effort and is still a work in progress. At this time the Bruce Peninsula and Cottage Country sections have been mostly completed while the Northeast Coast between Snug Harbour and Killarney still has to be adapted to the publication format. Contributing to this major effort over the years have been Sue Hutchins, Rita d’Angelo, Rudi Rauch, Howard Williams, Tim Dyer, Glen Davy, Hart Hessler, Sandy Richardson and Doug Cunningham. In particular, Rudi Rauch, as coordinator for the trip reports, has been simply invaluable and special thanks to Howard Williams, Tim Dyer and Doug Cunningham who have authored many of the trip sections.

Georgian Bay Committee member Dave Ivens wanted a tangible expression of the Georgian Bay Committee’s commitment toward stewardship and suggested that establishing “Thunder Boxes” at the heavily used campsites on Franklin Island and the Snakes would be an appropriate project. Stephen Threlkeld, Rudi Rauch, Howard Williams, Dave Ivens, Joe Childs and Tim Dyer were critical to making this project a success. The Georgian Bay Committee later organized the Fall Gathering at Killbear and consequently up to 30 GLSKA members would spend a weekend in early September cleaning up the campsites on Franklin Island, repairing the thunder boxes, enjoying the fellowship of a group paddle, and finally, an evening of “tall stories” and friendship around the campfire.

To support the costs of our stewardship activities and provide seed money for the proposed Paddling Guide the Committee held an equipment auction at White Squall’s Kayak Symposium, Rita D’Angelo designed paddling shirts with a Georgian Bay Committee logo on them for sale, and each year Tim Dyer generously donated some of the proceeds of that Symposium to support our stewardship activities.

Today, a new set of challenges confront GLSKA and the broader sea kayaking community:

  1. Our sport has exploded in popularity and the NE Georgian Bay area has become an international destination for sea kayakers. Indeed, with the recent UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve designation for the Georgian Bay coastline we can expect increased eco-tourism pressure. Just two summers ago I came across a group of 16 kayaks, all headed north of Britt for a common island campsite. The issues of proper latrine and campfire management will be compounded by these larger groups. The challenge for the Georgian Bay Committee will be to promote among our own fraternity a “low impact” camping ethic and a responsible stewardship of the resource.
  2. When the First Nations Land Claims (currently before the Courts) regarding the offshore islands located between the French River and Killarney are settled, there will be consequences regarding land access and camping availability that will impact our kayaking community. Perhaps now is the time to establish a liaison with the First Nation bands bordering the Bay.
  3. The question of “kayak launching access” and parking for sea kayak users in Carling Township is just the tip of the iceberg regarding shore facilities. Indeed, the political problems that come from having multiple stakeholders (cottagers, sea kayakers, trip outfitters, power boaters and fishermen) sharing a single resource pose a much greater problem.
  4. Perhaps now the time is ripe to revisit the concept of a Georgian Bay Kayak Trail, similar to the Maine Island Coastal Trail. Public education regarding the stewardship and conservation issues surrounding the Georgian Bay Islands has never been more important. This group of stunning, but finite and fragile, islands lies within a day’s drive of more than 20 million people. The islands have a sensitive ecology and a limited soil depth but an exponential potential for use as urban dwellers seek to escape from the smog and summer heat that global warming is orchestrating. The establishment of a Georgian Bay Island Coastal Trail might prove to be the best vehicle for conservation and preservation. I know this issue almost derailed the Georgian Bay Committee in our early days; however, in the light of the recent UNESCO designation, the concept should, at least, be debated again.
  5. The Paddling Guide should be completed, it’s a big job and one that requires a committed editor, but the first steps are already in place and when it is completed, at the very least, it will serve to promote responsible stewardship and, at the same time, enhance the quality of the paddling experience among the Georgian Bay Islands.

So, there will be challenging times ahead! It is time to pass the torch! I have been Chairman of the Georgian Bay Committee for many years but I think that these new challenges will require new blood and fresh ideas. So, it is time someone else to bring a new commitment to stewardship, along with energy and vision, and offer to serve as Chairman of the GLSKA’s Georgian Bay Committee. You will find many rewards come from working with enthusiastic and talented GLSKA members on worthwhile projects. I wish you well!

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2005 issue of Qayaq.

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.