Safety

SAFETY

Ideas for dealing with risk, cold water, self rescues etc. and for staying out of trouble in the first place.

Kayak Safety Tips

Posted: April 15, 2016

by Paula Huber From my 40 years’ experience as a cold water scuba diving instructor, cold water scuba diver and zodiac hard hull dive boat operator I have learned many lessons about safety in and on the water. These lessons are transferable to kayaking. COMMON SENSE Be mentally and physically prepared for your paddle day. … Read more

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Get Wise About Bears

Posted: November 3, 2014

Most kayakers who enjoy multi-day or overnight trips will sooner or later come across some evidence of a bear, or even meet the animal in person. The more you know about bears and their behaviour, the safer you (and the bears) will be. Mike McIntosh is a committed to improving our bear knowledge and was … Read more

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Cold Water Paddling

Posted: December 1, 2013

by Ralph Gardave You may be thinking that this article has little relevance to you as you are not one of those “crazy” people who paddle in winter weather conditions. If you missed my last article in Qayaq you may wish to read it, as it will bring relevance to this one. The Peel Marine … Read more

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Paddling with Risk

Posted: September 19, 2013

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 … Read more

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On-water Group Management and Communication

Posted: March 1, 2012

by Ralph Gardave (GLSKA Trip Committee Chair) As the Trip Committee Coordinator I get feedback from trip leaders regarding The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of their trip leading experiences. The most frequent concern I hear about is challenges in managing the group on the water. To me the art of group management on … Read more

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Cold Water Blues

Posted: March 1, 2012

by Paula Huber Kayaking on the Great Lakes, or during cold weather here in Ontario, requires thoughts about cold water immersion in the event of a capsize.

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Staying Alive on the Water

Posted: March 31, 2011

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 … Read more

DSC VHF Radio

Posted: March 31, 2010

IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE Are you thinking of a new VHF radio?  If not maybe you should be.   There have been substantial improvements made to the traditional analog VHF that could save your life! This article focuses on the life saving benefits of this technology and is not intended to cover all of the … Read more

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A Chilling Paddle?

Posted: June 30, 2009

Andrew Lawrence A few brave souls decided to bring in the 2009 paddling season by being on the water as January 1st rolled in. I was not among them. The thought of paddling in icy waters did not appeal to me at the time. However, I did join a trip on the weekend of April … Read more

Visual Distress Signals

Posted: June 30, 2009

by Wayne Spivak In many coastal communities, lights in the sky after dusk are a rare sight. In other areas of the country, they are commonplace. But streaking lights always make people look twice. With the exception of the 1st of July or 24th of May, these streaking or arcing lights at night should make … Read more

Lightning

Posted: December 31, 2002

by Tim Dyer Hello from lightning central – Georgian Bay! Yup, I dunno how it happened, but in the last few years our tranquil old Bay has become a raging giant – tossing out some pretty violent summer storms.

A Lesson in Humility

Posted: June 1, 1999

(OR ROLLING WITH ROLLY) by Rick Wise Early spring is a time to beware. Warm weather, cold water and overconfidence can make for a dangerous combination. I learned that lesson the hard way and it was a humbling experience.

Instant Weather

Posted: June 1, 1998

John Winters Quick, what are the eight signs that the weather is going to deteriorate?

Paddle Signals for Sea Kayakers

Posted: March 31, 1998

An International Attempt To Find A Set Of Standard Arm And Sound Signals For Sea Kayakers by Urdo Beier When you go on a sea kayakinq tour all members of a group should stay within voice communication of each other. But is this possible?

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.