GLSKA TRIP REPORTS - 1998

A selection of GLSKA Trip Reports from the 1998 paddling season

[Past Trip Reports from the Archives]   [Current Trip Reports]

Donna Griffin-Smith

SYMPHONY OF FIRE

Sandy Richardson

The weather was hot but Spain’s pyrotechnic display was hotter for GLSKA’s annual Symphony of Fire trip in June. The heat had brought throngs of people to Sunnyside Beach, but despite our initial fears when we saw the parking lot, we were able to find parking spaces as the day-users left and the fireworks spectators arrived.

You may recall that two years ago an officious Ontario Place patrol boat had tried to stop some of our boats from going outside the breakwater to watch the show. This year the patrol had no problem with our going out, but wouldn’t let us fill in some time by paddling around inside Ontario Place. We never did ascertain why the inner area was closed to boats until 11:30.

Outside the breakwater, we set up in our favourite spot off the beach at the west end of Ontario Place, tuned our radios in to the simulcast of the Symphony of Fire music and settled back to enjoy the show. Our two kayaks (Five people had originally registered, but three of those cancelled out for various reasons.) were soon joined by an open canoe. As usual, we were treated to a spectacular display of music and fireworks from the best location on the waterfront.

The trip back always requires more caution as numerous sail and power boats – all much larger than our kayaks – return through the breakwater after the show. However, the big boaters are invariably alert and courteous. Our only question as we paddled back was why more GLSKA paddlers don’t join us for the Symphony of Fire; it certainly is a treat.

THE RICHARD DUNNING TRIPS

Stephen Threlkeld
(A frequent participant)

Last year it was the Richard Dunning Trip, but some years it is the Richard and Elizabeth Dunning Trip. To me these are special trips in a number of ways. They are always in a beautiful location; last year it was the French River; this year it will be Temagami. They take place over five or six days. They are companionable, and last but not least they are leisurely. To he old fashioned, and I like to be old fashioned these days, they are gentlemen’s trips, leisurely and full of contentment, not that we don’t enjoy the company of the ladies. I like to be politically incorrect too. The world may change, but that doesn’t mean I have to (although it may cost). If not as a biologist, then as a human being I am well aware of the differences between males and females, differences that are the spice of life, as are most differences. Stupidly, many people believe that differences must imply that one is better than the other. Quite stupid and a non-sequitur.

Back to the trip. We leave one vehicle at the Key River Marina, and a few kilometres farther north, on Highway 69, put in at the Pickerel River. By about three o’clock in the afternoon (note the time) we are on our way paddling west down the river. As the trip took place in August last year and it is now May this year I must rely on a rather poor memory for details, but the highlights remain, a sign of a good trip.

We set up camp about five o’clock in the afternoon at a site on a wide part of the river, west of one of the islands we pass, facing east looking up the river. As it grew dark and the first stars began to twinkle, the moon slowly slid into sight over the river, directly in front of us, and above the island. The view in itself worth the annual membership in GLSKA. We often have lovely moonlit nights on the Dunnings’ trips; perhaps they plan it that way, it suddenly occurs to me, as I know Elizabeth has an interest in astronomy. Incidentally, the brightest stars you will ever see are to be seen in Georgian Bay. Since I first saw the stars over Georgian Bay I have believed this to be true, and after a recent trip around the world, Europe, Africa and Australia I know it to be true.

A great night’s sleep, after which we are up early enough, but not too early, and see the sun shining through misty fingers hovering over the water. We had two days like this, beautiful sunny days. Other than the weather, the only point that stands out in my mind about this part of the trip is the falls one must negotiate to move into Georgian Bay from the French River. Two of us unloaded and carried the kayaks down over the rocks and then reloaded, and two of us lined the boats down. While lining, I remember falling with a crack on the rocks – but no harm done. I did watch a large voyageur canoe, carrying about twelve people, negotiate the rapids successfully, and thought perhaps we should have tried it, but by then I was on the lower side of the rapids.

Once down the rapids we were in the open water of the Bay, paddling past the many islands. Do you ever wonder why you enjoy kayaking? Think about it. If you find an answer you will learn something about yourself, another little discovery (or perhaps a big one) in the great quest of life: who are you? Sometimes it is a discovery that will change your whole life, as it did for one of my friends, who gave up a successful career in science to become one of Canada’s most successful professional kayakers.

After two days of idyllic weather we had a day of cloud, and then we had rain, heavy rain. Camping on an island about a two-hour paddle from the mouth of the Key River, it kept me, at least, in my tent all day. Of course there were books to read and sleep to catch up with. And again the differences, from sun to heavy rain, the contrasts that enhance the enjoyment of both, at the time and in the memories. And it is the memories that make a five-day trip last much longer than five days.

The trip finishes up with what always seems to me a long and somewhat dreary paddle up the Key river to the marina and the one vehicle.

So how come this article now, nearly ten months after the event? Perhaps some of us take life too leisurely, or is the word lazy? I once won a public speaking contest. My topic? The Importance of Being Lazy.

LAKE ONTARIO TOUR

Harry Weidman

The lake temperature was 59 degrees F, the air 55, wind was 15-20 knots from the northwest with gusts, waves were running 4-6 feet with a few whitecaps near shore, small craft warnings were in effect.

Four paddlers met at Fair Haven State Park to contemplate the lake conditions before continuing their quest of sea kayaking the entire south shore of Lake Ontario. This was leg six. Frank Cabron, Steve Chopan, Rod Thomson and Harry Weidman scanned the lake’s horizon with binoculars and knew big waves existed in the deeper blue waters farther out. A light brown strip of riled beachfront extended a half mile out, resulting from the past several days of winds and waves. We would proceed with caution and safety foremost in mind. Boats and gear were off-loaded in the quiet safety of Sterling Pond. Two drivers left for Oswego to drop the kayak trailer rig at the take-out, a ramp at the first Oswego Canal lock, and returned within an hour with one car. By 11:30 a.m., we were off on another adventure.

The steady wind and constant waves hit our port beam most of the way and an early boat washing set the realization of what we might be in for. It drove home the fact of how much physical and mental effort would be involved to get back into a capsized boat with an assisted rescue in these wave conditions. This awakening came from one paddler who had previous re-entry training in tame conditions. Beware the paddlers who find themselves in this situation without any prior instructions.

Conditions were such that you couldn’t let your guard down – you had to pay attention to what and who was around you. If paddling too close, a pushing wave might wash you into or over your nearby companion. Stagger your formation to the waves for safety.

Personal anxiety relaxed a bit when Harm explained how useless the air brace was in big waters. An air brace is where you see a big one coming, the likes of which makes you utter an mental or verbal "Oh s…," and you meet it with your paddle in the air where it does nothing for you. Novice paddlers sometimes freeze in this position momentarily before reacting frantically and often end up going over. Keep your paddle in the water where it can provide a strong pulling and bracing force. You have to apply power through these waves and be aggressive, not timid, with your strokes to remain upright. Once learned and practiced, you loosen up a bit, relax and let the boat do its thing with you in control instead of fighting it, stiff and off balanced. The key point: keep the paddle in the water – no air bracing.

A second offshore wet exit left us without enough sea room to get back in the boat before getting swept ashore by surf waves. We figured this was as good a place for lunch as any and ended up staying a bit. We had gone 5 miles, and it seemed slow going. The wind was picking up, and I kept looking over my shoulder at a cloud-line on the horizon. Ungraceful as the beach landing was for some of us, it was pale compared to the new challenge of beach launching into the pushy surf waves. More learning experiences presented themselves as some got trashed in one form or another before convening beyond the breakers to pump out. We continued on, staying close to shore. The wind assisted our speed; the waves were still large but more mellow than nasty.

A third capsize was handled in quick order by the team. We were getting the hang of this by now, learning where to position ourselves, what needed to be done and how. The safety sweep paddler had been positioned to the outside rear so as to see everyone and whistled out to the group when help was needed. This position also afforded a fast means of getting to a swimmer by using the waves behind him to advantage. Our group management and communications were improving. The last surf landing was a rough and tumble affair onto a fast drop off beach, lined with smooth, slippery, moving rocks. A well-earned rest and warm-up was in order.

It was near 6:00 p.m. by the time the trailer shuttle, with weary adventure-seekers stuffed into the jump seats of an extended cab pickup truck, got back to Fair Haven. It had been a full day and a great learning experience with all of us, testing and improving the limits of our abilities in relative safety with a growing group of experienced sea kayakers.

WINTER POOL SESSIONS 1998

Michael Daly

During the winter of 1998, GLSKA held five pool sessions at Monarch Park Collegiate in Toronto. Organized by David Ivens, with help from numerous others, the sessions allowed members to learn and practise various kayaking techniques. These techniques ran the gamut, from basic paddle strokes and braces to self rescue and rolling.

Some folks brought white water kayaks, others sea kayaks and on occasion, a couple of us brought both. Enough boats were on hand so that even those without their own could borrow someone’s and get some practice. David and his son, Harris, provided most of the instruction, in an easy-going, relaxed manner. There was no formal programme; participants asked for assistance and received some as available.

While many techniques were covered, it seemed that many people focused on learning or improving their Eskimo Roll. Harris set the pace the first night by demonstrating the body roll – righting the kayak without use of either a paddle or his hands! Wow, now the rest of us had something to aspire to. Of course, a basic sweep roll was a more realistic objective. Some folks were able to develop basic rolling skills in a couple of evenings, thanks to the coaching of David and Harris. It is not an unrealistic expectation to be able to do your first solo roll with only a few hours instruction and practice.

Those of us who had already learned the roll had ample opportunity to practise and improve our technique. Yours truly benefited from hints from both David and Harris as well as the observations and suggestions of other participants. I not only got much better at the screw roll, but I developed my offside roll and learned to roll in "adverse" conditions, by practising rolling without setting up beforehand and by attempting rolls by positioning the paddle underwater. This came in handy in the spring when I learned white-water paddling at Madawaska Kanu Centre.

The swimming pool provides a safe, calm arena for developing basic skills in paddling. By learning in such an environment, one develops the confidence to move on to other skills. By the time you hit the lakes and rivers in the spring and summer, you’ll have new skills and be able to paddle with greater confidence. And that makes kayaking more enjoyable. Try to join us in the pool this winter!

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