Current Strokes: News for Paddle Canada Members

Graham's Gab

The cedar canvas canoe is away and the sailboat came out of the water last week too in preparation for winter storage.   However there is still to odd nice November day for paddling (heck was out paddling yesterday - 17 degrees and sunny!) so the SUP board and sea kayak remain on standby in the driveway or on the roof of the car, ready  at a moment's notice. 

The pic above is of me, the lone paddleboarder, keeping up with the kayakers at the Georgian Bay Storm Gathering in mid October. The event did see a storm; a 966 milibar low stalled over James Bay causing 30 to 40 kn winds to blow over most of the Great Lakes all weekend.

I am happy and encouraged to announce that participation in our national paddling skill courses is up by 30% over last year!  That means more Canadians improved their skills and knowledge and will remain safer on our waterways, than in many years! There were also 20% more courses offered this year, than last year.  But the season is not over. Many October & November skill courses are still to be be reported (about 25 canoe, 48 sea kayak, 10 SUP courses), so likely will see even higher numbers yet.  Stay tuned for full report, being prepared for the upcoming AGM, December 10, 2011. 

Kanawa Magazine is out and should be hitting everyone's mailboxes right about now.  It's a little late, however filled with some great armchair reading for the coming late fall days on canoeing and SUP'ing. 

Until next time, please stay in tight & upright on the water,

Graham Ketcheson

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