General

Hello , I have heard about self rescue techniques being taught in a swimming pool , is that available in the GTA ?

Thanks for your responses .
Alex .

Does anyone have one? I'm dying to look one over, before dropping the money on it. Thinking of the 165, because it can be set-up tandem, or solo. I'm in a condo and tired of having to drive out of town to get mine where I've kept them.

I'd bring a small case of beer for the favour, doesn't matter which you have.

Cheers.

It's a long time between freeze up and thaw. How many are interested in more winter trips, next year?
- backcountry Nordic in snowy months
- lake skating in snowless, very cold months

Peter Jaspert passed away on Oct 28, 2022. He was the layout person for many years for the Nastawgan.

There will be an informal Gathering to say goodbye to Peter on Thursday, Nov 10th. For details see

https://obituaries.basicfunerals.ca/obituary/Peter-Jaspert

On behalf of the WCA, I want to thank Peter for his years of hardwork and dedication.

Does, or did, anyone know Glen Hooper of Thunder Bay, ON? He worked for the OMNR as a wildlife biologist.

Apparently he wrote several articles for the WCA which appear on wildernesscanoe.ca when retrieved by the Google search engine.

His relative absence from myccr.com and YouTube suggest that he has recently died.

Sad news that Bill Miller, master canoe builder and founder of Fiddles on the Tobique passed away on Monday Oct. 3, 2022
I know there are members here have met Bill and will be saddened by this news.
There is some talk of an online service for Bill Tommorrw to coincide with the service in NB but there is no word yet.
https://www.brunswickfuneralhome.ca/obituaries?fbclid=IwAR13gDbfgVgC_QP…

I first met Bill in 2016 and went down every year up to covid
Bill was a very generous host and accepted all paddlers into his life and you always felt welcome whenever you would show up at his place.

Here is a David Jackson video of him
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnF9CWCLkto

Here is Bill Enjoying music and friends at his home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0O7RdLNwJY

The pic is of Bill when he was still in the boat at his festival

Jeff

“Share your views: Public engagement on permanent public transit funding in Canada”
This really is an important issue for us in the outdoor community.
Passenger Rail service support has been on the decline for many years and for remote communities rail service was their public transit.
For those of us who have used passenger rail for many years to access remote areas this loss of service has not only been a blow to our ability to go to many crown land places, but it has been a major hit to the small remote communities and the outdoor businesses in these areas.

This is a major opportunity for the various outdoor users to support these local rural communities but also help us regain access to the areas we love and in all seasons.

Keep your responses to focus the point of of how this will support our rural communities and business and the ability to bring outdoor users to these areas and how much it is needed to help these communities and businesses survive in todays world.

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/transit-transport/consultation-eng.htm…

Image is of the former ACR Passenger rail service in Agawa Canyon

PS if you have a trip report of a trip where you used rail service please post a link or message me with it as I would like to reference these trips in a written submission.
Thanks!!!

Hi there,

I’m a new member, beginner whitewater and intermediate/advanced flat water canoeist. I have a 14 foot Esquif Echo which I’ve been really enjoying on flat and moving water. I took a solo canoe course at the last Palmer Rapids Festival and had such a great time. When I took the course I rented one of their dagger canoes. My question is if anyone could give me some advice on weather I should outfit this canoe with float bags and thigh straps. I would like to take it with us when we return for the next festival. Thanks in advance, Evan.

Mike Graham-Smith
1931-December 25, 2021
Some of us long-time WCA members will recall Mike Graham-Smith, who passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 91. Mike was an active member from the late 1970’s to the 1990’s. He served on our Board of Directors in the 1980’s and organized many local trips. His spring Upper Credit River trip was always a popular one, not only because it was a fun easy spring run but also because afterwards everyone was invited back to Mike’s Georgetown home for a party featuring wife June’s great home baking. Mike was also an accomplished solo paddler who had no problem keeping up with plastic playboats while running the Gull River’s challenging rapids in his 16 foot fiberglass Bluewater Saugeen.
I last met Mike about 4 years ago when he showed up at the Streetsville put-in for my spring Lower Credit River trip. He just wanted to say hello and reminisce about our WCA trips together, confessing that he was no longer up for a day of river-running.
Wherever you are now Mike, hope you find paddlers welcome and that there are blue waters and sunny skies.
Attached photo is from Canal Rapids, Magnetawan River, Sept. 1983. Mike in bow & Bill in stern in clearly retro paddling gear.
Bill Ness

Hi, I don't know if this is the right area to discuss gear. I just got a Nova Craft 16 Prospector and want to put on spray skirt. Have not used either, but have heard two people in strong favor of the Cooke Custom Sewing (CCS) and two people in strong favor of Northwaters set up. I'm picking before can try myself, so any and all insight/input would be very much appreciated. Thank you.