Southwest Paddlers – Nova Scotia

Resuming SWPA monthly gatherings starting Tuesday Oct.1 with dinner at The Argyler Lodger, 6:30 pm. *** Please let Sandra know if you plan to attend so she can make reservations with Jonathan … ([email protected] or call 902 648-0462.

Brief semi-annual meeting will follow downstairs + slide show of Voyageur Canoe trip down the St. John River that some of our members took part in a couple of years ago + overview of Canoe Kayak NS and what the association offers. Hope to see you there! (Photo Anna Mallin)

Southwest Paddlers Association now has a Garmin inReach satellite communicator. This is a safety device that can be used by SWPA members who are planning wilderness trips or ocean paddling expeditions.

In a nutshell: in the event there’s a serious accident or a life is in danger in remote areas that are not accessible by ambulance, this unit has an SOS feature that can be used to call in a helicopter and medics.

The Garmin inReach has many other functions including allowing family, friends and emergency contacts the ability to track paddlers on a trip, and to send or receive messages.

The unit cost close to $500 and another $500 was required to subscribe to a world-wide satellite service. The money from the Municipality of Argyle ($200) and Yarmouth Recreation ($200) along with member donations ($600) covered the purchase cost, as well as the satellite subscription fee for the coming year.

The unit will be available to members of SWPA who are planning trips and the association will be asking for a $20 donation per person per trip to cover the satellite subscription fee going forward.

The terms of use and recommended FLOAT PLAN can be found in the menu at the bottom of the ABOUT page.

Thanks to the presenters and everyone who came out Tuesday night for PADDLE! at the Yarmouth Co. Museum. Over 40 people attended; it was a great way to showcase what’s going on in our region. We are now taking a break from programming until the fall, but mark your calendars! Tuesday Oct. 2 we’ll resume our monthly dinner get-togethers followed by a presentation. It will be at 6 p.m. at The Argyler Lodge. Meanwhile, don’t forget to subscribe to this site as there’s good news to come and you don’t want to miss it!

I normally don’t post anything that is not related directly to paddling … BUT … We all need to be concerned about clear cutting; it affects all paddlers.

There’s a section on the books to be clear cut in Shelburne Co. and a citizen action group has formed. They plan to form a human blockade when the machines move in. I plan to go and will let everyone know. Right now, however, you can lend support by signing this letter (electronically).  https://www.stopclearcuts.com/letter?fbclid=IwAR1iFgBqhl_VDjEjAejexmH1cB52V2zUWlI7xehksKq4k5M_BXmXHIX9870

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If you click on this link, you’ll see the amount of forest that no longer exists in Nova Scotia (if you get the world map, just find NS and keep enlarging it until our province fills your screen.) The turquoise and red dots represent clear cuts just in the past two years. https://earthenginepartners.appspot.com/science-2013-global-forest It’s a very unsettling picture. Terrifying actually. 

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Meanwhile, a friendly reminder to consider joining the Southwest Paddlers Association. It’s only $15 and you can do this via e-transfer to the treasurer Dan Earle.  [email protected]> or mail him a cheque. Info. on the website http://www.southwestpaddlers.com/ 

Happy to say that four of our members will receive $75 to offset costs of taking a Wilderness First Aid course this spring. Also lots of programming and sharing info. sessions. Coming up:

Tues. April 2 at Tusket Fall Brewing Co. at 6 pm … (you can get a pizza on site or pick up something from Anchored Grounds or La Tchuisine close by)   After our bellies are full Will Pool will do a slide show/commentary about paddling in the Tobeatic and restoration work on one of the Warden’s cabins.

Sat. April 20th. Yarmouth Farmer’s Market, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. SWPA will have a table there and will be promoting the association + paddling sports. 

Tues. May 7. Yarmouth Co. Museum. A great “Show & Tell’ is planned with six companies in this region that provide paddling experiences (canoe, kayak, SUP) + info. about Bay of Fundy Kayaking Symposium + Shelburne Kayak Festival. Refreshments. Free. Promises to be a fun night.

There you go. Enough propaganda for now. 😉

Ice should be leaving our lakes and rivers sooooon. Picture yourselves on the water!

Cheers, Sandra

Our next meeting is Tuesday April 2nd at at the Tusket Falls Brewing Co. (across from Par en Bas school in Tusket). Please arrive by 6 pm so we can socialize and have something to eat together.

SWPA member Will Poole will be our presenter of the evening. He will share photos of his extensive trips in the Tobeatic and rescue of a Wardens Cabin converted to present use. It promises to be an informative and fun presentation!

NOTE re: FOOD: The brewery has asked that we do not bring our own food from home. However, you can order pizzas, risotto balls or cheese trays at the brewery. They are made to order by Speakeasy (menu attached). They also say it’s OK if you pick up something from Anchored Grounds. They usually have chili, rappie pie, pizzas, soups, chicken pot pies etc. Menu also attached.

SWPA has allotted four grants of $75 each to assist its members taking a 3-4 day Wilderness First Aid course. First come-first served! See below for dates/information about spring courses in HRM. Contact Dan Earle at <[email protected]> to express your interest. Copy of your registration is required. SWPA’s reimbursement will be made after course is completed and your participation documented. http://adventureandsafety.ca/

Here are a few things that may be of interest.

Only 52 days left to spring. Not that we’er countin’. 

1. SOUTHWEST PADDLERS ASSOCIATION. 

Please consider joining. It’s only $15 a year (simple e-transfer to Dan Earle <[email protected]> or mail a cheque to SW Paddlers, c/o Dan Earle, 97 Chebogue Point Road, Rockville NS, B5A 5E8. Remember to include your email to be added to the membership e-loop.

Keep in the paddling loop by checking out SWPA website http://www.southwestpaddlers.com/ (check out the menu for canoe and kayak points of entry with public access and parking!)  and FB page https://www.facebook.com/groups/201129713331842/ 

SWPA members keep in touch during the late fall and winter by meeting the first Tuesday of the month and having dinner together. *** Next gathering is at Anchored Grounds in Tusket, Feb. 5th at 6 p.m. Let me know if you plan to attend as I’ll be making reservations.

We’ll have some special programming coming up at the March, April and May gatherings (first Tuesdays) so mark your calendars. More info to follow.

SWPA contributes to the costs of a SPOT which is available for members to borrow (and we’re now looking into GArmin INreach … another tracking device.) SWPA also has a bothy bag which members can borrow for trips (emergency shelter … think “balloon.”)

… and there are other benefits to being a member. Do consider joining!

2. WILDERNESS FIRST AID COURSE  

With Blair Doyle this winter/spring.  Fabulous courses! http://adventureandsafety.ca/wilderness-first-aid/ Anna Mallin is planning to take one so get in touch with her if you want to team up with someone for one of the weekends.  <[email protected]>

3. TANDEM KAYAK FOR SALE:

Seaward fiberglass G3; like new condition; used 16 times over 2 seasons. Comes with c-tug and carbon fiber accent paddles. 2012 Kayak of the year. Canadian made. 22′ long and 90 lbs. Paid $8000.00 new for package. Check it out online at:  http://www.seawardkayaks.com/products_fibreglass.phpAsking $5000 OBO  

Call Mike at 902-229-8924 or email at [email protected]

We had our monthly meeting/get together on Tuesday evening at Anchored Grounds in Tusket. This was a new location for us and we found it very comfortable. We were able to move tables around and get up to chat. Food is ordered at counter and delivered to table. Nice assortment of food and coffee choices. Staff friendly and helpful. We had about 15 members there.

We had a special presentation thanking Andy and Ginny Smith for all the support and good things they have done on behalf of Southwest Paddlers over many years.