Southwest Paddlers – Nova Scotia

Paddle or sail in, or however, and join us.

SWPA monthly dinner meeting at Argyler Lodge 6 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 12th Note: 1) change of date for this month. 2) Our meetings are open. Bring guests! PROGRAM: Vernon Doucette will be giving a slide show/talk titled Modern paddling-ancient roots. He says, “My talk has two threads. One follows the history of recreational kayaking from its beginnings in mid-nineteenth century England while also looking at the subsequent moments of popularity in Germany between the wars, the UK in the late 1950’s and early 60’s and in North America subsequently. Parallel to that theme I’ll talk about how at certain moments in that evolution Native kayaks and techniques would significantly influence how the sport developed. I’ll also touch on aspects of Greenland kayaking, paddles and techniques and endeavor to answer any questions in that regard.” *** Let Sandra know if you plan to attend so she can make reservations. [email protected]

South West Paddlers

Executive Meeting

October 29^th, 2019

Sip Coffee Shop

Present: Sandra Phinney, Dan Earle, Sue Hutchins, Elaine Howatt, Karlyn d’Entremont, Vernon Doucette, Verna Wirth, Ken Pothier, Kerri Pothier and Barrie MacGregor

1. Welcome to new directors: Karlyn d’Entremont, Kerrie Pothier, Vernon Doucette, Verna Wirth, Ken Pothier.

1. Minutes of the last meeting: Barrie read the minutes from April 15, 2019. It was moved by Sue, seconded by Elaine and carried that the minutes be approved as read. 

1. Treasurer’s report: Dan reported that the association has $1,200 in the bank $220 of which is allocated for ongoing charges for the InReach. 

1. Call for new Membership: New members will be sought and current members will be asked to renew in Jan/Feb of 2020. 

1. Garmin Finances: This was covered in the treasurer’s report. 

1. Meeting programs: 

Nov: Vernon Doucette, History and making of Greenland kayaks

Dec: Nancy Lacusta: Tobeatic trip with Karlyn on SUP

Jan: Will Poole: PQ trip + tips for packing for kayak and canoe trips

Feb or March: Anna Mallin – Greenland or NL

Feb or March: Members send Sue 3 – 5 photographs of their favourite best/worst paddling moments and share stories

April: TBD

Suggestions for future programs: 

• Mel Doucette: polling or Nahanni trip
• Chris Bolger: review of Roy MacGregor’s “Canoe Country: the Making of Canada” 
• Nicola Roberts-Fenton  … Adler Wilderness Experiences

1. December General Meeting: It was agreed to schedule the December meeting (Dec. 3) for the Tuna Museum in Wedgeport pending availability. Verna and Ken to confirm. 

1. Fund raising: Sandra agreed to contact RBC re their 3, 3, and 3 program where Paddlers and bank employees join forces in a 3 hour community project. Shoreline clean up was suggested. 

Vernon will head a committee to come up with a proposal re: shore line clean ups. Inland waterways will also be considered. He also suggested we look into what the Main Island Trail Association is doing, for ideas.

1. Events SWPA can support: It was generally agreed that the Shelburne Kayak Festival could use some support. Pending funds SWPA will consider sponsorship possibly for youth. We will also encourage members to attend their next meeting Nov. 12^th in Shelburne.

1. Big Boat Experience: It was agreed that further exploration on the availability and conditions related to big boat use and training. Sue will get further information from her contact and Sandra will follow up with Canoe/Kayak NS. 

1. Other: We’ll suggest to members that they come half hour early to mix “n” mingle at member meetings before settling down to dinner. Will also try and have program in a different part of location so folks can socialize.

1. Next Executive Meeting: Tuesday January 21^st, 2020 – 12 noon at SIP. 

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/