Events

“We would like to thank everyone who attended the APS event this year held on the Eastern Shore and hosted by Memory Lane Heritage Village, Lake Charlotte.

The event was a huge success and without your participation it would not have happened. This is the third year for the event and we increased our attendance by 50% from last year.

The event kicked off with a great dinner sponsored by Canoe/Kayak Nova Scotia and a slideshow by Kokatat sales representative Mark Scriver on the “Evolution of Paddle Sport in Canada”. Mark gave a great personal perspective on the ever changing faces of paddling; mediums, equipment, direction and styles.

Saturday’s sessions were full of very keen paddlers: sea kayak surfing drew over 20 people to Clam Harbour, which was delivering a three foot break. White water paddlers took plunges in the water and were rescued by Rob Lemmon in his swift water rescue clinic. Kelsey Thompson ran a great white water kayak session on the Musquodoboit River.

In the afternoon Kokatat Ambassador Greg Stamer led the Greenland skills session, while other paddlers were on the sea with Richard Alexander mastering strokes. Saturday was capped off by Greg Stamer giving a presentation on his circumnavigation of the Island of Newfoundland.

Sunday began with a nice yoga session by Deborah Moore-Boylan in the old school house. Morning sessions of canoe pole and rock hopping were hindered a little bit by high winds but we all made the best of it and persevered.

The rest of the day brought a variety of sessions with a large array of boats on the Lake. Sessions included a stand up paddle board session with Mark Scriver, while Jamie Maillet and Peter Lavigne led an incident management session. Scott Cunningham ended the day while posing the question “Is there a right way to paddle?”

The whole weekend was a huge success chocked full of valuable sessions and a great deal of enjoyment. This successful event would not have been possible were it not for the ongoing support and dedication of the organizing committee.

I would personally like to thank Jamie Maillet (C2TC and New Brunswick Paddle Canada rep), Blair Doyle (Paddle Canada President), Richard Alexander (former Paddle Canada Rep), Alan Stanley (Paddle Canada treasurer), Rob Lemon and Corey Lock (Newfoundland and Labrador Paddle Canada rep).

The 2011 Atlantic Paddle Symposium will be held in Glovertown, Newfoundland; May 20-23. The Splash and Putt Conference Centre has already been reserved to host the event. This should be a great venue and an event you won’t want to miss. Hope to see you next year!” – Christopher Lockyer