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Editor 

Alan Wilson 

Assistant Editor—Office Manager 

Diane Coussens 

Associate Editor 

Laurie MacBride 

Assistant 

Diana Mumford 

Associate 

Howard Stiff 

Webmaster 

Ted Leather 

Distributors 

Marty Wanless, Herb Clark, 

Rajé Harwood, DRM Mailing 

Bookkeeper Advisor 

Margaret Dyke Mercia Sixta 

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SAFE PADDLING is an individual responsibility. We 

recommend that inexperienced paddlers seek expert 

instruction and advice about local conditions, have all the 

required gear and know how to use it. The publishers of 

this magazine and its contributors are not responsible for 

how the information in these pages is used by others. 

Published by 

Wave-Length Communications Inc. 

© 2002. Copyright is retained on all material, text and 

graphics, in this magazine. No reproduction is allowed of 

any material in any form, print or electronic, for any purpose, 

except with the expressed permission of Wave-Length 

Communications Inc. (unless for private reference only). 

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government 

of Canada, through the Canada Magazine Fund, toward 

our editorial costs, to promote Canadian writing. 

Editorial 

The Creative Process 

Building a kayak is a bit like building an issue of our magazine. It all starts 

with a plan—in our case a feature topic like ‘kayak construction’. Then we proceed 

to gather the raw materials (articles and photos) from far and wide. 

Eventually we’re ready to begin, surrounded by all our tools and materials. We start 

to shape the pieces to our needs and gradually fit them into the template, one by one, 

until we’ve got a rough draft. It’s a matter of trimming and fitting, trimming and fitting, 

until we’ve got something that hangs together and has a pleasing form. 

Then it’s time to do a test paddle to see how it performs—as you might with the 

prototype of a new design. We run it by our editors who judge the strengths and 

weaknesses, offer comments and suggestions. Then it’s back to the shop for another 

round of modifications, more proofing, more editing... until we finally arrive at a 

finished product. 

Of course there’s a lot more to boat building and publishing than that, but you can 

see the similarities. We work with the materials at hand and to a certain extent we 

make it up as we go along, with choices and trade-offs. At the end of the day, we 

hope it floats! 

If you think such a comparison is totally fanciful, consider the fact that the printed 

version of this magazine and a wooden kayak are both wood products—which shows 

what a marvelously diverse material wood is.* And this underlines just how our modern 

world, for all our technological advances, ultimately derives from nature. 

So we must also ask ourselves—are our materials the product of ravaged rainforests? 

Is their production toxifying our air and waters? 

We need to choose carefully, assuring ourselves the suppliers are responsible. We 

need to use our power as conscientious consumers to purchase wisely, and our active 

citizenship to push for public policies which ensure optimum ecological values. 

Once reassured we’re doing the best we can, we return to our workshop to engage 

in the creative process, to transform our chosen materials with care, energy and 

passion, into a thing of beauty, a vessel to carry us off into future adventures. 

Happy paddling! 

Alan Wilson 

*To minimize the use of resources, we long ago began offering WaveLength in both print and web forms. 

INSIDE 

Volume 12 Number 4 

5 Why a Wooden Kayak? 

NICK SCHADE 

7 The Gals Who Built the Boats 

LEE BELIVEAU 

9 View from the Moaning Chair 

ROD TAIT 

10 HIN It or Lose It 

LARRY BURDEN 

11 Visiting Artisans Program 

JEREMY WARD 

12 Have Wheels, Will Paddle 

VADIM KIN 

14 WOODEN KAYAK DIRECTORY 

17 Inuit Kayaks 

LYN HANCOCK 

18 Building Greener Boats 

JAMER BUOTE 

20 New Sit-in/Sit-on Hybrid 

RON IRWIN 

22 A Bit About Boat Building 

STEVE CROWE—COLUMN 

WaveLength is a member of TAPS (Trade Association of Paddlesports) 

Ph: 360-855-9434. www.gopaddle.org 

COVER PHOTO Bathing beauties 

by Rod Tait, Orca Boats 

24 Clayoquot Sound—Still Not Saved 

DAN LEWIS—COLUMN 

26 ‘Discovering’ Howe Sound 

ALAN WILSON—COLUMN 

29 Howe Sound’s Pulp Mills 

CHRISTIANNE WILHELMSON 

30 The Salmon Forest 

ALEXANDRA MORTON—COLUMN 

32 Rave Reviews 

DEB LEACH—COLUMN 

33 Wood on the Web 

TED LEATHER—COLUMN 

34 Feathery Paddlers 

BRYAN NICHOLS—COLUMN 

36 NEWS 

38 UNCLASSIFIED ADS 

42 GREAT GEAR & KAYAKS 

44 BOOKS 

46 CALENDAR 

4 www.WaveLengthMagazine.com December/January 2003

Why a Wooden Kayak? 

The fog starts to lift as you leave the 

island where you camped. As you 

head out across the bay, a seal pops up 

to see who is crossing its territory. Out to 

the right you hear a porpoise exhale. 

You’re carrying all you need, self sufficient, 

dependent on no one. You look with 

satisfaction down at your deck, evaluating 

the selection of wood, wondering if 

you should rearrange the deck lines, thinking 

about new hatch systems. You are paddling 

a kayak you built yourself. 

There are not many things that you can 

make that will take you as far as a kayak. 

While some people can make a motorcycle 

or an airplane, these are not 

projects suitable to the average basement 

or garage workshop, whereas a marginally 

handy individual can make a highly 

functional kayak without sophisticated 

tools or skills. 

There are lots of reasons why you might 

want to build your own kayak, from saving 

money to getting a pretty boat, but 

the most compelling reason is the satisfaction 

you get from being out on the 

water in a craft you made with your own 

hands. This satisfaction is enhanced by 

Photo courtesy Pygmy Boats 

Nick Schade 

the fact that yours is almost always the 

prettiest kayak in your group. It’s also 

likely that your boat will be one of the 

lightest and least expensive. In this age 

of pre-packaged dinners there are few 

opportunities to make such a high quality 

product by yourself. 

WHY YOU SHOULDN’T BUILD ONE 

Don’t take on the project just to save 

money. The materials to build a high 

quality wood kayak generally cost less 

than a similar pre-manufactured boat, 

but that doesn’t include your time. 

Kayak kit manufacturers will quote times 

as low as 45 hours to build a relatively 

simple design. While they are not lying, 

they are probably being a little optimistic 

for the average beginning 

builder. 

The average person with a job and 

family obligations may have difficulty 

finding the time. The work is satisfying 

and should be relaxing. If you go into 

the project thinking you will bang out a 

boat in short order and be ready to paddle 

in no time, you may end up frustrated. 

If you see the time spent build-➝ 

December/January 2003 www.WaveLengthMagazine.com 

5

ing as a chance to slow down, learn new skills and relax, you are 

more likely to enjoy it. 

Before you commit yourself to trying to build a kayak as a thing 

of beauty, consider how you want to use it. They are pretty, but that 

can sometimes interfere with their practicality. If you have spent all 

winter obsessing over making a gorgeous kayak, you may be reluctant 

to subject it to the inevitable bumps and grinds of use. If you 

use it, your kayak will get scratched. 

There is nothing wrong with wanting to put your best effort into 

making a beautiful kayak. You just need to realize that perfection 

takes time. While you can make a very nice looking kayak quite 

quickly, it takes a very long time to make a drop-dead gorgeous 

one. If you start the project with the attitude that it’s just a boat to 

be used, you will likely be overwhelmed with how pretty it comes 

out. If you go into the project hoping to achieve perfection, you 

may be disappointed in the inevitable flaws. 

One kit, 60 hours, 

a lifetime of 

ADVENTURE 

Sea Wolf Wooden Kayak Kits are for the 

discriminating paddler who prefers the 

beauty, light weight and efficiency of a 

wooden kayak. 

• Kits include only the highest 

quality materials. 

• Easily built by anyone with 

limited woodworking 

experience. 

• These kayaks will 

last a lifetime 

and beyond. 

You can 

proudly say 

“I built it 

myself” 

ROY FOLLAND WOODEN KAYAKS 

130 Como Gardens, Hudson, 

Quebec, J0P 1H0 

(450) 458-0152 

Email: kayak@royfolland.com 

www.royfolland.com 

WHY YOU SHOULD BUILD A KAYAK 

A wooden kayak is not a compromise. It can be just as strong as 

a pre-manufactured plastic, fiberglass or kevlar boat. In fact, a 

wooden kayak is often also a fiberglass kayak. Most of the building 

techniques incorporate fiberglass into the finished boat as reinforcement. 

The difference is, the wood serves as a core material 

between layers of glass. This makes a boat that is generally stiffer 

than other kayaks. While it is possible to scratch through the outer 

layer of glass to expose the wood core to water, it’s hard to break 

completely through a wooden kayak. Most scratches are just cosmetic 

and don’t harm the boat. 

The wood-fiberglass composite creates a structure that is relatively 

lightweight for its strength. It will be easier to paddle and 

more responsive than other, heavier kayaks. And a lighter boat is 

much easier to load on the car and carry down to the put-in. 

Building your own boat provides you with all the skills to fix it, 

should the worst happen. You will know intimately how the boat 

goes together and what needs to be done to put it back together 

should it break. 

Making the kayak yourself lets you customize it exactly to your 

needs. Many of the building methods let you do simple tweaks of 

the design to get the performance you want. If you have unusual 

desires, the kayak designers are often willing to create a custom 

design specifically suited to your needs. And as you build, you can 

outfit the boat to meet your specific needs. If you want extra deck 

lines or a fishing rod holder, you don’t need to negotiate with the 

manufacturer to get what you want. 

The beauty of wood is undeniable. It has a 

visual richness that is only seen in natural 

materials. And it doesn’t take any particular 

skill to make wood look good. It’s a forgiving 

material—the texture of the grain hides many 

mistakes. 

The real advantage of wood is it permits you to do it all yourself 

without sophisticated tools or skills. It’s possible to make a fullfiberglass 

kayak at home, but it’s a much more involved project. If 

the idea of moving across in the water in a craft you put together 

with your own hands appeals to you, making a wooden kayak is 

the best way to do it. The time spent in the basement will feel well 

spent when you place the boat in the water and head out across 

the bay. ❏ 

©Nick Schade is the owner of Guillemot Kayaks, 

Glastonbury, CT . Ph/Fx: (860) 659-8847. 

www.guillemot-kayaks.com/ 


The Gals Who Built the Boats 

Lee Beliveau 

Dale Boothby photo 

Imagination is the glue holding it all together. 

Take two mid-aged women with visions 

of sea kayaking floating in their heads, 

add two Chesapeake hulls lying in the basement, 

and we have action. 

Jeannette’s husband, Keith, had chosen 

the plan, cut all the sections and carefully 

wire-stitched the mahogany plywood. Then 

he became ill and the rest was up to us. 

With no one to guide us, we spent a fair bit 

of time reading the instructions and consulting 

The Kayak Shop (1993) and The New 

Kayak Shop (2001) by Chris Kulczycki (Ragged 

Mountain Press). Nervously we discussed 

the concepts of what went where 

and what meant what. How do you pronounce 

“chine” anyway? 

We ventured out to the marine shops and 

bought our first batch of cold cure epoxy, 

reassured that it would take extra time to set, 

and we would thus have more time to correct 

errors. Fiberglass seemed very important. 

As novice kayakers, we wanted reinforcement 

on our precious crafts. 

We had an open carport to work in, plus 

a backyard. Jeannette is a sculptor so she 

had saws and sanders and knew how to 

use them. Beginning August 15, we collaborated 

at least once a week on my days off 

work. We had so many questions. How to 

cut the fiberglass and keep the edges from 

fraying and causing bumps in the glue? 

How to measure the varying amounts of 

cold cure, and was that Part A or Part B? Do 

we have any more gloves somewhere? 

There is a fantastic measuring device you 

can fashion yourself out of a simple piece 

of wood. It’s called a “jig”. Once we discovered 

what it was supposed to do, with 

the advice of our builder friend Doug, we 


created one and were delighted to be able 

to accurately calculate spacing of the 

coaming edges and nailings. 

A discovery was made that Merlot wine 

went well with late supper barbeques, once 

we were all cleaned up from the day’s work 

and could celebrate the progress we’d 

made. When the hulls were dry we could 

foresee something spectacular. Those boats 

would actually float. 

We became creative. Certain individual 

talents surfaced. It seemed I had an eye for 

lining things up and Jeannette had an uncanny 

ability to recognize when I had 

something backwards. We came to rely on 

each other’s instincts of doubt and we made 

no irreversible mistakes. Holding the curved 

deck in place was handled by strategy and 

duct tape until those nails were in. 

Then the coaming! That’s the smooth edging 

around the cockpit over which the kayak 

skirt fits. Building it seemed like a high level 

skill to me. Our design was a keyhole shape 

that required layers of plywood glued together 

and held every few centimeters by 

our large supply of hefty clamps. Doug 

helped us with this endeavour in the template 

stage, then sat back to watch us wrestle 

with the wood. Shaping and innovating, 

we made the opening an inch wider 

and the depth one thickness higher. Sanding 

the edges with a disk grinder, I felt like 

a dentist with my first patient. By August 

24, we performed our first trimming of the 

deck and coaming with a plane. We even 

saved a few shavings from this first “haircut” 

for our journal. 

Yes, we did remember to put rudder 

tracks, pedals and cables on before the deck➝ 

Funny how 

one thing 

leads to 

another... 

For Brandon Nelson and 

Heather Christensen, it 

began with the dream of 

kayaking the length of the 

Sea of Cortez.That led to 

clearing out their garage... 

and ultimately to 

Chesapeake kayak kits. 

“Building the boats ourselves 

and then paddling 

them for 72 days along 

such a desolate and harsh 

coast, in total comfort the 

whole time...This is the 

definition of Joy!” (See their 

inspiring story in Sea 

Kayaker, April 2002.) 

Whether your dream is 

long-distance or short, 

we’ve got a kayak kit that 

makes getting ready almost 

as fun as getting there. 

32 easy-to-build 

quality boat kits. 

Chesapeake Light Craft 

1805 George Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401 

(410) 267-0137 info@clcboats.com 

www.clcboats.com 

7

went on. We shopped four locations for 

hardware and accessories. Originally we 

planned to make our own seats but found 

suitable ones at a kayak shop instead. 

Did I say Jeannette actually knew what 

“scarfing” meant? She did that part all by 

herself, fashioning symmetrical noses for 

the girls. I noticed her holding her breath 

as she smoothed two plywood edges together 

until they were nicely spliced. Very 

impressive. As we glide over the water now, 

we peek over the blue cosmetic noses she 

sculpted. 

More epoxy. Good thing we understood 

why only a light coat on the underside of 

the deck was recommended so it could be 

bent into shape. Bit of a glitch though, comprehending 

what was meant by 

“unthickened,” plus the fact that I placed 

the pieces upside down. You see, I thought 

unthickened was a term for unhardened. 

So I spread only Part A and added no part 

B, the hardening agent. Alas, we soon found 

out this would leave only a “forever sticky” 

surface. Then what to do? How do you remove 

it? And/or harden it? We tried wiping 

it off. Amazing how it seemed to reappear. 

We called the manufacturer. There were 

suggestions but no one was giving any guarantees. 

Try acetone first, they said. Maybe, 

Jeannette thought, we could use the hair 

dryer to heat it up and then remove it. With 

a glimmer of hope, she whisked away to 

the hardware store and bought a heavy duty 

hot air gun. It worked! To justify the cost, 

she reassured herself she could use it again 

later with her art work. 

One evening, as we pushed on to finish 

one more task before dark, we looked up 

to see our neighbour with his extension light 

Jeannette cutting the rear hatch. 

Jeannette Boothby photo Lee Beliveau photo 

Lee showing off the finished creation. 

pointed over the fence. If it hadn’t been for 

him we might never have put those rudder 

holes in the right place. 

One sunny day, we sat in our boats on 

the back lawn and pretended we were on 

the ocean. It was actually coming together. 

And, they no longer looked like canoes. 

We sanded. Wet, dry, by hand, and with 

an orbital sander. We debated. What did 

“smooth” really mean? What did they mean 

by bubbles? How big were allowable? What 

if you sanded too much? 

The handmade sawhorses gave way, 

knock-kneed, a few times. The boats were 

lifted in and out of the basement window 

once they looked tempting enough for 

someone to steal from the open carport. 

After we bought paint and read the fine 

print, we discovered it was not compatible 

with the epoxy. Plan B: we decided to have 

a body shop spray them with polyurethane 

paint. October 30, the rainy evening we 

picked them up, the entire shop room shone 

a shocking brilliant blue. A bit much! We 

reassured ourselves that we’d love them 

anyway. And we do. On their own turf (or 

sea) with a trim of black webbing and 

bungy, they look sleek and they move like 

dolphins. 

Summer of 2002 has been a whole new 

set of adventures as we learn to read the 

waters. We murmur expressions of peace and 

tranquillity from the floating perspective. 

And you know, it’s a bit like walking a 

dog. Everyone approaches us with friendly 

greetings. They pat our kayaks, and we wag 

our tails. ❏ 

© Lee Beliveau, of Surrey BC began writing on 

a quest to illustrate the world of the 

professional nurse. Her balance for this 

demanding role comes with retreat to nature. 

Kayaking is her ultimate solace. 


View From the Moaning Chair 

To recall early experiences in building 

hand crafted wood strip kayaks, a litany 

of phrases come to mind like “if anything 

can go wrong, it will” or “measure twice, 

cut once”, or maybe even “more is not necessarily 

always better”. But the concept that 

best describes those initial construction 

days is that of the “Moaning Chair.” 

For those who may be planning to build 

your own boat, you too will need to find 

your own moaning chair. Whether it’s an 

old lawn chair, a wooden stool or that old 

wooden crate in the corner of your garage, 

it will provide that place of solitude where 

you sit back and view your boat as it takes 

shape. It’s the place where a builder flops 

his or her weary body to ponder the challenges 

that lie ahead, to ask—”How am I 

going to accomplish this?” 

As I embarked on adding wood strip kayaks 

to my boat building experiences, I read 

numerous publications and attended several 

boat shows. After purchasing a set of 

plans, I painfully waited for them to arrive 

in the mail. Upon arrival, I placed a small, 

metal, folding chair in my small shop and 

proceeded to pour over the written and pictorial 

explanation of how to assemble my 

boat. I didn‘t know at that time that this 

very chair would become my “moaning 

chair.” 

Throughout the months that followed, 

that old folding chair provided comfort to 

my tired body when needed, allowed me 

a good aerial view as the boat took shape, 

and folded up to allow room for frustrations 

to vent. It became my building partner 

as it traveled with me to the water’s edge 

on launch day. That was some years ago 

and many boats have been launched since. 

The boat building business has expanded 

and relocated several times, but that dedicated 

chair still sits in my shop. It no longer 

holds the title of moaning chair, but it still 

provides a place of comfort for customers 

who undertake building their own boats under 

my direction. Many customers have sat 

A new cedar strip paddling dream turns into reality in Rod’s workshop. 

in it to admire their accomplishments and 

countless photos have been taken from its 

aerial perch. 

After years of building, I now find pleasure 

in assisting others to realize their 

dreams. I am thankful to work in my own 

business where I am allowed to be creative, 

feel the sense of accomplishment in 

overcoming challenges, and can assist others 

to experience those same feelings. It‘s 

amazing that in the same moment one can 

feel frustration and relief, anger and elation, 

anxiety and calm, but in the end, always 

success. 

First-time builders often ask me to critique 

and comment on the quality of their 

work. I am glad to share advice, but I can 

honestly say that I have never found a boat 

that did not fully express the desire and 

pride of the builder. 

If you are thinking about building your 

own kayak, purchase a set of plans and find 

your own moaning chair. It will soon be- 

Rod Tait 

come your building partner and friend because 

the view from the moaning chair is 

always good. It’s a place to proudly acknowledge 

your success as you turn your 

paddling dreams into reality. ❏ 

© Text and photos by Rod Tait of Orca Boats 

Custom Boatbuilding. Rod designs, builds and 

teaches others to build wood strip canoes and 

kayaks through his courses and in his shop. 

He also took the cover shot of this issue. 

info@orcaboats.ca. 

www.orcaboats.ca. 

Paddling, Palm Trees, Parrots and Pina Coladas! 

Join us in the Bay Islands, Honduras for private island lodge-based trips, reef 

and rainforest combination trips, and the finest meals and instruction possible. 

www.uncommonadv.com 

1-866-882-5525 (from USA) 231-882-5525 (from Canada) 


9

HIN it or Lose It 

Oh, the dream of building a kayak or a 

canoe from scratch and paddling 

around in my own work of art, knowing 

that my boat is unique and special. Unfortunately, 

nearly every home-built water craft 

I have seen lacks one very important feature—a 

means of identifying it if it’s stolen! 

Boat owners often tell me they know their 

boat intimately and would be able to identify 

it anywhere, and they are right. They 

could identify their boat if someone stole 

it, but I couldn’t. 

Personalizing your kayak with graphics 

and special features is great, but that type of 

information cannot be entered on a police 

computer and does not provide the police 

with any grounds or authority to seize a suspected 

stolen boat when encountered. 

All water craft in North America are required 

by law to have a “hull identification 

number” (HIN) permanently attached to the 

hull. The HIN is a twelve character number 

that describes who the manufacturer is, its 

production number and when the boat was 

made. When you purchase a kayak or canoe 

from a manufacturer, it will have the 

HIN on it. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers 

are complying with regulations and 

using the correct HIN format or applying 

HINs to their products! This practice is not 

only illegal, it places the owner in a difficult 

situation should their boat get stolen. 

Unfortunately, most people are unaware 

of the regulations that require kit boats or 

home built boats to have a HIN, or how to 

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The police need two things, a HIN so 

if it is removed we can investigate, 

and additional hidden identification 

so we can prove a boat is stolen and 

get it back to its rightful owner. We 

get no authority from the removal of 

any other type of identification such 

as graphics or your name—we get 

our authority from the HIN. 

A D V E N T U R E 

Also 2–9 day summer trips to: 

• Johnstone Strait/Knight Inlet 

• Queen Charlottes 

• Clayoquot Sound 

• Nootka Island 

• Broken Group 

• or Gulf Islands Weekends 

info@gck.ca 

www.gck.ca 

910 Clarendon, Gabriola Island, BC CANADA V0R 1X1 

PH: 250-247-8277 FAX: 250-247-9788 

O U T F I T T E R S 

Larry Burden 

get a HIN issued for the craft so it complies 

with the law. Builders of home made or kit 

boats are required to apply to the government 

for a government-issued HIN. In 

Canada it is called a ”Single Vessel Label” 

and costs $5. This is not a tax grab or unnecessary 

government interference, but a 

very important feature of all pleasure craft. 

Unfortunately, the single vessel label is not 

very permanent. 

I recommend you do two things: put a 

clear coating over the government label to 

make it more secure, and make an additional 

HIN label from a labeling machine 

and hide it inside the craft so the police 

have an additional means of identification. 

In the USA, government-issued HINs are 

issued at the state level. Some states provide 

a label or plate but most just issue you 

the HIN and you put it on your boat any 

way you choose. 

I am not a great fan of that process because 

enforcement officers have no way of 

knowing if the State-issued HIN is a legitimate 

state-assigned HIN, especially if it is 

scratched into the hull with an engraving 

pen. It’s bad enough that too many manufacturers 

engrave the HIN into their products, 

we should not compound the problem 

of escalating rates of theft by making it 

too easy for thieves. Engraved numbers are 

easily rubbed out with a little sand paper 

leaving little or no trace of the original HIN. 

The HIN is very important to the police 

because in most jurisdictions, if the HIN 

has been altered, obliterated or removed, 

it’s grounds for the police to seize the craft 

as stolen property. 

Which brings me to the other pressing 

issue—that of having at least one additional 

HIN hidden in the craft so we can actually 

identify it when we seize it. If you are building 

your own canoe or kayak please ensure 

you put several pieces of identification 

into your boat. The police need two 

things: a HIN so if it is removed we can 

investigate, and additional hidden identification 

so we can prove a boat is stolen and 

get it back to its rightful owner. We get no 

authority from the removal of any other type 

of identification such as graphics or your 

name—we get our authority from the HIN. 

If a boat is stolen we need to know what 

the correct HIN is so we can put that information 

on the police computer. You may 

be able to identify your kayak by its colour 

pattern but there is a good chance your boat 

is going to be transported to another jurisdiction 

and the only method we can use to 

query a suspected stolen boat is its HIN. 

In Canada you can apply for a Single 

Vessel Label by contacting the Office of 

Boating Safety, 200 Kent Street Ottawa, ON 

K1A 0E6. Ph: 800-267-6687. Web: 

www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca. ❏ 

© Larry Burden is a Constable with 

the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. 

FUNKY’S Little 

CANOE & KAYAK Shop 

Custom milled red & yellow cedar, 

bead & cove or straight, boxed 

plywood strongbacks. Let us cut 

and shape your station molds, 

greatly minimizing the tools, space 

and time you need to get paddling! 

Cumberland, Vancouver Island, BC 

250-336-8523 

bfunk@island.net 


Visiting Artisans Program 

The Canadian Canoe Museum is 

hosting a new Visiting Artisans Program 

to preserve and promote cultural 

understanding and the teaching of traditional 

knowledge. 

Last summer, the museum piloted 

this program when we began the construction 

of a 36 foot birch bark canoe 

under the glare of hot lights, movie 

cameras and the watchful eye of our 

patient visitors. 

Great sheets of bark, many of which 

measured over twenty feet in length, 

were peeled from trunks of mature 

white birch trees slated for harvest in 

the Haliburton area. Back in the museum’s 

Preserving Skills Gallery, these 

sheets were staked out and carefully 

formed as the bottom of the canoe’s 

hull. With two runs of bark stitched in place along each side, the 

full volume and scale of this long-haul carrier of the 18th and early 

19th centuries has begun to take place. 

Construction of the canoe is expected to carry through the summer 

of 2003, after which this fully functioning replica of a Montreal 

Canoe will be tested with a cargo and crew of four tons! Visitors 

to the museum’s website can follow progress of the canoe over 

the next months. 

Following this, through the development of solid partnerships 

with communities in the North, the museum will host Inuit builders 

who will construct a traditional kayak as the next feature demonstration 

of the Visiting Artisans Program. 

Museum audiences will enjoy the rare opportunity of a first hand 

encounter with these valuable traditions and with the people who 

KAYAK BAJA IN STYLE 

whale watching & desert wilderness 

Rhonda MacIsaac and Jeremy Ward sewing sheets 

of side bark as the hull takes shape. 

Soft Science Associates photo 

Jeremy Ward 

practice them. They will be able to 

witness the remarkable conversion of 

natural raw materials into the sophisticated 

craft for which these builders 

are known. Moreover, the cultural 

context and stories embedded in 

these arts are to be a featured element. 

The visitor will also come to 

understand the value of traditional 

kayak building today, which has 

largely shifted from that of a practical 

skill born out of need, to a powerful 

symbol of cultural pride, expression 

and renewal. 

The documentation of this exciting 

initiative will be published through 

various media, including a film documentary, 

print material and an online 

exhibit through our website: 

www.canoemuseum.net. 

The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, Ontario 

is known internationally for holding the largest and most comprehensive 

collection of traditional canoes and kayaks in the 

world. Since 1995, it has worked to advance knowledge, increase 

access, and promote awareness and understanding of 

unique and diverse indigenous cultures. The museum has successfully 

interwoven a rich cultural tapestry of stories, living 

traditions, skills, and knowledge around its comprehensive collection 

of watercraft. This is accomplished through new and 

compelling ways, using the canoe as the unifying link between 

the people and the country. ❏ 

© Jeremy Ward is Supervisor of Artisan and Public Programming 

with the Canadian Canoe Museum. www.canoemuseum.net 

Call 800-616-1943 

info@seakayakadventures.com 

www.seakayakadventures.com 


11

Have Wheels, Will Paddle 

It was a cold, wet, gray, spring day here in Seattle when my friend 

George offered to take me out in his recently built Pygmy double. 

I grabbed a paddle and got into the front cockpit. George got 

in back, another friend shoved us off, and I was finally paddling a 

kayak again after a 22 year hiatus. One sniff of the moist coastal 

air, two strokes of the paddle, and the old addiction was back. 

I grew up in Moscow, Russia, where every summer my parents 

took me on a month-long kayak trip down one of the many placid, 

flat, and very remote Russian rivers. The kayak was our ticket into 

the back country and otherwise inaccessible forests full of mushrooms 

and berries, rivers and lakes swarming with fish. That all 

changed when I was 13, when I sustained a spinal cord injury that 

left me paralyzed from the chest down. I had not kayaked since. 

The love of wilderness 

never left me though, 

and every chance I got, I 

spent outdoors. By now 

I had moved to the US, 

where I took my wheelchair 

on the roughest 

trails possible. Where the 

chair did not work, I 

eventually used a Jeep. 

Although the strategy 

was a huge improvement 

over the urban jungle, 

My take-apart wheelchair. 

there were still problems. The roughest wheelchair trails did not 

take me very far from the car; I could not carry very much; and the 

noise of civilization was constantly with me. The Jeep took me 

much further, and would also carry my camping gear, but then I 

was generating my own noise. 

Therefore, sitting in George’s kayak, all I could think of was a 

300km, month-long paddle, away from roads, cars, jeeps, motors 

of any kind. Overcome by the memories, I dreamed of being 12 

years old again. I had to get a kayak. But what kind? Where could 

I get something that would work for me? Being in the front of my 

friend’s double felt great, but he had a wife and two small sons— 

already enough to transport. And what about the wheelchair? I really 

wanted to be fully independent and be in charge of my own 

craft. And then another thing happened during my second paddle 

with George. Her name was Martine, and she paddled a white and 

turquoise Tesla. 

In search of a solution, I went to the TAPS Kayak Symposium—a 

Vadim Kin 

trade show and get-together 

held annually in 

Port Townsend, Washington. 

I pushed my 

wheelchair through the 

deep sand for the length 

of the beach, stopping 

every ten yards or so to 

look at, or touch, another 

type of kayak. There were 

singles, doubles, triples, A wide, accommodating cockpit. 

plastic, fiberglass, 

wooden, canvas, rigid, folding! I tried a few of them on the water. 

The larger ones—doubles and triples—had the advantage of the 

additional cockpit for the wheelchair, but they were slow and heavy. 

I knew that I could not keep up with Martine in one of those. 

I nearly flipped the first single I tried. I have control only of my 

upper body and some back muscles, while the lower back, abdominal 

muscles and hips are paralyzed. Balance is a big issue, so 

the 24” beam of the single made me uncomfortable. And all the 

kayaks there had foot-operated rudders. I needed a stable, welltracking 

single, and I had to figure out a way to get the wheelchair 

aboard. 

The blisters on my hands—the result of 200 yards of pushing the 

wheelchair in loose sand—told the story of my search. I had covered 

the ground, I had seen everything available, and nothing fit 

the bill. I decided that I had to make my own. I did try one boat 

that I knew could probably work, and I was going to start with that 

one. The boat was the Pygmy Queen Charlotte XL. 

The QC-XL is a big boat of the Old Greenland type. It is 17.5’ long 

and 25.5” wide, resulting in excellent initial stability. Another advantage 

is the hull’s cargo capacity. I had only to modify it to somehow 

swallow my wheelchair. As with all adult-sized Pygmys, this one has 

the larger 33” x 17” cockpit—still too small for my smallest wheelchair. 

A trip to a wheelchair shop resulted in a smaller wheelchair 

with quick-release wheels, casters, footrests, armrests and back support. 

I knew this one would fit into the cockpit, and I did not let much 

time pass before two huge boxes, filled with plywood panels, fiberglass 

and epoxy, were sitting on the floor of my garage. 

Some six months later, the boat was launched for its inaugural 

paddle. I immediately realized that I still had work to do. Following 

the excellent Pygmy instructions, I built the kayak without the 

rudder, bulkheads, or hatches. Most of the wheelchair did indeed 

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The ’5-minute’ hatch behind my seat. 

fit under the deck behind the seat, and I 

had only the wheels to put on the deck. 

However, I still had a 300 km paddle in 

mind, and that meant a lot of stuff besides 

the wheelchair, and most of it would have 

to fit under the deck as well. I needed 

hatches. I also had an opportunity to observe 

a rescue session involving an overturned 

kayak that did not have a front bulkhead. 

I knew I needed bulkheads, too. 

I soon discovered that the Greenland hull 

has some interesting tracking characteristics. 

I found that if the boat started to turn 

one way, it wanted to continue to turn that 

way, no matter how I adjusted my stroke. 

One way to deal with it, of course, is to 

shift your body position and lean away from 

the direction in which you want to turn. 

But I cannot lean very well while maintaining 

my balance, so I had another problem 

to solve—the rudder. 

First I did the obvious—standard bulkheads 

and hatches from the Pygmy catalog. 

I cut the rear bulkhead down, so it could 

be installed deeper into the stern, about two 

feet behind the cockpit, leaving enough 

room for the wheelchair. I also added the 

standard rudder, but did not hook it up to 

the foot pedals. While at a sailing equipment 

store to get some rope for a bow line, 

I came across a device called the “tiller 

tamer.” It’s normally used on a sailboat tiller 

to fix it in a given position. I picked one up, 

and installed it on the deck of my kayak, in 

front of the cockpit. I then routed the rudder 

cable sleeves on top of the deck, and 

attached the cables to the tiller tamer ropes. 

Now, the rudder could stay fixed in one 

position, and I could adjust it with minimal 

interruption to my paddling. I finally 

had an expedition kayak! 

Or so I thought. I then paid a visit to Lee 

Moyer, the owner/manager of Pacific Water 

Sports (near Seattle), and a renowned 

kayak designer. Lee did not think much of 

the two foot long compartment behind the 

cockpit, and as for the rudder cables—”people 

will just want to grab them to lift the 

boat” (which I had already observed to be 

true). 

The boat went back into the garage for 

one final set of modifications. The rudder 

cables were routed under the deck, and as 

for the wheelchair compartment —I applied 

Lee’s theory of the “five minute hatch.” Normally 

you want the deck hatches to be 

watertight. But I needed a third bulkhead, 

right behind the cockpit, and a hatch in that 

bulkhead. This hatch needs to hold water 

only if I capsize, and if my boat is capsized 

for more than five minutes or so, a bit of 

water in the wheelchair compartment is 

probably not my biggest problem. Additionally, 

to help keep an unwanted immersion 

into our frigid northwestern waters to less 

than five minutes, I installed a modified 

paddle float rigging—a variation on another 

one of Lee’s inventions. 

Despite 

two-thirds 

of my body 

representing 

dead weight in 

a self-rescue 

situation, the 

rigging passed 

the five minute 

test with flying 

colours. 

As for my expeditions? 

How 

do two weeks 

Ready to roll. 

in the Gulf Islands, 

two 120 mile trips down the Green 

River of Utah, and plenty of shorter paddles 

near Seattle, sound? And I’m just getting 

started. 

And as for building your own boat— 

George warned me, and now I am warning 

you—you will not be satisfied with just one. 

Or two. Or any finite number. Martine will 

tell you. She now has to park her car in the 

driveway, because there are two Pygmy 

Cohos under construction in our carport. ❏ 

© Text and photos by Vadim Kin, a fine art 

photographer who lives in Seattle, Washington. 

Ed. note: We’ll have more from Vadim on his 

paddlefloat rigging and the Tiller Tamer in our 

‘How To...’ issue next spring. 

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13

Wooden Kayak Directory 

A Great Little Kayak Co. Richmond, BC, manufacturer of Teeka 

Kayaks, is a small company that builds kayaks as a labour of love. 

They start by building a new design in cedar strip and, if the cedar 

strip kayak meets their criteria of performance, they then take a 

mold off it and start to manufacture them in fiberglass. They are 

always open to suggestions on new designs and ideas. Expedition 

and sailing sea kayaks are their specialty. Contact Mike Walker 

(owner) at 604-671-3295. Web: www.kayakme.com. A Great Little 

Kayak Co. 16860 River Road, Richmond, BC. V6V 1L6. 

Bear Mountain Boat Shop Peterborough, Ontario. Renowned 

for pioneering the woodstrip epoxy construction technique, Ted 

Moores, author of Canoecraft and KayakCraft builds kayaks and 

canoes, offers classes, and sells professional building plans for 25 

canoes, kayaks and small boats. Visit their web site and interactive 

bulletin board. A catalogue of plans is available. Toll free order 

line: 877-392-8880. Email: info@bearmountainboats.com. Web: 

www.bearmountainboats.com. 

Chesapeake Light Craft Annapolis, Maryland. Chesapeake Kayaks 

have enjoyed a long development and widespread popularity. 

Kits are precision cut on their own CNC machine from African 

Mahogany marine plywood. Their touring and racing sea kayaks 

are built and paddled by professional kayakers and rank beginners, 

teenagers and octogenarians. These are highly sophisticated, highperformance 

boats that can be assembled by beginners in their 

own garages. Check out their huge website: www.clcboats.com. 

Funky’s Little Canoe & Kayak Shop Cumberland, BC. Are you 

dreaming of building a beautiful wood strip canoe or kayak? Think 

the task too difficult? Don’t have all the tools? Red and Yellow Cedar 

custom milled strips: 3/16" or 1/4" thick by 1/2" to 7/8" widths, 

Bead & Cove or Straight cut. Boxed plywood strongbacks. They 

can also cut and shape your boat’s station molds to your plans. This 

greatly minimizes the tools, space and time you need to get paddling. 

FLCKS is located in Cumberland, Vancouver Island, BC. 250- 

336-8523. Email: bfunk@island.net. 

Guillemot Kayaks Glastonbury, Connecticut. Plans for building 

your own high performance wooden sea kayak. Distinctive designs 

to suit any paddling style. Rugged, beautiful, strip-built construction 

for complete design freedom. Accurate, computer generated, 

full size patterns. Complete instruction book available separately. 

Email: info@guillemot-kayaks.com. Web: www.kayakplans.com/L. 

Newfound Woodworks of Bristol, New Hampshire has been supplying 

cedar strip/epoxy canoe and kayak kits to boat builders since 

1988. Cedar strip and hybrid kayak kits are their specialty. Check 

out the new Explorer and Navigator designs on their website. Phone: 

603-744-6872. Email: info@newfound.com. Web: www.new 

found.com. 

Nomad Boatbuilding Vancouver, BC. Nomad Boatbuilding is 

dedicated to the design, building, and restoration of wooden canoes, 

kayaks, and row/sail boats up to 20 ft in length, specializing 

in custom building using the techniques of glued lapstrake plywood 

and traditional clinker construction. Other services include: 

cedar/canvas canoe restoration, yacht repair, instruction in boat 

building and repair, half-model building, and paddle and oar making. 

Located on Granville Island in Vancouver. Ph: 604-723-9584. 

Web: www.nomadboatbuilding.ca. 

Orca Boats Custom Boatbuilding Port Coquitlam, BC. Rod Tait 

of Orca Boats designs and custom builds handcrafted wood strip 

canoes and kayaks. In addition to custom building, Orca Boats 

also repairs small wooden boats, sells plans for canoes and kayaks 

and offers courses on building wood strip boats. Their unique onsite 

building option allows customers the opportunity to complete 

their own boats under direction and supervision. Orca Boats is 

determined to turn your “paddling dreams into reality.” Email at 

info@orcaboats.ca. Web: www.orcaboats.ca. 

Pygmy Boats, Inc. Port Townsend, Washington is the largest manufacturer 

of precision precut plywood kayak kits in North America. 

Started in 1986 by boat designer and software engineer John 

Lockwood, Pygmy produced North America’s first computer-designed 

sea kayaks. During the past 16 years they have expanded 

their line to include 15 models of sea kayaks, a rowing skiff and a 

wilderness tripping canoe. For more information, contact Pygmy 

Boats. Ph: 360-385-6143. Web: www.pygmyboats.com. 


Redfish Kayak & Canoe Co. Boise, Idaho. 

Joe Greenley of Redfish set out to design and 

build a series of wood kayaks that would be 

fast, responsive and maneuverable with no 

need for a rudder. The lines and final finish 

of his kayaks make them as pleasing to the 

eye as they are to paddle. Four Redfish designs 

are available: Silver, Spring Run, Return 

and the new King. Ph: 360-565-8329. 

Email: joe@redfishkayak.com. Website: 

www.redfishkayak.com. 

WEST COAST 

CANOE COMPANY 

Manufacturing & Restoring 

Wooden Canoes 

1-800-446-1588 

canoes@islandnet.com 

www.islandnet.com/~canoes 

Roy Folland Wooden Kayaks Hudson, 

Quebec. Roy Folland Wooden Kayaks was 

established in Hudson, Quebec five years 

ago. An experienced and accomplished 

designer, Roy’s objective was to bring the 

kayak kit business to a higher level of precision 

and beauty than was available at the 

time. With an innovative approach, unique 

construction methods have been incorporated 

enabling anyone to build a beautiful 

wooden kayak. Having trouble with anything? 

Call any time for assistance. Information 

is available on several kits. Ph: 450- 

458-0152. Email: kayak@royfolland.com. 

Web: www.roy folland.com. 

San Javier Kayak Petaluma, California. 

Currently the only supplier offering “full 

sized” patterns to builders who don’t want 

to mess around with the complication of 

blue prints. In business for seven years, they 

have deliberately kept a low profile. They 

want to be known for the quality of their 

designs and kits and are not interested in 

mass production. Take a look at their 

website, these folks are in the business because 

they really love paddling and building! 

www.woodenkayak.com. Or write for 

a free brochure: San Javier Kayak, 1308 

Beechwood Dr., Petaluma, CA 94954. Ph: 

707-781-6852. 

True North Summerland, BC. True North 

Wooden Boat Co. is dedicated to producing 

top quality, high performance wood/ 

epoxy canoes and touring kayaks. As durable 

as they are beautiful, these fine wooden 

boats can be paddled with pride and con-➝ 

Coastal Kayak Leadership Training Course 

May 2-11, 2003 

Malaspina University-College offers an intensive 10-day ocean kayak 

course, providing participants with the knowledge and skills necessary 

to lead groups of kayakers in coastal waters. The course takes place 

on the west coast of Vancouver Island and includes basic training, 

followed by an expedition into unprotected coastal waters. 

For more information contact 

The Centre for Continuing Studies 

(250) 740-6160 

Nanaimo Campus 

900 Fifth St., Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5 

Kayak Specialists 

Kayaks & Gear 

Rentals & Lessons 

250-245-7887 

610 Oyster Bay Drive, Ladysmith, BC 

www.IslandOutdoorCentre.com 

Sea Kayak Association of BC 

Trips, training, monthly meetings, 

newsletters, paddling contacts 

www.skabc.org 

membership@skabc.org 

604-669-4492 

Box 751, Stn. A, 

Vancouver, BC V6C 2N6 


15

fidence and are destined to become a treasured 

family possession. Ph: 250-494-4458. 

Email: woodboat@vip.net. Web: www.true 

northwoodenboat.com. 

Waters Dancing Edmonton, Alberta. Waters 

Dancing has manufactured quality 

stitch & glue kayak and canoe kits since 

the 1950s. They use the unique QuikLock 

Connector System TM to join panels quickly 

and accurately. Waters Dancing’s comprehensive 

manuals average 130 pages with 

photos and illustrations. These kits are the 

most complete kits on the market at the 

lowest price. Ph: 780-437-4919. Email: 

Sales@boatcraft.com. Web: www.waters 

dancing.com. 

West Coast Canoe Company Campbell 

River BC. West Coast Canoe Company is 

dedicated to the crafting, restoration and 

repair of classic cedar and canvas canoes. 

Their product line features 14 different models 

ranging from a 10' trapper to a 20' 

freighter, yet they strive to make each canoe 

as individual as the customer purchasing 

it. They also hand-craft paddles and canoe 

boxes from the finest west coast materials 

and offer a complete line of supplies 

for the do-it-yourselfer. Call toll free 1-800- 

446-1588 or email: canoes@island 

net.com. Web: www.islandnet.com/~canoes. 

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Inuit Kayaks 

In the old days, when an Inuk hunted seals 

or caribou by kayak (spelled qajak now), 

he got out of the vessel by walking over the 

bow, stepping lightly on a concealed crossbar. 

If he stepped on any other place, he 

would break through the stretched caribou 

skins seamed with caribou fat that covered 

the willow branch thwarts. 

When I study the qajaks made today by 

my Inuit friends in Nunavut or Northwest 

Territories—caribou-skinned with caribou 

sinew rope and string, caribou vertebrae 

bungy cords and scrounged spruce paddles—I 

am amazed at their apparent fragility 

and tippiness. It makes me thankful for 

my roto-molded plastic Current Designs 

kayak. 

Lyn Hancock 

Closeup of cockpit showing willow ribs, sinew string, caribou skin covering, 

bone frame cockpit rim, and spruce paddle. 

Sam inspects a bone and steel-tipped 

spear carried on deck of the qajak 

which sits on its winter rock supports. 

In the old days there wasn’t much variety 

in building materials on the arctic tundra—just 

animals, willows, driftwood if you 

were lucky, and unlimited numbers of 

heavy, lichen-encrusted rocks. 

It didn’t take long for Sam and his other 

guiding buddy, Ben Ogigon, to choose four 

flattish rocks, stabilize them into position 

with other rocks, and place them as V- 

shaped end supports. Then they set one of 

Bobby’s qajaks, which usually hangs from 

the ceiling in Treeline Lodge’s meeting 

room, onto the stone qajak frame. 

My Inuit friends are happy to show me 

how they did things in the old days and 

patiently pose for my cameras, but they stick 

to their outboard motors and skidoos for 

seal or caribou hunting when I am not 

around. 

Ironically, when I return to Nanoose Bay 

on Vancouver Island, I take down my kayak 

from its wood and steel cradle on the side of 

my house and set off on a seal hunt of my 

own. I need the craft of their ancestors to 

creep up to my quarry with my camera. ❏ 

© Text and photos by Lyn Hancock, 

a freelance writer living in Nanoose Bay, BC. 

Sam, dressed in caribou skin 

clothing, paddles near Bathurst Inlet 

Lodge in the central Arctic. 

On my visit last year to Treeline Lodge, 

Sam Kapolak showed me how the Inuit 

fashioned frames in the late autumn to hold 

their qajaks over the winter. Traditionally, 

the qayaks would sit in these stone holding 

frames from the finish of their fall caribou 

hunts until the beginning of summer when 

the qajaks were repaired and renewed with 

fresh caribou skins. 


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17

Building ‘Greener’ Boats 

When the idea of submitting an article 

on kayak and canoe construction 

was first proposed to me, my coworkers and 

I had just completed a major project using 

the latest vacuum infusion technology. 

Since building boats is as much a passion 

of mine as paddling them, I appreciate 

the opportunity to share some insights 

on the benefits of new construction techniques 

with fellow paddlers. 

Although there is a wide variety of materials 

to build paddlecraft from, it seems 

fiberglass holds an edge in the minds and 

choices of most paddlers. Fiberglass is a 

great medium for kayaks and canoes since 

it’s possible to mold it into the flowing, complex 

shapes of modern kayaks and canoes. 

It’s also very durable, when used properly, 

and stands up well to years of heavy 

use. My old fiberglass canoe has logged 

more than a few miles over the last 20 years 

and still looks surprisingly good with only 

minimal maintenance and upkeep. 

A major downside to fiberglass construction 

is the negative impact on our environment. 

It can be fairly noxious stuff, as anyone 

who has worked with it or been close 

by when it is being used, will attest. 

Fortunately, awareness is gaining momentum 

and tougher restrictions are being 

imposed on the fiberglass industry to reduce 

both airborne emissions and solid 

wastes. Although there are some in the industry 

that feel these new regulations are 

too costly to implement, many others are 

working hard to develop technologies that 

meet or surpass these new regulations and 

guidelines. 

With vacuum infusion, and other closed 

molding techniques, the harmful gasses 

associated with fiberglass manufacturing 

are contained under a vacuum bag or between 

the two-part molds. The off-gas normally 

associated with fiberglass construction 

is all but eliminated by using these techniques 

since the gas can be filtered both 

before and after the vacuum pump. 

These new techniques also use less material 

than the traditional open or “hand 

laid” methods, so reduce the amount of 

solid waste that eventually ends up in 

landfill sites. Even vacuum bagging, which 

is quite different than vacuum infusion, can 

contribute to excessive solid waste if con- 

Jamer Buote 

ventional bagging materials are used. 

Although reusable silicone bags and 

two-part molds may seem expensive initially, 

they allow very impressive production 

runs making them cost effective over 

the long term. 

Another area that benefits from closed 

molding techniques is the manufacturing 

workplace. With greatly reduced emissions, 

the shop floor is certainly a much healthier 

and friendly atmosphere for those using these 

newer methods. In the past, laminators 

looked more like alien life forms than boat 

builders after donning the suits and breathing 

apparatus required to work with chemicals 

used in fiberglass construction. 

All this is obviously good news for the 

environment and for those of us who work 

within the manufacturing industry but there 

are also significant benefits to those who 

paddle the boats made this way. Not only 

are closed molded kayaks and canoes 

“greener”, they are also stronger and lighter 

than boats made using older methods. 

With traditional hand laid or open 

molded boats, the resin is applied to dry 

fiberglass cloth material then rolled or 

scraped to distribute the liquid evenly 

through the cloth. A skilled laminator can 

attain a glass to resin ratio of close to 60% 

but a 55 to 45% ratio is more often the 

norm. 

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Vacuum bagging has the resin added to 

a dry laminate, then the bag is added and 

the resin is then spread through the laminate 

with rubber or hard plastic squeegees. 

The glass fabric or cloth to resin ratio is 

only slightly higher than the best hand laminate 

but the reduction of resin does decrease 

the finished product’s weight somewhat. 

With vacuum infusion, the dry cloth 

laminate is bagged under very high pressure, 

normally 14.5 pounds per square inch, 

which translates to a ton of force per square 

foot. Under this pressure, all moisture and 

air is removed from the dry laminate before 

the resin is introduced. The vacuum 

pressure is then used to draw the liquid resin 

through the laminate and is maintained until 

the part solidifies. 

The result is a finished product that uses 

less resin and yields a glass to resin ratio of 

70 to 30%. Since there is no excess resin 

in the material laminate, we see an increase 

in strength and a reduction in overall 

weight. 

Many paddlers opt for carbon or carbonkevlar 

to gain extra strength, and to drop a 

few pounds of weight, but that comes with 

a price tag that is hard to justify for some of 

us. Generally speaking, the cost of these 

materials ends up averaging $100 per 

pound of weight saved. 

With infusion we can gain the strength 

and lose some weight without the extra cost 

associated with exotic materials like carbon 

and kevlar. Because the infusion process 

lends itself so well to production manufacturing, 

these advantages need not come 

at the higher costs attached to these exotic 

materials. Ironically, even the exotics like 

carbon and kevlar gain from the infusion 

process and yield the same advantages enjoyed 

by the more conventional materials, 

again without adding to the cost. 

Although some companies are slow to 

embrace these new techniques, it is obvious 

that environmental concerns and the 

added advantages of closed molding will 

set the demand for stronger, lighter and 

“greener” kayaks and canoes. 

Since paddlers in general are a very environmentally 

aware group I’m confident 

that we will soon have the choice of our 

favorite designs constructed with the latest 

technology—if we ask we will receive. 

Here’s to “greener” boats. ❏ 

© Jamer Buote is President of Inukshuk 

Adventure Group on Vancouver Island. He has 

31 years in the marine manufacturing industry 

and 25 years experience in composite 

manufacturing. He’s an avid paddler, sailor, 

hiker and dog musher. 

Modern materials definitely have their their advantages but 

our friend Doug has identified at least one potential downside. 

“Guess I parked ‘er a little too close to the camp fire.” 


19

New Sit-In/Sit-On Hybrid 

Two years ago, at the beginning of the new millennium, kayakers 

speculated about future trends in kayak designs. Most pontificated 

about hull shapes, hydraulic steering mechanisms, electronic 

navigational devices and modern materials, missing the most obvious 

design development 

just waiting to be 

performed—a merger 

of sit-in and sit-on 

kayak elements. 

Take the best of sit-on kayaks—closed hulls with seat indents, 

intact cylindrical hull, self-draining cockpits, ease of entry and sense 

of freedom—and blend it with the best of traditional sit-in kayaks—sprayskirts 

which give comfort through their weather protection. 

Hey, presto! You have the Hybrid Combo, the world’s ultimate 

kayak! 

At PaddleYak Sea Kayak Productions in Cape Town, South Africa, 

unexpected advantages emerged as they developed their Fusion 

and Swift ranges of hybrid combination sit-in/sit-on sea kayaks. 

Criticisms from traditional sit-in manufacturers and sales persons 

made those at PaddleYak think more carefully about the design 

innovations which were emerging with their new hybrid craft. 

So far the following unique qualities of hybrid kayaks have been 

identified: 

Craft connectedness. Unlike recreational sit-ons, the hybrid has 

a deep seat which is contoured from the lower middle back area 

right up to the heels. Also, unlike sit-ins where separate seats are 

mounted to the floor of the kayak’s bottom hull, or swung from the 

rim of the cockpit, the paddler’s back, buttocks, thighs and heels 

are all firmly connected to the deck’s cockpit seat area, allowing 

Ron Irwin 

excellent feel of the craft’s movements. This is achieved without 

giving the feeling of entrapment associated with sit-ins. Knee-bracing 

against the cockpit coaming of sit-ins is unnecessary due to the 

excellent connectedness of the paddler with the whole hull of the 

craft, but for diehards 

this can be achieved 

through the addition 

of a knee-brace or a 

firm sprayskirt 

stretched tautly across the coaming. For those wishing to brace in 

order to roll, a quick-release lap strap can provide more than enough 

support, as waveski paddlers have proven. Rolling ability is also 

not a prerequisite for taking these craft into the most severe of ocean 

conditions. 

Ease of entry and re-entry. The self-draining, indented seat cockpit 

allows for lower freeboard and decks than is the case with sitins, 

making entry and re-entry into the craft easy and safe. Water 

drains out of the cockpit in an instant, making pumping unnecessary. 

Paddlers can also hang their legs over the cockpit indents to 

stabilise their craft, leaving their hands free to perform any tasks 

required. The lower design profile of the hybrid also makes it less 

prone to the wind and adverse sea conditions than sit-ins. 

Stability is not compromised. With careful designing, hybrid kayaks 

have seat indents which are at the same height from the bottom 

of the craft as featured in good sit-in kayaks. Seats in hybrids are 

never flush with the bottom of the kayak as this is not the optimal 

paddling position. Stability, in any case, is also a function of beam 

width and hull design, not only of seat height. 

Integrated and sealed hull provides strength and waterproofing. 


Unlike with sit-ins, the hybrid’s hull is a 

sealed unit, almost like an elliptical ball. 

There is no gaping cockpit hole in the top 

deck which has to be sealed off at all costs 

with a sprayskirt and bulkheads, or a cockpit 

pod, to avoid flooding. Bulkheads are 

unnecessary in hybrids in respect to waterproofing 

or safety. The seat and leg indents 

in the deck prevent dry-bags from shifting 

out of reach. The paddler is also seated on 

the deck of the craft, so to speak, and does 

not step on the unsupported bottom hull of 

the craft. This means that the hull can be 

reinforced with foam and not only with layers 

of reinforcing cloth which add weight 

to sit-in craft. 

Seaworthiness of hybrids undisputed. The 

hybrid has all the well-proven sea worthy 

characteristics of sit-on classics like surfskis 

and waveskis, but also provide for the comfort 

and weather-protection of the paddler 

by the addition of a sit-in type sprayskirt 

coaming. 

The hybrid revolution is silently emerging 

in a variety of guises. The first K1 Olympic 

Class sprinting kayaks with seat indents 

rather than sit-in cockpits have appeared 

recently. These K1s are but two steps 

away from adding coamings and self-draining 

scuppers and becoming fully-fledged 

hybrids! Ocean Kayak in the USA has recently 

introduced a new range of sit-in kay- 

aks which have seat indents and coamings, 

rather than sit-in cockpits. Previously they 

produced a craft with a removable 

coaming. Now it’s a fully-fledged hybrid, 

bar one more step—a self-draining cockpit. 

PaddleYak’s hybrid Swifts and Fusions 

may well be paving the way forward. The 

credo of its owner and manager, Johan 

Loots, is that even the Inuits would have 

preferred such craft had they had the technology 

to build them! ❏ 

© Ron Irwin is a freelance writer 

living in South Africa. 

Speaking of innovations, here’s a 

great new kayak that lets paddlers 

really connect with the environment. 

Clear Blue Hawaii makes this 

transparent hull from high-tech, 

impact resistant polymer. Weighing 

just 40 pounds, it gives you a 

window to the sea life beneath you. 

Web: www.clearbluehawaii.com. 

Ph: 808-832-2438 or 1-877-777-6708. 

Editor’s note: Despite the appeal of this photo, 

we do NOT recommend paddling without a life 

jacket, even in tropical waters. However, it has 

been pointed out to us that in big surf landings, 

if you were to capsize and need to dive to avoid 

being struck by a breaker—or possibly your own 

kayak—a lifejacket could be an impediment. 

Careful judgement based on experience with 

specific conditions is obviously crucial, but 

lifejackets are the first line of defence, and 

capsize/rescue situations must be practiced. 


2003 

Canadian Recreational Canoe 

Association (CRCA) Courses 

Finally, a nationally recognized 

certification program for 

amateur kayakers! 

• Recreational Courses & Exams 

• Intermediate Sea Kayaking Training 

– Level II (Tidal) 

• Advanced Sea Kayaking Training 

– Level IV 

• Instructor Training & Exams 

Basic, Level I, Level II 

• SKGABC Assistant Guide Training 

Courses 

WANT TO BE A GUIDE? 

Here is the first step. A 10 day 

course offered in partnership with 

Geophilia Adventures. 

For dates and prices, call us at 250-381-4233 

or check out our courses on the web at: 

www.oceanriver.com 

21

Rapid Descents 

A Bit About Boat Building 

I 

recently had the opportunity to learn 

about innovations in whitewater kayak 

construction. My parents had just built a 

deck over the slow-moving river that fronts 

their property and I was caring for their 

house while they vacationed. “Don’t you 

jump off that deck,” mom had commanded 

me with a mother’s mechanical admonition 

as she left. The next day I had the picnic 

table resting on the railing and my friend 

sitting reluctantly on top in my kayak. “It’ll 

work,” I said. 

With what was intended as a mighty 

shove, I slid him along only as far as the 

point of no return. In horror, I watched him 

tilt forward until he dropped vertically out 

of sight. I looked over in time to see him 

toppling forward, upside-down, into the 

river. Imagine my relief to see him quickly 

roll up with a bewildered grin on his face, 

jarred but not broken. 

Satisfied my friend was okay, I became 

concerned for my boat. But it was barely 

scratched. Why? Plastic, of course. And 

that’s the innovation. In the days of 

fiberglass, I could never have pushed my 

friend onto the rocks. 

With a newfound respect for the construction 

of kayaks, and a theme stimulus 

provided by Alan, the editor, I contacted 

Glen MacPherson, a very agreeable spirits-sampling 

companion from the days of 

our youth. Glen is now the sales manager 

for Necky kayaks and would be my introduction 

to the world of whitewater kayak 

construction. I visited Glen at the Necky 

factory in Ferndale, Washington where the 

BC born company moved all its plastics 

manufacturing a year ago. Relieved to be 

pulled away from the phone, Glen gladly 

toured me around the facility and introduced 

me to Spike Gladwin, the product 

development manager, and Brian Queen, 

Adhering logos to the aluminum mold. 

the director of operations and designer of 

the roto-molding ovens that cook the kayaks. 

These two willingly and ably answered 

my questions about the process and the 

history of whitewater kayak construction. 

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS 

I’ll attempt to summarize the construction 

process: 

First, a designer creates a design in his 

mind and on a computer. 

Second, he creates a plug using foam and 

fibreglass. This plug is the final shape the 

kayak will have. 

Third, an aluminum mold (top and bottom) 

is created from the plug and costs tens 

of thousands of dollars. All the eventual 

boats of this model come from this mold. 

Fourth, mold-in graphics with the Necky 

and model logos are adhered to the inside 

of the mold. These will be cooked into the 

plastic, making them impossible to remove. 

Fifth, Superlinear polyethylene powder, 

a very strong, durable and refined by-product 

of petroleum processing, is poured into 

the mold. The colours of this powder are 

selected by the marketing department. 

Multi-coloured kayaks are created by swirling 

different colours together at this point. 

Sixth, the mold is sealed tight and rolled 

Steve Crowe 

into a natural gas-fired oven that costs hundreds 

of thousands of dollars and roasts at 

288° C. The oven then tilts back and forth 

and the mold rotates continuously, hence 

the term “roto-molding”. These actions ensure 

that the powder, as it melts, coats the 

entire surface of the mold evenly. On average, 

time on the spit is twenty minutes. 

Seventh, upon removal, the molds are 

cooled as quickly as possible with continued 

rotation and powerful fans. 

Eighth, the boat is popped out of the mold 

and placed in a fibreglass cooling rack. 

Ninth, a detailer removes excess plastic 

at the seams, and cuts cockpit, drain and 

bolt holes. 

Tenth, the cockpit is outfitted with a seat, 

thigh braces, hip braces, drain plugs, handles 

and, depending on the model, foot 

pegs. 

Finally, the kayak is wrapped, shipped, 

and—when Glen is having a good day— 

sold. 

Preparing polyethylene powder. 

HISTORY 

As for the history of whitewater kayak 

construction, it would be speculative of me 

to suggest that the whitewater industry began 

a shift towards plastics because more 

and more people wanted to push their 

friends off sketchy launch pads, but I’m 

pretty sure it had something to do with 

rocks. Rivers flow over rocks, kayaks flow 

down rivers, and inevitably the two meet. 

I’m sure they met spectacularly many times 

in the fiberglass past. 

Spike, who designed and built his first 

boat with his dad at age thirteen, told me 

the first plastic boats were made by 

Hollowform. The first plastic boats of significance, 

however, were designed by Bill 

Masters for Perception in the early 1970s. 

Though rugged and able to take a beating, 

the boats were not immediately popular. 

Paddlers thought plastic boats inferior and 

deridingly called them “tupperware.” There 

were few serious paddlers at the time, and 


Pouring powder into the mold. 

they preferred to make their own fiberglass 

boats in their garages or buy direct from 

the manufacturer. With a small market and 

exorbitant prices for the aluminum molds 

and ovens, Perception remained the only 

company manufacturing plastic tubs for a 

number of years. The Dancer is a wellknown 

boat from the era. 

About 1993, Prijon introduced the Hurricane. 

Although Prijon was (and is) the only 

blow-molding boat manufacturer in the 

industry, its design of the Hurricane was 

radical and affected the whole industry. It 

was short and had a flat back deck, just like 

the fiberglass boats. They sold like hotcakes. 

Applying the cockpit rim. 

characteristic would improve whitewater 

kayaking as well, Spike brainstormed with 

colleagues, including present western Canadian 

sales rep Dave Vanderveen, to come 

up with the prototype for the Rip. When 

Mike Neckar, the company founder and 

chief designer at the time, returned from a 

trip to find this boat on his factory floor, he 

was so impressed that he decided to reverse 

his decision to have Necky make ocean 

kayaks exclusively. Soon after, they released 

the Jive, which was an improvement on the 

Rip, and they are making them to this day. 

So where is the future of whitewater 

kayak construction heading? Dave, who I 

spoke with at his home near Abbotsford, 

BC where Necky still maintains a composite 

factory, believes it is in improved 

outfitting. He showed me models of Necky’s 

new playboats for the 2003 season, the 

Chronic and the Vibe. Lifting one, I noticed 

it was very light, indicating thin plastic 

walls. “Now watch this,” he said as he 

turned it upside down and started jumping 

on it. Evidently it still had all the strength of 

heavier boats. “Look here,” he said turning 

it over again and pointing inside. 

I saw a narrow rail of aluminum running 

the length of the boat, under the seat. This 

is what Necky is calling its recoil system, 

which will provide kayakers with a responsive 

hull so they can bounce off waves to 

catch air, and less weight so they can jump 

higher. Dave also pointed out other cockpit 

innovations, such as a molded foam seat 

that can be sanded for a personal fit, which 

Necky hopes will put them at the forefront 

of the industry in 2003. 

Spike, thinking even further ahead, thinks 

that the future of kayak construction lays in 

Jim Hnatiak testing a Jive’s strength 

on the Bridge River. 

the development of new materials. He 

doesn’t know what they may be yet, but is 

confident that some chemist in a basement 

lab of some chemical manufacturer will 

soon create a new material that will be 

stonger, lighter and stiffer than polyethylene. 

Given the right material, he thinks, it is 

possible that people will again be making 

their own whitewater boats in their garages. 

Once that happens, with thousands of innovators 

racing ahead of the corporate design 

teams, where the development of kayak 

construction will go is anybody’s guess. ❏ 

© Text and photos 

by Steve Crowe, 

co-author of 

“Whitewater In BC's 

Southwest: A Guide 

to Accessible Runs 

for Beginner to 

Advanced Kayakers.” 

Suddenly there was a market for plastic 

boats and other companies launched their 

own small, low-volume boats. Quickly a 

new segment of the market appeared: recreational 

paddlers—average Joes who just 

wanted to kayak for fun. Over the next decade, 

the designs, the roto-molding process 

and the plastics used were refined and improved 

until today’s tiny, rigid boats less 

than six feet long. 

Spike himself was involved in creating 

one of the most influential boats of the mid- 

90s. Spending time kayak-surfing on ocean 

beaches, Spike (who was the junior world 

champion slalom kayaker when he was 16 

and winner of the Canadian national championships 

in 1987—although he was British, 

and thus not named champion), 

couldn’t help but notice that the surfers 

around him were going much faster than 

him on the waves. 

The difference, he found, was that the 

surfboards had flat hulls, unlike the displacement 

hull on his kayak. Convinced this 


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23

From the Rainforest 

Clayoquot Sound—Still Not Saved 

It’s been a bit of a freaky 

fall here in Clayoquot 

Sound. Instead of the 

usual waves of storm 

fronts bringing copious 

amounts of rain, we’ve 

had day after day of 

warm, sunny and calm 

weather. Kind of like August, 

but without the afternoon 

westerly winds. 

The salmon are holding 

near the mouths of the 

creeks, waiting for rain to 

swim upstream. 

While lighting the 

woodstove the other day 

(we don’t read newspapers—we 

just burn them, 

although I have been 

known to take up to half 

an hour to get a fire lit), I read that the world’s glaciers will all be 

gone within twenty years, according to Dr. David Schindler, one of 

Canada’s most distinguished scientists. It seems that global warming 

is upon us. 

One of the things we can do to slow global warming and mitigate 

its effects is to protect the world’s remaining ancient forests. The United 

Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) issued a report in 2001 

entitled “An Assessment of the Status of the World’s Remaining Closed 

Forests.” Working with NASA and the US Geological Survey, they 

completed a satellite-based 

survey of the planet’s remaining 

closed-canopy forests, 

which include oldgrowth 

and naturally-regenerated 

woodlands. 

They found that over 80 

percent of the remaining 

closed forests in the world 

are located in just 15 countries 

(Canada is one of the 

four industrialized nations 

on the list). “88 per cent of 

these vital forests are 

sparsely populated, which 

gives well-focussed and 

well-funded conservation 

efforts a real chance of success,” 

said Klaus Toepfer, 

Executive Director of 

UNEP. “Knowing it is unlikely 

that all forests can be protected, it would be better to focus 

conservation prorities on those target areas.” 

Meanwhile, in BC, International Forest Products (Interfor) is gearing 

up for a major assault on one of the world’s major candidate 

protected forests. They have just submitted a ten year plan for their 

tree farm license here in Clayoquot Sound. There are some serious 

flaws with it, including the scale of logging proposed, the highgrading 

of big old cedars, and the contentious location of many of 

the proposed cutblocks. 

Pretty Girl Cove in Clayoquot Sound. What will be left for the future? 

Jacqueline Windh photo 

Dan Lewis 


In the old school of industrial logging, the amount of timber to 

be cut is determined, then cut, and it is hoped that some forest 

values and habitat will survive at the end of the day. The Clayoquot 

Sound Science Panel tried to turn forestry on its head. They stated 

that the forest ecosystem should first be inventoried, then a determination 

be made of how much wood could be removed without 

damaging the ecology of the forest. Interfor is currently trying to 

stockpile 800,000 cubic metres of approved cut, before any scientific 

plans are completed. Clearly, Interfor intends to try to maintain 

a regime of industrial-scale logging here in one of the world’s 

most contentious forests. 

Interfor is high-grading ancient cedars from Clayoquot Sound 

and all of their proposed cutblocks are in the oldest age category. 

This practice leaves behind an inferior forest, while giving the appearance 

of having retained forest values. Observations of the variable 

retention (the new style of clear-cutting calls for “retaining” a 

variable amount of trees within the cutblock) in Interfor’s past cuts 

indicates that the patches of trees “retained” are mostly unmarketable 

young hemlocks and dead snags, and that cedar has been 

logged from within many of those retention patches. 

This is the first time since the mass arrests of 1993 that a logging 

company has tried to go into so many contentious areas at once. 

Sulphur Passage is one of the places now on the chopping block. 

This spectacular pristine area is located at the north end of Clayoquot 

Sound, and is a favourite passage for kayakers and yachters heading 

up to Hot Springs Cove. It is the gateway to the largest intact 

rainforest left on Vancouver Island—the complex of valleys including 

the Sydney, Pretty Girl, Megin, Watta and Moyeha. Sulphur 

Pass also stands as a buffer between this large expanse of wilderness 

and the logged-out Atleo River and Shark Creek. In 1988, 

after failed negotiations, First Nations, the fledgling tourism industry, 

and local environmentalists finally blockaded road-building in 

Sulphur Pass. Now Interfor proposes to build 14 kilometres of road 

in Sulphur Pass. This is sure to rekindle conflict. 

Other contested areas on the chopping block include Kennedy 

Flats, which is the area between Kennedy Lake and Pacific Rim 

National Park (Long Beach). PRNP has been listed as one of Canada’s 

ten most endangered parks. Logging immediately outside its 

boundaries is one of the primary threats. The Park supervisor concedes 

that the park is too narrow to sustain its own ecological integrity 

and is therefore dependent on the old growth outside its 

boundaries. 

And finally, there’s Satchie Creek, a small watershed flowing into 

Hesquiat Lake, at the extreme north end of Clayoquot. This is the 

only pristine valley left in Hesquiat First Nations territory. The surrounding 

area of Hesquiat Harbor and the Escalante River has been 

stripped bare by logging companies. The area has seen millions of 

dollars worth of restoration efforts, but now the money has dried 

up. It would cost far less to protect this one last valley than to fix it 

up after logging. 

Nearly ten years after the mass arrests of the 1993 blockades, it 

is time to look back and ask if the issues here have been resolved. 

The fundamental environmental issue here in Clayoquot Sound— 

protection of the intact ancient temperate rainforest—has never 

really been addressed. The government and the logging companies 

seem determined to get the big trees out of here at any cost. 

Their obstinance is sure to be met with resistance. Check out the 

Friends of Clayoquot Sound website (www.ancientrainforest.org) 

to see how you can get involved. You can check out the UNEP 

report at http://www.na.unep.net/reports.php3. ❏ 

© Dan Lewis and Bonny Glambeck run 

Rainforest Kayak Adventures from Tofino, BC. 

1-877-422-WILD. www.rainforestkayak.com 

Photo Mark Hobson 

Come visit us 

in Abbotsford and 

see this lovely mural! 


25

Rental Fleet 

SALE 

Mothership Meanderings 

“Discovering” Howe Sound 

In the last issue I outlined the 

first part of our trip this summer: 

crossing Georgia Strait 

to the mouth of the Fraser 

River to visit the historic cannery 

town of Steveston. After 

touring the Gulf of Georgia 

Cannery National Historic 

Site and paddling through a 

salmon opening on the river, 

we entered Vancouver’s magnificent 

harbour and cruised 

up nearby Indian Arm. In this 

issue, I outline our frustrations 

with contrary winds and our 

“discovery” of Howe Sound. 

Gambier Island—a good place to wait for winds to change. 

Reluctantly leaving Indian Arm—a veritable jewel so close, yet 

so seemingly distant from the urban world of nearby Vancouver—we 

timed our transit of Vancouver Harbour in order to slip 

under the Lions Gate Bridge and through First Narrows with the 

ebb tide. We cruised out through English Bay, leaving the city behind, 

making our way back to Georgia Strait. 

It was a gorgeous, calm day but knowing how the weather can 

change, I suggested we carry on up the Strait toward our goal of 

Jedediah and Lasqueti Islands while the winds were favourable. 

But Laurie had never spent time in Howe Sound and wanted to see 

what it had to offer, so we hung a right at the Point Atkinson lighthouse. 

As we did, we saw before us the spectacular mountain vista 

which Europeans first encountered in 1792, exactly three hundred 

years after Columbus stumbled on the new world. 

Howe Sound is shaped something like a “horn of plenty”, emptying 

out of the Coast Mountains into Georgia Strait, spewing islands 

out of its mouth, the remains of long-past glacial actions. 

The Sound’s steep wall of ragged, “recent” mountains, shapely 

islands and beautiful waters are remarkably close to Vancouver 

but, like Indian Arm, they’re also a world apart. Swept by sometimes 

sudden inflow and outflow winds, with steep shores and deep 

waters, most of the Sound is like the other fjords that cut into the 

BC coast, relatively uninhabited. The bulk of the residential development 

is on the east side of the Sound. Much of the west side, as 

we later discovered, is the preserve of the pulp and paper industry. 

LAUNCH A NEW CAREER! 

Sea Kayak Guide’s Alliance of BC 

LEADERSHIP COURSES 

Instructors: 

Dan Lewis & Bonny Glambeck 

Dates: May 3-11, 2003, 

May 17-25, 2003 

Location: Tofino, BC 

Previous training or experience required. 

Call toll-free 

1-877-422-WILD 

www.rainforestkayak.com 

Alan Wilson 

Laurie and I have such 

goal-oriented habits that 

boating holidays can easily 

fall into an “agenda” if we’re 

not careful. It’s easy to become 

preoccupied with logistics—time 

& distance equations, 

complex variables of 

tide and current. That’s all 

very diverting in its own right 

but falls short of our real goal, 

which is just to meander (“to 

wander aimlessly or casually 

without urgent destination”). 

Sometimes that becomes a bit 

daunting, like trying to clear 

your mind of the hubbub of 

daily activity when you want 

to sleep. 

So this year we planned a relaxed circle trip that would include 

Howe Sound, Jervis Inlet, Jedediah and Lasqueti Islands. No great 

expedition, just a plan to anchor, kick back, swim, paddle and 

generally pursue communion with the marine environment. 

But like a lot of boaters this August, we were faced with implacable 

opposition to northward progress. The day after we turned 

into Howe Sound for a look-see, the “good weather” northwesterlies 

started churning Georgia Strait into a no man’s land of whitewater. 

Each day after that, as we headed out to carry on up the Strait, we 

were brought up short by powerful winds and waves which set our 

elderly boat pitching and rolling with bone-rattling thuds. 

Twice we set out from Gibsons only to see a horizon of rolling 

white seas foaming down the Strait—no place for an aging vessel 

likes ours—forcing us to turn tail and surf back in to the relative 

safety of Howe Sound. Each time we assumed the winds would 

blow themselves out, and we’d be on our way the following day. 

In such weather, the long-fingered hand of Gambier Island provided 

shelter for numerous boaters, and its shoreline offered diverting 

paddling while we waited out the weather. There are few 

anchorages other than Gambier at the mouth of the Sound so it 

was here we kept returning between attempts to head north. And it 

was here we watched the calendar and saw our precious holidays 

relentlessly passing, day by day. 

Nevertheless we enjoyed our times at Gambier: a couple of nights 

at Port Graves, anchored off Camp Artaban at the head of the bay, 


and a couple of nights in Center Bay, sterntied 

to shore in a little nook on the west 

side, sharing the space with others similarly 

afflicted by the winds. We paddled, swam, 

and read books. It was tough. 

Planning an early morning start one 

morning, we tried overnighting at Plumper 

Cove, a provincial marine park at Keats Island 

across from Gibsons, right on the edge 

of the Strait. The wind dropped in the night, 

and with no wind to keep the boats headed 

into the swell off the Strait, we awoke to a 

sickening, snapping roll. Beating a hasty retreat 

to Gibsons, we spent the next night 

thankfully tied up at Gibsons’ Marina. Here 

we recovered from nausea and regained the 

use of our land legs, trying out various restaurants 

for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If 

we had to be shorebound, we decided we’d 

enjoy it, and we did. 

Gibsons is the home of Sunshine 

Kayaking (info@sunshinekayaking. com, 

604-886-9760), and a pretty ferry ride from 

Horseshoe Bay. It’s also the gateway to the 

Sunshine Coast, Sechelt Inlet, and a stepping 

stone to Desolation Sound. (Sechelt is 

the home of Pedals and Paddles: 

pedals_paddles@sunshine.net, toll free: 1- 

866-885-6440, www.sunshine.net/paddle.) 

The next day, trying the Strait again, we 

found ourselves again beaten back, and 

settled for a lovely day paddling at Pasley 

Island near Keats. After yet another night at 

Gambier, we cruised around to Bowen Island 

where we settled into a visitor’s slip at 

the marina. 

Bowen holds special meaning for me. My 

grandparents, my aunt and her family all 

settled here together in the 50s, so throughout 

my childhood, a visit to Bowen was a 

family event. Bowen was magic for me— 

the ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, meeting 

my grandad at the wharf for the long trudge 

up the trail to their house on the bluff, and 

all those woods to play in! 

The relatives are gone now, but I enjoyed 

leading Laurie up the steep trail from Snug 

Cove toward Dorman Bluff and Robinson 

Road. There, my aunt and uncle (who immigrated 

from Ireland) used to run Robinson 

Weavers, making beautiful Irish-style woven 

crafts for the tourist trade in the old days 

when cruise ships used to regularly bring 

visitors from Vancouver. 

I was delighted to discover that the old 

trail is now part of a park, the cottages at 

Snug Cove are being restored, and the general 

store has been preserved as a library. 

We also admired the farsightedness of 

Bowen Islanders who have managed to secure 

650 acres of the island as parkland. 

Moreover, a third of the island is still undeveloped 

“crown land” and Bowen has an 

excellent trail system (but no camping so 

you’re limited to B&Bs on the island). 


Howe Sound 

Pulp & Paper mill 

Woodfibre mill 

© This map is from “Kayak Routes of the Pacific 

Northwest Coast,” by Peter McGee, one of the 

best guidebooks to the coast, written on behalf 

of the BC Marine Trail Association, published 

by Greystone Books. ISBN: 1-55054-615-5. 

Used with permission of the BCMTA. 

We enjoyed a lovely forest tail walk to 

Killarney Lake, through soaring maples and 

cedars, along shady, fern fringed pathways 

to a lake festooned with lily pads and garrulous 

ducks. 

The weather was baking hot while we 

were at Bowen, so we had cooling ice 

cream cones at the ferry dock, watching 

novice paddlers stream in and out of Bowen 

Island Sea Kayaking’s dockside concession. 

Visitors from around the world laughed and 

chatted in a multitude of tongues as they 

returned from paddling. (BISK can be 

KAYMARAN 

ADVENTURE TOURS 

Fraser River Eco-Tours, Ladner BC 

Tours, Rentals, Mothership, Family Rates 

Phone (604) 946-5070 

kaymaran@vancouver-bc.com 

www.vancouver-bc.com/kaymaran 

reached at 604-947-9266, www.Bowen 

IslandKayaking. com.) 

We also enjoyed paddling out of Snug 

Cove, around the foot of Dorman Bluff and 

south to September Morn, the swimming 

beach of my childhood. 

Next morning, listening to the staticky 

weather report on our VHF, we were disappointed 

to hear there was no end in sight 

to the winds, so we said to hell with it and 

gave up on our plan to go up the Strait. 

Although it can be so benign at times— 

like a giant’s bathub on a glassy calm day— 

Georgia Strait was no place for our elderly 

boat in this weather. So we turned towards 

Squamish, some 25 miles away at the head 

of Howe Sound, and chugged off up the west 

side, determined to make the best of it. 

Much like the experience in Indian Arm, 

we quickly left waterfront homes and cottages 

behind as the shoreline steepened. We 

putted up Thornbrough Channel, marvelling 

at our surroundings, noting the start of 

a glacial green tint to the water from the 

ice-melt of distant mountains. With no ferry 

or boat traffic it was like being up in one of 

the northern inlets we have enjoyed so 

much in past summers. 

And then we saw a pall of smoke in the 

distance. Gradually as we approached, the 

scene resolved into a giant industrial complex 

on the shore where two valleys converged. 

Giant barges lay at the docks, log 

booms clustered nearby, the smoke stacks 

fumed. This was the Howe Sound Pulp and 

Paper mill, the most modernized mill on 

the coast. 

A closer look at the surrounding mountains 

showed the results of massive 

clearcuts, the slopes shorn and replanted➝ 

27

Mount Garibaldi dominates the Sound. 

with various monocultural age classes. Here was the great BC tradeoff: 

rainforest sacrificed for jobs—the great pulp and paper plunder. 

As we slipped by, we took pictures for future slideshows and discussed 

the state of pulp and paper regulations, especially the Liberal 

government’s rollback of the Zero AOX legislation (see next page). 

As the mill disappeared behind us, we cruised on past hills and 

valleys cropped and chopped, past glacially scoured and loggingscarred 

valleys. We were impressed, however, with the startling, precipitous 

rise of Anvil Island, like a forested blade against the sky. 

Editor’s note: the BC Ministry of Forests is considering lowering 

the visual quality objectives of both Gambier and Anvil Islands 

which would hurt the scenic values of Howe Sound. The Gambier 

Island Conservancy needs our help. Contact them at 604-886-8901. 

Then, turning the corner... wham! Mount Garibaldi. Stark, huge, 

barren against the windswept brilliant blue sky—simply mammoth. 

Once a fire-spitting volcano, Garibaldi is now a landmark to Whistler’s 

international ski mecca. 

As we made our way towards this dominant landform, we passed 

a second pulp mill, Woodfibre, belching against an otherwise gorgeous 

backdrop of distant peaks. 

Approaching the head of the Sound, we concentrated on our 

chart and guidebooks, reading that the entrance to Squamish is 

tricky and shallow. Few boaters seem to make their way to this 

industrial town with its log booms and chip piles, barges, warehouses 

and tugs. Yet Squamish has a exquisite setting, blessed by a 

triumvirate of hulking monoliths—Garibaldi, the Mamquam Glacier, 

and the bluff sheer granite face beloved by rock climbers, 

Stawamish Chief. 

Squamish bills itself as “the outdoor recreation capital of Canada”, 

and they may not be far off given all the climbing, skiing, hiking, 

and highly competitive windsurfing on the Squamish winds which 

whistle down the valley from the icy heights above. 

We wended our way carefully through the shallows of Mamquam 

Blind Channel and landed at the small, crowded public dock with 

the help of the friendly captain of the Ocean Light, a graceful sailing 

ship sporting kayaks on deck. 

Captain Eric Boyum was provisioning for six weeks of charter 

trips up the coast but took a break to help us tie up alongside his 

67' vessel. We learned he guides trips to view the white “spirit 

bears”, whales, porpoises, and wolves in the Great Bear Rainforest 

and Southeast Alaska. (Ph: 604-898-5996 or cell 604-815-8382, 

info@theoceanlight.com, www.theoceanlight.com.) 

We were also delighted to find that the public dock was only a 

short walk from an excellent restaurant, the Howe Sound Inn and 

Brewing Company, which served us a superb dinner! It’s also near 

a series of nature trails in the Squamish River estuary, and the estuary 

is renowned for the huge congregation of eagles which gather 

there to feast on spawning salmon each fall. Although our timing 

was such we didn’t manage to get paddling, there is a lot of paddling 

potential here. Squamish is home to Paula and Don Jameison’s 

Sea to Sky Kayaking School (see our Apr/May 2002 issue) and they 

can direct you to challenging whitewater opportunities in the nearby 

tumbling rivers. (s2skayaking@direct.ca, www.squamish kayak.com, 

604-898-5498). 

The following day we left Squamish and cruised down the east 

side of Howe Sound, past Britannia Beach, Porteau Cove, and Lions 

Bay, staring upward at the soaring peaks, and steep channels 

down which rainy-season torrents cascade into the Sound. I was 

reminded of my hiking days long ago when I stood high atop the 

This was the only boat we saw en route to Squamish. Note 

Stawamish Chief with Mamquam Glacier behind. 

Go Undercover 

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Various colour options available 

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info@toughduck.com 

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Middletons’ Specialty Boats 

SALES • RENTALS • INSTRUCTION 

Ph: 604 240-0503 

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GEAR: Aquabound & Harmony paddles. Salus & Serratus PFDs. 

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www.middletonsboats.com 


Lions and looked down over all this from 

the dizzying heights. 

After one last night at Bowen Island, we 

finally caught a “weather window”—ironically 

what we’d been waiting for all along, 

but which had eluded us in the time we 

Howe Sound’s Pulp Mills 

Howe Sound has long been a spectacular 

recreational area but it’s also a 

“working waterway”, with industries such 

as pulp mills being a large part of the local 

landscape. 

There are two pulp and paper mills on 

Howe Sound. Howe Sound Pulp & Paper 

at Port Mellon, located at the mouth of the 

The Howe Sound Pulp & Paper mill. 

VIKING 

ADVENTURE TOURS 

• Kayaking • Sightseeing 

• Diving • Fishing 

Explore the Beautiful 

British Columbia Coast 

had available—and crossed back across the 

Strait to our Gulf Island home waters. 

It wasn’t the holiday we’d intended, but 

we found that our “discoveries” had thoroughly 

dissolved any disappointment, leaving 

us refreshed and renewed. In retrospect, 

sorbable organic halides (AOX) as well as 

organic waste. These contaminants impact 

the surrounding environment in many ways 

including their bioaccumulation in animals. 

Species near the top of the food chain, like 

sea lions, have high levels of toxic chemicals 

in their bodies, the same chemicals 

released by pulp mills. 

However, the creation of improved pulp 

pollution technology has resulted in a decrease 

in the industry’s impact on the environment. 

These technologies have helped 

to eliminate 90% of the dioxins in effluent 

since the 1980s. Creativity on the part of 

mill owners has also gone a long way towards 

designing a more environmentally 

friendly pulp process. In fact, pulp mills in 

Europe are starting to move towards practices 

that will create totally chlorine free, 

zero discharging mills. 

Replacing chlorine with oxygen-based 

bleaching means the elimination of AOX 

discharges and their persistent chlorinate 

organic wastes. Regrettably, a recent decision 

by BC’s provincial government to revoke 

the regulations requiring mills to move 

to zero AOX was a huge step backwards in 

BC and will prevent us from reaching the 

high standards of European mills. The reality 

is that for all the advancements the in- 

it had truly been much more “mothership 

meandering” than any of our former trips. ❏ 

© Text by Alan Wilson. 

© All photos by Laurie MacBride. 

The Woodfibre mill. 

Christianne Wilhelmson 

Rainy River on the west side of Howe 

Sound, and the Woodfibre Mill, located on 

the west side of the Sound opposite Britannia 

Beach. 

Though these mills have long been a driving 

force behind the creation of towns and 

livelihoods, their impact on the surrounding 

environment hasn’t been as favourable. 

Pulp mills make kraft pulp through a chemical 

process that results in the discharge of 

toxin-laced waste water. These toxins include 

resin acids, chlorinated phenols, abdustry 

has made, pulp mill effluent, airborne 

emissions and solid wastes still contain 

many toxic chemicals, and only goals 

such as the zero AOX discharge regulation 

will help to solve the problem. 

Hopefully, public pressure, new vision 

and leadership will ensure Howe Sound remains 

a beautiful recreational and working 

water for generations to come. ❏ 

© Christianne Wilhelmson, the Georgia Strait 

Alliance’s Clean Air and Water Program 

Coordinator, welcomes inquiries: Ph: 604- 

633-0530 christianne@georgiastrait.org. 

© Photos by Laurie MacBride. 

Editor’s note: In Germany 72% of all paper comes 

from paper recycling mills. If the entire world were 

to achieve this rate, wood needed for pulp production 

would drop by nearly one third. 

54' Mothership MV VIKING 1 

Skipper: Ken Lund 

Call (250) 755-9175 

info@vikingadventuretours.com 

www.vikingadventuretours.com 


29

From the Archipelago 

The Salmon Forest 

The summer was a blissful series of clear, 

calm days with lots of whales. Little 

Springer seemed to enjoy this summer too. 

With extraordinary resilience, this little 

whale has moved among her closest female 

relatives to make a place for herself. Sometimes 

she’s seen with her Granny, sometimes 

with her Great Aunt’s youngest daughter. At 

the time of writing she has returned to the 

young female, A51, who was orphaned herself 

years before and who has been teaching 

young Springer to stay away from boats. 

The winter will test these new-forged bonds 

and spring will be when we learn how this 

story ends. 

But whales are not the only creature I 

track. I also seek escaped farmed salmon. 

When I pulled up to the crisp little gillnet boat, Rick and Lynn 

smiled and waved. “No, we didn’t catch any Atlantic salmon last 

night. Actually we didn’t catch much of anything!” 

They helped me tie alongside and offered a steaming cup of coffee. 

Little Claire was professionally feeding her younger brother at 

the galley table as I watched the crew pull in the last set of this 

fishing opening. I love the squeak of the gill net corks as they wind 

onto the drum and the smell of the net. They remind me of my 

peaceful days fishing with Billy Proctor and my little boy. 

But these were different times: my son is a man now and this net 

came aboard empty. No longer wondering about how many escaped 

farm salmon had been caught, I turned to Lynn. “Where are 

all the five million pinks that are supposed to be here?” 

Lynn shrugged. “What about those lice you studied last year 

around the fish farms? Could they have anything to do with this?” 

When the fishery closed they had twelve pink salmon. They 

should have had 1,000. 

This wasn’t the first time I had looked at this run of fish. These 

were the adults returning from the sea lice infestation I had studied 

on the juveniles last year. While my data had clearly suggested 

78% of these fish would die before coming back to spawn, I had 

thought nature might work a miracle here and make up the difference 

with the extraordinary ocean survival rates wild Pacific salmon 

are now enjoying. 

The Pacific Ocean oscillates between regimes which favour and 

tax salmon, and the last few years have benefited salmon. Salmon 

LPW KAYAK POWER SYSTEMS 

Ph: 775-882-2535 www.LightPerformanceWorks.com 

2000 E. Clearview Dr. Carson City, NV 89701 Fax: 775-882-2760 

Alex’s daughter Clio drawn to a wild 

salmon caught in the waters of the 

Broughton Archipelago. 

Alexandra Morton 

of all species are coming back in greater 

abundance. This year’s Fraser River sockeye 

were not only abundant beyond expectations, 

they were a pound and half heavier 

on average. 

A few weeks after the failed gillnet opening, 

tour operators who take people into watersheds 

to watch grizzly bears began asking, 

“Where are all the pink salmon?” Young 

cubs were being eaten by starving adults. 

Tour guests burst into tears watching panicked 

bears searching the river for the calories 

they required to survive winter. The usual 

300 eagles never gathered and the few that 

live in the valleys of Knight Inlet ate seagulls, 

a poor substitute for the rich, vitamin endowed 

flesh of a salmon. 

“The pinks have crashed” was the phrase of wonder this fall in 

languages as diverse as a bear’s growl and an eagle’s screech. It 

reverberated through homes, canyons and across open water, right 

up to the doors of the the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. 

And there it was silenced. “There were no lice, the pinks are fine... 

they’re just late. We expected a crash.” 

A dysfunctional agency, spinning falsehoods that made me angry 

as the pink salmon elsewhere on the coast came home in glorious 

abundance. 

It’s time to clean that house out, time to examine priorities and 

protect one of the last great wild food resources our planet has 

bestowed on us. 

What is a pink salmon anyway? Why all the fuss? They’re just a 

runt of a salmon, no trophies among them. They fill those tiny cans 

on the market shelf. Tuna probably taste better anyway, and who 

cares if those little cans disappear—life would go on without a 

ripple, wouldn’t it? 

To answer that, let’s take a journey back to the beginning. This 

tiny bit of life, curled into the shape of a comma, struggles against 

the rose tinted membrane that entraps it. Finally free, the delicate 

spinal cord straightens for the first time and begins the gentle sashay 

that makes this a salmon. As the yolk sac forming a pregnant-curve 

in the tiny fish’s belly draws up, the little fish becomes restless. 

Lying in the gravel is no longer enough, she wants to move, craving 

the taste of something she has never known—salt. 

In a flood of life she and her cohorts emerge under cover of night 

and pour down river. Birthing into a cool April sea, the river pushes 

this tender life out beyond the delta. “Swim and bring home riches 

from the sea so that I may bear again,” is the river’s last message as 

she embeds her scent to guide the fish home. These babies need 

salt now, but in a little over a year, the river will be the only thing 

on these fishes’ minds. 

The kingfisher blinks in pleased surprise. As if suicidal, the blue 

and white-flecked bird leaps off her perch and falls headlong into 

the sea. Gone for an instant, she flutters back to her perch and 

deftly whacks the silver fish twice, then closes her eyes as the fish 

slips down her throat and trips an inner clock: time to make eggs 

and continue this kingfisher line. 

By the first of May, dark ribbons of five centimeter-long fish snake 

for kilometres along steep rock shores and swirl above white shell 

sea floors in shallow coves. Young coho, fat and sassy after a year 

in the stream, position themselves below the pinks. Brilliant, predatory 

flashes remove all who are slow, damaged or inferior, until 


only the robust and finest fan out from the 

archipelago waters. Now the internal instructions 

shift: it is time to leave the shore 

and sunlight and dive out of sight. The 

sweep of the growing spotted tails continue 

to push the unseen masses west. For the next 

fifteen months, the river feeds the ocean. Everywhere 

that the pink salmon school, life is 

assured, new generations begin, and always, 

the pinks are continuously honed to perfection 

by their predators. 

Feeding low on the food chain, on plankton 

blooming under an open ocean sun, 

these fish avoid the insidious toxins we have 

unwisely loosed into the atmosphere. 

Higher up the food-chain, fat molecules 

bind tight to these toxins and carry them 

home to all of us carnivores. But the pink 

salmon doesn’t seek the accumulated fat in 

higher trophic layers; she feeds as directly 

upon the sunlight as animal life can, and she 

stores this in her rapidly growing body until 

the river whispers, “Come home to me.” 

Some forms of life were simply designed 

to feed the masses, and pink salmon are 

one of these. Returning home, they grow 

the sea lion pups, nourish the mighty orca, 

offer a package of protein just the perfect 

size to be carried into an eagle’s nest, and 

feed communities of humans. If they all 

made it back into the river, they would not 

fit, but if none came home at all, this passage 

of life would become a sweep of death. 

Leaping in wriggling abandon, as if swimming 

up into the clouds, the early summer 

sign of pinks upon the coastal waters have 

brought a sense of peace to First Nation 

elders for many thousands of years. Winter 

survival has been assured. Sweeping her 

massive head, the mother grizzly can smell 

their arrival on the wind, and know that the 

cub inside her and the ones wrestling with 

her now would live to grow. The mink, the 

wolf, raccoon, raven, even the mountain 

goat and cedar tree would benefit from the 

nitrogen, phosphorous, fat, protein and 

minerals surging up-river, timidly at first and 

then with a rush so great that the level of 

Eagles, salmon, bears, the forest... it 

all ties together. 

the river itself is raised. As males and females 

find their perfect match, rosy eggs 

spill down into the gravel. The water ouzel, 

a bird that runs along the river bottom, 

chases these pearls of protein to refuel her 

motherhood-depleted body. 

Bears drag fish beneath the trees of the 

salmon forest, feeding these giant plants that 

shade this river nursery and protect its banks 

so it’s capable of making fish. The growth 

rings inside the trees stretch wide in response 

to the tons of fish fertilizer rotting 

into the forest floor. Insects lay eggs on decomposing 

ocean protein so that, come 

spring, there will be invertebrates to nourish 

young coho, Chinook, steelhead, trout 

and sockeye which—unlike the pinks— 

must stay and feed in the river. 

Without the pinks there can be no bugs, 

so none of the larger salmon can survive. 

An eagle takes a bellyful of pink salmon 

into the alpine and leaves some behind to 

grow a clump of grass impregnated with 

nitrogen from the pacific gyre. And then a 

hush drifts down the watershed. The eggs 

are washed clean by oxygen-rich water in 

gravel beneath ice. Snow blankets the forest 

floor. And it all begins again. 

To break this chain of life, to allow wondrous 

ancient DNA to unravel, to sentence 

death upon innocent life as diverse as snowflakes 

in a blizzard, should be a crime that 

all humanity guards against. Inside that tin 

beside the tuna is a blueprint for the perpetuity 

of life—our life, our world, our children’s 

life. 

This past year I have witnessed a line 

crossed, a line between abundance and 

death. I refuse to witness this any further. 

Only 1% of the pink salmon of my home 

waters came back this fall. When their progeny 

go to sea, we must ensure that there 

are no corporate farm fish along their route 

to kill these babies again. The evidence is 

clear to all that allow themselves to see. 

Enough is enough. ❏ 

© Text and photos by Alexandra 

Morton (R.P.Bio) is a marine 

mammal scientist and writer in 

British Columbia’s Broughton 

Archipelago.Visit her website at 

www.raincoastresearch.org. 

If you’re looking for a great present for a 

loved one (or yourself!) this year, we 

highly recommend Listening to Whales, 

Alexandra Morton’s 

inspiring life story 

which chronicles the 

evolution of research on 

killer whales, and her 

own developmnent as a 

scientist. Ballantine, 

2002. ISBN 0-345- 

43794-2. 


31

Paddle Meals 

Rave Reviews 

Take two cyclists, stick them in kayaks 

and add water. It’s a recipe for success 

when they’re fun-loving adventurers like Jim 

and Marianne. 

Their first kayak camping trip was along 

BC’s marine trail from Cedar by the Sea to 

Sidney. Marianne raves about “the utter 

closeness of nature and that feeling of 

peacefulness with the rhythm of paddling— 

like the perfect ‘spin’. You are really in tune 

with nature and your body.” She reckons 

cycling and kayaking are a nice blend of 

activities. Jim still races in the Master’s series 

and does time trials. Although Marianne 

has abandoned racing, she thinks nothing 

of pedalling a century (100 miles) in a day. 

Marianne and Jim received rave reviews 

for their Greek dinner on Valdes Island. In 

fact, their paddling buddy, Lauren, requested 

falafels for her 14th birthday dinner 

on Discovery Island two months later. 

The bikers are also bakers who treated 

us to “Rainforest Cookies” (WaveLength 

June/July 2002). Jim has since perfected 

Rebar (Victoria restaurant)’s Chocolate Chip 

Cookies—“the best ever made in the universe.” 

GREAT GREEK 

For appetizers—serve dolmathes (rice 

stuffed grape leaves). Look for cans in Mediterranean 

deli sections. 

For the main course—plan for 1-2 very 

thick pita bread per person. Especially delicious 

is the flax seed pita from the Banana 

Belt grocery in Oak Bay. Split and 

warm the pita over a grill or lightly oiled in 

a fry pan. Fill with your favourite combination: 

Bulgur Pilaf (see recipe below) 

Falafel–crumbled after cooking in olive 

oil (buy 2 packages of falafel mix or 

454 g from bulk bins for 8 paddlers) 

Tomatoes–chopped (1 medium per 

paddler) 

Peppers–sliced thinly (2 for 8 paddlers) 

Onions–sliced thinly (1 medium for 8 

paddlers) 

Cucumber slices (1 English cuke for 8 

paddlers) 

Greek olives–pitted 

Tzatziki–in the dairy case (450 mL for 6-8) 

For dessert–halva, Turkish Delight, fresh 

figs and dates. 

BULGUR PILAF 

(Serves 8) 

olive oil 

2 onions, chopped 

2 cups bulgur 

1/2 cup raisins 

1/2 cup apricots 

2 cups boiling stock (use 2 vegetable cubes) 

salt and pepper. 

Cook onions in oil till softened. Stir in 

bulgur and cook for 1 minute. Add everything 

else. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. 

Jim Holtz and Marianne McGrath with Deb Leach 

REBAR CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES 

Makes 28 

1/2 cup butter, softened 

1-1/2 cups brown sugar 

2 eggs 

2 tsp vanilla 

1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped finely 

1-1/2 cups flour 

1-1/2 tsp baking powder 

1 cup roasted and chopped walnuts 

1-1/2 cups chocolate chips 

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or 

line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. 

Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. 

Add eggs one at a time, blending each one 

well. Blend in the vanilla. In a large bowl 

mix together the apricots, flour and baking 

powder. Add the wet mix, then stir in walnuts 

and chocolate chips. Drop heaping 

tablespoonfuls of batter on the cookie sheet, 

leaving room to spread during baking. Bake 

for 9 minutes, rotating the tray half way 

through baking. Cook on a wire rack and 

hide them well. ❏ 

© Deborah Leach is 

Director of Health 

Promotion at the Canadian 

Forces Base in Esquimalt. 

PAGE’S RESORT MARINA 

Silva Bay—Gabriola Island, BC 

Cottages, Campground, Fuel, Moorage, 

Laundromat, Showers, Diveshop, 

Artwork, Charts, Books and 

PRIME PADDLING! 

Flat Top Islands and 

Drumbeg Provincial Park. 

Call 250-247-8931 

mail@pagesresort.com 

www.pagesresort.com 


Web Paddling 

Wood on the Web 

You’ve made the decision! You love wood so you’re going for a 

wooden kayak. I, too, love wood. Before my latest incarnation 

as a webmaster, I used to work with wood full time. 

It started because I wanted a home on a beautiful piece of 

Gabriola Island property. Not knowing one end of a hammer from 

another, I decided the most prudent course of action was to purchase 

a home kit, just like you may be planning to buy a kayak kit. 

This led to fifteen years of wood working—ten years in a commercial 

wood shop and the balance building homes for friends and family. 

Applying my home building analogy to your dilemma, the question 

is, do you buy a premade kayak, a kayak kit, or a set of plans? 

For the least handy and adventuresome, buying a finished wooden 

kayak may be the answer. But for those who are willing to test 

themselves—just as you have already tested yourself by getting into 

kayaking in the first place—there is nothing like the sense of accomplishment 

that comes from something made with your own 

hands. Even the imperfections in my first home could not dull that 

satisfied feeling I got from living there. As with love, there’s nothing 

quite like that first one. 

So if you’re at all inclined towards building your own kayak, I 

would certainly recommend the adventure. If you’re a beginner like 

I was, a kit is probably the preferred choice, but if you already have 

some building skills, you may choose to go the “Full Monty” and 

buy a set of kayak plans. The decision is a personal one which 

depends upon time, circumstances, knowledge and money. 

I can’t help you with the money part, and I don’t know your 

circumstances, but I can certainly help you somewhat with your 

time and knowledge. WaveLength’s updated “Wooden Kayak” directory 

in this issue (and on the web at www.wavelength 

magazine.com/2003/dj03dir.php) is a great place to start. Listed 

are the major wooden kayak kit and plan suppliers. Many of the 

sites offer a wealth of information. On my recommended list are: 

• Chesapeake Light Craft’s (www.clcboats.com) “Shop Tips” include 

about 50 articles on construction, epoxy, fiberglass, fitting 

out and finishing. 

• Pygmy Boats’ (www.pygmyboats.com) “Kit Construction Process” 

is a photo and text essay on the 70 hour construction of one of 

their kayak kits. 

• Waters Dancing’s (www.watersdancing.com) “Frequently Asked 

Questions” is also very informative reading, although relating mostly 

to their kits. 

You may also wish to read about other people’s experiences and 

there are several great personal websites dedicated to Wooden 

Kayak Construction. Here are my favourites: 

Ted Leather 

• Ken’s Kayak Pages: www.dbeweb.com/kayak/index.html. A very 

detailed site with lots of text and high quality images on kayak 

construction and even articles on creating wooden paddles. Congratulations, 

Ken, on a very comprehensive site. 

• Bill Walker: www.alaska.net/~bwalker/kayak/ch17/. A photo 

essay of building a stitch and glue kayak from plans for a Chesapeake 

17 kayak. 

• Ross Leidy: www.blueheronkayaks.com/. Ross has built many 

wooden kayaks and his site goes into quite a bit of detail on several 

models, with lots of quality images and text descriptions. 

• John Coppens: http://jcoppens.com/kayak/index_e.html. John 

is an electronics engineer and this site details his experience of 

building his first wooden kayak with little prior knowledge. 

• Lorreta and Chip: www.nwlink.com/~chips/index.html. Their 

site has photo essays on both a stitch and glue as well as cedar 

strip kayak construction. 

• Harvey Golden: http://home.pacifier.com/. Harvey’s site is 

about skin kayak construction, but it’s great so I thought I would 

offer it as an alternative to building an all-wood kayak. 

And of course I have to mention that in 2001, WaveLength had 

back-to-back issues (Dec/Jan and Feb/Mar) on Wooden Kayaks and 

all of the articles from those issues are available online by going to 

www.wavelengthmagazine.com/magazine01.php. 

I hope this wealth of information aids you along your path of 

discovery. Happy building! ❏ 

© Ted Leather is WaveLength’s Webmaster and 

operates an internet services company specializing in 

website design and management (ted@clayrose.com). 

www.klepper.com 

amscgyca@telus.net 

Average time of assembly 


33

From the Rainforest 

Feathery Paddlers 

The time has come for this column to 

take a look at birds. To watch them. To 

be a birdwatcher. We’ve looked at everything 

from worms, to stars, to history, but 

somehow avoided what is perhaps the most 

popular form of life. Feathered lizards or 

not, people love birds, and it’s time to give 

the people what they want. 

WHAT’S A BIRD? 

Birds are poems, pets, joyous singers and 

good luck omens. Birds are tricksters, predators, 

screeching scavengers and harbingers 

of doom. They can be wise, melodious, 

talkative, tasty and splendidly colorful. To 

most of us, birds are the most familiar form 

of life on the planet—even more familiar 

than our own class, Mammalia. 

So what are they? Taxonomically, birds 

are vertebrates and all belong to Class Aves. 

They are perhaps the easiest animals to 

identify as a group because birds have feathers. 

All of them. And nothing else does. 

Beyond that, though, birds evolved to fly 

and flying severely restricts what form your 

body can take. Though there are far more 

species of birds than reptiles or mammals, 

there isn’t the same wacky variety. After all, 

a mammal could be a shrew, a blue whale, 

a bat or even you—but a bird is, well—a 

bird. 

Of course birds don’t all look like warblers, 

and not all of them fly anymore. Unfortunately, 

some of the most impressive 

ones are extinct—huge, fast and terrifying 

birds like the giant moas of New Zealand 

evolved in various places, but were either 

unlucky or couldn’t compete with placental 

mammals. Ah well, there are still many 

orders and families and genera left, from 

hummingbirds to ostriches. We can’t cover 

them all in one checklist, but we’ll look first 

at the ones that are perhaps dearest to a 

paddler’s heart, and nearest to our boats— 

Victoria: 250 383-2100 

Nanaimo: 250 729-9500 

Kelowna: 250 762-2110 

TOLL FREE 1-800-667-1032 

the waterfowl. These birds have long been 

favorites—their beauty has inspired art for 

millennia, from cave paintings to wooden 

decoys. And their taste has inspired great 

chefs for at least as long. 

Yes, waterfowl are also dearest to a 

hunter’s heart, and the Pacific Northwest 

has a long history and prehistory of hunting 

them from small boats. Many of the species 

on this checklist were taken by ancient 

paddlers, with nets strung across bays or 

with clubs and bows, long before wetlands 

became endangered and Ducks became 

Unlimited. Whether you appreciate geese 

and ducks with your eyes, your stomach, 

or both, you have to appreciate paddling 

with them. These big, floating birds share 

the surface with us, moving as we do at the 

edge of two worlds. We can only envy their 

ability to move into those worlds, some diving 

to remarkable depths, and all lifting off 

into the sky. 

SOME ORDER 

Waterfowl is a vague term usually taken 

to mean “game” birds that live on the water. 

“Game” is a vague term usually taken 

to mean “animals we like to shoot and eat, 

or shoot and stuff.” Of course, not all of us 

are interested in shooting, stuffing, or even 

eating game birds (a little too gamey tasting 

for me, thanks), but it does behoove us 

to have a better idea what they are. This 

checklist includes three Orders of birds. 

Gaviiformes (loons) are big, heavy birds 

with powerful legs that allow them to hunt 

fish at considerable depths. 

Podicipediforms (grebes) are smaller but 

also good divers and fish eaters. The name 

means rump foot, an apt name for their 

webbed legs placed way back on their body. 

Anseriformes (ducks, geese & swans) are 

the familiar birds of park and pond, much 

loved by those with bread or shotguns. Families 

within this order include tree ducks, surface 

feeding ducks and diving ducks. 

As sea kayakers, I don’t expect many of 

you will be either feeding or shooting waterfowl, 

at least not while sea kayaking. 

Photography is surprisingly difficult as 

well—you pretty much need a big, expensive 

telephoto lens and fast film, as most of 

these species are shy (remember all that 

hunting). But with this checklist, a field 

guide, and a pair of decent binoculars you 

can certainly search out these birds as they 

cruise nearby, using their feet as their paddles. 

Winter is by far the best time to see 

most of them on the ocean as many abandon 

icy lakes for the coast. ❏ 

© Biologist Bryan Nichols 

is a reluctant birder, 

perhaps because birds are 

so popular now and he’s 

the rebellious type. He 

does admit, though, that 

mergansers are very 

cool—and what paddler 

can resist buffleheads? 

Bryan Nichols 

REVIEW 

Waterfowl: An Identification Guide to 

the Ducks, Geese and Swans of the 

World 

Steve Madge, Hilary Burn (Illustrator), 

Roger Tory Peterson 

Houghton Mifflin, 1992 (Paperback 

reprint of 1988 book) 

298p, $32.50 usd 

ISBN: 0395467268 

Nearly everybody 

has a bird 

guide of some sort— 

Audubon, Peterson, 

Golden & Sibley are 

all popular. But if 

you’re really interested 

in birds that 

float, then you 

should consider this 

book, a true, detailed 

field guide to all 154 

species of ducks, geese and swans of the 

world. Author Steve Madge is an English 

birdwatcher, writer and guide who travelled 

the world tracking down waterfowl. Fellow 

Brit Hilary Burn is a zoologist turned highly 

respected artist who does scenic paintings 

as well as illustrating numerous guides. 

The paperback version is a solid but 

packable 23 x 15cm. At the beginning is a 

section on how to use the book as well as 

tips on field observation. The color plates 

sit across from global range maps in the first 

section of the book. The text makes up the 

second half. Each bird’s text includes information 

on names, identification, voice, a 

description, measurements, variation, habits, 

habitat, distribution, population estimates 

(now dated) and references. 

This is a field guide, pure and simple. 

The wealth of information inside all relates 

to field identification. If you’re interested 

in waterfowl anywhere in the world, you’ll 

appreciate this book, even from an armchair. 

However, it will really be helpful in 

your pack, your car or your boat. ❏ 


Checklist # 29—Waterfowl 

COMMON LOON Gavia immer 

What could be more northern, more Canadian, 

than a loon? Beaver fans notwithstanding, 

the large, low profile of a loon on the 

water, accompanied by that haunting cry— 

hat’s the essence of northern wilderness for many. Loons have 

heavy bones and powerful feet that allow them to dive extremely 

well—they’ve been reported close to 200 meters down. The compromise 

is the obvious difficulty they have lifting off the water 

for flight. Pacific, yellow-billed and red-throated loons are also 

occasionally seen wintering in coastal waters. 

WESTERN GREBE Aechmophorus occidentalis 

Western grebes are very cool looking birds. 

Sometimes described as swanlike, their slender 

necks might look stately to us, but a fish 

would see blazing red eyes and a wickedly 

pointed bill on the end of that cobra like neck. 

Many of them winter near Vancouver so 

kayakers often see them. 

HORNED GREBE Podiceps auritus 

These tiny looking grebes are common in the 

winter, usually alone or in pairs. They sit low in 

the water, abruptly disappearing with a nifty upward 

lunge and forward dive. Occasionally one 

will surface close to your boat and immediately duck under again. 

CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis 

Nothing illustrates the saying “familiarity 

breeds contempt” for me better than Canada 

geese. Some books wax poetic about them, 

and they should be impressive—they’re big 

and intelligent for a bird. But thanks to all big, bold, distinct 

the “lawn” habitat we’ve created it can seem 

like they’re everywhere and unless you’re the sort who likes to 

throw Wonderbread into ponds, they can come across as irritable, 

filthy and annoying. All is not lost though, as the sight and sound 

of the wilder ones migrating in those impressive V formations is 

still inspiring. 

SURF SCOTER Melanitta perspicillata 

Ruggedly ugly, hefty dark ducks with thick 

beaks, scoters are surprisingly adept at diving 

and prying shellfish off the bottom and 

have been the subject of considerable interest 

by government and industry researchers 

lately. Paddlers near shellfish leases might see large, low nets 

over the bottom meant to keep them out. Large groups of scoters 

can be seen all along the coast in winter—listen for their squeaky 

wings when they take off. A field guide will also show you the 

considerably less abundant white winged and black scoters. 

HARLEQUIN DUCK 

Histrionicus histrionicus 

It’s hard to imagine these ducks are considered 

threatened when you paddle around the 

Gulf Islands. They visit rapidly moving streams 

in the summer to breed, though the splendid 

looking males leave town shortly after eggs are laid, heading back 

to rocky intertidal habitats on the coast. There they hang out in 

groups, molting into more drab feathers for the winter. 


large, low in water, 

muted winter grays 

tall, graceful white 

nick, dark back 

small with dark bill, 

pattern of grays 

heavy beak, white 

patches on head, 

squeaky flight 

blue gray, smallish, 

rusty sides, numerous 

white patches 

OLDSQUAW Clangula hyemalis 

A fascinating arctic duck that visits us for the 

winter. It looks interesting—males are adorned 

with white heads and two very long tail feathers. 

It sounds interesting—a repertoire including 

a distinct three note cry (a-ha-na) that 

earned them numerous common (old wife, granny hound) and 

scientific names (Latin for “noisy winter duck”). And it has interesting 

skills, not least of which is the ability to dive sixty meters 

deep for invertebrate food—well past safe scuba depth. 

BUFFLEHEAD Bucephala albeola 

If you’re fond of cute wildlife, you’ll appreciate 

the bufflehead. Named for its big, (not quite) 

buffalo-sized head, is has striking white and 

black markings that bring to mind a little 

sailboat. Though it’s good at fishing, unlike 

heavier ducks it can take off with an instant burst of power. It 

tends to be less social than its relatives, floating about alone or 

in very small groups. 

COMMON GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula 

As you can see by the genus, goldeneyes and 

buffleheads are closely related. Common 

goldeneyes are widely distributed—Barrow’s 

(B. islandica) are usually found near Vancouver. 

When out paddling in winter, look for big 

headed birds in large “rafts.” Like scoters, the 

goldeneyes squeak rhythmically when then fly. 

WOOD DUCK Aix sponsa 

This is the lone “surface feeding” duck on 

my list—the family is familiar in ponds of 

course. Our ancestors found wood ducks so 

outrageously beautiful they nearly wiped 

them out—which would be more ironic if it 

didn’t happen so often. It’s not just a wooden decoy anymore 

though—wary populations are increasing so keep your binoculars 

peeled. 

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator 

Beautiful and deadly looking, mergansers are 

sleek birds with wicked looking bills, serrated 

for holding slippery fish. They are excellent 

swimmers and even hunt in feathery gangs (or 

whatever a group of cooperatively hunting 

birds is called). Kayakers see them on rivers as 

well as in tide rips—watch them fly as well, for they are the 

world’s fastest bird in level flight and have been clocked at over 

160 km/hr. 

HOODED MERGANSER Lophodytes cucullatus 

The males of these cool looking little mergansers 

have barred sides and an odd, feathery 

white crest they can raise into an impressive 

round shape. Watch closely as they take off 

and land, as the crest will go up and down, 

changing the apparent size of their head dramatically. 

© 2002. Text and graphics: Bryan Nichols. 

No reproduction without permission. 

lots of white, 

long tail feathers 

compact, lots of white 

on sides & head 

round spot under 

eye, big head, 

squeaky wings 

spectacular patterns 

of browns, greens, 

whites 

punk head, wicked 

beak, white collar 

expandable white 

crest, darker sides 

35

News 

THE NUMBERS ARE IN 

The figures from this year’s West Coast 

Sea Kayak Symposium in Port Townsend, 

Washington indicate the show was a big 

success. There were 80 classroom lectures 

and 53 scheduled on-water classes and 

demonstrations. 44 manufacturers lined up 

along the sandy beach on Puget Sound for 

attendees to try out a smorgasbord of kayaks, 

canoes and accessories. 59 exhibitors 

were on hand to show and sell products. 

1557 registrants tried the latest boats and 

gear, surrounded by an estimated 17,000 

curious onlookers throughout the sunny 

weekend. The event was organized by the 

WCSKS Committee with nearly 100 volunteers. 

The silent auction raised over $2200 

for Washington Water Trails Association. 

Next year’s event, the 20th annual, is already 

in the planning stages for September 19-21, 

2003. Contact Chris Mitchell, Trade Association 

of Paddlesports, 800-755-5228 or 360- 

855-9434. Email: Chris@gopaddle.org. Web: 

www.wcsks.org. 

BIG SURF AT LONG BEACH 

Congratulations to the Vancouver Island 

White Water Paddling Society for staging 

the successful first annual “Canada West 

Kayak Surf Festival” at Long Beach, Pacific 

Rim National Park this fall. 

Paddlers from Ecuador, USA, BC, and 

Alberta converged at Long Beach to show 

their stuff and learn moves from some of 

the top paddlers in the world. Although 

originally defined as a surf event, spectators 

were fortunate to witness the multitude 

of white water paddlers combine spectacular 

moves with the ocean surf. New white 

water moves such as the “Helix” were performed 

to the delight of the spectators by 

top paddlers James Mole, Ryan Whetung, 

Rob Cartwright, Kevin England, Kani 

Roland and Diane Bacon (3rd on the women’s 

list West Coast Surf, USA). Paddling 

composite crafts allowed spectators and 

paddlers alike to experience the real surf 

scene. 

Special thanks go to Sean Plecas for his 

time and enthusiasm, which allowed 

Shayne Vollmers to realize a vision. Thanks 

also to all those who volunteered their services 

and to sponsors who donated prizes. 

See you next year! Check out www.surf 

kayak.org/ for photos and comments. 

(Report provided by Wayne Barson.) 

KAYAKS IN SEARCH & RESCUE 

Arrowsmith Search and Rescue (ASAR) 

is responsible for a large area of central Vancouver 

Island, including several large lakes 

and rivers which are difficult for searchers 

to access. Tom Marshall, ASAR Director and 

Swiftwater Rescue Tech, is an avid kayaker 

and he reports that ASAR has found kayaks 

(singles and doubles) to be a very useful 

tool in the search manager’s arsenal. The 

searcher in a kayak can get a different point 

of view from the water, can see under all 

the overhanging branches and fallen debris 

at the lake edge while traveling at a pace 

that will give good search coverage and 

confidence that a subject will not be missed 

even if they are unresponsive. Once a subject 

is found they can be extracted by land, 

if possible, or by water with a dingy or double 

kayak for transport. The exact location 

is found by GPS and radioed to base for 

further instruction as to health and method 

of extraction, or police intervention in case 

of deceased persons. 

For more info contact Tom Marshall at 

sunstar@macn.bc.ca. 

MARINE PLAN EARNS APPLAUSE 

The plan to establish the Southern Strait 

of Georgia National Marine Conservation 

Area (NMCA), announced in October by 

the Canadian government, will add significant 

protection for the marine environment 

of British Columbia’s south coast. 

“This is a major milestone in the protection 

of BC’s exceptionally diverse marine 

ecology,” said Peter Ronald, Marine Habitat 

Coordinator of the Georgia Strait Alliance 

(GSA). “This area is extremely rich biologically, 

but it is under increasing stress 

from population growth, transportation and 

other development pressures. 

“The National Marine Conservation Area 

will contribute significantly to the vision of 

the Orca Pass Stewardship Area, a large, 

international, zoned area specially managed 

for protection of aquatic habitat and 

species of the Strait of Georgia and northern 

Puget Sound,” said Ronald. 

Complementing the new Gulf Islands National 

Park Reserve, the Southern Strait of 

Georgia NMCA will extend environmental 

protection into the marine realm in an area 

that Parks Canada has called the most at 

risk natural environment in Canada. 

For more info: Peter Ronald, Marine 

Habitat Program Coordinator, GSA: 250- 

381-8321. For more information on Orca 

Pass: www.georgiastrait.org or www.puget 

sound.org. 

Editor’s note: WaveLength will be devoting 

our entire Aug/Sep 2003 issue to the 

Orca Pass project in order to showcase the 

world’s first transboundary marine protected 

area project and the exceptional 

paddling in the area. 

ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY GROWS 

The environment industry is now one of 

the top five industry sectors in Canada, employing 

more people than the steel industry 

or the chemical manufacturing industry, 

growing at an average of 4% per year 

over the last decade. According to a new 

Statistics Canada report, the environment 

industry sector generated $14.4 billion in 

revenues in the year 2000, employing over 

159,000 people in 7,474 small companies. 

The environment industry sector grew in 

response to the creation of laws, regulations, 

guidelines, and international agreements 

regarding the clean-up of the human 

environment and the reduction of pollution. 

Instead of polluters using the air and water 

as a free source of toxics dumping—where 

they harm human health and raise medical 


costs and reduce productivity of the labour 

force—the polluters were required to pay 

for pollution control and environmental 

clean up. For more information contact 

grenser@statcan.ca. 

EARTH ECONOMY 

Lester Brown, in his book entitled Eco- 

Economy: Building an Economy for the 

Earth, reports that advances in wind turbine 

design have reduced electricity costs from 

38¢ per kilowatt hour in the early 1980s to 

less than 4¢ at prime wind sites in 2001. 

And further cuts are likely. 

In response to falling costs, wind farms 

have come online recently in Minnesota, 

Iowa, Kansas, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, 

Oregon, Washington, and Pennsylvania. 

A quarter-acre of land leased to the local 

utility to site a large, advanced design wind 

turbine can easily yield a farmer or rancher 

$2,000 in royalties per year while providing 

the community with $100,000 worth 

of electricity. Money spent on wind-generated 

electricity tends to remain in the community, 

providing income, jobs, and tax revenue. 

As wind-generating costs continue to 

fall and concern about climate change escalates, 

more and more countries are turning 

to wind energy. 

In December 2000, France announced 

plans to develop 5,000 megawatts of wind 

power by 2010 (1 megawatt supplies 350 

homes in an industrial society). Argentina 

followed with a plan to develop 3,000 

megawatts of wind power by 2010 in 

Patagonia, with its world-class wind resources. 

In April, the United Kingdom accepted 

offshore bids to develop 1,500 megawatts 

of wind power. And in May 2001, 

China reported that it will develop some 

2,500 megawatts of wind power by 2005. 

Brown also reports that the use of solar 

cells is expanding rapidly. At the end of 

2000, nearly one million homes worldwide 

were getting their electricity from solar cells. 

With new solar cell roofing material developed 

in Japan, the stage is set for dramatic 

gains in this new energy source as rooftops 

become the power plants of buildings. 

For many of the nearly 2 billion people 

without electricity, solar cells are their best 

hope. In remote villages where supplying 

electricity traditionally depended on building 

a centralized power plant and constructing 

a grid to distribute the electricity, it is 

now often cheaper simply to install solar 

cells. In inaccessible Andean villages, investing 

in solar cells may be cheaper than 

buying candles. The same is true for those 

villages in India where lighting comes from 

kerosene lamps. 

”The materials economy is also changing,” 

said Brown. “The challenge is to shift 

from a linear flow-through economy to a 


comprehensive recycling economy. 

Progress is being made on this front, but 

not nearly enough. Some countries are advancing. 

For example, 58 percent of US 

steel production now comes from old recycled 

scrap iron and steel.” 

From Eco-Economy: Building an 

Economy for the Earth, available at http:// 

www.earth-policy.org/Books/index.htm. 

CRUISE SHIPS 

Oceans Blue Foundation recently released 

a “Blow the Whistle” report on the 

cruise ship industry. The first of a two-part 

report that makes the case for greater cruise 

industry accountability and reform is now 

online: http://www.oceansblue.org/ 

bluetourism/chartacourse/cruiseship/ 

cruisereport.html. 

Each large cruise ship emits smog-creating 

pollutants equal to those from 12,240 

vehicles, for each day in port (US Government 

Accounting Office). 

In the year 2000, the North American-based 

fleet (International Council of Cruise Lines members 

only) of 163 ships emitted the equivalent 

of pollutants from 1,995,120 vehicles each day. 

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SHIPS DUMP OIL 

A scathing new World Wildlife Fund report 

says 300,000 seabirds are killed each 

year off the East Coast of Canada in preventable 

spills. 

Irresponsible shipping companies deliberately 

dump oil in Canadian waters because 

the fines are a fraction of penalties 

imposed for dumping in US waters. Polluters 

dump more oil in Atlantic waters each 

year than was spilled in the Exxon Valdez 

disaster. 

The biggest fine levied in Canada for 

dumping oil at sea was $125,000 Cdn in a 

judgment earlier this year. In contrast, the 

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line was forced to 

pay $27 million (US) in 1999 for oil 

dumped by eight of its ships in US waters. 

The spills are caused when ships pump 

out bilges where dirty oil used in engines 

and mechanical systems collects. The US 

has eliminated that problem, largely 

through deterrence. 

Many ships dumping in Canadian waters 

aren’t even bound for Canadian ports, 

but are headed for the US East Coast . 

NEWS continued on page 40 

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37

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C-54 Miners Bay, Mayne Island, BC 

Canada V0N 2J0 

Tel/Fax: 250 539-5599 

maynekayak@gulfislands.com 

www.maynekayak.com 

Southern Exposure 

Abel Tasman National Park specialists, 

New Zealand. Sea Kayak, Guided Tours, 

Rentals, Backpackers, Water Taxi. 

Sandy Bay, RD2, Motueka, 7160, NZ. 

info@southern-exposure.co.nz. 

www.southern-exposure.co.nz

KAYAK BUSINESS FOR SALE 

Located in Sidney, BC. 5 singles, 2 

doubles plus all equipment. 43ft float, 

covered kayak rack, equipment shed. 

Wharfage paid till June at the largest 

marina in Sidney. Call Sue. 

250-656-9117 or 250-360-6960 

1-800-889-7644 

NEW ZEALAND 

Seakayak & Cycle Tours & Rentals 

Natural High, Adrenalin Dealers 

WWW.SeakayakNewZealand.com 

WWW.CycleNewZealand.com 

adventure@natural-high.co.nz 

64-3-5466936 

64-3-5466954 fax 

EXTREME INTERFACE 

Azul, Sun, Riot & Extreme Interface 

Kayaks & accessories 

www.extremeinterface.com 

250-248-2075 

CATALA KAYAKING 

Located “on the bay” in Port Hardy BC 

Toll Free 800-515-5511 

Rentals & Transportation 

Bed & Breakfast 

www.catalacharters.net 

info@catalacharters.net 

ANCHORAGE MARINA has a great inventory 

of CURRENT DESIGNS kayaks and friendly 

staff to help you choose the right kayak for 

you. Check out our expanded kayaking 

accessories department. Try before you buy! 

1520 Stewart Ave., Nanaimo, BC 

Phone: 250-754-5585 

anchoragemarina@home.com 

ZEBALLOS EXPEDITIONS & KAYAKS 

Paddle the Breathtaking West Coast of Vancouver Island 

RENTALS TOURS TRANSPORTATION 

TRIP PLANNING 

Nootka, Kyuquot, Bunsbys, Brooks 

PO Box 111, Zeballos, BC V0P 2A0 

Phone 250 761-4137 

kayak@netcom.ca www.zeballoskayaks.com 

NORTH ISLAND KAYAK 

Port Hardy & Telegraph Cove 

Rentals & 1–6 Day Guided Trips 

Toll Free 1-877-949-7707 

www.KayakBC.ca 

nikayak@island.net 

Baja Sea Kayak Adventures 

with Nahanni Wilderness Adventures 

Explore Baja’s beautiful desert 

islands in the Sea of Cortez. 

Local guides/interpreters. 

Based at Villas de Loreto. 

Call Toll Free: (ph/fax) 1-888-897-5223 

Email: adventures@nahanniwild.com 

Website: www.nahanniwild.com 

SEA KAYAK TONGA WITH 

FRIENDLY ISLANDS KAYAK CO. 

ADVENTURE & WHALEWATCH WEEKS 

in the peaceful tropical Kingdom of Tonga. 

Sea kayak, mountain bike, snorkel, 

whalewatch, sail, dive with 

FRIENDLY ISLANDS KAYAK CO. 

tours@fikco.com www.fikco.com 

BROWNING PASS HIDEAWAY 

Kayakers’ cabin rentals right out in Queen Charlotte 

Strait. Rustic floating 1 & 3 bedroom cabins, plus an 

8-bed kayakers’ hostel with full kitchens, bath/showers, 

lounges. Amazing day paddles right out the front 

door, or great for stopovers in multi-day Gordon 

Island trips. Kayak rentals & transport from Port 

Hardy plus all-inclusive pkgs available. 

info@clavella.com 877 725-2835 

COSTA RICA 

SINCE 1987 

GALIANO ISLAND KAYAKING 

KAYAK COSTA RICA 

Lodge-based, protected waters and surf, single/ 

hardshell kayaks, mountain birding tour option. 

Ph/Fax: 250/539-2442 

kayak@gulfislands.com 

www.seakayak.ca 

SPECIALIZING IN MARINE AREAS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA 

15 MAPS AVAILABLE 

Bella Bella, Hakai Passage, Johnstone Strait, Broughton 

Archipelago, Kyuquot, Desolation, Nootka, Barkley & 

Clayoquot Sounds, Gulf Islands, Georgia Strait, Sunshine 

Coast, Esperanza Inlet, Quatsimo-Goletas Channel. 

www.coastalwatersrec.com 

info@coastalwatersrec.com 

BC, BAJA, TUSCANY & BEYOND... 

Saltspring Kayaking 

Daily Tours, Rentals & Sales 

Ph/Fax: 250/653-4222 

sskayak@saltspring.com 

www.saltspring.com/sskayak 

2923 Fulford-Ganges Rd., Saltspring Island, BC V8K 1X6 

ADVENTURE CENTER 

Kayak Rentals & Tours 

Oufitting, motherships & kayak transport 

8635 Granville Street Port Hardy, BC 

Toll Free 1-866-902-2232 

Adventure-ecotours.com 

Sea Kayak Guides 

Alliance of BC 

WWW. Visit our SKGABC.COM 

website 

for the latest news 

and information: 

www.skgabc.com 

The Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of 

BC is a non-profit society which 

upholds high standards for 

professional sea kayak guides and 

operators in BC. Through on-going 

professional development and 

certification, the Alliance strives to 

ensure safe practices on an 

industry-wide basis. 

SKGABC EXECUTIVE 

PRESIDENT 

Michael Pardy 

VICE PRESIDENTS 

Colin MacNeil 

Kerry Orchard 

SECRETARY/TREASURER 

Tracy Morben 

COORDINATING DIRECTOR 

Camillia Brinkman 

MEMBERS AT LARGE 

Jack Rosen 

Piper Harris 

Kirsten Musial 

SKGABC Membership 

To become a member of the Alliance, mail 

this form and a cheque to the address below. 

___ Company Membership—$100/year 

___ Individual Membership—$35/year 

___ Associate Membership—$25/year 

___ Alliance T-shirt 

Name__________________________ 

Address________________________ 

______________________________ 

Phone_________________________ 

Email__________________________ 

Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC 

P.O. Box 1005, Station A, 

Nanaimo BC, V9R 5K4 

info@skgabc.com

News cont. from p. 37 

GREEN ENGINES 

A new type of boat propulsion system 

that reduces emissions, removes the need 

for oil, has no propeller and reduces noise 

pollution, means that boating could become 

a lot more environmentally-friendly. 

The system, being developed by the Hertfordshire-based 

firm Pursuit Dynamics, 

works by injecting steam into an elongated 

funnel-shaped unit under the boat which 

is filled with seawater. The temperature difference 

between the seawater and the steam 

causes the steam to condense, resulting in 

an implosion that draws in water and air 

through the funnel. This produces a reactive 

thrust, propelling the boat through the 

water. 

The new system requires no gearbox, thus 

it has no need for oil, removing the potential 

environmental hazard posed by both 

oil use and disposal. Fewer working parts 

also mean less noise. 

Traditional two-stroke boat engines emit 

25% of their fuel and oil directly into the 

water or air. This means that in the US alone 

marine two-stroke engines spill 15 times 

more oil and fuel every year into waterways 

than did the Exxon Valdez, according to the 

US Environmental Protection Agency. The 

California Air Resources Board has also 

found that a seven-hour ride in a recreational 

boat powered by a two-stroke engine 

Is it wild or farmed? 

ALWAYS ASK. 

Netcage salmon farming pollutes 

the environment and threatens 

the survival of wild salmon. 

Go Wild! 

Georgia Strait Alliance: 250-753-3459 

www.GeorgiaStrait.org 

Photo: Wild BC spring salmon by Alexandra Morton © 

produces the same amount of smog-causing 

emissions as over 100,000 miles in a 

passenger car. 

The new prototype has recently been verified 

by the University of Hertfordshire as 

being capable of running at the same efficiency 

level as a two-stroke outboard engine 

but without any of the pollutants. The company 

is expecting further efficiency improvements 

in the near future. 

FISH FARMS 

CAMPAIGN UNFOLDING 

Chefs, scientists, fishermen, and conservation 

groups on both sides of the Canada/ 

US border teamed up in late October to 

announce the launch of an international 

campaign to educate US consumers and 

retailers about the environmental and potential 

health risks associated with the production 

of farmed salmon. 

“‘Think Twice’ is what we’re saying to US 

consumers, who need much more information 

to make informed choices about this 

product,” said Jennifer Lash, a member of 

the Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform 

(CAAR) that launched the campaign. 

“Farmed salmon is produced using pesticides, 

antibiotics, and chemical additives 

to alter the colour of the fish, and most consumers 

know nothing about this. In fact, 

people often don’t know that the salmon 

they’re buying is manufactured and not a 

wild fish,” said Lash. 

More than 130 organizations sympathetic 

with this campaign are helping distribute 

information throughout the west 

coast of the US and in Canada. “We are 

asking retailers and consumers to do an 

easy thing: to make a public commitment 

to stop buying and selling farmed salmon 

until its safe for us and safe for the oceans,” 

Lash said. 

Acclaimed Portland chef Greg Higgins, 

who travelled to Vancouver to help launch 

the campaign said, “Salmon is in high demand, 

but the issues around farmed salmon 

are little understood. When US consumers 

fully understand all the issues, they’ll see 

the need to keep the marine habitat healthy 

and to consider the quality and source of 

their salmon.” 

BC exports most of its farmed salmon to 

the US. In fact, almost all the farmed salmon 

consumed in the US is from Canada. And 

the lifting of a provincial ban in September 

on new farms is set to unleash a major expansion 

of the BC industry. 

Already, retailers and restaurateurs in the 

US and BC are signing on to the campaign. 

So far 50 stores and restaurants have joined 

the campaign, including “white tablecloth” 

chefs in San Francisco and Portland. 


www.farmedanddangerous.org 

The coalition is also threatening to take 

legal action against the federal and BC governments 

to try to put a halt to open-net 

fish farms. They say the farms are threatening 

the survival of wild salmon stocks by 

spreading diseases like sea lice. 

A report by CAAR claims that most of the 

spawning runs of pink salmon off northern 

Vancouver Island were wiped out by the 

lice this year. The near collapse of pink 

salmon runs in the Broughton Archipelago, 

where millions of fish failed to return to 

spawning rivers this fall, is being blamed 

on fish farms in the area. Biologist 

Alexandra Morton says fish farms there are 

breeding grounds for the lice. (See page 30.) 

You can learn more about CAAR by visiting 

the website www.farmedand dangerous.org. 

CAAR also encourages you to send a fax to industry 

directly from that site. 

FIRST NATIONS’ OPPOSITION 

A BC Central Coast Native band is taking 

the province to court over salmon farms. 

The Heiltsuk First Nation has a “zero tolerance” 

policy on the farms. 

It says the province has gone ahead and issued 

licenses to two companies to operate on 

land the band is claiming in the treaty process. 

Chief Pam Reid says the band should 

have been consulted first. 

“The bottom line is just a simple respect 

from government and industry to come and 

consult with us,” she said. “We live here, 

live off the land. We harvest all year round 

for different resources. Everything we live off 

here is at risk.” 

Reid says she wants the fish farms monitored 

for how they dispose of waste. 

She’s also worried about the farmed 

salmon spreading viral infections to other 

species in the water. 

South of the border, the Tribes are also 

getting active. At the 49th Annual Conference 

of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest 

Indians in Washington this September, the 

Tribes called for a moratorium on commercial 

marine salmon net pens and support 

for tribal salmon fisheries. 

BRITISH PROTESTS 

The Sunday Herald in Britain reports that 

farmed salmon is the most contaminated 

food sold by British supermarkets, according 

to a new analysis by government advisors. 

Among 100 different worst-case examples 

of fruit, vegetables, meat and other 

foodstuffs polluted by pesticides over the 

past five years, salmon comes out bottom. 

Every sample of farmed salmon in the batch 

tested by scientists was found to contain at 

least three toxic chemicals. The revelation 

comes as the Scottish salmon-farming industry 

faces its biggest, and potentially most 

damaging, nationwide protest to date. Virtually 

all fresh salmon sold in British supermarkets 

is farmed. In October, protesters 

picketed over 200 supermarkets in 80 

towns, villages and cities across Scotland, 

England, Wales and Ireland, urging shoppers 

not to buy farmed salmon. 

CONGRATULATIONS 

Jennifer Lash of the Living Oceans Society 

and coordinator of the Coastal Alliance 

for Aquaculture Reform (CAAR) was recently 

awarded the Jane Bagley Lehman 

Award from the Tides Foundation. The 

Award celebrates excellence in public advocacy 

and visionary leadership for social 

justice. Jennifer was selected for her innovative 

approach and committed activism to 

challenging aquaculture in the Pacific 

Northwest. She traveled to San Francisco 

in November to receive the award which 

included a $10,000 grant. 

Editor’s note: Jennifer worked with us on two 

of WaveLength’s Ocean Kayak Festivals in 

the mid-1990s. Congratulations Jen! ❏ 

Jim’s Kayaking 

• Sunset Paddles 

• Custom Tours 

• Day Trips 

• Lessons 

Let experienced Lead Guide 

Jim Demler show you the 

waters around Gabriola Island. 

250-247-8335 cell 751-5887 

www.JimsKayaking.com 

jamesdemler@shaw.ca 

Kayak Tune-up! 

$100 

Your deck and hull 

buffed and polished. 

Shock cords replaced. 

Reflective rigging 

installed. Repairs and 

parts extra. 

250-245-7887 

610 Oyster Bay Dr., Ladysmith, BC 

www.IslandOutdoorCentre.com 


41

GREAT GEAR 

EMERGENCY KIT 

When you leave the dock for 

a day of boating, are you 

prepared for the 

unexpected? Are you ready 

to handle an emergency? 

World Prep’s Boaters 

Emergency Kit can help. 

Dave Krueger, founder and 

president, has created this kit 

after 8 years of Marine Patrol 

and Search & Rescue on Lake Erie. It’s designed for smaller vessels, 

such as canoes and kayaks. Suggested retail: $99 US. 

www.worldprep.com. 1-888-263-3416. 

FUJI FINEPIX F401 DIGITAL CAMERA 

Although not strictly “paddling gear”, this 

little beauty is so nifty we can’t resist listing 

it. This is our first experience with digital 

but we love it already. It’s not waterproof, 

by any means, but it’s so tiny we just 

drop it down inside our sprayskirt and 

fish it out when needed. It’s got 2.1 

million pixels, a 3x optical zoom, auto 

focus (and manual settings), macro 

function, still and movie shooting (with 

sound), recharging cradle, and highspeed USB connection. It takes 

awesome photos that easily surpass our existing excellent quality 

point and shoot, and we never run out of film any more! $699 Cdn. 

TONY’S TRAYAK 

kayak trailer is a perfect 

match for the 

water-borne efficiency 

and elegance 

of kayaks. The trailer 

is feather-light, yet 

stable and solid. It 

even converts instantly to a grocery-getter model. All trailers are 

shipped from Mill Bay, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. You can 

reach designer/builder Tony Hoar at tonyhoar@shaw.ca, or by phone 

at (250) 743-9915 to discuss your trailer requirements. Or contact 

Richard Reeve of Victoria By Bike & Kayak at richreeve@shaw.ca. 

Ph: 250-744-2801. Web: www.victoriabybike.com. 

The "DURARITE" EXTREME JOURNAL is made with DuraRite 

synthetic, tearproof and waterproof 

stock, created for the 

harshest conditions. It contains 

a wealth of extreme sports-related 

material for wind, water, 

rock and snow sports as well as 

pertinent survival information. 

At 4”x6” it’s an ideal stocking 

stuffer for the extreme sports 

adventurist. Suggested price: 

$7.95 US. www.nrsweb.com. 800-635-5202. ❏ 

KAYAKS 

THE ARCTIC HAWK is an 18-foot medium-volume touring kayak 

based on traditional West Greenland skin boats. Made of okoume 

mahogany plywood, the kit includes plans, manual, pre-cut parts, 

hatches, bulkheads, rigging, footbraces, epoxy, fiberglass, seat and 

backband. 18’ long by 22” beam. Weight: 42-44 lbs. Cockpit: 16” 

x 20” (or optional Keyhole Cockpit). Chesapeake Light Craft, 

Annapolis, MD. Ph: (410) 267-0137. Email: info@clcboats.com. 

Web: www.clcboats.com. 

WATERS DANCING’S ANURI 16 is named after the Inuit word 

for wind. 15.9’ long, 23.25’ beam, about. 40 lbs, kit building time 

approx. 90 hours. She’s a hard chine boat with a modified v-shaped 

bottom and a fish form chine line to help improve tracking. The 

sheer is swede form so you can more easily take a vertical power 

stroke. The cockpit has plenty of room and the large hatches hold 

loads of gear. She tracks well, paddles beautifully and performs nimble 

turns. Ph: 780-437-4919. www.watersdancing.com. 


PYGMY’S 

OSPREY 13 

The fifth in the line of 

Pygmy’s Ospreys, the 

new 13-foot version 

fills a niche for smallframed 

adults. Folks 

up to 5’3", teens and 

kids down to 50" appreciate 

its proportions. Not only is the four-panel deck easy on the eyes, the added deck 

chines offer a bit more foot room. It’s available as a kit from Pygmy Boats Inc. 

www.pygmyboats.com/. Ph: 360-385-6143. 

THE SEA WOLF by Roy Folland (length 

17’-3”, beam 23.5”). Expert paddlers love 

the speed, handling and efficiency of this 

kayak, yet novices find it comfortable and 

forgiving. At 39 lbs it’s easy to car-top and 

launch, yet it will also hold enough camping 

gear for weeklong trips. The latest version 

offers a refined seat system and a 

state-of-the-art foot brace system with a pivoting FLEX-STEER capability that enables solid 

bracing at all times. kayak@royfolland.com, www.royfolland.com, 450-458-0152. ❏ 

www.WaveLengthMagazine.com 

over 1,000 pages of 

searchable information, 

650,000 hits per month. 

Put Our 

Skirts 

Between 

You 

and the 

Water 

Sea Kayak 

Guide Training 

ECLIPSE NYLON SPRAYSKIRT 

2003 Course Dates 

Assistant Guide Courses 

April 18 - 27 

May 30 - June 8 

June 27 - July 6 

Sept 12 - 21 

COMBINATION NEOPRENE & NYLON 

FULL NYLON WITH 

SLIP NOT® EDGE GUARD 

“We have been using Brooks 

sprayskirts and wetsuits on our 

rental fleet for over 10 years now. 

Our Brooks sprayskirts last and 

last and still look good.” 

–Bob Putnam, Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak Centre 

Brooks Wetsuits Ltd. 

Toll Free 1-888-986-3441 

Fax: (604) 986-3443 

e-mail: info@brookspaddlegear.com 

www.brookspaddlegear.com 


43

Books 

The Canoe, a Living Tradition 

by John Jennings, Firefly Books 2002. 

ISBN 1-55209-509-6. Colour, Hardcover 

250 pp. $59.95 Cdn $49.95 US 

The Canoe is a lavish project of the Canadian 

Canoe Museum which successfully achieves the 

goal of providing a comprehensive history of the 

construction and use of the birchbark canoe, 

Inuit and Aleut kayak, west coast dugout, and 

Arctic umiak. It also includes a section on canoeing 

in the Northeastern States and the evolution 

of modern recreational and racing canoes. 

Twelve authors, working under the editorship of 

John Jennings, document the legacy of these traditional watercraft and their roots in the indigenous 

cultures of North America. This magnificent, large format hardcover book is richly 

illustrated with fascinating archival and modern photographs, maps, and artwork. 

Coast Kayak Symposium 2003 

May 16-18, Thetis Island, BC 

$475 Cdn includes all meals, expert instruction, accommodation, 

the charter vessel from Vancouver, and lots of GOOD FAMILY FUN! 

ODYSSEY KAYAKING 

odyssey@island.net 

www.odysseykayaking.com 

GIVE US A CALL 

if you’re planning a paddling 

trip on Northern Vancouver 

Island or the Central Coast. 

1-888-792-3366 

250-902-0565 

Space is limited so register early! 

Give your loved ones a GIFT REGISTRATION 

for an experience that will last a lifetime. 

604 597-1122 mercias@telus.net 

Building a 

Birchbark Canoe 

by David 

Gidmark, 

Firefly Books 

2002, ISBN 1- 

55297-569-X, 

B&W, 139 pp. 

$19.95 Cdn. 

In this well illustrated 

book, David Gidmark presents detailed 

descriptions of traditional Algonquin 

Canoe construction methods. He offers a 

overview of the evolution of bark canoes, 

features the construction techniques of four 

native builders, and includes a chapter on 

paddlemaking. Fascinating reading for 

those interested in native culture as well as 

those considering building a canoe. 

The New Kayak 

Shop: More 

Elegant Wooden 

Kayaks Anyone 

Can Build 

by Chris Kulczycki, 

Ragged Mountain 

Press 2001. ISBN 0- 

07-135786-6. Paperback. 

208 pp 

$34.95 Cdn 

In The New Kayak Shop paddlers will find 

plans and instructions for building and finishing 

three new stitch-and-glue designs— 

a touring kayak, a fast sea kayak, and a 

flatwater kayak—that are even more elegant, 

durable, and functional than their 

forerunners. Chris Kulczycki’s highly refined 

designs and simple building methods offer 

kayakers not only the experience of paddling 

an extraordinary boat but also the rare 

reward of having built it. 

Wooden Kayak Book Reviews 

from Previous Issues: 

KayakCraft 

by Ted Moores, WoodenBoat 

Publications, 1999. ISB0-937822-56-6, 

softcover 171 pp, B&W $19.95 US 

Ted Moores believes that professional results 

can be expected if good patterns are 

used and simple steps performed with care. 

In this book he describes the process of 

building the Endeavour 17, a popular Steve 

Killing design. He provides all the 

neccessary information about design, materials, 

tools & techniques to ensure that a 

first-time builder can create a woodstrip 

kayak with truly professional results. Clear 

detailed instructions and excellent photos 

& diagrams. 


Aleutian Kayak 

by Wolfgang Brinck 

Ragged Mtn Press 

ISBN0-07-007893-9 

soft-cover 170 pp. 

B & W, 19.95 US 

The Aleutian Sea Kayak tells you everything 

you need to know to build an authentic 

baidarka in your basement or garage for 

about $200. You don’t need extensive 

woodworking experience, an elaborate tool 

collection or exotic woods. Author 

Wolfgang Brinck shows that if you can use 

a handsaw, block plane and a drill you can 

build a baidarka. Here are clear, well-illustrated, 

step-by-step instructions to guide you 

through the process from buying materials, 

tailoring the boat to fit your body, building 

the frame, deck, and sewing on the skin. 

He also includes instructions on paddlemaking, 

sewing your own paddling jacket 

and spray skirt, repairs and using your 

baidarka. 

Qayaq—Kayaks of Alaska and Siberia 

by David W. Zimmerly 

University of Alaska Press 

ISBN 1-889963-10-0 

B&W, soft cover, 103 pp. $16.95 US 

In this new edition, David W. Zimmerly 

reviews the construction of different kayaks 

from various regions of Alaska, Canada 

and Siberia, discussing techniques, materials 

and the special approaches of individual 

craftsmen. He shows how the vessel’s design 

varied in response to the demands of 

climate, the available resources and the 

needs of the paddlers. He also considers 

associated equipment, from paddles to 

paddlers’ clothing. This is a succinct authoritative 

overview of the kayaks of Alaska, 

the Mackenzie River delta and Siberia containing 

many interesting and informative 

photos, maps. and drawings. 

The Strip-Built Sea Kayak 

by Nick Schade 

1998 Ragged Mountain 

ISBN0-07-057989-x 

soft-cover 191 pp. B&W 

Nick Shade presents full plans and instructions 

for building three beautiful, sea-worthy 

strip-built kayaks. He includes detailed 

information on how hull design affects performance, 

tools and materials, building 

techniques, finishing, repairs and maintenance, 

safety and risk management. This 

book contains all the information you’ll 

need to build a strip sea kayak, from setting 

up the shop to making the paddle. 

If you have a book, video or CD- 

Rom you’d like our readers to 

know about, please get in touch. 


The Zen of Wooden Kayak Building 

Chesapeake Light Craft 

60 minute video. $29.95 

www.clcboats.com 

John Harris takes you step-by-step from a 

pile of parts to the launch of an elegant varnished 

Chesapeake 16 kayak. Epoxyfiberglass 

work and varnishing techniques 

are clearly demostrated, so that the techniques 

can be transfered to any stitch and 

glue boat. Excellent information presented 

with engaging wit. 

Knot Tying: The Basic 

Knots 

Knot Tying: The Basic 

Knots is one of three 

new CD-ROMs from 

Beutner Multimedia 

Software Services of 

Athens, Ohio, which 

provide excellent instruction in this essential 

skill. Knot Tying covers 21 of the most 

useful and commonly used knots by way 

of high quality video that is amazingly easy 

to follow. Gone are complicated diagrams 

of the printed page. Here you follow along 

with the sound and images of a professional 

instructor. There is even rope enclosed for 

you to use. Nothing is installed on your 

hardrive, it just opens up from the CD. Although 

designed for PC computers, we 

found it worked just fine on our Mac G4. 

Other titles include: Splicing Three Strand 

Line and Advanced Knotting. For more info: 

740-597-1409. Web: www.beutner.com. 

Blue Latitudes 

by Tony Horowitz 

Henry Holt and Company 

2002. ISBN 0-8050-6541- 

5, Hardcover, 444 pp. 

In Blue Latitudes, Tony 

Horowitz recounts his 

own “voyage” following Captain Cook’s 

epic journeys around the world. He starts 

out by signing on as crew for a week of 

shipboard life aboard a replica of Cook’s 

ship, the Endeavour. Then he jets to various 

locales, including Tahiti, Australia, Alaska, 

England and Hawaii, in Cook’s footsteps. 

It’s an interesting concept and he brings the 

great man’s adventures alive with quotes 

from the ship’s log and other historical references. 

But Horowitz’s own mundane exploits, 

accompanied by an alcoholic sidekick, 

make up rather too much of the book, 

and his account ends up being little more 

than a depressing tour of dissipated cultures, 

detracting from Cook’s real adventures. 

Beyond the Cockpit 

Wayne Horodowich, 

founder of the University 

of Sea Kayaking, has enlisted 

Derek Hutchinson 

as guest instructor on Beyond 

the Cockpit, the 

third volume of his In- 

Depth video series. 

Horodowich and Hutchinson 

take you through many of the techniques 

and progressions that Derek teaches 

in his one day clinics. $39.95 US. Ph: 805- 

696-6966. www.useakayak.org. ❏ 

WEST COAST EXPEDITIONS 

Educational Nature Tours since 1974 

Sea Kayaking in the Kyuquot Wilderness, BC 

Toll Free 800-665-3040 

www.island.net/~nature 

•Basecamp comforts 

•Educational focus 

•Cultural contact 

•Family oriented 

•All-inclusive 

45

Bryan Nichols photo 

Will orcas still be here for your grandchildren? 

TAKE A MEMBERSHIP TODAY! 

Georgia Strait Alliance 

250 753-3459 www.GeorgiaStrait.org 

CALENDAR 

Jan 1, Annual Penguin Plunge Paddle Fun 

Race, Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak, 

North Vancouver, BC. 604-929-2268. 

Feb 5-9, Vancouver International Boat 

Show, BC Place Stadium. 

www.sportshows.ca/VanBoat. 

Feb 7-9, Outdoor Adventure Show, 

Northlands Park, Edmonton, AB. 

403-246-7276. coas@shawbiz.ca. 

Feb 14-16, Outdoor Adventure Show, BC 

Place, Vancouver, BC. 403-246-7276. 

Feb 21-23, Outdoor Adventure Show, 

International Centre, Toronto, ON. 

905-477-2677 enaar@national.com 

Apr 11-13, Port Angeles Kayak 

Symposium, Port Angeles, WA. 888- 

452-1443. www.raftandkayak.com. 

Apr 5-7, Outdoor Adventure Show, 

Roundup Centre, Calgary, AB. 403- 

246-7276. 

May 16-18, Coast Kayak Symposium, 

Thetis Island, BC. mercias@telus.net. 

604-597-1122. 

Jun 19-22,14th annual Inland Sea 

Symposium, Bayfield, WI. 715-682- 

8188. www.inlandsea.org. 

The next issue of WaveLength 

(Feb/Mar 2003) 

‘CULTURES OF 

THE COAST’ 

Deadline December 20th 

Info@WaveLengthMagazine.com 

We’ll be looking at the ancient 

and modern cultures of First 

Nations’ peoples, and will have 

a First Nations’ Directory of 

tourism opportunities. 

For WaveLength ads, subs, 

or bulk orders: 1-800-799-5602. 

Diane Coussens 

Assistant Editor 


WaveLength is available at over 500 outlets around North America, and globally at www.WaveLengthMagazine.com 

RITCHIE ® Kayaking Compasses... 

Ideal for Weekend Exploring or Serious 

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Ritchie Kayaker 

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SportAbout Kayak 

Tie-Down Model X-TD 

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Wet Notes Model W-50, 

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notebook. 


47

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