Comments for Ocean River Sports

Comment on Going Wild in my Kayak #2 – A Perfect Winter Day. by Yvan

Yvan — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:03:22 +0000

Reading your article made me feel like I was right there. Now I want to do kayaking in a similar environment, rich in biodiversity. Thanks for sharing your passion. Keep it up !

Comment on Going Wild in My Kayak #1: James the Human Otter and Eskimo Roll Master by Lisa Q

Lisa Q — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 23:49:00 +0000

Hi Jacques, very interesting and pleasant to read your article. I learned amazing things: number of roll types of a kayaker, the term tuliq and the fun loving behaviour of otters. thanks!

An Inuk from the East.

Comment on Kayaking and Fitness in the Off-Season by Mark Byrne

Mark Byrne — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 01:41:38 +0000

Great blog post!! Congratulations on your certification Gary.

Comment on Boats on the Colquitz River by R

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:25:58 +0000

I am writing in response to the comments pertaining to paddlers and dog walkers. Both are an issue so in this case pointing fingers and suggesting to focus on one or the other is a moot point. Some paddlers are aware and respectful of wildlife, other are not. For the most part, wildlife disturbance is usually due to ignorance. For example, if a single paddler is on the river for 15 minutes and 5 paddlers visit the river everyday, then the total minutes of disturbance per day is 75 minutes (not 15). In addition, paddlers are likely using the waters at the most opportune feeding times. Just because animals dont’t have a 9-5 job does not mean that their activities are not limited to certain times of the day (often the best foraging times for wildlife are the early morning and late afternoon). Widlife is constantly in a battle for survival and every ounce of energy lost to evading a boat needs to be replaced with food that must be caught or found. Every seond spent avoiding a dog is a momment of foraging lost. These are life and death scenarios at certain times fo year (breeding season and winter when food is hard to find/catch). I know these are very basic examples, but I wanted to get people thinking along the lines of the wildlife and questioning the situation to a greater depth.

As for historic use by First Nations. This too is moot as in the past, wildlife had large expanses of habitat. If they were scared away from one area, they would forage in another till the “threat” moved on. Look at the CRD from google earth. There are few areas left for wildlife, making the remaining areas that much more important, and the wildlife they support that much more vulnerable.

I too am a paddler, and I have a walked a couple dogs in my day, on and off leash. I am also a wildlife biologist. There is a balance and it can be found, if we work together, and grow as individuals and as a community.

Comment on Going Wild in My Kayak #1: James the Human Otter and Eskimo Roll Master by James Manke

James Manke — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:33:15 +0000

Thank you Jacques for the kind words Rolling a kayak gives me a great sense of peace and has helped me become more relaxed and in tune with my surroundings. I highly recommend others to engage and push their limits…. I’m so inspired!

Here is a recent video with some rolls and stretch rolls I use regularly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVMrhn8j72w&hd=1

Comment on A Love Affair with Kayaking. Review of Sterling Kayaks by dan

dan — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:25:39 +0000

Thanks for the review Kate. This boat is going to change and shape the future of performance Sea Kayaking.

Comment on A Christmas Holiday Message from Brian Henry by David Kilshaw

David Kilshaw — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:22:56 +0000

I’m into “Shop Local” too.
It makes me feel good to be greeted by staff who at least know my face, and some know my name. In bigger establishments, you never see the same staff, let alone be recognized.
ORS staff have a very visible, “What can I do to help you?” attitude. It is bigger than just words.
And from a purely mercenary perspective, ORS prices are competative with the competition and they focus on carrying quality goods.

There.
Three good reasons to shop local. That wasn’t hard.

David

Comment on The Manitou 14 from Necky Kayaks by Armando Secor

Armando Secor — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:14:24 +0000

Armando Secor…

I really enjoy the post.Much thanks again. Cool….

Comment on Seal Launches, Savage Rocks, and Sniveler’s Slit by Kent Smith

Kent Smith — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:39:17 +0000

Great Blog Gary. Thanks again for linking my web site and mentioning Andrew Zegota.Hope to see you next year,maybe it was you who brought the fantastic winds.

Kent

Comment on Kayaking in BC and Ontario by White water rafting

White water rafting — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:50:49 +0000

Nice experience shared , especially during ocean current and tides. This reminds me my memorable moments of adventure Kolad - white water rafting and kayaking in Kundalika river, Kolad during my India visit.