Tony Burt, organizer of this year’s Paddlefest, with Liz Burnside, the event’s creator (right) and Birgit Kuhle, a Canadian paddlesport coach (left).
We’ve been giving our passports a workout this year. Last weekend, we were guest coaches at MEC Toronto Paddlefest, a spectacularly well organized event that introduces hundreds of people to canoeing, whitewater kayaking, recreational kayaking, sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, voyageur canoeing and water polo. For one high-energy weekend, the beach is filled with boats and the sidewalk is lined with booths. It’s one-stop shopping for all things paddlesports.
Sharon introduces a participant to the wonders of wearing a drysuit.
The north shore of Lake Onatrio is still pretty chilly in early June — the mid-50s at best — so we’re grateful that MEC provides loaner drysuits for participants in rescue and rolling courses. And we always enjoy taking people into the water for their first experience in a Kokatat drysuit. It’s like walking on the moon!
“Barging” boats to gain an appreciation of power transfer.
The weekend is all about fundamentals and fun. And the two go together well.
Learning to “speed launch” off the beach.
A game of “kayak jousting” improves balance and strengthens smile muscles.
This year — Paddlefest’s 10th anniversary — we met more students who had already taken classes and participated in guided trips, many of them with the nearby Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak Centre. They came to improve their skills and learn about more opportunities to get out on the water. That’s where the booths come in; paddling schools and outfitters, along with provincial parks and environmental advocacy groups, offered information and encouragement to continue exploring the sport and local waters.
Coach Erik Ogaard getting ready for a course.
Thanks to MEC for bringing us to Toronto, Erik Ogaard and Liz Burnside for taking extraordinary care of us, and the entire Paddlefest crew for a wonderful weekend. We’ll be back!
