- Photo Credit: Sue Hutchins
On September 20-23 paddlers converged upon the first annual Bay of Fundy Sea Kayak Symposium hosted at the Ye Olde Argyler Lodge in Argyle, Nova Scotia. The event jumped in with both feet and welcomed over 120 paddlers to the picturesque Bay of Fundy coast.
The diverse locations found in Nova Scotia’s Yarmouth and Argyle counties were utilized to introduce paddlers from as far as Europe and the United States and from all across Canada to dynamic paddling environments created by the largest tides in the world.
Photo Credit: Nate Hanson
The event brought guest coaches offering a variety of skill development sessions including rock hopping, surfing, coastal journeys and introductions to paddling in lumpy waters, however, the highlight was certainly focused on the paddling environment provided by the tides in the area. Multiple sessions focused on paddling tide races and overfalls as well as finding fun and operating in the tidal currents that flow between the Tusket Islands and the archipelago within Lobster Bay. Team Paddles Paul Kuthe, Matt Nelson and Christopher Lockyer were at the event waving the Flag for P&H. Lots of people got a chnace to try the Hammer.
Photo Credit: Sue Hutchins
One of the highlights for attendees was the Saturday evening guest presentation from Justine Curgenven. She provided a riveting and engaging recount of her adventure around Tierra del Fuego. She finished her presentation with a brief video from only a few days earlier while she paddled amongst humpback whales in the Bay of Fundy with Christopher Lockyer, the Executive Director for the Bay of Fundy Sea Kayak Symposium.
Photo Credit: Sue Hutchins
The event started early for some with sessions on the tidal races and overfalls within the Shubenacadie Tidal Bore. Guest coaches worked with keen and excited students on one of the most exhilarating 3 hours of paddling in the world, working on paddling in moving waters as well as surfing on big brown glassy waves and crossing strong eddy lines.
Photo Credit Clif Pratt
Coaches at Play
The coaches all had a go at the Walton Whopper as well Off 2 the Races Vol 1
The event was such a success and has received so much positive feedback that they have already set the dates for the 2014 event for September 12-15.
