Thinking Outside the Kayak

Submitted by Susan Johnson

When is a kayak more than a vessel for crossing water? When it becomes an object of art and is the most expensive decorative attraction in the house, of course! We are told it is best for our kayak accessories to have more than one use when on a trip. Well, my kayak has more than one use.

It all started when I changed from a non-window garage door to an insulated windowed garage door. I appreciated the additional natural light in my garage. Then it occurred to me that if I installed a window in the door between the garage and adjoining office, I could take even further advantage of that light.kayak_indoors

While waiting for my custom-ordered window for my office passage door, I planned how to create a decorative, nautical view around my kayak against the far wall of the garage. After all, when I sit at my desk beside the passage door and look out into the garage, I wanted something nice to look at, not garbage cans and dirty gardening tools. I painted the concrete floor and lay down a carpet that Thom no longer wanted. Then Craigslist provided me with an inexpensive sideboard, and it was fun shopping for nautical accessories to complete the scene.

The window view is a facade because the rest of the garage holds ugly storage boxes, but it is a fun facade. So do laugh when I tell you that my kayak is the largest, most expensive decorating piece in my house!
Susan Johnson

kayak_indoors2

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BCMTNA receives donation raised at Film Festival

Mick Allen receiving the cheque for BCMTNA. Pictured: Roxanne Rousseau, Nick Heath, Mick Allen, Randy Chatterjee

The cheque for BCMTNA. Pictured: Roxanne Rousseau, Nick Heath, Mick Allen, Randy Chatterjee

At the club June meeting, a cheque for over two thousand dollars was presented to the BC Marine Trails Network Association. The funds raised will be used for the improvement of kayak camping sites in Howe Sound. Thanks to all the organizers of the Reel Paddling Film Festival, film goers and generous sponsors for helping make a contribution to preserving BC coastline for recreational use.

Our activities are preceeding the "Sea to Sky Marine Trail Opening”. Details:

Events on June 14, 2015
Sea to Sky Marine Trail Opening
Starts: 3:00 pm
Ends: 5:00 pm
Location: Oceanfront Nexen Beach, Squamish
Description: On June 14 in the Sea to Sky Marine Trail will be opened on Nexen beach in Squamish, followed by an opening in Gibsons on June 28.

More info about this event is in this Squamish news article: http://www.squamishchief.com/news/local-news/new-sea-to-sky-marine-trail-being-created-1.1818678

The Sea to Sky Marine Trail is a network of marine trails for human powered crafts (kayaks) in the Howe Sound, with access to 10 camp sites. This multi-day camping trip opportunity is part of the Trans Canada Trail.

The Sea to Sky Marine Trail is a partnership between Recreation Sites and Trails BC, the Squamish Nation, BC Parks, the BC Marine Trails Network Association, the Trans Canada Trail Foundation, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District and the Sunshine Coast Regional District.

The BCMTNA website is https://www.bcmarinetrails.org for anyone who might want to join or contribute directly.

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Trip Report – Desolation Sound – May 15-19, 2015

Check out the trip report for Desolation Sound kayak group written by Joan Boxall on her blog: www.joanboxall.com

 

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Follow up on Towing Safety Presentation

Here's a video on the Contact Tow -- another option that wasn't covered in the April meeting. (Thanks Bob S and Joan M ! ): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otEmFcTTrIU&sns=em

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Bowron Lakes Kayaking Video (YouTube)

Thanks Mike Mattinson for this producing this inspirational video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zqYCG7Tg70

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