Here, standing at the edge of the water, something pulls them. It’s a deep, internal beckoning. An energy that goes coursing through their veins, banishing fatigue and soreness, and leaving them acutely aware of the world waking around them and the endless body of water calling out.
Kayaking is as close as a person can get to the water without being in it. The front of the kayak slices through the shifting mist, creating a brief wake on the still water before the mist closes over again and any evidence of their passing is gone. The quick disappearance of their trail makes them feel lighter somehow, as if their weight on the earth has been momentarily erased. Hundreds of kayakers will take to the waters of Georgian Bay this summer. Some for a brief two-hour experiment, others for the longer, tougher, but ultimately more rewarding, excursions of several days among the islands that provide protection from the bigger water of the central bay but also much needed shelter for the night.
A distant cousin to the higher adrenaline sport of white water kayaking, recreational and sea kayaking are growing sports that provide a relatively inexpensive way to satisfy the need to understand or at least experience the uniqueness of Georgian Bay. “A lot of people don’t get to see Georgian Bay in an intimate a way as in a kayak,” says kayaking guru Bob Picken from Sojourn Outdoor Store in Barrie. Sojourn runs trips ranging from a single day to an entire week in or on the waters of Georgian Bay. “When you’re next to the water in a kayak, you’re right on it, and you see different things from a different perspective.”
The reasons people are summoned to the big waters of the bay are as varied as its history. Having played a major role in the lives of First Nations people as a trade route and then becoming the battleground for the British and Americans during the war of 1812, the draw of the water has remained the same. “What people are seeking is the whole experience of it, getting out there and enjoying it,” says Picken, whose clients come from all walks of life including stonemasons, doctors, students and families.
The beauty of the area is undeniable; its rocky shoreline interspersed with the occasional respite of sandy beach, the sheer beauty of the outcrops that form the thousands of islands that offer protection, and the water, its clarity and uniqueness at being fresh making it one of the rarest places in the world. “Georgian Bay and Muskoka are one of the most amazing and beautiful places in the world,” says Itamar Halevy, who grew up on the shores of the Red Sea, and now owns and operates Por t McNicoll Adventures that opened for business this spring.
But what draws people to the water is something more. As part of the largest fresh water lakes in the world, its morning calm can be deceiving with weather and conditions changing while paddlers have their backs turned. Perhaps it’s the power that lies in the depth of it, or its ability to kill in extreme circumstances, but people have been drawn to experience it since the Ojibwe first called it Spirit Lake. “The scale is often what gets them,” says Picken of paddlers who may have previously kayaked on a small lake or river. “It might be the first time out on the water when they can only see the shore on two sides. There’s a lot of open water in front of them. That can be intimidating.”
Intimidation is why many people seek out the guiding services that adventure companies provide. New paddlers who sign with Sojourn, for example, are given a two-hour clinic prior to the trip to make sure they’ve got the necessary skills. “Having a professional guide to show them the area and skills is important,” says Picken, who has more than 30 years of experience in canoeing and kayaking. He also reminds paddlers of something that can be forgotten when sitting in the harbour at Midland or while still at the boat launch. “It’s a wild environment,” he says, listing snakes and bears as two of the possible hazards other than water conditions. “With the proper skill set, there’s a lot less chance of something going wrong.”
Port McNicoll Adventures provides a tamer experience out on the water, as its location on the old Port McNicoll Harbour offers a relatively protected body of water that Halevy refers to as ‘the bath.’ “It’s not windy, and it’s usually flat,” he says. With two kilometres of shoreline, it also provides plenty of room to keep an eye on paddlers. Kayaks are available only for day-use. There are also fishing boats, banana rides, wake boards and wave runners from which to choose. Purchasing a kayak can also be an inexpensive way to be near the water. After the initial purchase, the costs are relatively few. “It’s a great way to have a holiday for the weekend without renting a cottage,” says Picken, “It’s a different version of it that’s not all that expensive.”
The size of kayaks ranges from nine feet to as long as 19 feet, with different classifications in between, depending on what you’re looking for and where you’re going. The rougher the potential water the larger the kayak that’s needed. The price star ts at $450 and can be a significant outlay, if gearing up an entire family, but once outfitted, just add water and you’re on your way. Be prepared though, that while kayaking can look very leisurely, it’s an active sport. “Even though you’re kayaking on your backside, you’re using core muscles,” says Picken. “You need a reasonable level of fitness (for longer trips).” One other requirement is proper safety gear. There are stiff penalties for boaters not carrying the required gear. If you’re caught without it, you’re sure to get a fine.
Among other things you’ll need are a life jacket, a bailer, a navigation light, and a sound signalling device, such as a whistle. When you’re heading out, double-check the Transport Canada website www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety for the full requirements.
It’s also impor tant to inform someone where you’re going, where your car is parked, when you expect to be back and establish meeting points if the party gets separated. Even when two or three friends or couples head out, it’s important to have a plan. “Some people think it’s overkill, but it’s better to have made the preparations and never have a problem,” says Picken. He cautions about thinking a cell phone is all that’s needed. “It’s better to have a map and walk out on your own,” he says, rather than using up the valuable 911 resources and taking away from ‘a real emergency.’ “People shouldn’t be relying on that (cell phone).”
Being prepared for the worst conditions also allows paddlers to relax and enjoy what it’s supposed to be all about. “Kayak trips are a way to keep in tune with our bodies and with nature,” says Picken, “Being out on the water is great, and no matter what the weather, it’s always something different.”