Page 220 - 2022-08-01 Paddling Magazine

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Learn to paddle. You'll love where it takes you. paddlecanada.com @PaddleCanada

FROM THE STERN

THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN A WHIRLWIND here at Paddle Canada. With and wish to be part of our volunteer crew, don’t hesitate to contact me.
a return to courses across the country, we saw an increase in membership Our River Kayak and Camping Program committees are seeking members
in 2021, with more than 2,000 instructor members. Meanwhile, more than and our Waterwalker Film Festival Committee will be seeking judges this
10,000 people across Canada participated in 2,000 courses and clinics. To summer. We have also just begun putting a task force together to work
learn more about what we accomplished in 2021, I invite you to review our on our new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and would welcome
annual report, released after our AGM in April, at this link: paddlecanada. additions to this group.
com/2021-annual-report. I wish you all a fun and safe remainder of the
As we get into the full swing of paddling season, committee work is paddling year ahead; please keep tagging us on
paused until September, and I would like to take this opportunity to shout Instagram and Facebook—I love living vicariously
out to all our volunteers. Without the dedication of more than 70 individu- through your paddling adventures.
als, we wouldn’t be as successful an organization as we are. From keeping
our manuals updated, the continued efforts at keeping our programs up to
date, and our behind-the-scenes tech support, our committees do the brunt MICHELLE MCSHANE
of the heavy lifting. If you are an instructor member with some extra time Executive Director, Paddle Canada

BILL MASON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

WE ARE PLEASED TO INTRODUCE Pacific Northwest. This lifestyle sustainable practices through the Scholarship Committee for selecting
you to Carter Burtlake, the 2021/22 inspired me at a young age to beauty of the natural world, and the me as the 2021/22 recipient and sup-
recipient of the Bill Mason Memorial work at Deep Cove Kayak in North sport of sea kayaking. The oppor- porting passionate young paddlers in
Scholarship, who is currently studying Vancouver, British Columbia, which tunities I’ve received from working their journey to inspire others about
at the University of British Columbia. furthered my ability to be in the in nature at Deep Cove Kayak have the environment.”
“I am extremely grateful to receive outdoors, surrounded by nature and inspired me to continue pursuing Paddle Canada is currently ac-
the 2021/2022 Bill Mason Scholar- paddling. Through instructing and work in the field of marine science cepting applications for the 2022/23
ship Award. This award reflects both guiding with the company, I was able and environmental education. Bill Mason Memorial Scholarship.
my academic and personal interests to inform the many clients I took I want to give a shout-out to both We are pleased to announce the
in the outdoors. Being its recipient is out on the water about the beautiful Mike Gill and Seth Putnam-Rea of the award has increased to $2,000, and
incredibly validating and invites me environment we paddled in and how Deep Cove Kayak Paddling School for we now offer an online application
to continue pursuing both passions diverse and intricate these marine being incredible paddling mentors process. We have also partnered with
for academic study and outdoor environments are. and developing my paddling and the Canadian Canoe Foundation to
recreation and exploring. During this time, I began studying teaching skills to help me share and issue tax-deductible receipts for those
In many ways, my passion and Biology at the University of British explore the extreme environments who donate to the fund. Find more
inspiration for the environment run Columbia (UBC). This provided me the Pacific Northwest has to offer. I information at: paddlecanada.com/
parallel to Bill Mason’s philosophies with abundant information I could also wanted to thank the Bill Mason bill-mason-scholarship-fund.
regarding environmental learning, pass on and use when teaching and
as I think getting inspired and edu- guiding on the water. The ability to
cated through outdoor exploration identify intertidal and subtidal organ-
and fieldwork forms the strongest isms, explain ecologically relevant
connection and learning experience and sustainable processes, and
for individuals. educate on environmental topics like
Throughout my life, I have had the climate change, enhanced my teach-
privilege of living near the ocean. As ing ability and supplemented my
a result, access to the water through work environment perfectly.
kayaking was easy, and I have spent Through this work, I became par- SCHOLARSHIP WINNER Photo: Neil Muncey
countless hours exploring intertidal ticularly passionate about teaching CARTER BURTLAKE.
and subtidal environments in the youth, inspiring and encouraging