Phillip Edward Island

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philed1.JPGby Nancy Morgan
Photographs by Gerry Felsky

Phillip Edward Island is a large island on the coast of Georgian Bay just east of Killarney. Arend de Boer and Tom Bruin organized a group of seven GLSKA members for a five day trip to Phillip Edward Island out of Chikanishing Creek, the access point for the islands out of Killarney Provincial Park. The plan was to set up a base camp and explore Islands, including the Foxes, in Georgian Bay. The group gathered in Killarney on Sunday, August 22 at the Roche Rouge Campground, set up camp for the night and set off for fresh fish and chips at Herbert Fisheries, a feature of any trip to Killarney. The next morning we packed up gear and headed for our starting point, after a detour for breakfast in Killarney. A young black bear scrambled across the road on the way into town emphasizing our anticipated adventure.

Our group consisted of experienced campers and paddlers: Victoria Best, Jim Bellair, Gerry Felskey, Nancy Morgan, Vivian Wade, and our enthusiastic leaders: Tom and Arend. The winds were strong, so we took the inside Western Gap between South Point Island and Phillip Edward Island; we continued on the inside of Rattle Island and through Winakaching Bay and Le Hayes Bay to Le Hayes Island and Solomon Island. Our first time in the area led to discussion about navigation, our path through the islands and the necessity of exploring to determine exact location. We checked out a couple of different sites to find an ideal campsite as our base and settled on the northwest corner of West Desjardin Bay. This site provided a beautiful sunrise and sunset, a variety of kinds of campsites, and lovely swimming along the sculpted rock shoreline. Setting up camp, we relaxed after a good day’s start to our trip and later investigated our peninsula retreat. At dinner over a glass of wine, we shared stories establishing a comfortable ambiance and then settled in to enjoy a sunset over the water and islands of the Bay.

Tuesday brought high winds and rough water. This challenge caused us to paddle south east past Campbell, Martel and Silver Islands, through Silver Island Channel around big Rock Point and into Garbage Bay. We stopped for lunch and a swim in the refreshing clear water. Paddling back to camp, the challenge of one-metre waves coming from diverse directions caused us to stay close to shore weaving in and out of the islands. The weather forecast determined that Wednesday would be a shore-bound day due to a tornado warning. After a stormy night and morning, Victoria shared her love of yoga by leading the group in the sun salutation; we were all amazed when the sun did break out during the yoga exercise long enough to dry out some wet gear.

philed2.JPGWeather is the leading preoccupation of kayakers as we take heed of wind direction, types of cloud in the sky, and the Marine Radio forecast to make our plan each day. The weather reports for Thursday boded well for our continued exploration of the Foxes. We stopped at Sly Fox and investigated interesting features of the island which include vibrant red and green lichen that highlight the granite and a spectacular view of the La Cloche Mountains of Killarney. At the Martins, we enjoyed lunch and a swim, hard to stay out of this warm, refreshing Bay. After lunch, three paddlers headed back toward camp, exploring bays and inlets and looking for wildlife and others went on to Hawk Island and had a lovely ride home with a Northeasterly at their back. Calm seas greeted our return to Chikanishing Creek on Friday; the sun warmed our backs and caused our reflections to shimmer in the water. Arend led us around Blockbuster Island, across to Mocking Bird Island, crossing the western entrance of Collins Inlet to Chikanishing and a pleasant end to a spectacular week of kayaking.

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GLSKA Waiver

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

DEFINITION

In this Release Agreement, the term Sea Kayaking Activities shall include but is not limited to: all activities, events or services provided, arranged, organized, conducted, sponsored or authorized by the Releasees and shall including moving water, still water, lake and ocean kayaking; loan or rental of kayaks (hereinafter "the boats") and other equipment; orientational and instructional courses, seminars and sessions; all travel, transportation, and accommodation; food, beverage including water supply, use of equipment, and multi-day camping or overnight stays in the outdoors.

In this Release Agreement, the term "Negligence" includes the failure by the Releasees to use such care as a reasonably prudent and careful guide, instructor, trip organizer or sea kayaking operator would use under similar circumstances, or breach of any other duty of care imposed by law.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

Participation in Sea Kayaking Activities involves various risks, dangers and hazards including the risk of serious injury, paralysis or death. Sea Kayaking Activities often take place in remote wilderness locations, where assistance, medical and first aid services and evacuation may not be readily available, and communication may be difficult or not possible. The risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered include, but are not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from the departure point; slips and falls while getting into or out of the boats; overturning of the boats; loss of balance; impact or collision with objects; cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia; drowning; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, high wind, high waves, and lightning; encounters with domestic or wild animals; infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact; negligence on the part of other participants; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES.

Please refer to the GLSKA Risk Management Strategy section of their website for further information regarding the risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered during Sea Kayaking Activities.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

I AM AWARE OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES AND I FREELY ACCEPT AND FULLY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS RESULTING THEREFROM.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

In consideration of the Releasees allowing me to participate in Sea Kayaking Activities as defined in this Release Agreement, I hereby agree as follows:

  1. TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that I have or may in the future have against the Releasees and TO RELEASE THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any loss, damage, expenseor injury including death that I may suffer, or that my next of kin may suffer as a result of my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities, DUE TO ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT, OR BREACH OF ANY STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY OF CARE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES REFERRED TO ABOVE;
  1. TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any property damage or personal injury to any third party resulting from my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities;
  2. This Release Agreement shall be effective and binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, assigns and representatives, in the event of my death or incapacity;
  3. This Release Agreement and any rights, duties and obligations as between the parties to this Release Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted solely in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and no other jurisdiction; and
  4. Any litigation involving the parties to this Release Agreement shall be brought solely within the Province of Ontario and shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario.

In entering into this Release Agreement I am not relying on any oral or written representations or statements made by the Releasees with respect to the safety of Sea Kayaking Activities, other than what is set forth in this Release Agreement.

I CONFIRM THAT I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT, AND I AM AWARE THAT BY ACCEPTING THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT I AM WAIVING CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH I OR MY HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, ASSIGNS AND REPRESENTATIVES MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES.