Student's Feedback on the Navigation Course
Three years ago, the CanoeSki Map & Compass Course got off to a roaring start with a large group of 25 eager students. The course has continued to draw an enthusiastic response each year since. Participants turn in evaluation forms each year, but until now their comments have been noted by CanoeSki staff and filed away. A selection of these feedback responses since May 2004 are now on-line to give an overview of what people are saying about the course. Better still, John Lavery, a 2006 participant, volunteered to write a short story on his experiences on the course. You can take a look at the story and all the feedback by clicking here.
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Saskatoon Hosts Canadian Orienteering Championships
Saskatoon and Saskatchewan are hosting for the first time, the Canadian Orienteering Championships July 22-29, 2007. This is a mammoth undertaking, considering that the Saskatchewan Orienteering Association only became official last summer. If you're interested in getting involved, as a volunteer or participant, follow the link to the SOA site. A good starting point in orienteering and the world of map & compass is to enroll in the CanoeSki Wilderness Navigation Course, scheduled for May 27. |
CanoeSki Women's Tour in the National Press
CanoeSki's Women and Waves expedition is but one example of a tourism industry stirring to meet the needs of women. Whether they're married, divorced, widowed or empty nesters, mothers or daughters, overworked or retired, women are fueling tremendous growth in the travel market, says Zosia Bielski, freelance contributor to the Globe and Mail travel feature April 11, 2007. Read her entire story entitled There She Goes. |
Wilderness canoeing has an enduring appeal in women's outdoor adventure travel.
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Saskatoon's River History by Canoe
Last year, CanoeSki joined in Saskatoon's Centennial Celebrations with 2 history-themed tours on a stretch of the South Saskatchewan River not far from Saskatoon. Everyone who got on board enjoyed learning about Saskatoon's river history while paddling and taking in the valley scenery and wildlife. We figured it was an experience that could thrive even beyond the centennial hoopla, so it's going again this season with a professional historian on board similar to last year. If you missed out last year, here's your chance to have a local history adventure!
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Following in the Footsteps of Canadian Explorer David Thompson
On August 18, 2007 thirteen Saskatoon paddlers took a South Saskatchewan River trip into the fur trade era on CanoeSki's David Thompson Voyageur Trek. The 2-day trek was a Saskatchewan entry in the International Bicentennial Celebration of David Thompson's life as a famous Canadian explorer, fur trader, and mapmaker. On board were Saskatoon writer Candace Savage and photographer Courtney Milne on assignment with Canadian Geographic Magazine. Both their talents in recording the tour will be profiled in the magazine’s summer 2008 issue. Local media was also present at the fur trade fort rendezvous at South Branch House along with archaeologists, historians and local folks. Read Saskatoon Star Phoenix journalist Peter Wilson's story Travelling the wake left by Thompson (PDF format) to find out more about reliving a fascinating piece of Canadian history. |
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Saskatoon's Whitewater Park
Turning Saskatoon's 70-year old weir into a 21st century whitewater park is the dream of a dedicated group of local whitewater paddlers. So far, they have consulted with paddlers, community organizations and government officials on their proposal. In Nov. 06, the Proposal Committee made a presentation to City Council to solicit their support. In Mar. 07, the city administration recommended a public consultation and feasibility study on the project. In response to the Committee's request, they agreed to work with the Committee on the public consultation. To keep up to date on the whitewater park saga go to www.ttwwc.ca or contact Proposal Committee chairman Kent Gray at kentgray@sasktel.net
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North Central Forest Land Use
Planning Update
This part of the Saskatchewan boreal forest includes one of the most popular wilderness canoeing areas in the Province. A significant portion of the Churchill River, one of Canada's premiere heritage waterways, flows through the North Central Zone. The Government's draft land use plan released early last year for public review did not provide protection for this significant watershed: a glaring deficiency in the plan, but only one of many. The Government is still working on the final draft of its plan.
In the meantime, a breakaway group from the original Planning Advisory Board had submitted both its land use plan and the government's to forest ecologists across the country for peer review. The jury has come down in favor of the plan based on conservation science and found the government's plan wanting. In fact, one biologist from Trent University predicted that the demise of the woodland caribou (a threatened species) is virtually assured if the government plan is enacted. CPAWS reports (spring '07) that the results of the peer review will be released to the public soon. A response from the Government is expected by fall '07. For more enlightenment on this issue see Forest Protection on the CPAWS site.
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Wilderness Rivers Extravaganza
On May 9, 2007 at the Broadway in Saskatoon, the Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society will be sponsoring a multi-media presentation on 3 Yukon wilderness rivers. This national tour, Journey to the Yukon's Three Rivers will introduce canoeists and wilderness lovers to one of the most amazing wild places on earth. A bonus feature at the Saskatoon event will be a presentation on the Churchill River -- Saskatchewan's most popular wilderness canoeing destination. CPAWS Saskatchewan has been working to secure protection for this magnificent heritage waterway for several years. To learn about the threats to the Churchill from logging, mining and hydro development and to find out what CPAWS is doing, check out their Churchill Campaign.
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