Spirit of Paddling: Voyageur Brigade 23
08th August 2023
The Spirit of Paddling
By Tim Du Vernet
The image of the canoe is a Canadian national icon that transcends many social boundaries of politics, economics and class. The symbolism of the canoe truly brings us together. In this spirit, in the theme of “passing the paddle”, a group of over 100 paddlers representing teams from across Canada, as well as representation from the UK, gathered at Waubaushene to begin a journey of nearly 300km through the Trent-Severn waterway on July 30 and finished August 6th at the Haiwatha Reserve on Rice Lake.
Teams of 8 to 16 members paddled Voyageur and Montreal styled canoes the distance, broken up in manageable segments that permitted camping along the way. The event was organized by the Canadian Voyageur Brigade Society, which has run similar Brigades down river systems in Canada over a span of more than 20 years.
The concept of “passing the paddle” continues to be a central theme in the procession of canoes as the Brigade was welcomed by different communities. Inspiration and direction for the events has come from Bruce Clark, who has intimate knowledge of paddling in many regions of Canada.
Participants ranged in age from 13 to over 80 and included an all-female crew that drew representation from across Canada. For about half the participants, this was their first taste of Brigade paddling. It can be tough going at times, with long distances and weather to contend with, but the rewards of meeting the challenges and making new friends consistently make it worthwhile.
The final days of the journey brought us to the shores next to the new site of the Canadian Canoe Museum where we were warmly greeted and received a presentation about the new CCM plans. At the Hiawatha Reserve centre, our boats arrived to the stirring sounds of drums and chanting. Chief Laurie Carr formally welcomed the group and Bruce Clark presented a ceremonial paddle. Artist Sandra Moore invited paddlers to insert a porcupine quill into her community quill artwork. Lisa Fournier shared her medicine and gift of the smudge ceremony with our members. We celebrated with food that included a wild rice salad.
Summer Excitement is Here
By Tim Du Vernet
The ACBS-Toronto boat show is looming large now. With just one weekend to go! For wooden boaters, the show represents a serious start to the season with the long weekend past.
While ACBS-Toronto organizes the event hosted by the Town of Gravenhurst, the ACBS is a big organization and draws participation to this show from several of its chapters.
That means both boating participants and spectators alike will get to enjoy a broad range of classic boats from as far away as Florida, Ottawa, and beyond.
As classic boat collecting matures, more and more fiberglass boats become vintage and historically significant. This year’s show will combine all classic craft into a one day public event on Saturday with member activities happening Friday through Sunday.
Once again, the ever popular card board boat building event will be fun for youth and families as well as those who love to see just how far a card board boat can go.
A special highlight of this year’s event is the return of Miss Canada IV to Gravenhurst. Built by Greavette Boats, she will be the centre of attention at 12:00 with official ceremonies. The return of Miss Canada represents the co-ordinated efforts of many people from Ingersol to Gravenhurst. She will be part of a remarkable documentary film titled “Harold and Lorna”.
The show boat is the very historically significant KITTYHAWK. This name is tied to aviation history as well as more humble boating history on Georgian Bay.
Built in 1929 by Gidley Boats, KITTYHAWK started her career as a taxi boat. She came up for sale and Orville Wright bought her in 1931 after she a hardtop had been added.
KITTYHAWK was his Georgian Bay boat, where he spent the summer. At 32’6” and substantial freeboard , KITTYHAWK, is ready to handle the waters of Georgian Bay. Perhaps her sturdy nature is one of the features that attracted Orville Wright. The Gidley “Gull” model is described in the brochure as an all mahogany express runabout, equipped with a Kermath engine. A “general purpose craft she has a passenger capacity of eight plus incidental baggage accommodation.”
Shis is currently owned by Guy and Kathy Johnstone, who summer on Georgian Bay in an area known as Franceville East. KITTYHAWK will be brought to Lake Muskoka and launched specially for the show. It is expected that representatives of the Wright family will be present for the special showing of this remarkable boat.
Once again, there will be lots to see at this year’s boat show. Remember, the show is one day only with a modest admission fee.
The ACBS will also be selling posters featuring the KITTYHAWK in two versions, the production version and a very exclusive, limited edition version produced by Tim Du Vernet. More updates on the show next week!