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July 2008
July 18 to 25:
The Isles of Scilly
This area of the British Isles is 28 nautical miles off the southwest coast of England. It is an area of superb beauty and located in the wilds of the Atlantic ocean. It has some of the most hospitable people one could ask for. The local people here went to our aid as soon as we arrived off the cargo ship with Spirit Dancer canoe.
A special thank-you to chairman Andrew May of the steamship line and Scillonian 111 that helped sponsor our crew of 5 and our canoe. Also to many others that made our visit very special. In all over the 6 days we managed to take out over 80 people both locals and visitors that had traveled from far away places.
A special thank-you to Frank Gibson, a local historian that considered a live interview with me on film for a future documentary to be completed sometime this year as a special presentation about our journey to the Isles of Scilly.
Our crew provided many gifts in return for the wonderful welcoming including many yellow cedar and western red cedar paddles made especially for this occasion. We must have left behind 20 or more paddles along with many photographs of the Spirit Dancer canoe and iceberg prints of Canada's high arctic
In addition to our thanks and appreciation we also want to thank Harbour Master Cpt. Glenn Covell who helped us with moving the canoe and putting our crew up. In addition he had us for a special dinner that was provided in part by the Duchy of Cornwall.
A 1939 decommissioned lifeboat photographed near the island of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly.
Thank-you to Amanda and Chez Michel for the wonderful time and accommodation as well as a super meal for one evening.
Thank-you to all the islanders who looked after us when visiting them, including The New Inn on Tresco and the Fraggle Rock Bar for camping and pizza. We also had a chance to canoe to St. Martins and St. Agnes islands in seas very much like the Caribbean.
Meeting with the Rotary club was also a highlight as ten Rotarians came out in the canoe on its last day. What was so unique about this experience was that it was the first time Rotary international has taken up the challenge of paddling Spirit Dancer and secondly, the first time that she had visited the tall ship Matthew which just came into the harbour on a very brief visit to the Isles.
There are some amazing photos coming to the website taken by Charlie Whittaker, a Canadian crew member of Spirit Dancer. Charlie took the challenge to climb to the top of the crow's nest to capture some images of our canoe alongside the Matthew.
To our readers and sponsors - There will be updates throughout this year and progress reports on how sponsorship is going for 2009. There will also be an overview of this year's project and I must say that this has been a very successful year and the most amazing story to be told.
Best wishes to all who are following us with admiration and support.
Chris G. Cooper
July 10 to 18: Fowey to Isles of Scilly
 I have been released from the grip of severe weather conditions and no crews from Fowey Cornwall and now am based in a paradise hard to comprehend - the Isles of Scilly. They are a small group of islands 28 N miles off the southwest coast of Cornwall.
For the past week or so my movements as follows, we had to move Spirit
Dancer canoe reluctantly by trailer which was custom made for occasions like
this by Lindsay Williams and volunteers from Fowey and St. Mawes with thanks
to the following people that helped make this move, Lindsay Williams,Tom from
Fowey, Simon, Milly, Andy from Falmouth National Maritime Museum.
Spirit Dancer was paddled from St. Mawes to Falmouth a short hop to a wonderful
welcoming on behalf of the Falmouth National Maritime Museum and Mayor and Council.
The canoe was trailered to Penzance to be shipped to the Isles of Scilly and
sponsored by the Steamship Company that services this community I thank Andrew
May for this much appreciated help and sponsorship, the canoe arrived here on
the evening of 16th July and will remain here for a number of weeks until needed
back on the mainland.
Our team which consists of 5 paddlers from Canada and we will invite the locals here to paddle Spirit Dancer amongst these most beautiful islands for 6 days and extend our invite to all that wants to paddle her, yesterday I mentioned to the Harbour Master Glen that he was the first Harbour Master to step into the canoe and paddle with us since we left London!
We thank Murray who is a mountain guide and adventurer and his wife Susan for
helping us with tenting for our first night, last night we slept in a restaurant
with our hosts Michel and his wife Amanda also thanks for a wonderful dinner
last night that Michel provided.
The islanders here have rolled out the red carpet and are such fine hosts, the community here is very small with roughly 1600 local residents and made up in the busy tourism season by double this from May to October, we are staying in a subtropical environment like the Caribbean, the water here is aqua blue and like being in a very different country, the opportunities for photography are endless and we will endeavor to get some great coverage video wise.
I will provide the community here on Tuesday a show of the BC Coast and the Canadian
High Arctic.
Thanks to Sophie from the Tourism office at St Mary's for helping us with contacts and setting up the program for canoeing over the next few days, we depart for Tresco Island this evening with the Gig Rowers and Spirit Dancer. Hmmm A potential race here!! This area is famous for Pilot gig racing.
My next report hopefully will be made just prior to departing Wednesday for the
mainland and for home on July 25th.
Best wishes to all who are following our progress, we have an amazing story to share from our first season paddling this coastline. History for Canada in the making, Paddles Up !!
In addition to this report a would like to share with our readers that our program here for the remainder of the paddling of this coastline will require a De - commissioned Lifeboat that will accompany us throughout and will provide safety, filming opportunities, live aboard for our crews when required, fundraising for RNLI Royal National Lifeboat Institute.
In other words we will be looking at serious sponsorship to continue next year.
Chris
Spirit Dancer crew at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, Cornwall
July 9 -
Fowey, Cornwall
This report in part is let our friends, colleagues, supporters and family know that the canoe journey for Spirit Dancer this year is coming to a close, she is based here at the RNLI base the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.
Yesterday we had a chance to paddle to Lostwithiel a very small village tucked
away up the river Fowey and return on the ebb tide before the river dries up
on the upper section. A super day.
My only hope now is to have Spirit Dancer moved by trailer to Penzance so she
can visit the Isles of Scilly off the southwest coast of Cornwall. There also
may be a visit to Falmouth with the royal marines and my crew of 5. Yes we only
have a crew of 5 and paddled it 15 miles up the river Fowey.
The weather this year and in particular July on the Cornish coast has been very
wet and very windy, today is forecasted for 70 mm rain in 24 hrs, this amount
generally is the total amount for the month of July.
I would like my readers to know that I am not saddened whatsoever for the first
year here as some may think, it has had challenges of immense proportions, I
am very pleased with our first 4 groups and we know now that we will need support
financially for support (Support Vessel) on the water and also for the Canadians
that will join me next year on the Scottish coast.
A support vessel will be able to keep the journey safer, take care of
the crew on board, film the journey and welcomings and landscape, take our gear
and equipment and lighten the canoe.
The Canoe journey will become somewhat fragmented and not in a continuous line
around the country, my hope for next year is to have the best possible paddlers
join me from Canada to get around this particular coastline.
I will report whenever there is something interesting, I would like to thank all the citizens of Fowey for there incredible support they have given me and my crews to give us shelter, we have had the chance to take out many people from Fowey in the Canoe while here. It has been a great time.
Regards for now, Chris
Our Canadian crew welcomed by the Royal National Lifeboat Institute crew in Fowey, Cornwall.
July 5 - Fowey
I await my next move with the canoe Spirit Dancer, she has been used a few times
up the river Fowey in the past week and we were hoping to travel to Mevagissi
Sunday early AM.
The forecast is for Gales and big winds through Saturday and Sunday, it is not looking very hopeful for another move, we shall see what Sunday brings,all of the crew for this day are volunteers from the surrounding community ( Plymouth, Fowey, Redruth, Par )
Last night I received an email from the SCA Scottish Canoe Association advising me that there's insufficient paddlers for Leg 7 and will need to be cancelled, so it is looking like this year in UK has come to a close unless a miracle happens and that Sponsorship happens on behalf of the Canadians to support this journey.
If this is the case hopefully when I come back to Canada on July 25th that the
requests for next years budget will gain momentum and will continue next year.
I remain optimistic throughout and I know something will happen to support this most amazing journey for years to come, I will make a full report on this year's journey highlighting the British and Canadians involvement and the effect that it has had and the benefits that has effected people here for a lifetime, I thank everyone for being so helpful and understanding of this special journey. This is Canadian History in the Making.
My very best wishes to all. Chris G. Cooper Explorer, Adventurer and Photographer
July 1 - Fowey
A day spent paddling the River Fowey with local residents and one gentleman by
the name of Brian Sheen who is planning a 2500 mile canoe journey on the Niger
River in Africa, had the most marvelous time speaking about paddling the UK Coastline
and in particular the Cornish Coast.
This coast is unforgiving and acting unusual as weather conditions have not co-operated
much at all and have given us tremendous challenges both on the water and ashore
not being able to cover the mileages we would like to, none the less we had a
great day up the River Fowey and all had a great time, we paddled to Polruan,
up to Gallant,and lastly Lerryn what a beautiful spot, Brian had spent sometime
with Ray Mears, filming and doing a documentary about canoeing.
Ray Mears is admired by many here in Uk, also, we met Pete Goss who is also well
renowned as a very adventurous sailor who has many journeys under his belt by
sail.
I am running out of time on the computer as I sit with Brian, getting ready to
go to Roseland Observatory this evening, Brian has a background on Astronomy.
BBC Radio Cornwall Lawrence Reid did a live interview this afternoon today
about our progress.
Will update again tomorrow hopefully, will try for Mevagissy on weekend and then
Falmouth early next week with the Royal Marines. Best wishes to all, Chris G.
Cooper
June 29 Fowey
Rest day and recruiting for a team from the local area to paddle to Mevagissi
Tuesday July 1st Happy Canada Day.
I am presently in Newquay for the day recruiting paddles fro rowing clubs to
help me get the canoe further along the coast to Falmouth, Cadgwith, Lizard,
Mullion and Penzance.
The plan is to move Spirit Dancer to the Isles of Scilly to host the community
with our canoe and also to have some special time away in the most amazing place,
I'm told that the Scillys are a super group of 100's of small islands with onlt
4 or 5 that are lived on so I hope we will have a great time. I hope we are able
to be there for 7 to 10 days.
We will keep you posted on our results of recruiting, many thanks to RNLI for
keeping tabs on us and to Brixom Coastguard that are tracking our progress.
In addition to this report, we would like to mention that next year we will require
much more support financially to have a support Vessel available to us and for
the following reasons firstly, to document the journey, safety and for carrying
our gear and equipment and to support the Canadians that I will choose for the
Scottish coastline from Luing to Orkney from May to end July 2009. This is the
ONLY way that the journey will continue next year.
June 28 Looe to Fowey
Another wild day on the water, Our crew from UBC were off at 11:00 am from Fowey
harbour for another interesting day on the water, in an hour and half we managed
4 N Miles to Porperro a very small village tucked away on the edge of many cliffs,
within an 1.5 hr journey we had light wind, no wind and a squal of 25 knots just
before we reached Porperro, what a tough 20 minutes we had just trying to get
the canoe into the harbour.
There was a very big celebration in the community and we were welcomed to music
of all sorts, we stayed for three hours til 6:20 pm and made a break for Fowey
harbour, relentless seas awaited us and we must have had 2+ meter seas.
Just prior to our departure for Fowey I called Steve who has a Rib ( support
Vessel )for support so he came out to meet us and escorted us for the last 6
miles, the seas continued to be large but very little wind, thank goodness. We
made Fowey within 2hrs 10 minutes, with a team of 10, we were challenged all
the way, this coastline in this area has only one place for us to go ashore in
Atlantic Bay so you are committed.
We arrive Fowey Harbour to a great reception, Gallent Sail club and Mayor Anne
Boosey.
Gifts were exchanged and dinner provided at 10:00pm
We packed up and the group went home for the evening, gear stowed in many areas!
June 27
Ashore once again with a forecast of increasing winds to 23 knots and moving
our way so we are off the water again, the streets of Looe are fasinating with
local music and such friendly people many asking of the canoe and where is she.
BBC Radio cornwall called me today and confirmed with me that they would
like to take our offer through our canoe journey to help with a fundraising opportunity
for sick and terminally ill children ' Precious Lives' and cheques to be mailed
to BBC Radio Cornwall, I am very happy that someone has come forward to ask us
to help with a Charity such as this one.
Our group will enjoy another day here and wait for news of a weather change
and hopefully be off to Fowey ( Foy ) tomorrow.
I wish all who following our progress the very best, spirits are very high
with our UBC students, they have had a marvelous time such variety and so welcomed,
they have experienced great hospitality, Royal marines, locals, Mayor and Council,
Harbour Masters, calm seas, sailing Spirit Dancer, very rough seas and very hard
work, team spirit like none I have ever seen before, they are great hosts and
ambassadors for our country Canada, they have played an integral role and very
much a part of Canadian history for future Canadians to get involved in the most
outstanding and challenging canoe journey that have not seen since Don Starkell
and his son Dana traveled to the Amazon River in the early 1980's.
Best wishes
to all readers, Chris G. Cooper Explorer, Adventurer and Photographer.
Our UBC team in Looe Cornwall being welcomed by the Mayor and harbourmaster in the Guildhall (Town Hall).
June 26 Looe
Spirit of Adventure
It was defined yesterday in seas of force 5/6 with south westerlies and
breaking seas of 2.5 meters with wash over the deck on many occasions, it was
the most humbling of sea conditions yet and only made 2 N Miles and went ashore
at the only beach available to us. At this point we were 2 N Miles west of Looe.
On the ebb tide we left Spirit Dancer ashore and 5 of the crew went to
scout ahead on the coast trail to Polperro about 3 miles to a very quaint village
perched on the edge of a cliff which reminded me of Macho Pichu, Peru , South
America.
The seas were very intimidating and there was no way we could continue
so once we arrived back at the canoe we discussed retreating back to Looe
where Wally from the local council asked us to come back and stay with the community
until safe to leave again.
Once back on the water the seas were still breaking and we also had a beam
sea which is not at all friendly, we were tossed around like a cork and I can
say we have not had a sea like this while traveling the BC, Alaska coast.
We are blessed on the BC Coast with 1000's of islands to run for protection
when the weather becomes unmanageable on the outside coast.We do not have this
anywhere on the southcoast or the upcoming northcoast of Cornwall and Devon.
We are completely weather dependant and cannot afford any incident whatsoever.
The hospitality of the Cornish people is truly remarkable, case in point,
when we left the beach where we were kept hostage a local person saw the canoe
traveling back to Looe, called the Harbour Master Geoff in turn called lifeboat
RNLI to come out and escort us to the safety of the harbour. We thank them for
coming out,we arrived back in Looe and were put up in the Town Hall once again,
as Wally said I think we would like to adopt all of us. What friendlyness we
have had. It leaves me speechless.
June 24
Plymouth to Looe
We are back on the water after 6 days of not being able to travel,
I put my back out and it has been a real problem for me to travel until today,
we have been treated by the community of Fowey while I have not been able to
travel.
The Royal Marines have also been extremely helpful as well in regards to taking
care of the team while having this inconvenience, today the back is much better
and able for the first time to travel to Looe.
We travelled under good sea conditions and took 5 hrs to make 15 N Miles. We
arrived in Looe to a fine reception and were asked to stay in the Town Hall,the
Canoe is moored outside the RNLI station.
This morning the 25th of June we had a very nice meeting in Looe with the Mayor,
Council, Harbour Master and exchanged gifts including a very nice Cornish Flag,
we have been treated like ambassadors for Canada.
We are being hopeful that we will be able to canoe to Fowey which is about 10
miles but the wind is blowing and will have a meeting with the Harbour Master
in regards to sea conditions for the local area.
I am taking up the time on this computer which is in the Mayors office so I will
say cheerio for now and wishing all the best to my followers, our best regards,
Chris Paddles Up !!
June 20
Bantham to Newton Ferres/ Plymouth
An early departure to make Plymouth was foiled as winds again came up soon after
we departed from this very tiny village on the Avon River. We are now into westerlies
and to be expected.
The afternoon blew up and we were pressed to make Newton ferries with no where
to stay so the Royal marines came to our aide and moved us by land to the barracks
in Plymouth. Turn Chapel.
The next day it blew to force 7/8 and seas were violent enough to not paddle
again, we moved the canoe in tow by ridged hull Royal marines, two vessles were
used and it was a ride like no other we have had since we departed London, I
won't share any more info on that day as we nearly lost Spirit Dancer in tow
( 4 Miles ) to Plymouth. A very stressful situation.
We are now in Plymouth for the next day, we got Spirit Dancer to Plymouth and
paddled her to the reception area to meet with Mayor and media. We had 6 Royal
marines in the canoe for a short paddle over to Mayflower Steps then returned
to the Barracks.
June 19th we departed for Fowey by land as we were asked to move onto this village
while waiting for the weather to change, we are now hosted in Fowey for the weekend
and will move Paddle Spirit Dancer early next week to Looe and onto Fowey early
next week.
Our progress is painfully slow we will be lucky to make Penzance by end June
which is a month behind so there we are, it has been very successful from many
points of view, very very complicated and logistically very intense with our
begginner crews, they are very happy with what has taken place and are having
a great time being looked after by the Brits.
A special thanks to all and to Barry Hunter Inspector Cornwall Police department,
to Lt Col Steve Richards of the Royal Marines Exmouth.
I will try another update early next week and inform all. Best wishes to all,
Chris Paddles Up !!
June 16 Salcombe to Bantham
After a great stay in Salcombe we were sent off with the Harbour Master and the
Mayor ( Paul ) fine hosts they were and really went all out to help our crew
for their first day with me. Bantham is about 10 NM and we had two local ladies
along to experience Spirit Dancer. Ruth and Sue both Gig Rowers.
We departed for Hope cove after a fine sendoff and made our way to Hope Cove,
a lovely small community with much interest by the locals, we gave stickers away
and some small paddles, we departed for Bantham under sail and paddle. The entrance
to the harbour is very tricky with surf all about. we snuck through without too
much trouble and arrived safely. Marsh the harbour master greeted us along with
Peter and we unloaded all gear for our camp which was just up the road.
Later on Marsh came down to suggest to me that I sleep on his boat which
was an all wooden vessel with two bunks, so I'm off to sleep as it is 10:00pm
and I'm tired, I treated the group for dinner at the Sloop Inn where I am at
present. Best wishes to all and again tomorrow will be another most marvelous
welcome in Plymouth.
The group presented two beautiful paddles and pictures of the canoe to our super
hosts. Marsh, Wendy and Peter.
Fellow Rotarians in Salcombe, Devon meet our UBC team in preparation for traveling the south coast of the UK.
June 15 Salcombe
Today we had the most interesting day with this community as there was a Rowing
Gig race and so we witnessed some very competative teams, our canoe was well
received and we carried out tours in it all day and presented a great paddle
to the rowing club. The entire community were trilled by our presence and cheered
us each time we went by. Our UBC team were there all day to help out with our
canoe.
June 13
To all that are following the progress of the Spirit of Adventure Canoe journey,
For the past two weeks the canoe Spirit Dancer has made 25 N Miles with novice
paddlers from Paignton to Salcombe a spectacular part of the coast, Start Point
would have been one of the highlights of this section.
There were no teams planned for this two weeks and I was hoping locals would
get involved which they have and it was great, The Brits have been great hosts
and thanks to Ray and Jan and Andrew and Sylvia for accomodating me while I was
otherwise homeless!!
Iker Gomez has now arrived with the UBC team ( University of British Columbia
) and will meet me in Salcombe tomorrow Saturday June 14th, we will be meeting
Rotary for Lunch at the Sailing club and then onto the Harbour Masters office
to meet with them about our departure to Burgh Island and Plymouth.
I had an interview with BBC Radio Cornwall ( Donna Birrell ) yesterday at 4:15
pm and discussed our Canoe journey with the listeners, our UBC team hopefully
will reach Penzance by June 28th as I want to have the canoe shipped to the Isles
of Scilly for 7 to 10 days.
Our next team arrives July 6th and hope they will also have the chance to visit
this paradise by Canoe. I'm sure we will have many locals involved in traveling
in the canoe there.
We don't have astrong crew and we are being very caucious every step of the way,
the Canoe will be shipped by ferry both ways. Please be advised that this will
be the last update til I get my hands on another computer, you never know where
thats going to be!!
Best wishes to all, Regards Chris. Paddles Up !!
June 10 Dartmouth to Salcombe
We are again lucky to find a crew to travel the coast from Dartmouth to Salcombe,
a beautiful section of coast and quite dramatic in places, we were on the water
6.5 hrs and covered 16 NMiles, rounding Start Point was one of the highlights,
plenty of beaches one could camp on.
We arrive at Salcombe in the early evening and the Harbour Masters office took
care of Spirit Dancer and moored it up river til the UBC team arrives Friday.
We hired a taxi to get us back to Newton Abbot where I am staying at the moment.
Planning our next move will most likely happen for Monday for Plymouth and beyond.
It is approximately 95 NMiles to Penzance and with our UBC students should make
this destination.
I will update where I can and hopefully have an opportunity to find a computer
somewhere on route, best to all and best wishes to all who are following our
progress. Chris.
A group greets the Spirit Dancer crew on the shingle beach at Torcross, Devon UK.
June 8 Paignton to Dartmouth
Finally we are on the move again and had a crew from Paignton Rowing club and
police officers join me for a 10NM day which was an amazing piece of coast with
rocky islands and headwalls, we paddled up the Dart river to the Brittania Navy
Base ( College ) and moored Spirit Dancer there for security and piece of mind.
I am looking forward to our UBC team joining us on Friday hopefully, Salcombe
is where they need to come to so if you are reviewing the News and Updates please
make sure you can meet me there on Friday the 13th June. We can then depart from
there for Penzance. Please contact me on 07503 444 856 or with Barry Hunter on
his mobile at 07890 015 458. I do have another mobile that you can contact me
on at 07503 448 750. You can leave message with Barry if unable to get me.
Just to update everyone following, we will be departing for Canada July 25th
and will return for Scotland September 1st. Spirit Dancer will be trailered by
Lindsay Williams who is managing Spirit Dancer while I'm back home.
Please note:
On Friday May 31st From Exmouth to Paignton Lt Col Steve Richards and Police
officer from Cornwall Inspector Barry Hunter and daughter Izzie travelled in
Spirit Dancer canoe this day, a first time for Izzie.
We are still looking for corporate sponsorship to help me with crews for next
year 2009 and hope someone will support this project, I need to have the best
paddlers from Canada to paddle the West and Northcoast of Scotland. Best wishes
for now and we continue to update when and where I can. Best wishes Cheers Chris.
June 1-4
Paignton, Devon Crewless!!
As of June 1st until June 14th Spirit Dancer will be made up of local crews to
continue along the Devon coast.
Our first group is June 8th and will paddle to Dartmouth, it is a crew from the
Paignton area made up of Police, Gig Rowers and private individuals. Lets hope
that some stay on for a few extra days!
It is with regret that I will be making changes to the overall itinerary due
to difficulties with no crews for August from Canada so therefore Legs 5&6
have been postponed to a future date or year.
As of June 15th to July 22nd we hope to get the canoe around Landsend and up
the North coasts of Cornwall and Devon.
Spirit Dancer will be moved to Scotland for September 1st in preparation for
meeting with the Scottish paddlers from SCA and will continue along the coast
from Port Carlisle to Ireland and back to Scotland hopefully finishing on the
Isle of Luing in early October.
Part of our main problem is that we don't have the large corporate sponsor
to help finance the top Canadian paddlers to come over which would be what I
want in order to do the larger mileages and deal with the challenges of this
coastline.
I do hope that someone will come forward and help with this most marvelous journey
and inspire all that are following us over here.
I will keep all posted as to what is happening til my return to Canada July 25th.
I will then return in early September to join the Scottish paddlers.
Very best wishes to all, Chris G. Cooper
May 2008
May 31
The second crew which composed of 4 Vancouver Policeman, 1 Royal navy
and volunteers from the local community had there wind up sendoff at the Rowing
Club at Paignton.
A great sendoff by the community, We are now Crewless and have no further plans
of moving on unless we are lucky enough to have locals ( Rowing Clubs ) help
paddle Spirit Dancer along the coast so having said that our mileages will suffer
and we will not be able to stay to the original itinerary.
Today was spent cleaning the canoe and relocating it to a mooring buoy in the
Paignton Harbour, I have made arrangements to visit Yorkshire and family for
a few days June 4 to 7th.
Hopefully by then we will be able to come up with different crews to help move
the canoe onwards down the coast, if this is not possible, the UBC team from
Canada will need to meet me here and paddle to St. Ives on the North coast of
Cornwall we shall see. The entire coast has been incredible with of course many
great challenges, to be expected.
May 30
A great day on the water from Exmouth to Paignton in Torbay, a 15 N Mile day
with a crew of 10 including new recruits Barry Hunter from the Cornwall Police
dept, Lt Col Steve Richards of the Royal Marines and David, Linda, Ryan Whiston
a family that joined us a week ago to paddle and help us move equipment along
the coast.
Our group was hosted for breakfast at the Dockside Cafe in Exmouth, many
thanks to Vive for looking after our crew, we stayed at the Royal Marine base
thanks to Lt Col Steve Richards.
Also I had an interview with Terry Mills from Bay FM Radio about the events of
our journey
www.bayfm.co.uk Thanks Terry.
Our day was 4.5 hrs with no going ashore in order to make Paignton for 6:00 pm,
we were greeted by good weather until the last hour when we had a huge amount
of rain for the grand entry into the harbour, thanks to Ray , Jan and Sharon
for coming out in their boat to welcome us and escort us in.
We were greeted also by a rowing Gig for the last mile and we came ashore completely
sodden!!
Showers and food for the evening was hosted by the Rowing Club and speeches were
shared and gifts were exchanged by John Turner and self who presented a Stanley
Park Red Cedar paddle.
Another fine day on the water. Best to all and Paddles Up!!
May 29
Lyme Regis to Exmouth
A great sendoff and many thanks to the community of Lyme Regis and our host Giles
and Hanna Frampton who put our group up for 3 days. Giles is a Eco Developer www.ecodeveloper.com
Had a great visit to the BBA Boat Building Academy www.boatbuildingacademy.com thanks
to our host there Tim Gedge Director. The North West Chapter Canoe Club would
be very interested in seeing the work that is produced from this very interesting
organization.
Another very spectacular section of coast with many beaches and cliffs along
the way, after 12 N Miles we went ashore for 40 minutes while the group went
for tea. The canoe was anchored out and many locals were very interested in what
we were up to.
One fellow Nobbie in his late sixties asked about the canoe which was his mistake
as it was'nt more than a few minutes that he was asked to join us, Noddie was
seconded to the experience and did very well, sometimes we just take strangers
right off the beach!! And we get away with it!!
We were welcomed by the Town Crier, Paddlers that came out on surf boards and
the Exmouth town Mayor, Fantastic, the word is now traveling with us, BBC Radio
has now done several interviews.
May 28
A day off for the crew as poor weather all day plagued us unfortunately so the
crew spent the day in Lyme Regis which is a sweet Village with lots to do. The
forecast was a little better for the 29th so not a lot to report this day.
May 27
West Bay to Lyme Regis
On the eve of the 26th May the waters of this particular section of coast were
quite challenging and overnight while Spirit Dancer was secured to the moorings
in West Bay broke the stern line attachment and left some bruising and paint
removal off the hull of the canoe hence a patch will need to be done when we
can aquire some paint of the right color!!
The weather for May 27th was forcasted in our favour and therefore allowed us
to depart for Lyme Regis for another amazing day although very short we were
expected here for a special welcoming our Youngest crew member was Ryan Whiston
whom was interviewed by the local media, good going Ryan, this is my hope for
all who joins me to have the locals interviewed as often as possible especially
if they are my crew.To share there experience of paddling the great canoes of
Canada.
We have been greeted by the Mayor and Harbour Master and many others to a fine
reception when we arrived on the shores of Lyme Regis, what a wonderful village
this is, everyone is very helpful and very very excited for us traveling in the
old ways of Canadian History.
I admire the Brits, they are very out going and extremely encouraging of our
acheivements, we have a very long way to go yet but with the help of the people
of this coastline it will become one of the finest ways of meeting the people
of this magnificent land.
We hope to depart from Lyme Regis for Exmouth tomorrow about 18 miles or so,
many people wanting to join me so the pressure is on to try accommodate some
of these requests.
Well I'm now off to another reception, at the boat building school where we had
a super tour of the locals building many beautiful hand built dories, kayaks,
dingies and one super 32ft Rowing Gig.
Best to all, and again please be patient with us that are waiting our arrival
further along the coast we will get there!!
Chris and Barbara and Crew.
Chesil Beach near Weymouth on a very calm day. There is no going ashore once committed to leaving for West Bay 18 miles in the distance. Chesil is a shingle surf beach and very steep with no opportunity to go ashore.
May 26
Portland Bill to West Bay Dorset
A Very difficult day, tried to depart along Chesil Beach and had to return as
winds were far too high blowing in from NEast, went back ashore and had tea with
Julie and Peter who invited us in while waiting for a change for the winds to
subside.
The forecast was for deminishing winds by 1:00pm and down to 10 Miles per hour
Easterly, did not happen.
We departed for West Bay with the hope for winds to die down but unfortunately
only asmall reduction to wind speed of about 15 to 20 with gusts to 25
on occasion. We were challenged all the way down Chesil of 15 miles and no way
to go ashore!! This was expected so a rather big commitment, the canoe works
well and performs easily in these conditions but crew tires easily, we are not
a strong crew but of intermedaite capability,I have chosen not to be on the water
above a Beaufort 3 as it is awkward with cross winds and we have to have two
stern rudders in order to keep the canoe somewhat strait!!
We arrive West bay in 3 hrs and 30 minutes, An exciting day ( Watching your back
is imperative here )with an interesting arrival to the harbour. There were very
few again to welcome us, very discouraging when we have no one there to greet
us after a hard day on the water, My arms felt this workout today!!
Susan a paddler and gig rower had left a message for me during the afternoon
to find out whether we would arrive in West Bay today and carry onto Lyme Regis,
called her up and said we are stuck for a place to stay this is now 7:00pm in
the evening. She got on the phone immediately and arranged to have us looked
after. We arrive by van at 8:30pm and met Jiles and Hanna who put us up in Lyme
Regis.
We hope to paddle Spirit Dancer today to Lyme Regis but will be doing the usual
checks with weather and coastguard.
Just another reminder to all who are expecting us on the coastline, we
are having great difficullty keeping to schedules so please be patient and hopefully
we will arrive whenthe weather allows us to. It is best to check our website
under News and Updates.
The Vancouver Police and Royal Navy crew about to round Portland Bill - a nortorious penninsula to get around on a calm day.
May 25
Weymouth to Portland Bill and around to Chesil Cove
A short but intense journey around the Portland Bill to find calm seas and very good conditions to round the HORN as some would say!!
Portland Bill is a headland that requires very accurate planning with the tides here so timing is extremely important today was perfect as the races were far off the headland, many people were photographing us as we rounded the tricky headland.
A spectacular part of coast with many people in shock to sea an ocean going canoe travelling around this piece of coast, took 2 hrs and 40 minutes to get this done so very short 8 mile day, We anchored Spirit Dancer in the Cove, and Wally and Ken helping with security and camped with the canoe, we made presentations in the evening to the Harbour Masters office and to staff there also to MCA Coastguard Weymouth. Another fine day today on the water which we do get on occasion!
Paddles Up!
Our host Doug at Swanage receives a Stanley Park Paddle on behalf of our crew
May 23 & 24
Left Swanage for Weymouth to paddle the 20 NMiles of some of the most
beautiful and panoramic sea cliffs of the Jurassic coast here a very committing piece of
coast but we had good conditions overall and managed to do this section in 6hrs
and 20 minutes, we did not go ashore for this period of time and continued with
a following sea and some light wind where we were assisted by the sail a 12 x
8 ft Canadian Flag which provided lots of interest across this coast.
We arrived in Weymouth and greeted by many including some great help from the
Harbour Masters office, Remmie who is staff with the harbours office really helped
us out to make us comfortable, they put us up in a small warehouse and stored
our canoe on a separate finger to keep her safe. A very beautiful place Weymouth
is, and we have had the chance to meet so many in just a very short time. It
would be nice to spend more time in these places but time is not allowing us.
Geoff, who has a glass bottom boat that takes tours out, took us out and
we saw some eels and many species of fish in the harbour. We met with Sarah
from coastguard last night and she took us out to Portland
Bill to check on our
next move to the inside of Chesil Beach which is about 10 NMiles. This is a very
tricky headland and requires much input from locals and coastguard.
Presently the seas are 5 /6 with gusts to 7 so we will make another check tomorrow
with coastguard to get round this headland.
Thanks to all who are following with great interest, BBC
Radio Dorset will do
an interview with me tomorrow morning prior to our departure if weather allows
us, As I have mentioned it is a day by day planning for each move and we are
doing our very best to ensure our crews safety and delays must be expected so
again please bare with us. My very best regards, Chris, Barbara & Crew.
May 22
 Departed Poole today and accomplished 8 N Miles to Swanage for another big day
tomorrow, 20 miles to Weymouth.
Passed by Old Harry a sea stack of beautifull shapes on a very smooth sea for
a change!! Great photo opps.
We are 7 in the crew and canoe feeling slow, With crew and
gear plus the weight of the canoe we are 3500 lbs gross a great workout in
deed!! We need more crew and unfortunately cannot drag people off the beaches
as most are in shock when we come into the communities!!! Met Doug with a beach
hut and stayed with him tonight tenting on the beach, canoe anchored, Presented
Doug with a beautiful Red Cedar Paddle, he was speachless when presented.
The Brits are truly very interested in what we are trying
to do, what a wonderful time we are having. LUV to ALL. Chris and Barbara.
May 21
Barry the Lorry Driver moved Spirit Dancer to Poole from Hythe, Flew Belleville
Rodair flag down the motorway Many shocked people seeing 60 foot flat deck
low rider through the narrow streets of Poole. What an amazing sight it must
be.
Many thanks to all who are dealing with some of the very complicated
logistics and so sorry to the ones we left behind and not able to visit you. please encourage
us through these very challenging times.
Best regards to all, Chris and Barbara
New Update to May 20 news!
An amazing story of generousity, a week ago we hauled 'Spirit Dancer' canoe up
the shingle beach and prepared to bring her up on the promanade for safety, the
anchor and chain was also brought up and placed by the canoe, the next day our
anchor went missing and the chain was left behind, now we have no anchor.
Darren went to Dover to pickup a new anchor and we mentioned this to Rose Hewitt
this evening who is the Kitchen Manager at the Stade Court Hotel, hence our new
anchor is named Rose. Rose was in the guest house business for years in Folkstone
and became a manager here after selling her business. We are very greatful to
her generousity. We will remember her each time we lower the anchor.
The staff at the Stade Court hotel have been incredible and have supported Barbara
and I while delayed by weather, they are truly fine fine hosts, we have provided
many gifts to the staff here.
In addition to this report we are now being met by a lorry driver tomorrow with
a flat bed to move the canoe to Poole, it is a real dissapointment that we are
to move the canoe as we really wanted to paddle each section, the main reason
is that we have no good anchorage for our canoe so therefore we hope we are able
have better luck from Poole onwards.
Our apologies to all that were expecting us along this section of coast. A very
difficult decision indeed.
hopefully we will try again at a later date, we shall see.
Again, best to all, Chris and Barbara
May 20
We are having some very difficult times now with extra
costs (1000
) to move Spirit Dancer to Poole from Hythe, to catch up for lost time, we are
challenged all the way unfortunately.
The BC Coast is simple compared to what I'm trying to do. My only hope is to
have deeper water and safer anchorages for early departures west of Poole.
I hope
to be back on the water for 22nd May, we have been off the water since May 15th
and have lost a weeks travel because of the Shingle beaches, Wind and Gale force
6 to 7. Can't even think of anchoring out in these windy beaches.
Paddles Up To All!!
May 16th to 19th.
The Vancouver Police team has now arrived late on the 17th May we are now a team
of 7.
We are challenged by so much..... Short on Crew, No anchorages for a quick departure
in most cases, so Spirit Dancer awaits its next move, the Shingle Beaches are
many and some steep so difficult to get ashore and depart, we cannot risk anchoring
her off shore because of wind.
For the past two days Coastguard has been advising of force
6&7 with up to
Gale Force off Dungeness, went down yesterday to investigate and sure enough
was mostly whitewater and breaking seas a fair bit off shore, to be expected
and now we cannot delay any longer so will have our trailer brought in
to move Spirit Dancer to Portsmouth to continue the journey.
A special thanks to all who have helped in this process, Rotary ( Brian and Shirley
Walkling ) of Hythe, The Shade Court Hotel in Hythe for accommodation and Breakfasts,
to Peter and Liz Brooker of the Sail Club in Hythe for helping with storage,
Dinner,and scouting missions to check the Royal Marine Canal that we were hoping
could be an option to make a move. Too many barriers here.
We are very thankful to so many that are indeed helping in so many ways,
the main enemy is Wind and no Anchorages for quick get aways, if we had that
we could continue early mornings prior to the winds getting up, hopefully when
we move the canoe west bound we will have better opportunities to anchor out.
FYI Spirit Dancer weighs
1400 lbs Dry and 7 crew cannot budge her, it takes 20 strong crew to move her
to the water hence, we need deep water with protective anchorage.
Please stay tuned to our next move, we apologize to the communities that were
expecting us between Rye and Portsmouth, we are very much indeed behind schedule
and many are expecting us along the way, so please bare with us.
Best regards, Chris and Barbara and crew.
May 15
To all that are continuing to follow our progress around the UK coastline, the British are incredibly supportive of what we are trying to do and welcome
us every stage of the way, yesterday we received word from Best Western Hotel
that they would like to sponsor Barbara and I at The Stade Court Hotel in
Hythe until we depart on Sunday May 18 for Rye Harbour.
Every day is very challenging for me working with coastguard, rifle ranges,
media, press, local interest, departing teams (BCIT) looking after returning
car rentals, updating the website, wondering where my next team is etc., but
all in all it is the most fasinating project I have ever taken on. Barbara and
I have a little time today together for lunch while she is doing washing!!
The Rotary here in Hythe have passed the word now to Rye Harbour which is our
next port of call Sunday about 16 N Miles around Dungeness Point. I will
try with another update Monday if time allows, thank goodness for libraries for
our updates. Best regards to all, Chris and Barbara
May 14: Mileage to date NM 120 or 220KMs (10 Days
Paddling)
Folkstone to Hythe (Google
map link)
Force 7 off shore!! Inshore force 2/3! No problems today Tide and
Wind were with us, the group paddled well and we made 5 miles. We now finish
here with BCIT students, they did well and managed 120 NMiles based over 10 days.
They were challenged in every way and did super. Bless Them !!
No crew for the 15th and 16th May, will be in Hythe til our next departure.
We wait for our next team, Vancouver Police and Royal Navy to commence 17 May
from Hythe.
Hythe is a lovely town lots of local interest, will be hosted by the local
sail club, store the canoe so she's safe. A newspaper in Folkstone is to do a
story for today's paper and I will advise everyone when it's out and will be
posted on our website.
We've been advised that the weather is to change later in the day.
Windguru.cz is a very good website for 24 hours a day coverage
and will give up to 7 days forecast. Check it out!
Best wishes to all who are supporting us and cheering us on!!
What a great story and challenge it is.
Chris and Barbara
May 13
A note from the Spirit Dancer Canoe
Journey web designer
Chris is not only organizing the trip, watching weather patterns and planning
the day's logistics, he's in the canoe paddling alongside the other team members,
meeting with officials and media people and visiting with all the kind people
along the way learning about the wonderful places the trip is traveling through.
On top of that Chris is somehow finding time to find a computer at each
stop to send in these updates by email. The man is amazing - and so is everyone
who is on the journey with him! Thank you to all who are following the challenges
of Chris and the crew. I am in awe of the undertaking and of all the support
the adventure has received. Thank you everyone.
BCIT students viewing the Cliffs of Dover on route to Folkstone.
We had calm waters this day in the Strait of Dover
May 12
Kingsdown to Folkstone (Google
Map link)
Our group departed from Kingsdown at 7:30 am after calling Dover
Coastguard to confirm our departure. Everyone is in good spirits and
the Ebb tide again now in our favour, winds light and seas calm until 1:00pm,
we were off the water by then.
Our journey around the Cliffs of Dover was superb (Google
map link) steeped
with history and many people now encouraging us to paddle hard!! Lots of photos
were taken. We arrived on the east end of the Port of Dover and asked for
an escort. The Dover Port Authority came and met us and provided an escort
past the busiest Port in the world. It is an intimidating place with much traffic.
We went ashore after paddling at breakneck speed following
the support vessel,
we went ashore for a short break then continued to Folkstone, we arrive at the
bottom of the Ebb to find mud and sand in the Harbour so we tossed the anchor
out and tied a land line ashore and left Spirit Dancer for the rest of the day,
she is a marvellous canoe with a great history.
MCA coastguard called me and asked our crew if we would like to visit
Dover Coastguard and have a tour around the facility, Derek and Mervin came
and picked us up and took us to their headquarters, what a great reception we
had. Absolutely incredible, fine fine hosts, Frank the Watch manager provided
Barbara and I with a gift from HM
Service a plaque of honour. What a treasure.
We gave them a gift of a beautiful Red Cedar paddle that Stewart Nahanee made
from the Stanley Park wood and also a small paddle for all staff, in addition
to this I personally provided a number of pictures from the BC Coast and Canada's
High Arctic. A super day all round we hope to be in Folkstone tomorrow to have
a look at Spirit Dancer and to ensure she's fine.
Just a message to all that we hope to make it to Hythe tomorrow May 14th
where BCIT will depart back to Canada, our new crew comes in May 17th so hopefully
I will have a British Crew help me for the next few days. we shall see. Regards
Chris.
May 11
Ramsgate to Kingsdown (Google
map link)
Another good weather day and set off for Deal about 9:00 am with
a volunteer Andy who wanted to join our crew, a television camera person met
us at the harbour and did an interview with me Mike Pett with TV Meridian news.
Hopefully something came up on the Tele in the last day or so to keep people
aware of our journey.
It took us an hour to do the 6 NMiles with a following sea and favourable
tide, we went ashore with many people very interested in our journey around the
coastline, Jeff another person who expressed interest immediately excepted my
invitation to join us for a short 2 mile sprint to Kingsdown he loved the opportunity
to be a small part of the experience. It is great that the locals come with us,
this is what it is really about, sharing the experience.
The group went out for dinner to the local pub and we are camping here at Kingsdown
for 3 nights.
Alls well and another fine day, we are very lucky with weather this past week.
Best wishes to all who have been part of this amazing journey. It leaves me breathless
sometimes!!!
May 9
The BC Coast is easy to plan and logistics certainly easier, here we are challenged
in every way.
The coast here between London and Whitstable has been challenging for us as we
have had to deal with shallow water and tides not working in our favour IE: Ebb
Tides have started in the very early mornings and then Flood by early afternoon.
Yesterday we were up to position Spirit Dancer for the top end of the Flood tide
and then depart by 7:00 am, therefore I was up at 3:00 am to ensure of an early
departure, we made very good time on the Ebb to Minnis Bay about 6 NMiles in
1hr 30 minutes. We met a great fellow Dougal running his Beach side cafe,
so we had an hour break with him, he dedicated lots of cookies home made by one
of the locals to our group and soft drinks. Great fellow and recognised the great
undertaking we have taken upon ourselves.
We arrived in Margate by Noon then off again to Ramsgate
by 1:00 pm , we are
now on the flood tide and will take 3 hrs to make 6 NMiles, we tackled the headlands
around this very intimidating coastline where one must be very focused
on safety as few areas allow safe approach to beaches and surf. Our crew is doing
marvellously well and we are continually challenged each day.
We are close to the 100 mile mark now and are behind, but to be expected.
Today which is the 10th of May is a day of updates and planning our next move
tomorrow, we are now having the Ebb tide in our favour for 3 to 4 hours and will
hopefully make Deal (Google
map link)in the early afternoon, we constantly check
with Coastguard , and Windguru.cz for up to date forecasts and wind direction,
yesterday we had no wind to speak of but we some very interesting rip tides of
the headlands, 3 in particular.
I will try send photos to the site when I can, also message
to Ron Currie, your
paddle you made for me is superb and is performing very well, good job Ron.
Important news for next crew. Lastly to my next crew coming in, it is certain
we will not make Portsmouth by the 14th May so please get in touch with me on
07503 444 856 for directions to the start of your leg.
Regards to all of you that are following our progress. Chris and Barbara.
May 8
Delayed by Force 4 in Herne Bay (Google
map link) will depart May 9 early
and try
catch the ebb tide at 7 am which should get us to Margate (Google
Map link) early afternoon, crew in good spirits, we are looking forward
to getting in our first 100 miles in, for a beginner group of young adults they
are doing very well.
May 7
Unfortunate delays based on logistics and getting gear moved and also
accommodation, unfortunately the word is still not out so no real welcomings
yet on the water, the locals are very interested in what we are trying to do,
so I'm certain that things should start to role when the media advises the communities
we are on our way. Day off for crew and planning our next move.
May 6
Very good day force 4 15 to 20 knot winds crew did 4 N Miles in two hours against
strong winds and some tide, we are trying to arrive at the top of the flood tides
as we want no issues with managing Spirit dancer on the low end of the tide,
we are dealing with very shallow water as there is very low angle to the terrain
we travel ie Mud and Sand for 100's of meters out to sea.
We have been welcomed by the Herne Bay Sailing Club Mr David Hogben president
of the club, we are right on the sea and overlook the North Sea (Google
map link),
will depart on May 8th for Margate which will provide us with close to 100 N
Miles for the first week. We will most likely make Portsmouth by May 14th but
we shall see once we have turned the corner.
Many very interested folk in regards to the canoe and some very interested a
stunned looks like star ship enterprise on another planet.
Best wishes to all who are following our progress and the supporters helping
us with the most challenging logistics I have ever taken on.
May 5
 BCIT crew paddled Spirit Dancer 15 NMiles to Whitstable in 4 hrs, tides were
helpful here but wind a constant problem but to be expected, it will be interesting
once we head West around the heal of UK, we have been on a day on and day off
most of the time and dealing with constant logistics each day.
We have been hosted by the Sea Scouts of Whitstable
My Neil Austin and they must be commended for there efforts and wonderful hospitality,
they have also helped with moving our gear and equipment as there is far too
much.
A very good day all round and very good team spirits, we are making about
10 to 12 miles per day based on conditions and fitness of the group, a beginner
group doing very well.
May 4
Day off for crew, will reduce mileages to 15NMiles per day if possible, we are
somewhat on schedule but that can change very quickly based on the seas and weather,
the past three days have been very good but when on water, Canoe
based in Queenborough overnight and will be paddled into Whitstable (Whitstable
Google map) tomorrow with
the Ebb tide South of Sheppy Island.
May 3
Very tough day today from Greenhithe (Google
map link) to Queenborough (Google
map link) 25
miles with headwind all day long stretches of mud bays and no getting ashore,
large seas with unusual tide conditions, one of the locals in Whitstable said
a horrible area to consider paddling, 12 miles of mud flats and very distant
to any community 3 to 4 miles in some cases. not the place to get into trouble
as it is very exposed to the open sea. Crew very tired and a struggle to make
head way but in 8 hrs we made 25 miles without much influence from the tide this
day. Spirit Dancer canoe is marvellous, is now moored at Oueensbourgh.
May 2
Barbara's birthday and day off for crew at Greenhithe, crew spent the day
shopping and preparing for the big day's paddle to Whitstable.
BCIT students depart the River Thames on May 1st 2008 with the M25 Bridge and the North Sea in the distance.
May 1
Sendoff from Putney at 12:00 am To St Katherene's dock for press
and media very good coverage and great gathering, Royal Marines Lt Col Steve
Richards organised marines and Royal Navy, CBC and Global National there, very
interesting paddling the Thames River with a few challenges for the crew running
with the Ebb tide. Made it to Greenhithe with another great reception, Sea Scouts
welcomed us.
30 mile paddle this day under good weather most of the day.
April 2008
April 30
Met with the High Commissioner in London for our sendoff Mr Jim Wright Very
nice send off with a number of sponsors including Belleville Rodair Fantastic
reception.
March 2008
My dear friends and colleagues, I would to thank you all for being so very supportive
of the upcoming canoe journey about to unfold, this will
be my last update here in BC and all other updates will come from the UK. Hopefully more frequent updates.
The month of March was very wearing on me as everyone wanted a piece of me and
alas I survived, there were numerous interviews with the following: CBC Radio
Vancouver and Victoria, CTV Television with filming Spirit Dancer on the water,
Global television twice once in the studio with Stewart Nahanee and self, and
with BCIT students and Mark Angelo on the water on Indian Arm.
Also I met with media relations from the Canadian High Commission
based in UK.
For a special sendoff in London April 30th. Arrangements are being made so I'm
told.
On March 4th The City of Pitt Meadows staff prepared a great sendoff for us and
was very well attended, thanks to all who managed to come and thanks to the staff
who helped organize this event.
Spirit Dancer canoe was delivered to Cratex March 12th for packaging and crating
and departed by rail to Montreal March 25th so I understand, I am assured that
she will arrive on the shores of UK sometime mid April, thanks
to our sponsor Belleville Rodair.
In addition to this report there will be a number of paddles
presented to some of our sponsors here prior to my departure the rest will be presented in
the Fall of this year based on the availability of more paddles being made.
Message to all who plan on joining me
A message to all who plan on joining me around the coastline this year,
we are thinking of everyone's safety and therefore it will be a day by day event
in regards to weather conditions and advise from MCA Coastguard and local information.
It
maybe very difficult for us to arrive on an expected day based on weather and
sea state conditions, safety is paramount for all and I'm sure this would be
expected.
*** Also keep in mind that it maybe very difficult to answer all emails quickly
so please be patient with us, we are expecting 100s of messages from people trying
to get in touch so any messages to us should be directed to:
chris@spiritdancercanoejourneys.ca
Very best regards, Chris G. Cooper Operations and Project Manager
February 2008
As we get closer to the date of departure for Spirit Dancer canoe the busier
things have become, all in all it is quite the process of preparing for the March
12th departure of the canoe, we will be crating and shipping most items for the
journey around UK on this day.
On the 12&13 th of February Spirit Dancer was transported to Chief Joe Mathiass
house in North Vancouver for some additional painting which
was provided by Coast Salish artist Rick Harry (xwa-lack-tun) from the Squamish
Nation a beautiful eagle was painted on the front of the cover, in addition to
this artist Una-Ann of the Tahltan Nation painted a canoe
on the center of the canoe, artist Wes Nahanee from the Squamish
Nation painted a pair of Orca whales near the stern of the cover of the canoe.
In addition to these paintings, Rick Harry (xwa-lack-tun) also designed two salmon
near the stern of the canoe, these were painted by wife Barbara and Una-Ann.
The City of Pitt Meadows has donated funds to the making of the spray skirts
for the canoe 18 in all and look great, they came from Brooks Wetsuits in North
Vancouver.
On February 18th the first of the Western Red Cedar paddles
was presented to the Vancouver Parks and Recreation board members and was well received, Stewart
and Wes Nahanee on behalf of the Squamish Nation shared a special song prior
to the presentation
Cheryl Rossi of the Vancouver Courier newspaper did a great article about
the donated Stanley Park wood, this came out February 22 2008, all the
paddles being created for the canoe journey will be shared as gifts to the communities
of the UK coastline.
Photograph was taken by Dan Toulgoet of the Vancouver Courier.
Stephen Hume of the Vancouver Sun newspaper did a splendid story of the upcoming
canoe journey which came out February 23 2008 section C4 Issues and Ideas.
On the 25th February CBC radio hosted me for a talk about the project.
February 28th, Global TV and BCIT students along with Mark Angelo department
head for the Fish Wildlife and recreation program came out for an hour of filming
and interviews with students and staff.
February 29th Meeting with Minister Stan Hagen of Ministry
of Tourism, Sport and the Arts and Chris Gudgeon in regards to having sponsorship for aboriginal
youth for one of the legs of the UK Journey.
January 2008
Happy New Year to all, We are 121 days away from launching Spirit Dancer
canoe on the river Thames London, May 1st so as I update this information for
end of January we are 30 days away from shipping the canoe to UK.
Spirit Dancer will be in four different venues or special occasions, next week
February 12 & 13 2008 she goes to Chief Joe Mathiass
house for painting,
the spray cover will have various types of traditional coast salish art
transformed to the cover. The artists will be listed in a story next month on
this very special occasion.
Spirit of Wood festival has asked us to have the canoe on display for this event
in Maple
Ridge BC another great event here locally.
Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival will have Spirit Dancer on display
for February 22 & 23: an event not to be missed.
On March 4th 2008 there will be a special sendoff hosted by Pitt Meadows
Municipal hall, this event is for the community and an opportunity to see the
canoe before its departure March 10 2008.
Special thanks go out to the following organizations that have generously contributed
to the Canoe journey, Haney Rotary donated funds for Stewart Nahanee for carving
paddles for gifts around the UK coastline, Marks Work Wearhouse for T shirts, CTC for Team Jackets, School District #42 Maple Ridge/
Pitt Meadows for building
Yellow Cedar paddles for the paddlers, City of Pitt Meadows for funding towards
Spray Skirts, MEC Mountain Equipment Coop for providing Tents, Barrett Marketing
Group for donating Jacks for the canoe, Brooks for helping towards the cost of
Spray Skirts, ECO Marine for helping with out door gear and to all people that
have contributed there time and efforts to make this a very special event on
both sides of the pond.
Barry Penner of the Abbotsford School District has made up 24 custom built voyageur
paddles to be used for entering communities and departing from them, they are
built from Yellow Cedar from the upper Stave River in the Maple Ridge/ Mission
district. This wood is clear Cypress wood and maybe over 300 years old.
BCIT are also helping with setting up Google Earth and the link to our event
so people from around the world can follow us and our proposed route.
I have been in touch with most Harbour Masters of the Southeast
and South coasts of UK in regards to our dates of arrival for the first month of our journey,
this will be posted very soon, we have been assured of a very warm welcome!
On January 29th I met with the UBC team of 10 that are paddling the Leg 3 section
from St. Ives to Cardiff, Wales, after a three hour meeting the students gifted
a beautiful framed image to me of First Contact by Peter
Leath and the Squamish Indian band.
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