Students ride the waves
Kayak program returns to Chesterfield Inlet
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
CHESTERFIELD INLET
Students from two grades took to the waves as part of the Victor Sammurtok School (VSS) kayak program's 10th year on the water this past week in Chesterfield Inlet.
Victor Sammurtok School counsellor and avid kayaker Pete Mourot, left, helps Danya Aggark develop a stronger skill set for the water in Chesterfield Inlet this past week. - photo courtesy of Glen Brocklebank |
The program took a year's hiatus in 2015 as its founder, teacher Glen Brocklebank, was away on education leave.
Brocklebank restarted the program upon his return this year, and immediately had a pleasant surprise awaiting him when many of the Grade 9 and Grade 10 students turned out to be naturals.
The revelation quickly had the kayak program shift back into high gear.
Brocklebank said the 26 talented young kayakers allowed him to pick up almost exactly where he'd left off.
He said the fact the students are all new to kayaking makes their performance on the water nothing short of phenomenal.
"The students in grades 11 and 12, who have previous kayak experience within the program, have also been doing really well in showing leadership skills," said Brocklebank.
"I have Pete Mourot volunteering with me this year, and he has 20 years experience teaching canoeing.
"He and I both agree that we've never seen a group pick up kayaking skills faster then the kids we have in the program this year.
"It just seems to be instinctual with them, and it's really something to be a part
of."
Brocklebank said he took each student kayaker and flipped them over as Ana Leishman instructed them on how to do a proper wet exit.
He said after that, they were free to paddle and the results were incredible.
"This past Wednesday I started racing with Grade 10 student Donald Mullins, who was only on his third day of kayaking.
"He was that good, and that fast, I had to rely on my technique and ability to paddle in a straight line to overtake him.
"That's the level of natural skill we're dealing with in this year's group."
The story of the VSS kayak program is not all positive, however, as time and a harsh environment are taking their toll on the school's fleet.
Currently, only 15 of the 28 kayaks are not leaking badly, and even they are starting to show wear and tear.
The majority of the boats in the fleet need to be reskinned, and that takes money.
Brocklebank said in order to get the entire fleet up to snuff and back out on the water, about $5,000 will have to be spent on new material.
He said all the old material needs to be stripped away, and, pretty well, the entire fleet has to be reskinned.
"It's not that the students are rough on the material, at all.
"It's really the result of where we are.
"The students are really careful with the gear, but even the newer kayaks are starting to show signs of significant wear."
The students have missed two days of their training due to high winds.
They spent those days mapping where kayak stands can be found on the land, and being shown just how deeply rooted kayaking is in the history of the Chester area.
Brocklebank said he started the training this past week on Police Lake, which, at its deepest point, is only about 4.5 feet deep.
He said starting off in such a shallow lake is a big plus in the safety column.
"We took them to Third Lake on Aug. 19 and made them swim across, so, in addition to kayaking, we're trying to promote water safety, and having the kids feel comfortable while in the water wearing a life-jacket and things of that nature.
"We also took advantage of being in a shallow lake to work on self-rescues, and knowing what to do if you capsize.
"This is all part of getting ready to go out on the ocean, which should happen sometime this week.
"They learn what side of the boat to be on, depending on the wind, and how to get yourself back in the kayak and, if need be, how to swim your kayak back to shore."
The students spent a day putting into action what they learned on the deeper Mission Lake.
They were told to capsize their boat, and were given one minute to be able to get themselves back in before being allowed on the ocean.
Brocklebank said despite the year absence, the program is still receiving strong support from the community.
He said he'll leave no rock unturned while looking for funding to repair the fleet.
"The kids truly love this program and it benefits them in so many ways, including, in some cases, making them feel more in touch with their culture.
"I'd love to find the money to repair the fleet and I'll do whatever I can to achieve that goal.
"I'll stencil logos on the kayaks if people what to help out."
