Final Kayak Cart Design

After much messing about I have completed the final Kayak Cart Design. It is light , rugged and stowable. It can be used with a shoulder strap for those with wrist or arm problems. Here are two pictures.

Friday Night Kayak Social

The weather on Friday looked pretty dismal all day, but when evening rolled around the sky cleared and presented beautiful sunshine, with a mild onshore breeze. We assembled at the West Shore Boat Launch on the Spit. We then proceeded west until we came to the mouth of Petticoat Creek. It is very rare that Petticoat creek is deep enough to cross the bar in summer but due to recent rains we cleared the entrance easily. We paddled up the estuary surrounded by the marsh. There were mash birds of every kind settling in for the night. The twilight scene was marvellous!
We the exited the creek and paddled back to the put-in. there we fired-up the BBQ and made hamburgers as night came on. A couple in a passing canoe pulled into shore and joined us claiming that they mistook me for a Pentecostal Minister of their acquaintance.
We had a good evening paddle and didn't have to go far to do it. I look foreword to the next one on August 3rd
Jim Prendergast

Red Leaf School

It was fun having the young people from Red Leaf School visit Frenchman's Bay Yesterday. They were a wonderful group of kids from various parts of Spain and France, here to have a Canadian experience. I talked to them about the history of Frenchman's Bay, then I lectured on the Eskimo migrations and technology. We went for excursions in a skin-on-frame Umiak. I then brought a Greenland Skin-on-Frame Kayak which was fitted for traditional seal hunting and demonstrated the use of Atlatl, the Bladder Dart, Sea Anchor and the Lance in hunting sea mammals. I also introduced them to Eskimo Wrestling for their amusement.
This was a wonderful group of young people full of vigor and joi-de-vivre. I must salute Arlene Heasman and the Staff at Red Leaf Schools for dealing with the incredibly complex logistics involved in making these enjoyable and educational events available for these wonderful young people.
Jim Prendergast

Friday Night Kayak Social

Friday July 27th at 7:00pm we are going to try holding a Kayak Social like they do at Harborfront. People of all skill levells can get together and paddle together then have hamburgers and socialize. This is for kayakers and canoeists, just a short trip for fun.
The location to assemble and launch from is the boat-launch on Frenchman's Bay.
Call 905-420-1508 for further information.
Jim Prendergast

Harborfront Social Paddling

I would like to thank all the wonderful people at PaddlingToronto.com for the opportunity to join the 20 plus paddlers on the Friday Night Social. They very kindly put-up with my "hot-dog" attitude and guided us to the most pcturesque parts of the Islands safely. When my fancy MEC water bottle emptied itself in the bottom of my Yak they generously gave me a bottle of water that the saved for just such an occasion. I met so many friendly, wonderful people I've lost count of them all. The hamburgers were delicious. Next time I'll bring the drinks.
That was an inspirational experience. I now plan to initiate a similar Kayaking Social on a smaller scale here at Frenchman's Bay.
Tahnks To James and everyone,
Jim Prendergast

Lost and Found

A kayak paddle was found at a put-in point on the public parking lot at the bottom of Liverpool Road on Frenchman's Bay. Witnesses have indicated that the owner of the paddle was paddling a blue Swift kayak. The owner can contact Frenchman's Bay Kayak Works to establish ownership of the lost paddle.
Call 905-420-1508 or email wurd@rogers.com.