Hello Northern Paddlers
Welcome to a late fall Squall ramble about paddling and camping
from the shores of mighty Cole Lake. Random thought before we start -
do
you think Donald Trump has ever gone camping? Justin's Dad - Pierre
Trudeau, famously said:
What sets a canoeing expedition apart is that it purifies you
more rapidly and inescapably than any other. Travel a thousand miles by
train
and you are a brute; pedal five hundred on a bicycle and you remain
basically a bourgeois; paddle a hundred in a canoe and you are already a
child of
nature.
Donald, Donald, Donald - go camping now - please.
We have lots to share so here goes:
2017 Trips, Lessons, Courses
We've figured out our life for next summer and hope you can be a
part of it! We promise a unique experience, because every one of us is
singularly different and characters in our own right, but are all
connected by a love of camping, paddling and sharing the hidden amazing
places along
the coast and islands of Georgian Bay
Send Your Favourite Person Paddling
It's easy. Call the Squall Town Shop at: (705) 746-4936 or e-mail us at info@whitesquall.com for
non-expiring Squall Gift E Certificates that can be sent faster than you can say "Say, now there's a dandy Christmas Gift Idea?"
Boats & Boards
We have bzillions of these little rascals, new and used - longing
for a more interesting home. Why just the other day we unloaded close to
a
hundred more and every one comes with our 30 Day Best Dang Price in Ontario promise. Plus, let's just say you want to surprise
someone for Christmas, and you're not sure it's the right boat? Pas de problem because we will extend our 30 Day No Guff Return
Policy to next springtime when the boat can be thrust upon the
water and put through it's paces. Not up to the job? Just bring it
back for full refund or replacement. For over 30 years our simple
commitment is that we will get you the right boat at the right price.
Want to see the fleet? :
Take Some Time For the Bay
"Striking Balance" is a TVO series on the Biospheres of Canada -
and the one about our little corner of the world is worth a watch. It
should be mandatory viewing for every kid growing up on the Bay - cause
it opens our eyes to the reason the United Nations declared it was worth
shining a global spotlight upon the northeastern coast. They've done
their part and now it's up to us to watch and understand.
Hot Times in Temagami
A group of Squallions just returned from a late season canoe trip
to the land of Grey Owl and Old Growth Pine. For those who know
Temagami,
it truly is a magical place - different and apart from Killarney,
Algonquin, Quetico - a land of deep waters, shattered rock and big
northern
lakes. What made our journey and long nights all the more memorable was
tucking into a hot tent with cookstove every night. How did we do
that? Pretty flippin' easy - we just carried one and the extra load was
about 40 lbs which is diddly squat in order to have a cozy place to
warm
up, dry out and sip a rum or two. For those who don't believe - check
out:
Atuk Tents is a Canadian treasure - they make damn good tents and
stoves that last - we've had ours for over 10 years and it's still
trucking
strong. Funny thing too - it can be pouring rain outside, and good old
canvas keeps you warm and dry. No fancy goretex fabric or sprays -
it's the ultimate waterproof/breathable born in the old ways - which are
interestingly cheaper and dare I say, better.
Tim's Tip
Don't Be Lazy Like Me - stuffing your gear into the basement or
cupboard for 6 months and expecting it to greet you in the spring all
hale and
hearty and ready to go is a fools errand. Make sure your tent and tarp
is completely DRY. Get some 303 (a strong UV filter/lubricant) and
wipe it on anything rubber like drysuit gaskets, water filter hoses and
kayak hatches and then - have a go at wiping it on your PFD cause it
will keep
it healthy a lot longer. Finished? Ok - slap some on your boat, and
any other gear that looks like it could dry out and when you're done -
wipe some on your face, it just might help? Ok, OK, just kidding - but
it is non-toxic. Take your thermarest and let it inflate - then fold it
away semi-deflated but not rolled up, so the air can get to it - same
thing for your fancy sleeping bag. It needs to breathe and be loosely
packed - stuff it in a cotton pillow case in your closet. The more you
care for your expensive stuff - the less you are going to have to pay to
replace it come springtime.
Thaaat's all she wrote folks - thanks for letting us into your world for a few minutes - tim
