A noted Canadian traditional kayaker is dipping his paddle into a new attraction alongside some of the country91裸聊视频檚 most celebrated waters.
James Manke has officially opened what he believes is Canada91裸聊视频檚 first dedicated traditional kayak museum inside 91裸聊视频楾he Wreckage building91裸聊视频� a cherished heritage icon of Vancouver Island91裸聊视频檚 Pacific Rim.
Located in Ucluelet, The Wreckage91裸聊视频檚 visibly quirky exterior and Evelyn Mae vessel perched next to it is a popular photo spot for tourists and passersby, but the building has sat empty for the past few years waiting for a new vision to revitalize its locally hallowed walls.
91裸聊视频淪ince I91裸聊视频檝e moved here, there91裸聊视频檚 been a lot of talk about this building and how it holds a lot of significance for a lot of elders in this community who grew up here,91裸聊视频� Manke told the Westerly News. 91裸聊视频淚 had driven by the building many, many times and seen people looking in the windows and one day I was walking by and poked my head in the front window and I had a vision for this space. I saw a kayak museum and a community space and an area where we build kayaks.91裸聊视频�
Manke won Gold competing for Canada in the Greenland International Kayaking Championships in 2014 and has spent the past 12 years teaching traditional kayaking around the world.
91裸聊视频淔or 12 years travelling around the world, that was all based on the support of the kayak community, being able to live out my passion. This is my way of giving back. This is for the people,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 to really encourage the growth of kayaking in this area.91裸聊视频�
He suggested Ucluelet is making a name for itself as a 91裸聊视频渒ayaking Mecca of Canada91裸聊视频� for its dynamic waters and proximity to the Broken Group Islands.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 very quickly become a world class destination for kayakers,91裸聊视频� he said, adding that he hopes the new museum will help introduce kayaking to locals who may not know what they91裸聊视频檙e missing out on in their own backyard. 91裸聊视频淚t will help expose traditional kayaking and the history of kayaking to people that may not have had the chance to ever experience something like this.91裸聊视频�
Manke moved to Ucluelet with his partner Kim last year after frequently visiting the community as a kayak instructor.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e spent a lot of time in this area and every time I91裸聊视频檇 come to Ucluelet and I91裸聊视频檇 leave, I91裸聊视频檇 get heartache. I91裸聊视频檇 literally feel like I91裸聊视频檓 leaving home. So, last year, we decided that really is a true sign that this is home for us,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 just an amazing balance for me being here.91裸聊视频�
He added he91裸聊视频檒l be collecting donations to bring youth into the space where he will help them build their own kayak and teach them how to roll before partnering with a local kayaking company to take them on a trip through the Broken Group Islands.
The space already houses several traditional kayaks and paddles with five more frames on their way from Greenland that Manke plans to hang from the ceiling.
91裸聊视频淭he ultimate goal that I have is that you91裸聊视频檒l walk into this place and there will just be framed kayaks all the way around you,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚 really love the frames of kayaks because it shows you the meticulous work and the hard work that91裸聊视频檚 actually been put into that craft. Sometimes, when you skin it, you don91裸聊视频檛 see all that amazing work that91裸聊视频檚 under there. That91裸聊视频檚 why I91裸聊视频檒l have a bunch in here that are just frames.91裸聊视频�
He explained his museum will offer opportunities to learn how to build traditional kayaks and paddles as well as a community lounge where international and local kayak instructors will give presentations and is equipped with a popcorn machine for movie nights.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 just a place where people can come and collaborate and be together,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭he energy that you really get from being around like minded people is a very empowering feeling and, when the pandemic hit, we kind of lost a lot of that.
91裸聊视频淭his particular space is really intended to help rebuild and bring people back together and let people collaborate and share that stoke.91裸聊视频�
andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
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