A noted Canadian traditional kayaker is dipping his paddle into a new attraction alongside some of the countryB次元官网网址檚 most celebrated waters.
James Manke has officially opened what he believes is CanadaB次元官网网址檚 first dedicated traditional kayak museum inside B次元官网网址楾he Wreckage buildingB次元官网网址� a cherished heritage icon of Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 Pacific Rim.
Located in Ucluelet, The WreckageB次元官网网址檚 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.
B次元官网网址淪ince IB次元官网网址檝e moved here, thereB次元官网网址檚 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,B次元官网网址� Manke told the Westerly B次元官网网址. B次元官网网址淚 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.B次元官网网址�
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.
B次元官网网址淔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,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 to really encourage the growth of kayaking in this area.B次元官网网址�
He suggested Ucluelet is making a name for itself as a B次元官网网址渒ayaking Mecca of CanadaB次元官网网址� for its dynamic waters and proximity to the Broken Group Islands.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very quickly become a world class destination for kayakers,B次元官网网址� he said, adding that he hopes the new museum will help introduce kayaking to locals who may not know what theyB次元官网网址檙e missing out on in their own backyard. B次元官网网址淚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.B次元官网网址�
Manke moved to Ucluelet with his partner Kim last year after frequently visiting the community as a kayak instructor.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e spent a lot of time in this area and every time IB次元官网网址檇 come to Ucluelet and IB次元官网网址檇 leave, IB次元官网网址檇 get heartache. IB次元官网网址檇 literally feel like IB次元官网网址檓 leaving home. So, last year, we decided that really is a true sign that this is home for us,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just an amazing balance for me being here.B次元官网网址�
He added heB次元官网网址檒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.
B次元官网网址淭he ultimate goal that I have is that youB次元官网网址檒l walk into this place and there will just be framed kayaks all the way around you,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 really love the frames of kayaks because it shows you the meticulous work and the hard work thatB次元官网网址檚 actually been put into that craft. Sometimes, when you skin it, you donB次元官网网址檛 see all that amazing work thatB次元官网网址檚 under there. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why IB次元官网网址檒l have a bunch in here that are just frames.B次元官网网址�
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.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a place where people can come and collaborate and be together,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭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.
B次元官网网址淭his particular space is really intended to help rebuild and bring people back together and let people collaborate and share that stoke.B次元官网网址�
andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
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