Editor's note: The Gib-sons Paddle Club (GPC) celebrates its 10th anniversary on Aug. 23 with a celebration from 10 a.m. to noon at Porpoise Bay Provincial Park. In advance of that special event, Coast Reporter is presenting a history of the club and what's in store for the coming years. This is part three of three. To learn more about the club, see www.gibsonspaddleclub.ca.
In 2005 the GPC began exploring the purchase of a Langley canoe that would provide a large canoe for touring the coastal waters and supporting the Pull-ing Together Journeys. Through club fundraising efforts and generous donations from the Gibsons and Sechelt Rotary clubs, the Dolphin Spirit canoe was purchased in 2007.
Shora Marina generously provided space for the canoe, with the Dolphin Spirit going out regularly in the waters of the Sechelt Inlet. In addition, for the past three years, the Dolphin Spirit has been used by youth and community members in preparation for the Pulling Together Journeys and went on the Journey in 2008 and 2009.
This year the Howe Sound Outrigger Race committee took a break with plans to bring back the races in 2010. The GPC will be organizing the Challenge Races for community members to participate during race weekend in July. The club continues to support the community by collecting donations for the food bank, hosting public try-out day in July and outrigger rides during Canada Day in Gibsons, providing support canoes for the Keats Swim and helping at other community events.
This year, as the GPC celebrates their 10th anniversary, they have 235 members, paddling outriggers, dragon boats and the Dolphin Spirit. Outrigger and Dolphin Spirit paddlers go out year round in the beautiful waters surrounding Gibsons and Sechelt Inlet. Dragon boat season is April to September.
The GPC thanks the community for their support, especially Gibsons Marina, MacKenzie's Marina, Ritz Inn and Shora Marina. A big thank you to Coast Reporter for printing this series of articles and helping share the history.
- Submitted
