As a community that borders the Salish Sea, it stands to reason Gibsons would be host to a community paddling event. This past Saturday (Aug. 16), the Gibsons Paddle Club hosted its 3rd annual Keats Chop Small Boat Race. With the atmospheric river and heavy winds raging the day before, many were on edge fearing the event may be cancelled! Thankfully, the rain eased, the winds calmed and the event was a go!
This year, the race was dedicated to two key individuals who were a strong impetus for getting the event off the ground in 2023, and who helped to create a paddling event that has become a favourite race among the paddling community in the province. Kelli Power and Daphne Brockington were members of the Gibsons Paddle Club and heavily involved in the racing community in Vancouver, before having moved to the Sunshine Coast. Their passion for paddling had taken them across the globe as they were skilled and dedicated athletes. Sadly, they both passed away from illness — on the same day — Oct. 18, 2024. It seemed appropriate that this year they be honoured and their contributions recognized.
The first race, in 2023, brought a new energy to the paddling community on the Coast, and throughout the province. Many residents may remember how the town came alive when the Gibsons Paddle Club hosted many Howe Sound Iron outrigger races. After the COVID pandemic, people in the paddling community were anxious to return to the beautiful waters of the Salish Sea that is our playground. The event draws paddlers from far and wide — the Okanagan, Vancouver Island, Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and paddlers from our very own communities on the Sunshine Coast. The inaugural year saw many local paddlers show up with their kayaks, SUPs, outrigger canoes, and highly competitive surf skis.
This year did not disappoint! While the water seemed fairly calm in the inner harbour, it was anything but calm in the gap, around Home Island and circumnavigating Keats Island for the long course — 14km. The waves and wind were definitely a factor as many boats capsized, some multiple times. Only two racers turned around and decided it wasn’t the waters for them. All the remaining 44 racers battled Mother Nature and vied for a “winning” time and bragging rights. Others felt more comfortable on the short course — four kilometres from the Sailing Dock off Breakwater Beach to the green navigational can in front of Soames Point, and others paddled the intermediate course — eight kilometres from the sailing dock to a buoy just before the ferry terminal and back. Our youngest paddler was barely 18 years old and he capsized 11 times! Despite being soggy and tired, he was nothing but smiles at the finish line. He did it and immediately dove back in to the water! All racers enjoyed the race and had lots to talk about at the post-race BBQ at the Gibsons paddling compound that followed the race.
Another aspect of the race is unique to the Gibsons Paddle Club. This year, a member of the local Indigenous community performed a cultural ceremony. In the past, the ceremony has been led by one of our community leaders, Ed Hill. During the ceremony, all paddlers are presented with a Devil’s Club leather necklace that has beads of four colours (white, yellow, red, and black, representing the four directions), a small cylindrical piece of cream-coloured wood — Devil’s Club. The wood is a very old, culturally significant plant for the Indigenous people of the West Coast of Canada. For thousands of years it had been used by First Nations for medicine, for protection, and even as a weapon. From a scientific perspective, Devil’s Club is apparently North America’s only genes of ginseng. The necklace is worn to protect paddlers on the water, but it is not for the recipient to keep. As the necklace ceremony unfolds, and the necklace is gifted to each paddler, the new owner is told it is only theirs to keep, for now. Eventually, the paddler will meet someone, either through paddling, or community, and will know when it is time to pass the necklace on. The necklaces have been gifted all over the world. Often, when the Devil’s club necklace is seen by another paddler, s/he remarks — in Hawaii, Tahiti, or New Zealand or elsewhere — “You’re from Gibsons, aren’t you?!”
An event such as this does not happen without community support. Race participants comment every year that no other community is as generous as ours. It is what makes the Sunshine Coast a desirable place to live, work, and play. To recognize and honour these generous supporters, you’ll find an ad doing just that, also in the Coast Reporter. In short, to all our volunteers, community donors and supporters, we say a great big, “THANK YOU!”
Next year will mark the fourth annual Keats Chop Small Boat race. As stories are shared and photos exchanged in the following days and weeks, no doubt the race will grow again next year. We hope you are there to join in the fun and/or support those who brave the wind, waves, and competition. See you next year!
