A noted Canadian traditional kayaker is dipping his paddle into a new attraction alongside some of the countrysa国际传媒檚 most celebrated waters.
James Manke has officially opened what he believes is Canadasa国际传媒檚 first dedicated traditional kayak museum inside sa国际传媒楾he Wreckage buildingsa国际传媒� a cherished heritage icon of Vancouver Islandsa国际传媒檚 Pacific Rim.
Located in Ucluelet, The Wreckagesa国际传媒檚 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.
sa国际传媒淪ince Isa国际传媒檝e moved here, theresa国际传媒檚 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,sa国际传媒� Manke told the Westerly News. sa国际传媒淚 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.sa国际传媒�
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.
sa国际传媒淔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,sa国际传媒� he said. sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 to really encourage the growth of kayaking in this area.sa国际传媒�
He suggested Ucluelet is making a name for itself as a sa国际传媒渒ayaking Mecca of Canadasa国际传媒� for its dynamic waters and proximity to the Broken Group Islands.
sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 very quickly become a world class destination for kayakers,sa国际传媒� he said, adding that he hopes the new museum will help introduce kayaking to locals who may not know what theysa国际传媒檙e missing out on in their own backyard. sa国际传媒淚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.sa国际传媒�
Manke moved to Ucluelet with his partner Kim last year after frequently visiting the community as a kayak instructor.
sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檝e spent a lot of time in this area and every time Isa国际传媒檇 come to Ucluelet and Isa国际传媒檇 leave, Isa国际传媒檇 get heartache. Isa国际传媒檇 literally feel like Isa国际传媒檓 leaving home. So, last year, we decided that really is a true sign that this is home for us,sa国际传媒� he said. sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 just an amazing balance for me being here.sa国际传媒�
He added hesa国际传媒檒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.
sa国际传媒淭he ultimate goal that I have is that yousa国际传媒檒l walk into this place and there will just be framed kayaks all the way around you,sa国际传媒� he said. sa国际传媒淚 really love the frames of kayaks because it shows you the meticulous work and the hard work thatsa国际传媒檚 actually been put into that craft. Sometimes, when you skin it, you donsa国际传媒檛 see all that amazing work thatsa国际传媒檚 under there. Thatsa国际传媒檚 why Isa国际传媒檒l have a bunch in here that are just frames.sa国际传媒�
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.
sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 just a place where people can come and collaborate and be together,sa国际传媒� he said. sa国际传媒淭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.
sa国际传媒淭his particular space is really intended to help rebuild and bring people back together and let people collaborate and share that stoke.sa国际传媒�
andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
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