Over the past 20 years I have had the privilege of being able to explore remote parts of Cape Breton Island with the use of my sea kayak. From the hidden coves where schools of mackerel hide, to pods of pilot and humpback whales dancing within inches of my paddle, I feel blessed. We have over 10,000 square kilometers of good old H20 encompassing us. At any given point on this Island, you are within a short drive to Canada’s Ocean Playground and voila…there it is! As locals, we should explore and utilize this amazing resource that we have surrounding us.
I have recently come from Baja, Mexico on a 10-day sea kayak circumnavigation around Carmen and Danzante Island. To say it was spectacular and breathtaking would be an understatement with sea life that would knock your socks off. The land was desert, brown, dry and mountainous and I had a hard time converting from the lush green mountains coming from Cape Breton to Baja’s hot and dry climate. It didn’t take too long to find a groove, but it was then and there that I realized that as Cape Bretoners, we have it all. Four very different seasons, 3 of which we can paddle 3 of them without suffering from heat stroke, plus whales, sea caves, granite pinnacles and waterfalls too numerous to mention. And who knows how many haven’t even been discovered yet. Did I mention traffic? Seldom do I see other forms of boat traffic other than the odd fisherperson checking their traps. Tourists coming here do not hesitate to ask me daily, “Where is all the traffic, Angelo?” I respond…. “You are looking at it, friend.”
With this abundance of pristine water literally at your doorstep, why not use it? Be it kayaking, swimming, boating, clamming, or surfing, we have it all folks. With the melting of the polar caps increasing water levels and climate change racing its way to a backyard near you, come to it before it comes to you. Have a wet and happy summer folks. Above all, play fair be safe and have fun.
