A noted Canadian traditional kayaker is dipping his paddle into a new attraction alongside some of the country含羞草研究社檚 most celebrated waters.
James Manke has officially opened what he believes is Canada含羞草研究社檚 first dedicated traditional kayak museum inside 含羞草研究社楾he Wreckage building含羞草研究社� a cherished heritage icon of Vancouver Island含羞草研究社檚 Pacific Rim.
Located in Ucluelet, The Wreckage含羞草研究社檚 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.
含羞草研究社淪ince I含羞草研究社檝e moved here, there含羞草研究社檚 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,含羞草研究社� Manke told the Westerly News. 含羞草研究社淚 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.含羞草研究社�
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.
含羞草研究社淔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,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 to really encourage the growth of kayaking in this area.含羞草研究社�
He suggested Ucluelet is making a name for itself as a 含羞草研究社渒ayaking Mecca of Canada含羞草研究社� for its dynamic waters and proximity to the Broken Group Islands.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 very quickly become a world class destination for kayakers,含羞草研究社� he said, adding that he hopes the new museum will help introduce kayaking to locals who may not know what they含羞草研究社檙e missing out on in their own backyard. 含羞草研究社淚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.含羞草研究社�
Manke moved to Ucluelet with his partner Kim last year after frequently visiting the community as a kayak instructor.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檝e spent a lot of time in this area and every time I含羞草研究社檇 come to Ucluelet and I含羞草研究社檇 leave, I含羞草研究社檇 get heartache. I含羞草研究社檇 literally feel like I含羞草研究社檓 leaving home. So, last year, we decided that really is a true sign that this is home for us,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 just an amazing balance for me being here.含羞草研究社�
He added he含羞草研究社檒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.
含羞草研究社淭he ultimate goal that I have is that you含羞草研究社檒l walk into this place and there will just be framed kayaks all the way around you,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淚 really love the frames of kayaks because it shows you the meticulous work and the hard work that含羞草研究社檚 actually been put into that craft. Sometimes, when you skin it, you don含羞草研究社檛 see all that amazing work that含羞草研究社檚 under there. That含羞草研究社檚 why I含羞草研究社檒l have a bunch in here that are just frames.含羞草研究社�
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.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 just a place where people can come and collaborate and be together,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淭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.
含羞草研究社淭his particular space is really intended to help rebuild and bring people back together and let people collaborate and share that stoke.含羞草研究社�
andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
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