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