Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, January 06, 2016

TUFF SHOP CRAFTS BIG SUCCESS

Merge reaches top 10 list

PADDLING FOR THE PLANET

Purdy makes it 1,826 days

16

8

Westerly News

TOFINO-UCLUELET

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

WesterlyNews.ca

Baby Orca found dead

$1.25 (including tax)

Calf not believed to be part of southern resident baby boom ANDREW BAILEY

andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

A dead female orca calf was discovered at Mussel Beach on Dec. 23.

“The teeth weren’t erupted on this calf so it was quite young,” DFO Marine Mammal Coordinator Paul Cottrell told the Westerly News.

“Typically that means that it’s likely under three months of age…Of course there’s exceptions to that but we know it’s a relatively young animal for sure.”

He said the animal weighed 158 kilograms—adult female orcas typically weigh around 4,000 kilograms—and the fact she was a female makes the tragedy especially concerning.

“Females are so important because they’re the ones that are going to produce the calves that contribute to the population, the males are important socially but females are the ones, I think, that are especially important,” he said.

Officials don’t yet know which population the young orca belonged to. British Columbia hosts four known populations: southern residents, northern residents, transients and offshores.

Southern residents are listed as endangered under Canada’s Species at Risk Act with the other three populations listed as threatened, according to Cottrell.

“All populations have special protection, action plans, and recovery strategies that are put in place to try to help these populations recover,” he said.

“They’re very, very, different populations and they don’t tend to interact but they all are important and they all have limited numbers and we’re looking for recovery of those species so whenever we get a dead calf, regardless of which population or ecotype, it is important that we figure out what happened.”

The endangered southern residents celebrated a baby boom in 2015 with eight new calves marking the population’s highest number of offspring produced since 1977.

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See ORCA page 5

NORA O’MALLEY PHOTO

Tofitians sprinted into Chesterman’s cold winter waters to celebrate the annual New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim on Jan. 1. See more photos inside.

Tofino dives into 2016 Seventh annual Polar Bear Swim draws a crowd NORA O’MALLEY

nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca

A stampede of New Year’s well-wishers charged into Tofino’s frigid ocean on Jan. 1 to take part in the community’s seventh annual Polar Bear Swim at North Chesterman Beach.

Sporting bikinis, boardshorts, animal onesies, and superhero costumes, the crowd of locals and tourists took their first ocean dip of 2016 in 8 C water temperatures, with the sun beating down and hot-chocolate waiting beachside.

“I’ve been in Canada for a while now and this is my third New Year’s here, so it’s been my plan to do it eventually, so now I’m committing,” said Kristin Davis,

an Australian who opted to take the plunge in her baby blue unicorn costume.

“It’s a really good way to start the New Year and we’re in Tofino, so why not?

Let’s get crazy,” added Davis’ friend Isabelle Couture from Quebec.

The free event was hosted by Coastal Bliss Yoga with help from the Surfrider Foundation and the District of Tofino.

“It started with my husband and I just doing it on our own,” said event organizer April Robson.

“The weather has always been amazing, so we’ve been so lucky that way.

People get excited about it. It’s a fun thing to do for families and tourists.”

Page 2 | The Westerly News

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

“Here to help you live the dream…”

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RE/MAX Mid-Island Realty Tofino

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Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Wheels for Wellness Wheels for Wellness comes to West Coast comes to West Coast

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366 Campbell St. (Box 381), TOFINO, B.C., V0R 2Z0

P: 1 800 668 2208 F: 1 250 725 3120

Have an opinion you’d like to share?

Have an opinion you’d Letters to the Editor: like to share?

Andrew.Bailey@WesterlyNews.ca Letters to the Editor: Andrew.Bailey@WesterlyNews.ca 6961974

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Wednesday, January 6, 2016

ANDREW BAILEY Photo

Local volunteer Thomas Stica stands with longtime Wheels for Wellness driver Don Buchner outside a new van that will deliver West Coasters to their out of town medical appointments for at least the next three months during a pilot project.

Andrew bAiley

good things for their community and help out folks in their comANDREW BAILEY Photo munity,” by signing on to volunteer like he did nearly two will decades Local volunteer Thomas Stica stands with longtime Wheels for Wellness driver Don Buchner outside a new van that A unique opportunity just opened up for anyone who put vol- ago. deliver West Coasters theirresolution out of town at least the next three19months during aI go pilothome project. still doing it after years…when at night unteering on their Newsto Year’s list.medical appointments for“I’m Andrew bAiley The Wheels for Wellness Society kicked off a three-month and I’m dead tired I throw my feet up and I’ve done something good for things for theirand community and help out folks in their comandrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca good somebody it feels good,” he said. pilot project on the West Coast last week. munity,” by signing on to volunteer like he did nearly twoincluding decades He noted volunteer drivers have all their expenses, The program began in Comox in 1997 and is designed to get A unique opportunity just opened up for anyone who put volago. people living in rural communities to their medical appointments meals, reimbursed.

“I’m still the doing it after 19 years…when go the home night unteering on their resolution list.

“It costs driver absolutely nothing butI on flipatside of in larger cities like News VictoriaYear’s and Nanaimo.

I’m dead tired throw to mymake feet up I’ve done something The for WellnessRegional Society Health kicked Network off a three-month the coin they’re notI going anyand money either,” he said.

“TheWheels Alberni-Clayoquot has con- and “It’s just feel good and thingit more than anything.” tacted us and there’s a lotlast of week. people here that can’t get to good for asomebody feels good,” he said. pilot project onsaid the West Coast The pilot program run until 1. expenses, including theirThe appointments,” society member andand volunteer drivertoDon He noted volunteerwill drivers haveApril all their program began in Comox in 1997 is designed get “If it’s successful and the numbers justify having the vehicle Buchner told in therural Westerly News. to their medical appointments meals, reimbursed. people living communities then game-plan is for the players theflip peninsula “It’s acities doorlike to door service…We’ll costs thethedriver absolutely nothing but ononthe side of in larger Victoria and Nanaimo.pick you up at your door, over“Ithere drive you to your appointment, wait for you and drive you back to get together and pay for this van,” he said.

“The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional Health Network has con- the coin they’re not going to make any money either,” he said.

“Then it stays over here and Wheels for Wellness will provide home again.” tacted us and said there’s a lot of people here that can’t get to “It’s just a feel good thing more than anything.”

The trips are for non-emergency medical appointments only the operational costs to run it.”

The pilotthe program will about run until April 1.and suggested corpotheir appointments,” society member and volunteer driver Don He said van cost $34,000 and donations are encouraged.

“If it’s successful and the numbers having thethatvehicle Buchner told the Westerly News. any company con“When you make a donation, that donation is to the Wheels rate donations could help pay for it andjustify over herewould then get the agame-plan is for the peninsula “It’s a door to door service…We’ll pickisyou up at your one,” door, tributes decal on the vanthe asplayers well as on exposure on the for Wellness Society therefore any amount a reasonable get together and pay for this van,” he said. drive you toto your appointment, wait“Receipts for you and drive you Wheels for Wellness website. according the society’s website. for income taxback pur- to He added localover governments could pitch in as well.will provide poses again.” will be issued for any donation of $20 or more.”

“Then it stays here and Wheels for Wellness home the sevencosts communities Buchner Wheels for Wellnessmedical operates throughout Vanoperational to run it.” pay for it its $5,000 a piece,” he The trips said are for non-emergency appointments only the “If said.He said the van cost about $34,000 and suggested corpocouver Island and has 17 vans on the road. and donations are currently encouraged. brought Ucluelet 31 andthat metconwith Volunteer drivers are needed for the West Coast program donations could the helpvan paytofor it andon anyDec. company “When you make a donation, that donation is to the Wheels rateBuchner local volunteer Thomas Stica who told the Westerly he’s excited and Buchner encourages anyone interested in getting behind the for Wellness Society therefore any amount is a reasonable one,” tributes would get a decal on the van as well as exposure on the wellness wheel to contact him at jdbuchner@shaw.ca or 250- to drive for the cause. according to the society’s website. “Receipts for income tax pur- Wheels for Wellness website.

“I like to volunteer for the community and be part of some897-6359. addedStica localsaid. governments could pitch in as well. poses willneed be issued fortoanydrive. donation of $20 more.”everything thingHegood,” “You a desire We’ll run youorthrough “If the seven communities its $5,000 a piece,” he Buchner said Wheels for Wellness operates throughout Van“I think this is a good thingpay thatforwillit help out people around else you need,” he said adding all necessary training is provided. said. couver Island and currently has 17 vans on the road.

He hopes locals will take advantage of the opportunity to “do the area.” andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

Volunteer drivers are needed for the West Coast program and Buchner encourages anyone interested in getting behind the wellness wheel to contact him at jdbuchner@shaw.ca or 250897-6359.

“You need a desire to drive. We’ll run you through everything else you need,” he said adding all necessary training is provided.

He hopes locals will take advantage of the opportunity to “do

Buchner brought the van to Ucluelet on Dec. 31 and met with local volunteer Thomas Stica who told the Westerly he’s excited to drive for the cause.

“I like to volunteer for the community and be part of something good,” Stica said.

“I think this is a good thing that will help out people around the area.”

The Westerly News | Page 3

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

7083347

OPINION

Signatures needed on Coast Guard petition JULIUS SMOLDERS

Local Voice

Prior to the closure of MCTS Tofino, the Marine Communications and Traffic Services facility located at Amphitrite Pt in Ucluelet, both Tofino Traffic and Tofino CG Radio provided Vessel Traffic and CG Radio safety services to the Pacific Northwest as far as their radios would reach.

Typically, the range of VHF radio was out to 60 nautical miles offshore and beyond. Tofino CG Radio’s MF and HF radios extended this service out to the mid Pacific Ocean.

The radar at Mt. Ozzard provided coverage from Estevan Pt. to the north, south to 48 degrees north Julius smolders latitude, well beyond the Canadian-US border, covering the approaches to Juan de Fuca Strait out to 60 nautical miles offshore.

As part of the government’s reduction of these services, and subsequent relocation to Prince Rupert, and the closure of MCTS Tofino, the Vessel Traffic Services zone off the west coast of Vancouver Island has been reduced to 12 nautical miles of the Territorial Seas of Canada. Any vessel in transit off Vancouver Island beyond 12 nautical miles is now none of our business.

Both the Oil Pollution Prevention Regulations, under the Canada Shipping Act, and the Fisheries Act of Canada provide the authority, the responsibility and the obligation to protect these waters including all internal waters of Canada, all waters in the territorial seas of Canada and all waters in the fishing zones of Canada out to 200 nautical miles offshore.

Reducing this area of responsibility of Vessel Traffic Services to 12 nautical miles is an invitation to disaster. Oil tankers will continue to transit along Vancouver Island, carrying North Slope Crude Oil from Alaska to the refineries in Puget Sound. Oil products from refineries in Port Moody and the Trans Mountain pipeline facility in Vancouver Harbor will continue to export petroleum products through Juan de Fuca Strait and along the west coast to foreign markets. Additionally, there are numerous container

ships loaded with everything from televisions to Bic lighters, bulk carriers loaded with grains, minerals and ores, LNG (liquid natural gas) carriers, general cargo ships, the North Pacific fishing industry, and so much more, transiting along Vancouver Island each and every day. And now all largely unmonitored.

To not monitor these vessels, most of which are beyond 12 NM but well within the Canadian Fishing zones, is irresponsible and unthinkable. And yet, that is exactly what the government has done – closing MCTS Tofino, reducing the services to within 12 nautical miles, and delegating what little waterway that remains to Prince Rupert MCTS. Last week’s 4.8 magnitude earthquake north of Victoria should serve as a wake-up call to all levels of government. A warning of things to come, and we all know that it’s coming; it’s just a matter of when does it hit? Should the current communications line be severed, or any other natural catastrophe occur causing the closure of MCTS Victoria, the entire lower portion of British Columbia would be unmonitored and without Coast Guard MCTS services.

MCTS Tofino had the capability and the opportunity to operate as a stand-alone facility in times of disaster, be it earthquake (Seattle 2001) tsunami watch and warnings, or other natural catastrophe, providing safety services to mariners, guarding our coastline and approaches to internal waterways, and protecting our environment. Reducing this service to 12 nautical miles offshore is unfathomable.

You can make your voice known by signing an online petition (petition E-53) at the following web address: https://petitions. parl.gc.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-53 All you need is a name and an email address, click on ‘sign the petition’ button and verify your intention to sign. You can also write to any and all Members of Parliament, postage free when sent to postal code K1A 0A6, and ask that our Coast Guard MCTS Tofino be restored and reopened.

Join with me and say “No more. Bring back our Coast Guard.”

And once again I sing as loudly as I can “Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee.”

CARGO

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THRIFT STORE

Accepting used housewares, clothes, books movies & music

OPEN 11-5

Monday-Saturday 243 Main, Ukee (across from CIBC)

Supporting local charities Discounts for donations

local news online: www.westerlynews.ca

Julius Smolders MCTS Tofino – Watch Supervisor Retired

Jan. 6 Tofino Recycles

T h u r s day 7

F r i day 8

s aT u r day 9

s u n day 1 0

M o n day 1 1

T u e s day 1 2

Partly sunny 8/4

Cloudy 7/4

Mostly cloudy 9/4

Showers 8/5

Rain 9/3

R E M E M B E R — R e d u c e , R e u s e , R e cy c l e !

Son Bird

Refuse & Recycling 250-726-4406 Chris Bird 250-726-8144

Cloudy 8/4

Local tides brought to you by:

TIDES Thursday 7 metres

4:17 AM 10:17 AM 5:19 PM 11:42 PM

Friday 8 feet

1.8 5.9 3.6 11.8 0.7 2.3 3.1 10.2

metres

5:02 AM 10:59 AM 5:58 PM

Saturday 9 feet

1.8 5.9 3.7 12.1 0.6 2.0

metres

12:21 AM 5:46 AM 11:41 PM 6:35 PM

Sunday 10 feet

3.2 10.5 1.7 5.6 3.8 12.5 0.4 1.3

metres

12:59 AM 6:28 AM 12:24 PM 7:13 PM

Monday 11 feet

3.3 10.8 1.6 5.2 3.8 12.5 0.4 1.3

metres

1:38 AM 7:12 AM 1:08 PM 7:51 PM

Tuesday 12 feet

3.4 11.2 1.5 4.9 3.8 12.5 0.4 1.3

metres

2:17 AM 7:58 AM 1:53 PM 8:31 PM

7086820

Wednesday 13 feet

3.5 11.5 1.4 4.6 3.7 12.1 0.4 1.3

metres

2:58 AM 8:46 AM 2:41 PM 9:11 PM

feet

3.5 11.5 1.4 4.6 3.6 11.8 0.6 2.0

Ucluelet / Tofino 726-2228 725-2038

midislandrealty.com

Page 4 | The Westerly News

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Westerly Opinion

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EDITORIAL

Reconciliation leads to gains It’s been a six-year journey to reach the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, but this shouldn’t be considered the end of the trail.

The thousands of pages chronicling decades of suffering and tragedy from victims of the residential school system came at a great cost, both to those that had the courage to stand up and tell their tale, along with all those who never even had the chance.

That investment of courage is, in itself, enough to say this report shouldn’t be like so many others and left to gather dust on the shelves, referenced occasionally in court decisions and scholarly articles.

The report represents so much more. It’s a foundation to build a

new relation- ship on.

Justice Murray Sinclair, the head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, summed it up when he said the change would not be immediate; that it will take years, possibly generations.

“It is important for Canadians to start somewhere and ultimately to create those tools of reconciliation that will live beyond today,” said Sinclair as he deliv- ered the final report on Dec. 15.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called it a “new path, working together toward a nation-to-nation relationship based on recognition, rights, respect, co-operation and partnership.”

That’s not to say these communities don’t face many problems: substance abuse, health and ed-

ucation are ongoing battles, which Sinclair said the commis- sion’s findings show, are rooted, directly or indirectly, in years of government efforts to “assimilate, acculturate, indoc- trinate and destroy.”

Co-operation and partnership have already led to great gains on Vancouver Island and elsewhere.

Imagine what might be achieved when we fully embrace the ideals of recognition, rights and respect.

- Nanaimo News Bulletin

QUESTION OF THE WEEK Have you made specific goals for 2016?

Vote at: www.westerlynews.ca before TUESDAYS at noon

LAST WEEK’S QUESTION Should remote controlled airplanes be banned from public places?

12% YES

88% NO

The Westerly News | Page 5

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Orca necropsy results to shed light on death CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Cottrell said early evidence suggests the orca found on Mussel Beach was not one of the eight and he noted a group of transients had been spotted swimming near Ucluelet around the same time the dead female was discovered.

“Killer whales were around the area for quite a few days overlapping this and those were identified as transients so we don’t know for sure but this calf coming to shore overlaps with that group of transients that were in the area,” he said.

“We’re still going to wait for the DNA because we’re not sure.”

Photos of the calf were compared to photos of the eight new southern resident babies and no match was found, according to Cottrell.

“They couldn’t find a match so I guess that’s encouraging but really any killer whale calf from any of the populations dying is not good news,” he said.

“Having said that, killer whale calves have fairly high natural mortality rates in the first year, it can be up to 50 per cent, so it’s not unexpected to have a death but we want to know what the cause was.”

Cottrell hopes the results of a necropsy conducted on Dec. 25 will determine what population the orca belonged to and why she perished.

“It’s going to take months to get all the tissue and all the results back but there was an infection that was identified so we’ll hopefully know what bacteria or pathogen that was and work back at how that was related potentially to how the animal died,” he said.

He suggested the necropsy was successful because the surfer who first spotted the orca on Dec. 23 immediately reported his sighting.

Tofino-based fisheries officers Dan Smith and Heather Bettger arrived at the site the next morning and, with the help of equipment provided by the Mussel Beach Campground, were able to transfer the whale onto their fisheries truck, according to Cottrell.

“The animal had been scavenged on by coastal wolves; it’s amazing how quickly they can sniff out a marine mammal carcass,” Cottrell said. “Without [the surfer] calling this in, we may not even know the animal was there. The wolves would have known, which would have been okay for food but we probably wouldn’t have been able to determine what happened.”

Smith and Bettger drove the calf to Nanaimo where they transferred her to Cottrell who traveled with the animal on a BC Ferry out of Duke Point and delivered the orca to provincial veterinary pathologist Dr. Stephen Raverty late at night on Christmas Eve.

IAN RIDDICK Photo

A pod of transient orcas was seen swimming near Ucluelet days before a dead orca calf was found on Mussel Beach Dec. 23.

“It was bang-bang, within a day-and-a-half from the beach to the table where Dr. Raverty did his thing, took all the samples and measurements,” Cottrell said.

Raverty and a UBC researcher conducted the necropsy on Christmas Day. “He spent his Christmas doing a necropsy on a killer whale instead of carving up a turkey; he’s an amazing, amazing, person,” Cottrell said of Raverty.

“He got the job done, which was just amazing given the time of year and how we were all able to put it together shows the passion and the commitment from the BC Marine Mammal Response Network members.”

Cottrell urges anyone who sees a distressed or deceased marine mammal to immediately report the sighting to the BC Marine Mammal Response line at 1-800-465-4336.

“The tissues degrade so fast, even when it’s fairly cold out, so getting the animal’s carcass on the table to do the necropsy immediately is really important,” he said.

“The quicker we can get these to the lab the more information we’re going to get from the carcass and it could be something that’s really crucial or there could be something emerging in the population and, if we can find out what that is, that’s so important to make sure it doesn’t get out of hand or we can look at what we may be able to do to prevent something from spreading.”

CUPE members provide public

library services throughout Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, the Central Coast, and some northern Gulf Islands – at 39 branches in 37 communities. We are frontline staff including library assistants, office workers, IT, and drivers. We ensure our library users get the books and information they want from both inside library branches and to remote locations.

We all know firsthand how important libraries are to the communities we serve.

As we bargain a collective agreement, we will continue to stand up for fairness and for public services. We invite all library lovers to visit our web site.

www.loveourlibrary.ca

A message from your Vancouver Island Regional Library workers at:

Diane Y.

Library Assistant

Bella Coola Books By Mail Bowser Campbell River Chemainus Comox Cortes Island Courtenay

Cowichan Cowichan Lake Cumberland Gabriola Island Gold River Hornby Island Ladysmith Masset

Nanaimo Harbourfront Nanaimo North Nanaimo Wellington Parksville Port Alberni Port Alice Port Clements Port Hardy

Port McNeill Port Renfrew Quadra Island Qualicum Beach Queen Charlotte Sandspit Sayward Sidney / North Saanich

Sointula Sooke South Cowichan Tahsis Tofino Ucluelet Union Bay Woss

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Page 6 | The Westerly News

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

PHOTO FEATURE

Tofino’s Polar Bear Swim NORA O’MALLEY PHOTOS

Coastal Bliss Yoga, Surfrider Foundation and the District of Tofino hosted about 100 Tofitians and visitors for the first frosty ocean dip of 2016. Hot chocolate, a beach fire, and warm wishes made the event fun for all.

For more check out www.facebook.com/WesterlyNews

A tiara-wearing Polar Bear swimmer is handed a towel after diving into Chesterman’s waves to kick off 2016.

Kristin Davis, left, and Isabelle Couture got playfully stoked on their upcoming dive into the waves that rocked them into 2016.

Over 100 Tofitians took the plunge at 2016’s Polar Bear Swim on Jan. 1.

Locals celebrated together on Chesterman Beach after getting wet.

The Westerly News | Page 7

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Westerly Life

The West Coast’s News Source Nora O’Malley, Advertising Representative

250-726-7029

nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca

NOELLA ANNE PHOTO

Fitness trainer Kara McAvoy gives her students a full body workout at Ucluelet’s Whiskey Dock.

It’s time to get to those resolutions Want to get fit in 2016? Ukee trainer Kara McAvoy and Senpai Ian Shu tell you how NORA O’MALLEY

nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca

Now that the sun has set on 2015, many of us have resolved to get into better shape or, at the very least, make an effort to be more active.

Uclueletian-raised marathon runner and founder of Body By Kara Fitness Training Kara McAvoy said setting fitness goals is key to staying motivated and maintaining accountability.

“If you have something to work towards it drives your mind and body to get there,” she said.

“However, I also believe that it’s about balance and focusing on a lifestyle change to see long-term results.

That’s why setting long-term goals is just as important as short-term.”

Third dan black belt and Ucluelet local Senpai Ian Shu couldn’t agree more.

“Setting goals gives you a direction to follow and

something to achieve; something to strive for,” he said.

“An example of a short-term goal would be to just say you’re gonna do it and to get out and do it. I think some marathon runner said that the hardest step is the first step out the door.”

When it comes to resolutions, McAvoy recommends easing into a program or seeking professional help from a trainer to avoid ‘falling off the wagon’ as they say.

“Don’t be nervous. Ask for help. I remember stepping into the gym my first time and it was overwhelming and scary. I then asked for help from a trainer and this made me feel comfortable and knowledgeable,” she said.

“Like anything in life, we need to first learn how to use and or do something to get the full benefit out of it.”

McAvoy, who is a certified British Columbia Recreation and Park Association (BCRPA) weight trainer and fitness trainer, suggests starting one to two days a week and then progressing into a routine that includes three

days of strength training and two days of cardio.

“Getting into the gym is step one and then you will start to see a rippling effect in your life,” she said.

“Nutrition, sleep, mood, work, and much more will become better. It’s a positive outcome and change you stick with.”

And for those of you that surf or are dedicated to another sport like basketball or volleyball, she says cross training is essential.

“Your body adapts to repetitive movement and switching up your routine will only benefit your body and sport,” she said.

“It’s important to focus on engaging other certain muscle groups. Sport specific training can help strengthen parts of the body that will support and prevent injury to other muscles and joints.”

According to Shu, varying your exercise regiment by participating in different activities is widely beneficial.

“It (Don Jitsu) would improve your overall fitness,

balance, and dexterity. It transfers over to other sports for sure,” he said.

“A lot of the exercises we do involves balance, for example balancing on one leg to do a kick is going to improve your balance. You’re engaging all these muscles.”

McAvoy encourages anyone dreaming about refreshing their physique in 2016 to start off with a full body balanced strength training program.

“Every body is different, so seeking a trainer for advice would be beneficial for your personal goals,” she said.

“The first step is the hardest. But just get out there and do it and the rest should follow,” Shu added.

Page 8 | The Westerly News

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

START A BUSINESS

Awards shine spotlight on Tuff artisans Andrew bAiley

andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

Tucked between Tofino’s CIBC building and The Common Loaf Bakery sits a little blue shop that has become a bastion of creative inspiration.

Local artisans Victoria Ashley and Laurie Boudreault opened Merge: An Artisan Collective in April and Ashley told the Westerly the unique space at 305 Campbell St., which formerly hosted a popular breakfast spot dubbed The Alley Way Café, was the perfect setting for their artistic concept to flourish.

“Everyone always says it’s got a great vibe and there’s great karma in this building,” she said.

“Our space feels very warm, it’s very welcoming and there’s contagious creativity; you walk around and get inspired.”

Merge was nominated for Small Business BC’s Best Concept Award in November and was announced as a top-ten finalist last month.

To get into the top-ten, the two artisans relied on online voting but to reach the next stage they’ll need to submit a hefty application outlining their business model.

Five finalists will be chosen to present their case in front of four judges in February.

“The first step was all about social media and love from people and now it’s all on us to put the brains to work and let them know exactly where we’re coming from, why we do what we do and how we do it,” Ashley said.

The top prize for the Best Concept award includes $1,500 and a year’s worth of access to Small Business BC’s online resources and mentorship programs.

Ashley believes Merge will come out on top.

“I don’t see us not winning it,” she said.

“That’s not coming from a place of putting anyone else down, it’s just that I feel really confident in what we do and everyday people come through the door and shower the store with compliments.”

Boudreault agreed.

“Everybody is very amazed with it and loves knowing about it,” she said.

Merge operates as both a store and a studio space with carefully selected handmade creations for sale in the front and the two artisans’ workspaces in the back.

“It gives people a chance to see what we’re making and if they decide to buy something from us there’s a story attached to it. They get to talk to the maker and they get to see us making it,” Ashley said.

She added she loves responding to questions from aspiring artisans who come into the shop looking for

A division of

help generating ideas.

“You see a light in their eyes…they get very inspired,” she said.

“If you have questions about something, you can spend hours Googling and looking at the Internet and you can find answers there but when you actually have people who are doing it and you can ask them questions face-to-face it really helps.”

Boudreault noted Merge’s success proves to aspiring entrepreneurs that their own imaginative business goals could be accomplished if buoyed by desire and Ashley agreed.

“For people to see two young girls who are just regular girls doing something that could be their dream, I think that really inspires people,” Ashley said adding the variety of items on display also inspires budding artisans and creators.

“They’re exposed to things that up until this point haven’t really been around Tofino,” she said.

“If you see needlepoint, you think about your grandma making some dishcloths but you can come into our store and see actual art pieces that are made of needlepoint that would inspire someone to do something they would never even think of.”

The two artisans hope to pour more creative juices into Tofino through makers’ workshops.

“We want to share creativity and we want to share skills,” Boudreault said.

“It’s a little community here…we want to share this space with other creative minds.”

The store has hosted several workshops so far, including a recent tapestry workshop, and Boudreault hopes to see these become more popular.

“We want to focus on that more and we think it would be cool to have that around here,” she said.

Ashley said Merge is happy to organize workshops but the community needs to get onboard the creativity train.

“We really want to give it to the community we just need the community to be ready to take it,” she said.

“In a city, all of these things are so accessible, if you want to go take a certain class or a workshop or if you want to learn a new craft, it’s there any day of the week but for Tofino it’s hard to get into things.”

Anyone interested in participating in, or hosting, a workshop is encouraged to get a hold of Merge at mergeartisancollective@gmail.com.

Ashley is stoked on the attention the Small Business BC awards have brought to Merge.

“When you’re doing what you’re passionate about,

ANDREW BAILEY Photo

23 year-old leatherworker Victoria Ashley, left, and 25 year-old jeweler Laurie Boudreault launched Merge in April and are thrilled with their early success. all the best things come to you,” she said.

“Diversity in the small business realm is what cre“When you are your best self, that’s when all the ates resiliency in our economy.”

She said Tofino’s culture and environment attracts positivity is coming your way and all the opportunities happen and that’s what happened ever since we opened a young population of creatively minded locals who are the store, it’s everyday good news and we’re so thankful motivated to stay and thrive.

“Entrepreneurs know that if they want a choice of to be this young and be our own bosses.”

Boudreault said Tofino’s business community has where to live, that they must carve out their livelihood where there is a niche or create the opportunity that will fueled Merge with vital support.

“Were so thankful of the community here,” she said. support them,” she said.

She hopes the exposure brought to Merge through “Word of mouth has been huge for us. People keep sending people over here and we just cannot believe the Small Business BC Awards helps locals appreciate the business community that surrounds them. how supportive this town is.”

“It is a chance to regard those small businesses that The pair hinted at an upcoming project they’re workseek to thrive against challenging odds,” she said. ing on but kept mum on the specifics.

“We still have a relatively short retail season, costs of “We’re working on a new project that’s very excitdoing business are high and the community doesn’t aling,” Ashley said.

“We want to continue to bring things to the commu- ways know or appreciate the importance of their support nity that may not already be here or if they are we want to individuals who are choosing business and entrepreneurship as a way of staying in and participating in the to enhance it.”

Tofino councillor and Economic Development Com- community.”

She congratulated Ashley and Boudreau for their mittee chair Dorothy Baert is thrilled to see the two success and encouraged West Coasters to explore what young entrepreneurs celebrating success.

“Tofino, due to its mild climate, tourism economy and their local businesses have to offer.

“I would like to congratulate Merge and invite all young demographic, is likely to have a high proportion of those who will venture into unique business concepts. Tofino residents to put a thorough exploration of Tofino Merge: an Artisan Collective is one of those endeavours, businesses on their bucket list,” she said.

“It may encourage more to ‘shop local’, get to know a group of like mind individuals bringing their energy and expertise together to produce creatively in a business your neighbours and to appreciate another aspect of what makes Tofino so special.” model,” Baert told the Westerly News.

The Westerly News | Page 9

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

QUIT SMOKING

Province helps smokers butt it out Ukee woman shares journey towards quitting smoking cold turkey Andrew bAiley

andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

If cutting cigarettes out of your life made it onto your News Year’s Resolution list, the provincial government wants to help you out.

BC’s Health Minister Terry Lake has announced that, as of Jan. 1, British Columbia’s smokers can join the province’s Smoking Cessation Program and access free nicotine replacement therapy products at any community pharmacy in BC. These products include nicotine lozenges, inhalers, nicotine gum and the nicotine skin patch.

“We changed the program to make it easier for people who are trying to quit smoking, or trying again,” Lake said. “I have seen friends and family struggle to break their terrible addiction to cigarettes. I hope this improved program helps others avoid the same struggle and the health problems that come from smoking.”

The province launched the Smoking Cessation Program in 2011 and has invested over $38 million into the program, which has been accessed by about 187,000 people, since then, according to recent media release.

The release suggests cigarettes kill about 6,000 British Columbians every year.

“Best of luck to everyone trying to quit, and congratulations on taking this important step toward improving your health. You’re also protecting the health of your family, as second-hand smoke causes numerous health problems, especially in infants and children,” Lake said.

“If you’ve tried to quit before, try again. Research shows most smokers have to try quitting more than once to be successful.”

Ucluelet local Courtney Johnson was in Grade 9 when she smoked her first cigarette.

“I remember my girlfriends and I all wanted to try it so a friend of ours got us a pack. We felt so rebellious,” Johnson told the Westerly News.

Johnson added that she remembers seeing her

ANDREW BAILEY Photo

BC smokers can now access free nicotine replacement therapy products at their local pharmacy through the provincial government’s Smoking Cessation Program. stepfather smoke and thinking he was cool.

Children with parents who smoke are about two times more likely to smoke than children with parents who don’t, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.

By age 14 Johnson had embarked on an on-againoff-again relationship with cigarettes.

“The funny thing is, I never thought of myself as a ‘smoker’. I just thought of myself as somebody who smoked sometimes,” she said. “How’s that for denial?”

She said she quit several times but was repeatedly brought back in by social triggers.

“Part of the problem is that when I’m in a social gathering where people are smoking I like to smoke too,” she said.

“But when I’m not around smokers or in a social at-

mosphere where smoking is present, I can’t even stand the smell. Brains are funny things sometimes.”

After trying several smoking cessation products during previous battles with nicotine addiction, Johnson is currently taking a cold turkey approach.

“I’ve decided I want to quit smoking because I’m really tired of it,” she said. “I’m a singer and I don’t wanted to affect my voice, and I teach kids and I want to be a role model to them.”

She acknowledged she’s hit a few speed bumps on her current road to a smoke free lifestyle.

“I may have slipped up on New Years,” she said.

“But that doesn’t mean I’ve fallen off the non-smoking wagon…It just means that I made that decision for one evening and I keep trying.”

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She said support from her parents has been key in her current successful breakup with smoking and she encourages others to support the quitters in their lives.

“Always encourage people to be the healthiest and happiest version of themselves,” she said. “It’s always a great thing to be supportive of another’s goals…I think being encouraging is the best thing. Being negative or judgmental if someone fails just does not help.”

She also encourages current smokers to take at least one step towards quitting in 2016.

“Try your best. No one is perfect and you have to find a technique that works for you,” she said.

“At the very least cut back. Start with little changes, like not smoking in your car, for example. And if you fail, own that failure and keep trying.”

Page 10 | The Westerly News

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

LEARN A NEW SKILL

Creating Do-It-Yourself Cheesemakers Wisconsin Cheddarhead bringing cheese making workshop to Tofino in June Nora o’malley

nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca

Since launching her cheese making workshops five years ago, Gabriola Island based cheese crafter Paula Maddison has witnessed a wonderful resurgence of the doit-yourselfer.

Her students want to learn the ancient art of making homemade cheeses so they can save money, create homemade gifts, and most importantly, eat healthier.

“I think a lot of people are starting to look at the healthful benefits of creating your own.

You know, getting rid of all the stuff that they are filling in our food,” Maddison told the Westerly News.

Maddison, who was befittingly born a Wisconsin Cheddarhead, moved to B.C. over 20 years ago and teaches people how to craft anything from sour cream and Stilton to Gorgonzola and hand stretched mozzarella.

And not only are her cheese making skills in high-demand—she hosts classes throughout Vancouver Island and she’ll be journeying to Tofino in June—but her students are craving more.

“It’s empowering. You get that whole sense of accomplishment. It’s the difference between buying a store bought cookie and making your own,” she said.

“People are saying, hey can you teach us how to can and make salsa? How do you smoke salmon? That whole getting back to doing it yourself there’s a huge resurgence in that right now, which is really super cool.”

Maddison views her cheese making teachings as a culinary activity that connects people to the land and an art form that can be passed down generationally. She relates it to an edible science of sorts, much like making bread or beer.

“With everything, it’s a lot easier than you would possibly think it would be,” Maddison said.

“I sort of demystify in my classes that you don’t need to own a cow. You can make some incredible beautiful cheese just using store bought pasteurized and homogenized milk.”

DIANA MADDISON PhOtO

Gabriola island based cheese maker Paula Maddison shows her students how to craft delicious homemade cheeses.

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The Westerly News | Page 11

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Ukee local Silva Johansson, middle with her hands in the air, gave the countdown and led the charge into Little Beach’s frosty surf to kick off Ucluelet’s annual Polar Bear Swim.

Ucluelet’s Polar Bear Swim Cold expressions were shared by those who chose to take the plunge.

Ucluetian friends shared a chilly embrace in the cold ocean water to celebrate the start of 2016.

Ucluelet’s locals and visitors sprinted into the frigid waters at Little Beach to ring in the New Year at the community’s annual Polar Bear Swim event on Jan. 1. About 20 participants took the plunge to celebrate a cold leap into 2016.

Andrew bAiley PHOTOS

Local youth enjoyed making a splash at the event.

Page 12 | The Westerly News

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

TheUcluelet Westerly News News | PageA13 13 Wed, Jan 6, 2016 Western

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OFFICIAL NOTICE Notice of Court Proceedings to Shaun Little: Shaun Little, born Dec.17, 1989, this is your official notice that at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 27 and 28, 2016, in Nanaimo Family Court, 35 Front Street, Nanaimo, B.C., the Director of Child, Family and Community Service will apply to the court for a Continuing Custody Order, pursuant to Section 49 of the Child, Family and Community Service Act in connection with your child, A.M-T., born June 23, 2007.

You have the right to be present and to be represented by legal counsel. Shaun Little, or anyone knowing his present whereabouts, please contact Leah Brunet at the Ministry of Children and Family Development, 301 -190 Wallace Street, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5B1. Toll Free: 1-866-722-2235.

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Page 14 | The Westerly News

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

AROUND THE PROVINCE

Earthquake jolts British Columbians 4.3 shaker an emergency preparedness wake-up call JEFF NAGEL

Black Press

Many B.C. residents were jolted awake late on Dec. 29 by a small earthquake that briefly rattled homes across much of Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.

The magnitude 4.3 quake at 11:39 p.m. was centred about eight kilometres east of Sidney, between Victoria and Vancouver, according to Earthquakes Canada.

The shaker lasted for just several seconds but stirred fears that it could just be the start of a much more serious quake, or might be followed by significant aftershocks. Neither scenario materialized. Nor was any tsunami warning issued.

Social media was deluged with individual reports of what the quake felt like, with some saying they first thought a vehicle slammed into their home.

Natural Resources Canada said it had received no reports of significant damage and none would be expected.

Many people felt their beds shake, heard dressers or windows rattle, and many small objects in homes were tipped over.

SFU geologist Brent Ward, who chairs the university’s earth sciences department, said it was a crustal earthquake about 50 to 60 kilometres beneath the surface.

Crustal quakes are much more common and closer to populated areas than massive 8.0-plus subduction zone quakes – often dubbed the Big One – that strike every few hundred years well off the west coast and would cause far-reaching damage.

“Of a bigger concern are these crustal earthquakes because we get them in a much higher frequency,” Ward said.

He said larger crustal quakes than last night’s – in the 6 to 7 range – hit every 50 or 60 years in B.C. and the next one could be severe if it’s closer to the surface and near large numbers of people.

“If it was only 10 kilometres deep the shaking would have been a lot more intense,” Ward said.

A 7.2 crustal quake near Courtenay in 1946 caused extensive landslides, soil liquefaction and damage to brick buildings.

Ward noted B.C.’s population at risk is much larger now.

“You can imagine if we got a 7.2 earthquake underneath a populated part of Vancouver Island, there would be significant damage and there would definitely be fatalities.”

When B.C. released its new earthquake response plan earlier this year it did not model its worst-case scenario on a megathrust subduction zone quake, but

rather shallow crustal earthquakes directly under our big cities.

The result: an estimated 10,000 dead in Metro Vancouver, 128,000 seriously injured and 30 per cent of buildings receiving extensive damage in the event of a 7.3 magnitude crustal quake directly beneath Vancouver.

A similar scenario of a 7.0 quake beneath Victoria yielded an estimate of up to 1,500 dead and 19,000 injured.

People in different communities and neighbourhoods will feel the shaking of an earthquake differently because of the underlying material.

Ward said he didn’t even wake up because there’s bedrock not far below his house in Coquitlam, while his niece in Langley on loose sediment soil felt intense shaking.

“Places like Richmond, Delta and Langley – areas where there’s thick sediments – those are going to feel the earthquake a lot more because the shaking is more intense.”

Tuesday’s tremor was the biggest quake to be felt in the Lower Mainland since a 6.8 quake rocked Washington State in 2001, causing some property damage in Seattle.

The two largest quakes ever recorded in B.C. have

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both been centred near Haida Gwaii – an 8.1 magnitude quake in 1949 that remains Canada’s strongest since 1700, and a 7.7 quake in 2012.

TransLink shut down the Expo and Millennium SkyTrain lines briefly to verify there was no damage to the rapid transit system.

No area bridges or tunnels were closed as a result of the quake. The province has sensors at each end of the Massey Tunnel that detect the initial wave of a quake and activate signs warning drivers not to enter.

Agencies including Emergency Management B.C. are urging residents to treat the event as a wake-up call and prepare earthquake kits for the potential of a more serious quake in the future.

Everyone should have food, water and other supplies to survive at least 72 hours unassisted in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.

Emergency kits are recommended for home, the workplace and your vehicle – see the PreparedBC site for details and more ideas on how to get ready.

The Westerly News | Page 15

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

We accept your, Arts & Entertainment, Service Group, Non Profit Organization, Church, Library, Fundraiser, Open to the Public notices on a first come, first served basis.

To submit your activities; e-mail: office@westerlynews.ca, fax:250-726-4248 or drop by: #102-1801 Bay St, Ucluelet

Featured Event for the Week

WED. JAN 6

THU. JAN 7

Featured Events for the Week

KARAOKE AT JACKS PUB

THE EDGE YOUTH ROOM

JAN. 8 UCLUELET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOTTLE DRIVE

9:30 p.m.

3–6p.m., UCC.

POOL NIGHT

BINGO

7-11 p.m. Tofino Legion

7-10 p.m. Tofino Legion.

DROP-IN BASKETBALL

FRI. JAN 8

7- 9 p.m. WCS gym

SENIORS SOCIAL AFTERNOONS 1:30-4 p.m., Tofino Legion.

ST. COLUMBA CHURCH 7 p.m. 110 2nd St.

ARTS GROUP

7-10 p.m. Tofino Legion.

THU. JAN 7 DROP-IN SOCCER

7-9 p.m. WCS gym. $3.

HEALTHY BABIES PROGRAM/ FAMILY TIES 10:30 a.m, UCC

UCLUELET AA 8 p.m. Holy Family Church, Peninsula Rd.

A division of

DROP-IN BADMINTON 7-9 p.m. USS gym. $2.

The grade seven class will be holding their annual bottle drive on January 8. We will be coming around town starting at 4:00 and will be wrapping it up around 8:00. If you are not going to be home and would like to donate please leave them in a clearly marked bag on your doorstep or you are also welcome to drop of bottles Friday night at the maintenance yard behind the high school. Thank you from the Grade 7`s and Ms.Kinvig

SAT JAN 9

SUN JAN 10

MON. JAN 11

TOFINO NATURE KIDS OPEN HOUSE

ST. LAWRENCE CHURCH

UCLUELET AA

THE EDGE YOUTH ROOM

Tofino Botanical Gardens 10 a.m. - 1p.m.

Tofino Nature Kids is a nature immersion program for children ages 2-12. Come celebrate the special elements of being a child in this incredible environment.

UES BOTTLE DRIVE

SUN JAN 10

BINGO AT THE LEGION Tofino Legion, 7:30 p.m.

2–6p.m. UCC.

4- 8 p.m. Ucluelet locals are encouraged to leave bottole donations in a clearly marked bag at their doorsteps.

SAT JAN 9 ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH 5:30 p.m.

DROP-IN BADMINTON 7-9 p.m. USS gym.

11:00 a.m. Ahousaht.

ST. COLUMBA CHURCH 7 p.m. 110 2nd St.

GRACE BIBLE CHURCH 10:30 am, UCC.

AA MEETING

HOLY FAMILY CHURCH

7:30pm, St. Francis.

10 a.m. , 1663 Peninsula Rd. Ucluelet

DARTS AT THE LEGION 8-10 p.m. Tofino Legion.

TUE. JAN 12

4 p.m. UCC.

HEALTHY BABIES PROGRAM/ FAMILY TIES

TOFINO BIBLE FELLOWSHIP

THE EDGE YOUTH ROOM

10:30 a.m. Tofino Legion.

2–6p.m. UCC.

MON. JAN 11

TOFINO LEGION YOUTH NIGHT

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Start the New Year off right with free classes at the UCC designed to get you into the shape you want to be in.

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7-9 p.m., Tofino Legion.

ANAF Ucluelet..

AA MEETING

7:30pm, St. Francis Church.

Page 16 | The Westerly News

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Tofino local paddles for the planet

ANDREW BAILEY Photo

Tofino local, and Paddle for the Planet founder, Bob Purdy took on MacKenzie Beach’s cold winter waves to celebrate his 1,826th consecutive day of stand up paddleboarding on Dec. 31.

Andrew bAiley

andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

1,000 I didn’t reset,” he said.

“I’ll keep going until my health declines to the point that I’m not able to go or until we actually change the way we live on the planet, whichever comes first.”

He encourages people to avoid getting stuck on big issues when thinking about change.

“There’s so many challenges and some of them are so huge and so big we kind of get stuck... you don’t have to do the big things just take a small step and start,” he said.

“Change has this internal mechanism to it where the more things you change the more you start looking for other things to change and the more you start changing the more your circle starts to see a change and we get this ripple effect going.”

He said paddleboarding is uniquely conducive to his message.

“We as a species, I think, have lost our connection to the natural world and with stand up paddle it just brings you right back there,” he said.

“You get a chance to leave the phone and the computer and all that stuff behind and you immerse yourself

in that natural world…When you’re connected to nature you’ll take care of it and if we can get that message across that’s going to be a huge help.”

Purdy moved from his longtime Kelowna home to Tofino in August after being a frequent visitor to the area since the 1970’s.

“There’s something about this West Coast, just the raw wild nature of it that’s in your face all day everyday and we just absolutely love it here.”

It was a shivery minus 4C when Purdy hit the waves on Dec. 31 but he didn’t waver in the cold waves.

“I have literally walked over ice to get to open water to paddle so as chilly as it is here, and it’s a different kind of cold, I’ve definitely paddled in a lot colder,” he said.

West Coasters can experience ‘The Paddler’ at a Jan. 20 screening being held at the Clayoquot Community Theatre as a fundraiser for local environmental group Clayoquot Action’s upcoming wild salmon delegation to Norway.

“I think it’s an important trip and it really highlights the rights of the natural world compared to what we’ve created,” Purdy said.

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Bob Purdy wrapped up 2015 the same way he began it, standing on his paddleboard looking out over the ocean.

On Dec. 31, Purdy put his paddleboard in the waves off MacKenzie Beach to mark his 1,826th consecutive day of stand up paddleboarding, a streak he kicked off in an effort to motivate social, economic and environmental changes.

“I think we can all agree that we can do better in all of those areas but everybody resonates differently. For me it happens to be the environment for someone else it might be a social issue,” Purdy told the Westerly News.

“You can look out your back window virtually anywhere on the planet and see things that need to be changed…One of the reasons we crafted that message as broad as it is was so that people can pick things that resonate with them.”

Purdy, 62, is the founder of Paddle for the Planet and the focus of 2014 award-winning documentary ‘The Paddler.’

“I still remember vividly my very first paddle. I managed to break my nose in the surf at Coho Beach back in 2007,” he said.

“In spite of that, I decided right then and there that I was going to share this sport with as many people as possible and at that time it was relatively new; not many people knew about it.”

After selling his paddle shop in 2010, Purdy was searching for a way to stay connected to the sport and he came up with an idea to continue his passion while promoting behavioural change.

“I was sitting around talking with the new owner and wondering how I was going to stay connected to the industry because I didn’t want to drop out of sight and I jokingly said ‘Well why don’t I paddle for 1,000 days and make it count for something,’” he said.

“We both had a great laugh about that and I went home and started thinking about it and I thought, ‘You know, I can probably do this.”

Six months later, on Jan 1, 2011, Purdy embarked on his goal.

“My original goal was 1,000 days and when I hit