Canadian Boating June 2024 - 28

BOATING LIFESTYLE
Rediscovering My
Boating
Backyard
By | Steven Bull - Host, Water Ways TV
U
ndoubtedly the best part of my
job is that I get to explore different
waterways and communities
all over North America and, as you may
have seen in Season 2 of Water Ways,
even the South of France and its historic
Canal du Midi.
While these adventures and explorations
of new places are often bucket-list-worthy,
what I have found
particularly illuminating is exploring the
waters close to home.
Growing up I would spend most weekends
at the family cottage near Huntsville,
Ontario in the Muskoka Region. To get
there we had to drive through Orillia,
which is about two-thirds of the way. Not
far enough to merit a stop and not close
enough for day trips.
And so, Orillia became to me, just
another sign on the highway.
Of course, it has always been so much
more than that. It's the birthplace of
Gordon Lightfoot and Group of Seven
member Franklin Carmichael and was
home to famous humorist Stephen
Leacock. For thousands of years before
that, it was - and remains - home to the
Anishnaabeg, specifically the Chippewas
of Rama First Nation.
But on a sunny Labour Day weekend,
it transformed into the base of a pirate
invasion!
Arriving home on our SUPs before sunset.
PIRATES TO PORT!
The annual Pirate Party at the Port of
Orillia is what drew me in and " forced "
me to get amongst the boaters instead of
zipping by.
To call it fun or popular would be a
massive understatement. Not only do
boaters decorate their vessels - and themselves!
- with all things pirate, but there's
a big encampment where reenactors let
you immerse yourself in the fun as others
fire muskets and flintlock pistols from
vintage sailing vessels.
Dusting off my journalism credentials to
embed myself with a pirate crew.
28 CANADIAN BOATING | JUNE 2024
Much of the credit for this event goes to
Harbourmaster Allan Lafontaine for turning
an otherwise slower weekend into one
that is sold out well in advance and with a
waiting list nearly 50 vessels long.
" We already had Christmas in June,
Mardi Gras, and the Mariposa Folk
Festival draws in large crowds, but on
Labour Day weekends we were historically
low on occupancy, " he told me on
the docks as Jolly Roger (skull-and-crossbones)
flags flew from boats all around us.
" Now look at it. We're absolutely packed

Canadian Boating June 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Boating June 2024

At The Helm: Cast off for Summer 2024!
Feature Editorial: Raft-Up!
Sail Review: Jeanneau Yachts 55
Power Review: Bayliner Trophy 29 EX
Boating Lifestyle: Rediscovering my Boating Backyard
Special Feature: Paving the way to Cleaner Boating
The Port Hole: June 2024
Resource Guide: Your Onboard Emergency Toolkit
Crossing the Line: Please hold my calls (I'll get back to you in November)
Canadian Boating June 2024 - Intro
Canadian Boating June 2024 - Cover1
Canadian Boating June 2024 - Cover2
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 3
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 4
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 5
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 6
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 7
Canadian Boating June 2024 - At The Helm: Cast off for Summer 2024!
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 9
Canadian Boating June 2024 - Feature Editorial: Raft-Up!
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 11
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 12
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 13
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 14
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 15
Canadian Boating June 2024 - Sail Review: Jeanneau Yachts 55
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 17
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 18
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 19
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 20
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 21
Canadian Boating June 2024 - Power Review: Bayliner Trophy 29 EX
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 23
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 24
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 25
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 26
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 27
Canadian Boating June 2024 - Boating Lifestyle: Rediscovering my Boating Backyard
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 29
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 30
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 31
Canadian Boating June 2024 - Special Feature: Paving the way to Cleaner Boating
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 33
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 34
Canadian Boating June 2024 - The Port Hole: June 2024
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 36
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 37
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 38
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 39
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 40
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 41
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 42
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 43
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 44
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 45
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 46
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 47
Canadian Boating June 2024 - Resource Guide: Your Onboard Emergency Toolkit
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 49
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 50
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 51
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 52
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 53
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 54
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 55
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 56
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 57
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 58
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 59
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 60
Canadian Boating June 2024 - 61
Canadian Boating June 2024 - Crossing the Line: Please hold my calls (I'll get back to you in November)
Canadian Boating June 2024 - Cover3
Canadian Boating June 2024 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/canadian-boating-january-2025
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/canadian-boating-december-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/canadian-boating-october-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/canadian-boating-june-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/canadian-boating-may-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/canadian-boating-april-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/canadian-boating-february-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/canadian-boating-december-2023
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com