I recently had the opportunity to demonstrate the Oar Board® Rower in Victoria at the Oak Bay Marina. I was totally amazed and excited to see how easily people were taking to rowing a standup paddle board and enjoyed letting everyone know how they can incorporate rowing into their lifestyle for fitness and fun.

It was a perfect, peaceful, summer day for an early morning, mid-afternoon or evening row.

The setting at the Oak Bay Marina is idyllic for getting out on the water, but you can launch your paddle board and Oar Board® Rower combination from just about anywhere. You are no longer bound to rowing only at a club and can now enjoy the freedom of getting out on your favorite lake, river or part of the ocean.

I was so touched to see how many fitness lovers and outdoor enthusiasts were really inspired by the idea of getting out on the water to test row the Oar Board®.

From Whitehall Rowing & Sail, we have supplied many water lovers with rowboats and sailboats over the years, and now more recently with the Oar Board® Rower and our inflatable standup paddle boards, we are helping to get more and more people out enjoying the ocean and lakes.

During the demonstration day, many people shared with me that they were surprised and amazed and how lightweight and easy it is to use the Oar Board®. They were excited to imagine getting out and rowing with family and friends around Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

In less than 5 minutes the Oar Board® fit-on-top rower converts any paddle board over 10′ (3m) into a sculling boat.

And everyone really likes the idea of being able to take Oar Board® with them on vacation. The new Oar Board® inflatable standup paddle boards easily roll up into their backpack for transporting. And it is equally as easy to unroll and inflate Oar Board® standup paddle boards at your destination.

The Oar Board® is definitely a hit in Victoria!

I really love my job promoting fun, fitness, tranquility and connection with water and nature!

About Diana Lesieur
As the Oar Board® Sales Manager, Diana loves rowing, hiking and traveling to exotic places. She is a top notch all water rowing instructor and winner of the long distance rowing events in the R2AK 2015 and 2016. Diana is the go-to person regarding the Oar Board®. Diana says, “I love rowing and there’s nothing better than promoting what you’re passionate about!”

For more information about the Oar Board® Rower, inflatable standup paddle boards, paddles, oars and other accessories, contact Diana at:

Oar Board®
A Division of Whitehall Rowing and Sail
Phone 1-250-384-6574
Toll Free 1-800-663-7481
International 00+1-250-361-2621
Email sales@OarBoard.com
oarboard.com/oar-board-sup-combo-packages
oarboard.com/buy-now
oarboard.com/about-us
oarboard.com/contact-us

Having worked for Whitehall for over a year and half now, the time had come (and I finally found the time) for my partner and I to take a boat out for an extended cruise, complete with camping gear, food, water, beverages, etc., for the Canada Day long weekend in July. Even the forecast looked favorable with sun, warm temperatures, and moderate winds.

As a bit of background, I grew up in Ontario and as a kid I was fortunate to spend a lot of time on the bays and inlets of the Great Lakes but I hadn’t spent much time out on the open ocean dealing with three metre tides and especially the currents and eddies they create in and around the Gulf Islands here on the west coast of British Columbia. Tide tables in hand, my partner (she’d only been rowing about five times with me but is a crazy strong cyclist) and I launched the Whitehall Spirit Tango 17 from Cattle Point on the southeastern tip of Victoria, BC.

Our destination was a small island that is part of Gulf Islands National Park. It is only accessible by boat and has no inhabitants other than deer, raccoons, and mice we came to find. Because it has only seven campsites, and that it was so beautiful and secluded, my partner and I are sworn to secrecy as to its name and location… though we can be bribed with chocolate. Suffice it to say we rowed for about three and a half hours to reach our destination, including a break for lunch. The boat rowed beautifully, and even loaded with all our gear there was still plenty of freeboard. The Tango 17 tracked extremely well in all conditions.

“Oh, you’re the couple that rowed over! Cool boat!”

We arrived on the island on Friday evening with plenty of daylight to set up camp, do a bit of exploring, and have a leisurely dinner. At that point we were the only people on the island. By Saturday, eight others had kayaked over in two separate groups and our Tango 17 was certainly a standout in the fleet of vessels pulled up above the high tide line. “Oh, you’re the couple that rowed over!” “Cool boat!”

Saturday was another day of exploring, lazing in the sun on deserted beaches, and enjoying the views and solitude of the island. Sunday we awoke to mirror calm waters. After a lazy breakfast, we packed up our gear and began our journey back. At one point, we were rowing over smooth, long period rollers about a metre high – it was like rowing up and down hills. Rounding Ten Mile Point, things changed dramatically as the west winds came strong right at us from the Strait of Juan de Fuca, making the last 3-4 kms more challenging. Wind, chop, and an incoming tide slowed our progress. By that point we had been rowing for almost three hours and were beginning to tire. True to form our Tango 17 lived up to its billing as an “all-water rowboat” and got us safely into the protected confines of Oak Bay, and into the marina without a drop of water in the boat, and callouses on our hands well earned!

Altogether we rowed about seven and a half hours and I’d have to say row-camping was extremely comfortable. Plenty of capacity and easy access to gear, using our legs for most of our power, and the ability move about a bit when we needed a break… the trip was truly as much about getting there as being there. We could easily see spending a week or more doing an island hopping rowing adventure in the Tango 17. We are already planning our next expedition row.

For more information contact:

Michael Marek
Sales Manager
Whitehall Rowing & Sail
Phone 250-384-6574
Toll Free 1-800-663-7481
Email michael@whitehallrow.com
whitehallrow.com/find-your-classic-whitehall-spirit-boats
whitehallrow.com/about-us

The Adventure Row and Fitness Row SUPs are perfect for paddling or sculling. They are specially fitted with deck rings that make the installation of the Oar Board® Rower even easier than on a standard SUP. Getting fit and having fun out on the water has never been more affordable or as simple to do. Exploring and camping, anywhere on the planet where there’s a bit of rowable water has never been easier.

The Oar Board® Rower, produced by Whitehall Rowing & Sail, can be ordered direct and ships worldwide. Enjoy the low-impact whole-body workout, strength, flexibility and cardio benefits that regular rowing provides.

Used to row in college?
New to rowing?
Ready for fun and a great workout?
Share our passion!

Find out more about the Oar Board® at:

Website
Instagram
Facebook Page
Facebook Group (Oar Board® Rowing Community)
Twitter
Vimeo
YouTube

Soundtrack music “Windows Rolled Down”, Artist: The 126ers, YouTube Audi Library

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The Victoria Operatic Society wants you to Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas! And to help get you in the spirit of the Holidays, the VOS is presenting Meet Me In St. Louis from December 4th to 13th, 2015 at the McPherson Playhouse.

Meet Me in St. Louis is a musical based on the 1944 film of the same title, starring Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien, and Mary Astor, about a family living in St. Louis, Missouri on the eve of the 1904 World’s Fair. The show spotlights the sisters’ education in the ways of the world, which includes, but isn’t limited to, learning about life and love, courtesy of the prototypical boy next door. In the end, love — accompanied by song, dance and period costumes — conquers all. Musical by Patrick Quentin.

The VOS cast will feature the talents of Angelina Robertson, Emma Gillespie, David Underhill, Mariah McDonald, Tori Farkas, Francesca Bitonti, Doug Crockett, Ethan Otto, Brandon Adams, Amanda Russell, Ian Capper McIntyre and more.

McPherson Playhouse
3 Centennial Square
Victoria, BC V8W 1P5
Corner of Government Street and Pandora Avenue

For more information and tickets visit:

http://www.vos.bc.ca
http://www.rmts.bc.ca

December 2015, leaders of the world will meet in Paris during COP21 to reach a global agreement for action on climate change. Let’s help them out with addressing this important issue. On November 29th, 2015, the day before COP21 begins, at 12pm at the Legislature in downtown Victoria, British Columbia the Victoria chapter of The People’s Spark: Igniting Climate Action at COP21 will bring people together to encourage our leaders to take extreme action towards healing the planet.

Participants are planning to carry a red cardboard flame, forming a moving, shifting inferno of human beings; together shining a light on the issue of climate change. Leading up to the event the organizers will be having “flame-building-workshops” and they encourage everyone to think about the following question:

What do you see as the solution(s) to climate change?

These answers will be written on the other side of each bright flame, to inspire others with all of our different world-views and solutions. And maybe even start conversations about what we can do as a group and as individuals now and in the time after COP21.

The Victoria chapter of The People’s Spark: Igniting Climate Action at COP21 are grateful to organize this event on unceded Lekwungen and WSANEC territories.

The question of climate change is big and complex, and this can make it difficult, and even depressing to think about, but you are not alone. This is our chance to come together, and start decreasing the gap between the world we have and the world we want.

We are the ones we have been waiting for, let us work together and ignite the movement!

What: Creative action
Where: British Columbia Legislature, 501 Belleville St, Victoria, BC V8V 2L8
When: Sunday, November 29th, 2015 at 12pm
What To Bring: Cardboard flame. If you do not have your own, we have one for you (come before 12pm to write your solution statement)
Wear: Orange, red, and yellow clothes if possible

This event is part of a world wide movement, to read more, go to http://www.avaaz.org/en/event/globalclimatemarch/?slideshow

Accessibility and Inclusion Statement:

The People’s Spark seeks to incorporate peoples of many different heritages, educations, beliefs, races, incomes, religions, genders, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities, and physical or mental capabilities, as part of the movement for climate action. We do not tolerate discrimination, including hate speech or crimes, of any kind.

The People’s Spark organizers prioritize making this event accessible and barrier-free for those with both visible and/or invisible disabilities.

If you need an alternative to the stairs the Inner Harbour can be accessed by ramp by the Royal London Wax Museum or by elevator at Tourism Victoria Building.

This event will include loud noises, movement, crowds, and multi-coloured props. There is a possibility that people will have their pets in the vicinity.

A public washroom is available under the tourist information centre.

This event is free to the public.

If you have any concerns or accessibility needs please contact People’s Spark at peoplesspark@gmail.com.

Sources:
avaaz.org
http://www.facebook.com/peopleclimatevictoria/

In celebration of the Winter Holidays, Coast Collective will host their Annual Small Treasures show from November 4th to 22nd, 2015. This exhibition is designed to provide smaller fine art pieces that are perfect for gift giving. With more than 150 works of art in the show, there could truly be something for everyone!

Get a head-start on your holiday shopping, and meet the artists at the show’s Opening Reception on Saturday, November 7th, 2015 from 2-4pm.

Experience the arts, culture and community of the Coast Collective at historic Pendray House on the shore of Esquimalt Lagoon.

For more information visit:

Coast Collective
3221 Heatherbell Road
Victoria, BC V9C 1Y8
Phone 250-391-5522
Email info@coastcollective.ca
Website www.coastcollective.ca

Jane Kennard says that our spirit guides want to connect with us and are looking for ways to do so. But often we have to take the first step. How to do that? Well, there are lots of ways. Join Circles Within Circles on Thursday, August 27th, 2015 in Victoria, British Columbia for a primer in connecting with your guides.

This is the second smaller group event hosted by Jane Kennard and she invites you to join her at Goward House to be part of the circle. Jane will speak about her experiences with the guides and will invite them to speak through her to answer questions from those in attendance.

Jane will be inviting individual questions on this topic, but of course you can ask any question of the guides.

An evening with Jane Kennard and the spirit guides can be truly transformative.