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2010 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Don Cohen
Introduction Don Cohen submitted by his friend and colleague Les Malbon For folks who don’t know Don Cohen, here’s a little background information to help you to understand the guy…... Don always enjoyed the great outdoors, spending summers of his youth in the mountains of Waterton National Park in southern Alberta; however, his love of paddling really started while completing a degree in Physical Education at the University of Calgary. The Bow River and homemade canoes and kayaks were the beginning in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Don wasn’t the type to be in the classroom in those days and lucky for him employment after graduation was with the Canadian Outward Bound School, where trips consisted of days and days of taking clients kayaking, hiking, backpacking, skiing and climbing- not many jobs like that back then. This was a job he was well suited for. He went on to complete his graduate degree in Outdoor Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1976 and shortly after began teaching at Malaspina Community -College. Don quickly introduced credit courses in outdoor activities for Recreation and Physical Education students. Activities at that time included- kayaking, hiking and skiing, now many new outdoor activities have been added- surfing, rafting and outrigger to name a few. As well he stretched the definition of post secondary intramurals to include, yes outdoor activities, taking advantage of the great outdoor environment in found in and around Nanaimo. Don was a faculty advisor for student kayak clubs for years and years and spent many a day taking beginners down the good old Nanaimo River. Concurrently, at the late age of 29, Don began competing in kayaking and then wild water down river canoeing. He competed in 6 National Championships (winning that championship 4 times) and 3 World Championships. At this time Don was also very active in organizing and promoting local races on the Nanaimo River, as well as, a Kayak Surf Championship at Long Beach. To this day he returns to the west coast to meet fellow kayakers the last weekend in September-a tradition that has lasted 3 decades. Once Don’s competitive career ended he turned his attention to wilderness trips- canoeing and kayaking on oceans, rivers and lakes in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Queen Charlotte Islands, Mexico, Turkey, Chile and Costa Rica. Trips included well know rivers- Coppermine, Stikine, Wind, Tatshenshini, Horton, Nahanni ,Pelly, Pacuar, Reventazon, Bio Bio, Fuy, Futaleufu and his all time favorite trip the Colorado River. Over the years Don has been active in promoting paddling in a number of ways- both formal and informal .He was a member of B.C. Whitewater Association for many years and served on a variety of committees. He developed a Surf Kayak Instructors Course and even took a stab at retail sales, co-owning North Island Water Sports with partners Larry and Colleen Roy and his wife, Trudy. The first Kayak store in Nanaimo was perhaps a bit too early for the emerging sport of ocean kayaking. Don gained more leadership experience while being an expedition leader for Youth Challenge International. A youth exchange program that consisted of taking Canadian and Russian students rafting, kayaking and hiking in the arctic environment of Baffin Island and Siberia. While in the north, students also completed community service projects and participated in wildlife research. Don fondly remembers this challenging program, even though he lost about 25 pounds during that spring and summer. Today, if you ask Don how he’s doing he will likely say,” I’m old and slow”, but that translates to still introducing yet another generation of students at Vancouver Island University to the joys of paddling whether it is for credit in Physical Education courses or within the non-credit Outdoor Recreation Department he now coordinates. On behalf of VIU he liaises with the Nanaimo Paddling Centre and jointly sponsors the acquisition of equipment that is used by VIU students and the community at large. In his personal time he continues to push some limits as well as take it easy doing a variety of northern trips each summer. This year he will take another crack at the Yukon River Quest, a race from Whitehorse to Dawson City. He attempted this race a few years back, but was unable to complete it because of a neck injury from a car accident. On this attempt he will paddle in a double kayak with a past student of his from the early days at Malaspina College. Don’s routine these days consists of kayaking to work from his new home on Protection Island- rain, shine, wind or snow doesn’t keep him from this daily pleasure… 40 years later and he’s still on the water…not bad for an old guy!!!
2009 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Peter Marcus 
Peter Marcus, founder and co-owner of Gabriola Cycle and Kayak Outfitters, lived a life rich with friends, family, travel and community for 52 active years from February 20, 1955 until January 11th, 2008. He died peacefully at home following a brief illness. Peter helped so many people to see a world filled with possibilities, and to enjoy this incredible experience of life. He will be missed and will continue to have a lasting impact on everyone who knew him and loved him.
Previous Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients 2009 - Peter Marcus 2008 - Michael Pardy 2007 - Brooke George 2006 - Mercia Sixta 2005 - Alan Wilson 2004 - Manny Sampson 2003 - John Dowd 2002 - Brian Henry 2001 - John Dawson
Paddlefest Events
Shoreline Kayak Tours Saturday 9:30 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm Sunday 9:30 am 1:30 pm Sponsored by Sealegs
Kayaking Adventures
Cardboard Kayak Race
Sponsored By: Kokatat Watersports Wear Race Details: Sign-up is at the Registration Tent any time BEFORE 11:30 am on Sunday, May 10. The building begins at 12 NOON and the race begins at 1 pm. There is a maximum of 8 teams for this race. Don't miss out. Sign up early!!!
Race begins at 1 pm.
This fun, entertaining and at times hilarious event is for all ages. The rules are simple – you have an allotted amount of time to build a cardboard kayak out of yes – cardboard and tape – and then paddle it around a course. (Only 1 paddler per boat!) First one back to shore still floating wins! Fantastic prizes will be awarded. Teams of are made up of a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 5.
SPECIAL THANKS TO KOKATAT FOR SPONSORING THIS EVENT! THE CARDBOARD FOR THIS RACE IS GENEROUSLY SUPPLIED BY THE GREAT LITTLE BOX COMPANY
BUILDING MATERIALS FOR BOAT CONSTRUCTION GENEROUSLY SUPPLIED BY LADYSMITH HOME HARDWARE Thank you! Kids Kayaking Saturday 11:00am - 12:00pm Sunday 11:00am - 12:00pm Sponsored by Sealegs Kayaking Adventures
Food Services A breakfast menu will be available at the Transfer Beach Grill concession on Saturday and Sunday morning beginning at 8:00 am. There will also be several food concessions on site during Paddlefest hours on both days. Lots of Prizes!!! Boat trial, water workshop and guided tour participants qualify for attendance prizes! Sponsors Kokatat - Offering great prizes for the cardoard kayak race Coastal Waters Recreation Maps - T-shirts! Sealegs Kayaking - Door prizes - shirts, free rentals Nimbus Paddles - Paddle Bag JoVi Pottery - Mug, Vase Bloomfield Flats - handcrafted wooden stool Natural West Coast Adventure Gear - Paddle Bag, Hat Boreal Design Kayaks, Esquif Canoes - Nikki is unable to make it this year but is sending her good wishes and a box of prizes! more announced daily!
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