Lake Erie presents a 'challenge' to paddlers, surfers

By Mark Ribble with photos from Deanna Bertrand

LEAMINGTON — In true Lake Erie fashion, the whitecaps, wind and waves of our lake provided a challenge to those participating in the Lake Erie Challenge on Saturday, August 28.

Hosted by the Canadian Freshwater Alliance, three teams covered over 100 kilometres of open water to raise awareness and funds to protect our freshwater ecosystem.

The lake’s conditions did not make for an easy challenge.

Team Wingfoil and Team SUP left Cedar Beach in Kingsville early in the morning on Saturday, with Team Wingfoil planning a trip across to Pelee Island, then returning to meet Team SUP at Pelee Wings along Point Pelee Drive.

Meanwhile, members of Caldwell First Nation’s Council and Youth Advisory Committee joined Team SUP for the final 5 kms of their trip — from Leamington Marina to the Caldwell Marina at Sturgeon Creek.

They travelled in a large freighter canoe and a smaller three-person, one-dog canoe, which capsized in the lake at one point during the challenge.

ANELLAH OROSZ

Altogether, about $8,600 was raised through the efforts of everyone involved.

"The athletes put in a tremendous amount of effort to accomplish what they did today, and we'd love to see their efforts celebrated," said Raj Gill, Great Lakes Program Director at the Freshwater Alliance.

“While algae levels were low this year, we know that was by luck and not design,” said Gill. “A very dry spring reduced the nutrient runoff”.

The challenge was preceded by a celebration Friday evening at Madbin Jina inside Point Pelee National Park. Caldwell First Nation welcomed all of the athletes with food, song and ceremony.

The Caldwell Youth Advisory Committee was instrumental in forging the partnership between the Fresh Water Alliance and Caldwell First Nation.

Committee member Anellah Orosz gave a heart-felt speech to those in attendance, bringing awareness to the Youth Advisory Committee’s involvement in helping the environment.

Tim Blanchard exits Lake Erie at Pelee Wings.

Leamington-born Derik Hyatt, a professional surf and SUP (stand-up paddle board) instructor, was happy to return to his roots for the challenge and moved by the passion shown by the Caldwell First Nation.

“I spent the first 20 years of my life here and it’s emotional coming back and I want to say thank you for having me here today,” he said. “Just coming into the park and seeing all of the Caldwell signs is such a great thing.”

Hyatt and his wife now live in Miller Lake, Ontario.

He was among the first casualties on Saturday morning, as the conditions made it near impossible for him to manoeuvre his board to get to Leamington from Kingsville.

Team Caldwell in their freighter canoe arrives at Sturgeon Creek.

Tim Blanchard, another member of Team Wingfoil, made it to Pelee Island without incident, but really struggled coming back. He had to ‘tack’ back across the lake in a zigzag pattern in order to reach Pelee Wings, costing him precious hours.

Sara Chojnicki and Brad Petrus both declared their stand-up paddle-boarding trip a challenging five kilometres.

“Nobody called it a Lake Erie walk-in-the-park,” said Petrus as he exited the lake. “It is a challenge.”

Donate to the Lake Erie Challenge at www.lakeeriechallenge.ca.