Editorial: Welcome...

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

August-September 2005

by Alan Wilson

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

Welcome to our very first East Coast issue. It’s hard to believe it’s taken us this long—till our 15th year!—to finally devote an issue to such a beautiful area. Obviously long overdue. Our apologies.

It’s been an eye opener... seeing the energetic New England shoreline through the eyes of Adam, our East Coast columnist (the lead article); surfing the Long Island Race with wooden kayak guru Nick Schade and his friends (that’s Nick on the cover); paddling Woods Hole with instructor Dave Jacques; following a courageous Dee Hall on her Run of the Charles and Blackburn Challenge races; discovering the remarkable Maine Island Trail with writer Zoie Clift; even getting great gelcoat repair tips from New Hampshire’s Brian Nystrom!

On the Canadian side, in the Maritime Provinces we’ve enjoyed seeing the Bay of Fundy through the eyes of New Brunswick college instructor Doug Scott; visiting some of Nova Scotia’s icons with writer Michelle Wiebe and her photographer husband Jim; and exploring the rugged southwest coast of Newfoundland with author Kevin Redmond.

All of this and yet—let’s face it—we’ve barely scratched the surface. What about the rest of New England, Chesapeake Bay, Georgia, Florida? In Canada, what about Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Cape Breton?

The depth and extent of paddling opportunities, skills and services in the east is so impressive that we’re already planning another feature issue for next spring. We also plan to include more eastern-based content through the year, in addition to Adam’s regular column. (Articles, photos, events, news welcome.)

As we expand our distribution in the east and welcome many new readers, the cross- continental readership will help us all learn more about opportunities, advancements and services, both east and west.

And one last thing... while we’re at it, let’s remember to combine our voices around North America in defense of our shared marine and inland waters. Let’s be sure our representatives on both sides of the border support legislation which is in the best interests of our waters and shores—on all our coasts