Save Access to Canada's Premier Kiteboarding Location

Save Access to Canada's Premier Kiteboarding Location

Started
February 20, 2021
Petition to
Jordan Sturdy (MLA West Vancouver Sea to Sky) and 5 others
Signatures: 3,552Next Goal: 5,000
Support now

Why this petition matters

Started by Squamish Windsports Society

Canada is on the brink of losing access to its premier kiteboarding location, the Squamish Spit.

As it stands, 1 kilometer of dike that accesses this world-class kiteboarding location could be removed before the end of 2021. It is a part of a 5-million-dollar, multi-phased plan called the Central Estuary Restoration Project for improving salmon habitat around the Squamish Spit. However, funding deadlines placed on this project have rushed the project. 

What will remain of the Spit is up in the air. Time constraints are pushing forward a proposal to leave the current landing and launching zone as an island, an option that will restrict usage of the Spit significantly and potentially limit the ability of the Squamish Windsport Society (SWS) to continue to run their safety services. While recreation users have no signed official assurance from the government that they will be granted access to any remaining structure, they hope to lobby elected officials to support the option to create access from a berm off 3rd Avenue. Maintaining land access to the Spit is the only financially viable option for the Spit's overseeing body, the SWS, who are responsible for the safety of the users, keeping users out of the estuary and away from the shipping terminal. Potentially saving both human and animal lives! 

The SWS believes that improving the chinook salmon fish stocks is critical to the entire ocean ecosystem. We believe realigning the Spit so access is from 3rd Ave, is a true win-win-win goal. We are asking the elected officials to support this option and also to support us in maintaining water access for all recreation users, tourists and windsport users that access this spot on a daily basis and bring a stop to interim options that are not suitable for recreational use.

The Squamish Spit is an ideal spot for windsports with thermal wind throughout the summer months. It serves as a training ground for Olympians and plays host to the Canadian Kiteboarding Freestyle Championships - KiteClash. The Squamish Spit has seen the likes of five-time world kiteboarding champion Aaron Hadlow and British champion and watersports ambassador Lewis Crathern ride its waters. 

This petition asks that elected representatives back the development of land access and officially grant access to the Spit.

Please note: Any funds collected through this platform go to Change.org for promoting the petition on their own platform. The SWS doesn't receive any of these funds. 

 

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Signatures: 3,552Next Goal: 5,000
Support now
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Decision Makers

  • Jordan SturdyMLA West Vancouver Sea to Sky
  • Patrick WeilerMP West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country
  • Karen ElliottMayor District of Squamish
  • Edith TobeSquamish River Watershed Society
  • Murray MansonFisheries Protection Biologist for Fisheries and Oceans Canada