by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
BEACHBURG — Athletes from around the world were warmly, but loudly, welcomed into Beachburg during the Parade of Athletes and the Opening Ceremony for the world kayaking event.
The parade and ceremony were held Sunday afternoon. The main street of Beachburg was lined with people cheering on the many floats driving by and then more loudly as the athletes walked by. There were several sore hands by the end of the parde from all the high-fiving going on.
Clappers were making noises as were the toy bugles.
However, the cheering by the crowd could most likely be for miles around.
The volunteers organzing these two major events, which are just a part of the main world event, can be proud of what they accomplished.
The bleachers in the ball diamond were filled with cheering people as the dignitaries arrived in the outfield, some in vehicles others in horse-drawn wagons.
Greeting the dignitaries were four beautiful young women — Miss Intercontinental Delaney Holley from Renfrew, Miss Teen Ontario East Kathleen Barr from Douglas, first runner-up Payton Rochon from near Cobden and second runner-up Kaitlin McMillan from Barry’s Bay.
Once everyone was seated, the athletes arrived, country by country, with cheering for them all.
While there was some very loud cheering when Team Uganda walked and danced their way onto the ball field, the loudest cheering, and a standing ovation occurred, when Team Canada arrived.
Under the hot sun that afternoon, the event included several dignitaries thanking the volunteers and host company Wilderness Tours for a great event, the crowd for coming out and cheering so loudly and wishing the athletes good luck during the competition.
The afternoon event included young square dancers, Scottish Highland dancers, fiddle-playing stepdancers and acrobatics performed by members from Starz in Motion.
It was great to hear the Holley sisters, Delaney, Hannah and Caroline from Renfrew, sing O’Canada accompanied by world-renowned fiddler Ben Rutz.
A highlight of the afternoon was when wheelchair athlete Sam Graham of Beacburg lit the torch annoucing the world event has officially begun.
Following the official ceremony, everyone had opportunity to meet and greet the athletes and enjoy a roast beef dinner served up by volunteers from the Beachburg Agricultural Society.
The Speeches
Joe Kowalski of Wilderness tours should be congratulated for making this world-class event happen, said well-known kayaker Eric Jackson.
This is the third time Wilderness Tours is hosting this event, he added, noting there are more than 200 athletes from 29 countries participating.
“This will be an amazing world championship,” Mr. Jackson said.
Township of Whitewater Region Mayor Hal Johnson welcomed everyone to “our beautiful part of Canada.”
It makes sense that Whitewater Region would host such an event, he said, adding, “This has captivated our communities in Whitewater.”
It’s the volunteers who have come forward who have made this happen, he noted.
He noted that many of the families who have settled in Whitewater Region came from some of the countries who are competing at this event.
“We are thrilled, as I’m sure our ancestors are, that the world has come to visit,” Mayor Johnson said. “Many friendships will blossom from this weekend and weeks that have passed.
“It’s known in the valley that if you make a friendship with a valley person it’s a friendship ever lasting,” he said.
He encouraged those from afar to admire Canada and the beautiful Ottawa Valley, especially its natural gem — the Ottawa River.
He encouraged them to drive carefully while they are here and to play very hard.
“Good luck to all the competitors,” Mayor Johnson finished with.
Casey Wade, Chief Executive Officer of CanoeKayak Canada, who has been involved with the sport for 40 years, said this was the first time he was in a parade and it was very exciting.
“Rarely have I seen so much enthusiasm in a community before,” he said.
Everyone involved should be congratulated on this tremendous event, he said.
International Canoe Federation representative Lluis Rabaneda i Caselles from Spain said it was great to be in the Ottawa Valley.
“It’s one of the places in the world where freestyle is part of the whole community,” he said. “You have created a link between your communities and our sport.
While it’s difficult to get financial support from the government, he noted there are 29 countries at the event, which is a big achievement.
He noted the ICF is working hard to get recognition for this sport and is hopeful it will be a part of the Olympic games in 2020 or 2024.
“I can’t make any promises, but we will keep working hard to try to be there (at the Olympics),” Mr. Caselles said.
He thanked the judges, because for six days, and more than eight hours each day, they will be judging the best paddlers in the world.
“In the name of the ICF president, I declare the 2015 ICF world championships officially open,” Mr. Caselles stated.
Skip Ross, also known as Running River Man of the Hawk Clan, attended the event to give a native blessing.
Holding onto an Eagle staff, Mr. Ross, explained, “The eagle is a messenger to the Creator telling him how our world is going. The eagle brings the message to the Creator, noting special things like this, because what you are doing is honouring the rivers.”
He continued, “The rivers are the lifeblood of Mother Earth. Without the rivers there would be no Mother Earth, there would be none of us.”
Mr. Ross thanked the organizers for inviting him to speak and recognize the function.
“I ask the Creator for a blessing; a blessing for the people who are here. This is my first chance to honour this event and the people who are looking after it.
“I ask the Creator to look after everybody, that there be no accidents.
“Take it easy and have a good time. I hope to see you all on and off through the week,” Mr. Ross said.
He then performed a short smudging ceremony.
“I cleanse myself with smoke,” he said. “It’s called smudging, and we believe it relieves all negative images from your body.”
Helping him back to his seat, Ms. Troutman said, “May we all have a blessing of Mother Nature and of our ample river that we’ve been given to enjoy.”
Eleanor McLaughlin gave the results of the horticultural beautification displays.
As Sam Graham lit the flame, Mr. Jamieson said, “Sam is an exceptional young man. He never ever let any of his situations stop him from doing whatever he wants.
“He played basketball with the Canadian team and he knows sports inside out. He has an amazing mind for hanging onto facts and figures
“We can be so proud of the work this young man has done in our community and we’re just so happy he’s taken on this great honour to help us here,” Mr. Jamieson said.
As Sam departed, there was thunderous applause and a standing ovation.
Mr. Jamieson said, “Sam, don’t ever lose that great drive and great spirit that rides within that body.”
Sam is a great athlete and an inspiration, said Ms. Troutman.
“He’s proven that if you put your mind to it, you can do it. If you think you can, you will. This young man does that and more.”
The homing pigeons were then released and firefighters from the Beachburg Station created an X behind the dignitaries with water.
Afterwards, Ms. Troutman said, “It was awesome. It was delightful.
“A lot of hard work, but it was all worth it.
“This is what it was all meant to be, to have everybody come together as a country and show peace and love to the world.
“That’s what we should live by and may we live like that always, that we’re always friends.”
Afterwards, Ms. Troutman said the committee accomplished what it set out to to — plus more.
“It’s so good to see the athletes and the support of the locals for sure,” she said.
The hard work for the first part of the major event is over, Ms. Troutman said.
“Now it’s the fun part, to visit, to enjoy everybody’s company,” she said.
Mayor Johnson said it was a great event. It was great to see the families of the athletes from around the world attend. He noted he talked to quite a few of the athletes and they all said this is the best river in the world.
“They said they’ll be coming back and that’s why I invited them back,” he said.
