GREAT SLAVE LAKE ADVENTURE PART TWO
The death grip in which I held the paddle would not, try as I might, loosen. No matter how much I focussed on relaxing the grip, my fingers would not release the carbon fiber lightweight paddle and ease the strain on my arms. In particular, my right arm. Less than a week into the trip, I woke in the middle of the night, which in the north meant still very light out, with a pain I’d never felt before. My right arm was searing with pain. From my shoulder right down through my tricep, through my forearm and then down into my fingers, it was agony.
GREAT SLAVE LAKE ADVENTURE PART ONE
What began as a suggestion from a friend took a year to explore. The suggestion was a kayak trip through the East Arm of the Great Slave Lake. The reason for the delay was a date last February on ice. What could possibly keep me from such an adventure? The 2010 Olympics. As a speed skater, I relied on my legs too much to sit in a boat for any extended period. It was after my last stride back in Vancouver that our plan to visit this intriguing part of Canada began to solidify.
For three months after the Games, I traveled across Canada sharing Olympic experiences with a wildly diverse audience. I remained committed to keeping my schedule clear for the summer months to provide a window of time long enough to let the adventure unfold. After a trip to Rwanda with Right to Play in late June, followed by a speech in Newfoundland, finally, I was on a flight bound for Yellowknife.
Joelle and the amazing Clara Hughes dream jacket
ON GETTING AND GIVING... This is the story of two women — both of whom desperately wanted the same precious silent auction item.
And both of whom got it.
Only to end up giving way more than they got.
Confused?
OK, let’s start from the beginning.
Last month, the two women — Joelle Caron and Claire Deighton-Lamy — attended an accountants conference at the Winnipeg Convention Centre where Clara Hughes, Canada’s most-decorated Olympian, was one of the speakers.
