The man from Australia wanted to learn about salmon. The three women from Surrey were interested in Squamish Nation history. And the quiet couple at the back of the pack were content with taking in the walk.
Last Sunday was Chrystal Nahanee’s first time participating in the Squamish Wind Festival. Alongside Squamish Streamkeeper members, birders and avid historians, she shared the area’s aboriginal background in a guided tour around the Squamish Estuary.
“I loved it,” Nahanee said. “Not only did I share my culture, but I learned more about the area from the other guides.”
The walks were a part of a weekend packed with activities focused on wind and water. The second annual festival included everything from two nights of free music in O’Siyam Pavilion Park to paddle trips in the Squamish Nation racing canoe and mini-tours in the Squamish Dragon Boat Association’s zippy vessel. The event aimed to raise awareness of Squamish’s water sports, while promoting the Squamish Open Annual Regatta and educating people about the community’s ecosystem and culture.
Rain and a lack of wind led to the cancellation of the kiteboarding activities, but it didn’t stop the fun, Nahanee noted.
“I was really glad it was raining because we needed the rain for the salmon.”
More than 1,000 people visited the VISUALS art group’s exhibit at the Squamish Art Council building during the festivities, said festival organizer Michelle Neilson. Toy fishing reels were reeling and Doodle Art being coloured by the more than 400 children who squealed and played through the kids’ zone.
“I loved the way that the VISUALS society had decorated the park,” Neilson said, noting the fabric wrapped around tree trunks and umbrellas hung from branches.
The festival attracted tourists looking for things to do on a cloudy weekend, Neilson noted. Visitors watched the water sports and were also drawn to the cultural activities and entertainment.
Amber Geurts was visiting Vancouver from Holland for a conference when she heard about the Wind Festival. She came up to spend a day kiteboarding and ended up crewing in the Squamish Open Annual Regatta (SOAR). Coming up to Squamish, Geurts said she couldn’t even imagine participating in an event like SOAR. The festival is indicative of the hospitality in the community, she said.
“Being able to participate in the Squamish sailing competition was a truly amazing and unique experience. The rain was pouring in my face, the wind was blowing, making me shiver, but it did not matter. Sailing together with 30-plus boats in the beautiful Howe Sound beats the cold and the rain.”
While the bands and local standup comedian Kelly Dyer were entertaining, what made the Squamish Wind Festival special was all the fringe activities, Neilson said. Leading up to the event, more than 100 Squamish students helped create a downtown mural dubbed the Wind Wall. Also, Squamish artist Stan Matwychuk mentored youth who assisted him with a mural on the Highway 99 underpass to the Brennan Park Recreation Centre.
“It’s the fringe stuff where I think the meat and potatoes of this event is. You start to see the festival is more than just sports,” Neilson said.
With the arts and cultural side of the event going full steam ahead, next year, organizers hope to build on the water sport demonstration side of the event, Neilson said, noting the Big Air jumping kiteboarding competition will be back.
“We have established some roots now and some seeds of ideas.”
