For 49 years, Powell River Sea Fair has been thrilling residents and visitors with an annual weekend of fun on the water. The event has spanned generations, delighting both young and old with activities at Willingdon Beach for all to enjoy.
There is truly no better view of our area’s majestic blue waves than from the top of the ferris wheel at Willingdon South and no better time to reflect on both the beauty and power of the sea than when that chair reaches the top and begins its descent toward the water below.
But water itself is a powerful force. That same element of nature that brings people together each year as the feature of one of our longest-standing community traditions has taken many lives and torn families apart both locally and beyond.
This past Saturday, a close call in the waters near Texada Island left two men in need of rescue, their boat capsized in the frigid Malaspina Strait. While they were rescued successfully and without fatality, others have not been so lucky. One rogue wave can flip someone’s boat, and someone’s world, upside down.
Lund resident Ben Bouchard knows this all too well. His harrowing experience in Cozumel left him and his son swimming for their lives after the glass bottom shattered in their dive boat and left them stranded as it sank to the depths. Against all odds, they were rescued and live to dive again. But others have not been so lucky.
Occurrences like that are proof that accidents can happen, even ones that are nearly impossible to prepare for. But still, preparation is key for just about anything in life, especially when planning to spend time in or on the water.
In the last five years, the average number of drownings in Canada has increased eight per cent when compared to the previous five. Water safety is paramount and wearing lifejackets and carrying life-saving equipment when boating can mean the difference between life or death.
Using caution when swimming is important as well, and even shallow waters can pose significant risks. Learning not only how to swim but also where and where not to swim are key, especially in places like Powell River where water can be found just about everywhere.
Sea Fair is a time for celebration but also a time for reflection, so this weekend, celebrate the water and all its beauty, but also remember to use caution, heed warning, and be prepared for the water--because the sea is not always fair.
