There is something for everyone at the Spit

According to Miriam Webster the definition of Appreciate is: to recognize with gratitude, to value or admire highly, to grasp the nature, worth, quality, or significance of to judge with heightened perception or understanding: be fully aware of.

And this is exactly what we did on Saturday, August 21st at Spit Appreciation Day.

First of all, we recognize with gratitude that we have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) peoples.

We value and highly admire this location. The placement of the Spit at the end of the training berm allows all of us to enjoy the ocean in a unique way.

Accessing the wind, seeing the Chief and Shannon Falls, regardless of your physical abilities, viewing seals, herons, eagles, and other wildlife, and interacting with the ocean and nature in a powerful, life-changing way. Residents, tourists, nature and windsport enthusiasts there’s something for everyone at this special place.

We grasp the worth and significance of having access to the Spit and the goal of Spit Appreciation Day was to help raise awareness in the community.

Not only about how important this location is but also what we are all about to lose if no long-term solution is found to maintain access.

We are fully aware of the fact that the estuary is a critical part of the Salmon life cycle and access to the end of the Spit needs to change to support the Salmon in the Salish Sea. Not only as a keystone species in the ocean ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest but also as a part of Skwxwú7mesh peoples’ identity and ability to feed themselves.

Spit Appreciation Day was a huge success with 100’s of people coming out to enjoy the sand, the ocean, the wind, and the burgers. The sandcastle competition was hard fought with a tie for first place between the 2 groups that managed to incorporate not only sand but kelp, sticks, barnacles, and other natural elements into their design. It was a high pressured event, Mother Nature only allows us a limited amount of time each day to enjoy the sand bar in Squamish and the tide came back in and washed away all the hard work.

Kids of all ages got to fly trainer kites and get a little taste of the exciting sport. I think we may have some future Olympians coming out of Squamish over the next few years!

Maintaining access is complicated and there are a lot of stakeholders involved but the thing we are fighting for, raising awareness about is worth the effort. Oceanfront access for a growing community. Access for Windsport users. Tourism revenue for local businesses. A reason people move to Squamish. Part of what makes Squamish ‘Hardwired for Adventure’.

Learn more at https://www.realignnotremove.ca/

Nikki Layton is the president of Squamish Windsport Society.