Hello my friends,
I hope the new year has been gentle with you and that you are starting to feel that quiet pull back toward the water.
February has been a slower month for me in a good way. After a couple of solid years of travel and teaching it has been a time to rest, reset, and organize both physically and mentally. I am still in Costa Rica until the end of March, enjoying the final stretch of this simpler pura vida rhythm. Life is simple and raw here. That space has been helpful.
At the same time I can feel the excitement building about returning to Canada. This spring I will begin work on a new shop space on the same property. Not just a workspace, but a home base for future retreats, gatherings, and creative projects. My heart broke when the Wreckage space closed and this feels like a new version of that project on the same property in another quirky old building. The magic of this property continues to draw me in.
For those who were hoping to paddle in Costa Rica this winter but could not make it happen, there will be more opportunities. I plan to return in late fall to work with Sea Kayaking Costa Rica in the Osa Peninsula, and there are also some Belize trips beginning to take form. If that part of the world calls to you, let me know and I will add you to the waiting list.
Closer to home, Ucluelet continues to be one of those places that reminds me why I do this work. The coastline has a way of slowing things down and creating space for real learning and real connection. When a small group of curious paddlers comes together there, something special tends to unfold on its own. If you find yourself drawn to the idea of spending time on the outer coast of Vancouver Island this summer, Ukee Greenland Weekend is coming together with that same intention.
Starting in June I will also be offering kayak outfitting as a bookable service. This is not about buying more gear. It is about listening closely to how your kayak fits you and making small thoughtful adjustments that support comfort, movement, and confidence on the water. Often the smallest changes are the ones that make the biggest difference.
More than anything, I want to say thank you. Thank you for being part of this community. For the trust, the conversations, the shared curiosity, and the willingness to keep learning together. None of this exists without that foundation.
I am looking forward to the season ahead and I hope our paths cross on the water sometime soon.
James Manke, Manke Kayak
