Entrepreneurs offer adventure on Chatham-Kent waterways


Wakeboarding, Mitchell's Bay

Local entrepreneurs have created a new tourism market in Chatham-Kent by utilizing the benefits of area lakes and bays for aquatic adventure. In their efforts, they have established successful businesses.

Surf Culture Canada owner Tim Blanchard gives beginners opportunity to heighten their experience on local waterways by learning to kitesurf in spring and summer and snowkite in winter on Mitchell’s Bay.

The shallow and protected waters of Mitchell’s Bay offer kiters a lengthy season. Within one hour’s drive, kiters can choose the waves on Lake Erie at Erieau or the flatter surface of Mitchell’s Bay.

"Location is essential for water sports and we (Chatham-Kent) have exceptional areas that are shallow, warm and well-protected from wind," says Colin Chrysler, owner/manager of Erieau Wakeboard and Watersports School.

Based in the beach village of Erieau on Lake Erie, Chrysler’s school offers lessons in wakeboarding, waterskiing, kneeboarding, wakeskating and wakesurfing. This year, the school has introduced tubing

"This sport (wakeboarding) is more of a fun experience than anything. Almost every person who comes out will come out again and again," says Chrysler.

These extreme adventures represent new tourism opportunities for Chatham-Kent.

"It is a real tourism draw for us to be able to offer something other than soft adventure. Now we have something that will attract a younger crowd and a younger group of adventure seekers," says Joy Sim, Chatham-Kent’s Tourism Development Coordinator.

In 2000, Blanchard returned to Chatham-Kent from the happening kitesurf scene in Victoria to promote and build the sport here. Since returning, he has developed a local following and started Kitestock, an annual weekend event that draws kitesurfers to Chatham-Kent from across Canada and the U.S.

"Four years ago, there was not a single local person who kiteboarded. Now in a strong southwesterly wind you will find several dozen kites in the sky at Mitchell’s Bay," says Blanchard. "People contact me very surprised when they find out that you can do the sport here … this is one of the best places to learn to kiteboard in the world."

For more information, please contact Chatham-Kent Tourism at 519.351.6125/1.866.542.5994 or at cktourism@chatham-kent.ca