Newfoundland Salmon Fishing and Family Adventures

Bringing "up" the Trash

2011-09-14T14:42:00.000-07:00

Martin Hanzalek, bottom right, hands a shopping cart to, from left, Julie Butala, Ben McKean and Meaghan Harris as they attempted to put a dent in the garbage at Capt. James Cook National Historic Site in the city. Star Photo by Geraldine Brophy
Published on June 6, 2007

Popular sites used as dumping grounds

CORNER BROOK When Martin Hanzalek first visited the Capt. James Cook National Historic Site, he saw a prime location to hold introductory rock-climbing excursions.

The steep rock face and the dramatic backdrop of the Bay of Islands are still awesome features hed like to take advantage of, but Hanzalek said the amount of garbage to be found below the cliffs is making Crow Hill an embarrassing place to bring visitors.

Hanzalek, who owns My Newfoundland Adventures, organized a community effort to clean up the site three years ago, offering people free rock climbing if they helped out. The project resulted in all sorts of items including oil drums, car windshields and medical waste being removed from the base of the cliff.
Topics : Algonquin College , Trans-Canada Highway , Corner Brook , Crow Hill , Bay of Islands
CORNER BROOK When Martin Hanzalek first visited the Capt. James Cook National Historic Site, he saw a prime location to hold introductory rock-climbing excursions.

The steep rock face and the dramatic backdrop of the Bay of Islands are still awesome features hed like to take advantage of, but Hanzalek said the amount of garbage to be found below the cliffs is making Crow Hill an embarrassing place to bring visitors.

Hanzalek, who owns My Newfoundland Adventures, organized a community effort to clean up the site three years ago, offering people free rock climbing if they helped out. The project resulted in all sorts of items including oil drums, car windshields and medical waste being removed from the base of the cliff.

When he returned to the site last spring, the mess was back. This time, he and 10 staff members brought up items such as washing machines, fridges, stoves, television sets and computers.

This week, Martin Hanzalek took another 10 staff members mostly adventure tourism graduates from Algonquin College in Ontario to the site with the idea of showing them what a great spot it was. When they got there, there was more garbage and another spring clean-up began.

This time, they removed 30 bags of garbage, as well as shopping carts, washing machines, oil drums and even boxes of old syringes.

We found the nastiest kind of stuff down there and we still havent put a dent into whats down there at the bottom of the cliff, said Hanzalek.

When we got there, one of our new guides said he would be embarrassed to take people climbing here. Its just not conducive to the type of program were trying to offer.

That really struck a chord with me. Heres someone, not even from Newfoundland, telling me hed be embarrassed to take people rock climbing here. Its an industrial dumping ground and not the type of super, natural Newfoundland experience were looking to offer.

Hanzalek said he was ticked off even further when he contacted the City of Corner Brook to see if a dumpster could be brought to the site or maybe a truck so the garbage could be properly disposed of.

We havent been able to get that kind of co-operation, said Hanzalek, noting they had to leave the garbage at the site.

With the City hoping to invest $1 million in revitalizing the Capt. Cook site, Hanzalek said more priority should be given to the garbage issue before any major cosmetic work gets done.

I really dont see the point of investing $1 million into restoration of this site if we cant handle basic issues like this, he said. I really cant take clients there any more if this is the way this site is going to be managed.

Hanzalek can always take people rock climbing in other locations, but said this is a sad reason to scratch Crow Hill off his list. Corner Brook Mayor Charles Pender said Hanzalek should have informed the City that his group was conducting a cleanup so municipal resources could have been more efficiently co-ordinated. Noting the collected garbage was being collected by City staff, Pender said this is a serious issue.

The real issue here is the ignorance of the people who continue to go up there and dump garbage, said the mayor. We just had our clean-up week and some of the appliances and things being found up there could easily be taken away during that. It boggles me why anyone would go through the trouble of going all the way up there to dump garbage.

I think it might be people from outside the city who would have to pay to dump that stuff at the Wild Cove landfill.

In fact, the City did a clean-up of the site last week and removed about five half-tonne pickup loads of debris.

Pender said anyone who witnesses illegal dumping should try and get the licence plate of the offender and report them to the authorities.

The issue of illegal dumping is not unique to Crow Hill. The Western Star recently did a story on the same kind of problem in Humber Arm South. It also rears its ugly head on the many forest access roads, such as Lady Slipper Road west of Corner Brook or North Harbour Road in Pasadena.

Faron Knott is the environmental management representative for Corner Brook Pulp and Paper, which is responsible for many of those forest roads. The company has conducted clean-up operations on Lady Slipper Road numerous times and the list of illegally discarded refuse includes things like washers, dryers, bike frames and even bathtubs.

Unfortunately, its just a few people who do this sort of thing, but its still a losing battle and theres nothing else we can do about it, said Knott.

The mill has an environmental management system in place which preaches zero tolerance for garbage in and around any of its operations.

Then you drive out over one of our roads and, just before you get to the Trans-Canada Highway, theres all kinds of garbage, said Knott. That hurts. Some people just have no regard for the at all.

Knott said anyone caught dumping illegally should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Last week, the president of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador also said tougher enforcement is needed when it comes to people who dump garbage illegally.

It's like (illegal) moose hunting, said Wayne Ruth of Kippens. We're spread out all over province, but the odd time they do catch one (a poacher). When (authorities) fine them, it makes other people reluctant.

martinhanzalek: Martin Hanzalek

2011-09-14T09:13:00.000-07:00

martinhanzalek: Martin Hanzalek: Welcome to the Martin Hanzalek Blogspot Blog If you are passionate about nature, wildlife, the outdoors, children, adventure sports, medic...

Martin Hanzalek introduces Electric Bikes Ebikes to Newfoundland and Labrador

2011-09-14T02:48:00.000-07:00

Martin Hanzalek has always been passionate about non-consumptive travel, conservation, and environmental stewardship, so it was no surprise to see him behind the launch of The Newfoundland Electric Bike Company in St. John's. When it comes to saving the environment one can't help but think of all the pollution caused by the burning of fossils fuels.

Hanzalek says "When you think about it almost everything has a carbon footprint, from the apple you buy at the grocery store to that long haul flight to Thailand. Almost everything we do and consume is linked to fossil fuels in one way or another." Martin Hanzalek shows us several of the new 2012 electric scooter models and explains some of the new technologies "Electric technologies have come a long way in the last few years. Now you can buy electric cars that rival their gasoline models, ride electric trains, enjoy ebike scooters, and even ride electric motorcycles that go up to 180kph, all on clean green electricity."

It's true that electric power is not always clean. You can create electricity through burning coal or running a gasoline generator, but Martin Hanzalek quickly poits out that you can also create it from wind, solar, tidal, geothermal, and other natural and renewable resources. You're free to choose where it comes from, and most of the time a little goes a long way.

Some of the newest technologies are really great at taking you far for not much input. Some ebikes can now take you up to 100km on just pennies of electricity. That is pretty impressive when you consider the cost of gasoline these days (and we're not just talking financial cost, but also health, environmental, and political implications).

We got a chance to test drive a new Ebike in at the Newfoundland Electric Bike store that is truly in a world of it's own. It's called "The Sprinter" and it's designed and made by a Canadian Company called Electrowheels . Hanzalek says "When we got our first 2012 electric bicycle models in this fall everyone at the Ebike shop was blown away at how solid, nimble, and powerful this new generation of Ebike is (not to mention fun). The new generation of battery, controller, and motor made the bike perform like no other we had ever seen."

Martin Hanzalek's Ebike technician Jonah gave us a demonstration on some of the steeper hills in St. John's. Watching Jonah glide effortlessly up and down the steepest of hills in St. John's really reaffirmed out faith in this new technology. I could see that things were progressing and changing in the world of electric transport at a much faster pace than any of us had imagined. In a town where the roads are dominated by gas guzzling giants, the Sprinter fit right in, keeping up with traffic and defiantly climbing the steep hills of St. John's. It was as if it were saying "take a look at me, I can do everything you can do, but I do it without burning fuel". It instantly made me smile and made me look at city transport in a brand new way.

Very Easy Rider : an electric bike adventure

Our author muscles up to pal Harley Dave astride a Daymak electric bike. — Photos by Rick Barnes/Special to The Telegram
Published on August 17, 2011
Rick Barnes
Special to The Telegram
Topics : Honda 50 , Beach Boys , Harley-Davidson , Prescott , Signal Hill , Waterford Valley
It’s spooky, being on a two-wheeled transport that makes only a humming sound and requires no physical effort to keep up with late afternoon downtown St. John’s traffic. It gives the operator freedom to gawk around, and that’s what many of the adventurers who seek out Jasmine Kean’s Newfoundland Electric Bikes (www.nlebike.com) want to do — rent an electric bike and spend an afternoon taking in the sights around our old harbour town.
Kean, musician and folklorist-cum-entrepreneur, and her partner, Martin Hanzalek, have been selling and renting electric bikes from their storefront at the east corner of Prescott and Water since May. Kean let me take one of her scooters for a spin — despite the dreary weather, there weren’t many models left on the floor.
“Some of our busiest days have been days like this,” says Kean. Many of her rental customers want to take a ride around Quidi Vidi, Signal Hill, or Cape Spear — without sweating the hills. “Especially, like, husband and wife teams, or boyfriend and girlfriend teams, they seem to come as tourists, rent a couple, go around and look around … I’d say most of our customers are between 40 and 50 for sure. That seems to be the generation that we are renting to right now.”
The Grand Banks RDF machine is working overtime to protect us from the dammed UV rays, so I head west to the shelter of the Waterford Valley. My little Daymak scooter, known locally as the “Avalon Special”, closely resembles the Torino model available on the mainland — but a vehicle called Avalon Special seems much more appropriate for humming through the chilly mist. The Avalon is a 500-watt hybrid outfitted with bicycle pedals and it easily hauls along my 72 kg bulk at 30 km/h.
Daymak is a hot Canadian company founded in 2001 by award-winning entrepreneur Yeg Baiocchi. According to the company website, Baiocchi, while searching for a gift for her daughter, realized there was a market for electric scooters in Canada and her company now produces a line of electric two-wheel vehicles, as well as “mobility scooters” and golf carts that utilize the super efficient Daymak Drive system.
The suspension on my bike is loose for my taste, making the ride bouncy in places, but the tires are wide enough to roll over the usual edge of street obstacles, like recessed storm drains and the wrinkled asphalt that hugs the curbs of Waterford Bridge Road. The brakes are effective, but you might want to keep in mind the right hand lever is for the front wheel — like a motorcycle. Your feet are freed up to use the bicycle-type pedals, so the rear wheel brake is operated by the left handlebar lever. This makes sense, but when pedalling bicycle style, I tend to think and feel bicycle, making the handlebar brakes reverse to the standard bicycle configuration. You need to use both, and it wasn’t a problem on the dry or damp pavement I encountered, but at one point I managed to lock up the front wheel in a bit of loose gravel, and it skidded, so that kicked up my heart rate a bit.
I keep to the right of the west bound lanes and the downtown traffic is patient with me. I behave as a cyclist more than a motorcyclist, even taking to the empty sidewalk on a couple of occasions to dodge parked cars, avoiding swerving too far into traffic and slowing the flow. The rear-view mirrors on my model are swept upward, and it is sometimes tricky to get a fix on traffic overtaking me. The mirrors are, however, outfitted with speakers and a sound system so you can take your favourite tunes with you when you go for a spin.
The Avalon doesn’t have a speedometer. There are a set of four LEDs, all lit, indicating full battery charge. The bench seat is comfortable, the twist grip throttle feels familiar, I have head and tail lights, horn and directional signals that have an accompanying audible beep — I guess so you won’t forget to turn them off. The bike is turned on with a key, and there is a sophisticated locking and (very loud) alarm system.
The underbone style reminds me of the venerable Honda 50 — the best-selling vehicle in history. The 50 cc Honda was celebrated in 1964 by Mike Wilson and the screeching Beach Boys with, “Little Honda.” Who could forget that catchy tune, “ … it’s not a big motorcycle, just a groovy little motorbike,” etc. It went right to No. 1 in Sweden. But that was a time when gas was cheap and we had fresh air to burn; the vehicles of the future may be more like Kean’s little “hummer.”
In a few minutes, I reach Dodge City on Topsail Road and whiz by a line of traffic waiting to turn left onto Dunn’s Lane. I make the left turn before the light change, roll over the bridge and head west on Park Avenue toward the house of my biker buddy, Dave.
It is difficult to equate the Avalon’s power rating of 500 watts into more familiar terms. In this part of the world, we are used to rating our vehicles in terms of engine displacement and horsepower. My buddy Dave’s 102-cubic-inch Harley-Davidson, for example, may deliver 65 hp (on a good day) and the aforementioned iconic Honda 50 of the 1960s put out less than 4 hp.
The Avalon Special is driven by an electric motor powered by an old-fashioned rechargeable 48-volt lead-acid battery. There is no fuel consumed — no displacement to rate. The 500-watt power rating might work out to .5 hp — similar to a Maytag washer. But yet, it easily hums along with me on board.
When I release the twist throttle and start pedaling bicycle style, the effect — although not immediate — is impressive. After eight-10 pedal cranks, I feel a surge of power from the rear wheel drive motor and the bike lunges forward. Cranking the pedals takes little effort, so it seems like I am getting extra power for nothing. The pedals are mounted low on the frame and when a pedal reaches its lowest point of travel it’s very close to the pavement and sometimes bumps the ground on a turn.
Dave’s first reaction to the sight of my electric iron in his Harley-worn driveway is laughter — of the derisive kind, I believe. But, as always, his curiosity about machines gets the better of him and he accompanies me on his Harley for a little turn around the Pearl. But Dave is not laughing when I silently pull away from the stop sign at the end of his street — well, maybe he is. I can’t see him in my mirror. Dave tells me I’m doing about 32 km/h when he rumbles up alongside me on Ruth Avenue.
It soon becomes clear, however, the Avalon Special is getting all the attention. The pointing and head-turning is all about my ride. No one asks Dave where he got his shiny copper-coloured Harley, but one young woman does stick her head out her car window to ask me where she can rent an Avalon.
RNC Sgt. Paul Murphy, head of traffic services for the Northeast Avalon, says the electric bikes have generated a lot of queries to his department, too. No complaints or scrapes, mind you, just people curious about the appearance of motorized bikes without licence plates.
“You don’t have to register them but they should still behave like a vehicle,” says Murphy. “They should stay in a traffic lane same as a motor vehicle would and use their indicators to change direction, stop for all lights … obey crosswalks, stop to let pedestrians cross. They won’t break any speed limits, so we don’t have to worry about that.”
Dave is not about to trade in his Milwaukee for an Avalon, but he suggests, because the bikes are light and fuel-free, it would be neat to have a couple tucked away in an RV for exploring. After I’m done upstaging Harley Dave, we head off in different directions — Dave with his twitching v-twin power plant dancing around as if trying to escape the confines of its frame, and me, humming up Commonwealth Avenue to head east on Topsail, effortlessly and emission-free.
I covered about 24 km and climbed a couple of good hills on my circuit out to the Pearl and back, and it was a terrific ride. The only anxious moments on the trip were a few seconds on Military Road near the top of Garrison, when a Metrobus overtaking me confined me to a narrower than comfortable corridor between its hind wheels and the curb.
When I park the bike at Kean’s shop, I am astounded to discover the battery display still indicates full charge! The battery is not depleted, and I don’t feel as if I physically contributed to the trip at all, so where is the energy coming from? Is there a dynamo humming in the mysterious Daymak Drive?
But before you make an Avalon hum, Murphy, 28-year veteran of the RNC and a cyclist himself, advises electric bicycle riders to ensure their helmets fit properly and recommends they take some time to familiarize themselves with the bikes before they hit the road. And he has advice for operators of more conventional vehicles, too:
“People on two wheel vehicles have a right to be on the roadways, too. The Highway Traffic Act says they do. And we have to learn how to live on the streets together. … A lot of people these days, they’re always in a hurry … that’s no good. You have to drive carefully and drive with patience. Watch out for everyone else.”

copyright 2011 Martin Hanzalek

Martin Hanzalek

2011-09-14T02:27:00.000-07:00

Visit the
Martin Hanzalek homepage for the latest in alternative transportation solutions, Electeic bikes and scooters, Electeic Skateboards, and Newfoundland Adventure information.

Untitled

2011-07-26T14:17:00.001-07:00

The Electric Honda Ruckus is now in stock and available at Newfoundland Electric Bike

Newfoundland Electric Bike Conpany http://www.nlebike.com

Untitled

2011-07-26T14:17:00.000-07:00

The Electric Honda Ruckus is now in stock and available at Newfoundland Electric Bike

Newfoundland Electric Bike Conpany http://www.nlebike.com

Scooter rental st john's

2011-07-12T12:56:00.003-07:00

Newfoundland Electric Bike Conpany http://www.nlebike.com

Newfoundland Electric Bike company offers St. John's Scooter Retal and sales from their downtown St. John's location. See what others are saying:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW2_eQEThf0

Location:Duckworth St,St John's,Canada

Scooter rental st john's

2011-07-12T12:56:00.001-07:00

Location:Duckworth St,St John's,Canada

Untitled

2011-07-10T20:15:00.003-07:00

Newfoundland Electric Bike Conpany http://www.nlebike.comhttp://3tka.zapd.co/

Check out our zap blog!

Location:Zap

Untitled

2011-07-10T20:15:00.001-07:00

Newfoundland Electric Bike Conpany http://www.nlebike.comhttp://3tka.zapd.co/

Check out our zap blog!

Location:Zap

Quidi Vidi Ebike St. John's Newfoundland

2011-07-10T18:44:00.003-07:00

Newfoundland Electric Bike Conpany http://www.nlebike.cth

The Quidi Vidi cruiser Electric scooter will take you where you want to be.

Location:Quidi Vidi

Quidi Vidi Ebike St. John's Newfoundland

2011-07-10T18:44:00.001-07:00

Newfoundland Electric Bike Conpany http://www.nlebike.cth

The Quidi Vidi cruiser Electric scooter will take you where you want to be.

Location:Quidi Vidi

Buy Ebike Online Canada

2011-07-09T10:21:00.003-07:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Buy Ebike online Canada from the Newfoundland Electric Bike company and get free shipping in Canada on all orders through out website (showroom sales are pick-up only). With over 40 electric bikes and scooters to choose from on the Ebike website, now you can Buy Electeic scooter online from a canadian company in Canada that stands behind it's product, answers it's phone, and ships for free coast to coast. Call 709-763-7433 or visit the Newfoundland Ebike shop downtown St. John's.

Buy Ebike Online Canada

2011-07-09T10:21:00.001-07:00

St. John's Newfoundland

2011-07-08T12:01:00.003-07:00

ReBike rentals are available from the Newfoundland Electric Bike company downtown St. John's on the corner of Prescott and Water street. You can choose from 27 different electric bikes and scooter models that fall into three categories: traditional Electeic mountain bike models, Electeic Scooter ebikes, and Canadian ebikes

All parts we use to make our ebikes are the latest technologies from Asia, the electric bikes are designed in Canada, and built right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

rated as one of the top ten experiences in
St. John's by the St. John's city tour guide

Open daily from 10am to 9pm on the corner of Ptescott and Water street downtown St. John's. Call 709.763.7433 for more information.

Location:Bike Rental St. John's

St. John's Newfoundland

2011-07-08T12:01:00.001-07:00

rated as one of the top ten experiences in
St. John's by the St. John's city tour guide

Open daily from 10am to 9pm on the corner of Ptescott and Water street downtown St. John's. Call 709.763.7433 for more information.

Location:Bike Rental St. John's

Buy Electric Bike Canada

2011-07-07T09:57:00.003-07:00

Trout and Salmon fishing with an Electeic bike in Newfoundland males it easy to get to your favorite fishing hole in an Eco friendly and inexpensive way.

You can rent electric bike and scooter models from Newfoundland Ebike for just $25 or you can buy ebikes online or at their shop on the corner of Prescott and water street. Call 709-763-7434 for more info.

Location:Torbay Rd,St John's,Canada

Buy Electric Bike Canada

2011-07-07T09:57:00.001-07:00

Location:Torbay Rd,St John's,Canada

Newfoundland Salmon Fishing Canoe Expedition

2010-06-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

My Newfoundland Adventures is the only company in Newfoundland that offers full Salmon Fishing and Canoe Expeditions. There is nothing more Canadian than Salmon Fishing from a canoe, and the Humber Valley offers ample opportunities for angling from a Canadian Canoe.

Newfoundland Salmon Fishing can be best experienced in Western Newfoundland, where the fishing is typically better than anywhere else on the Island. With over 25 prime rivers in a small vicinity, it is easy to get a river to yourself, especially if you have a canoe at your disposal to get you further into the wilderness.

My Newfoundland Adventures, located at the base of Marble Mountain, is located in the middle of Newfoundland Salmon Fishing hot spot. They offer everything from a Fly-Fishing Casting School,. Helicopter Fishing, Ocean Fishing Tours, and Overnight Salmon Lodge Stays. You can also select from a number of classic Salmon Fishing day trips, like the Salmon Fishing Introduction, Salmon Hunter, and Salmon Elite Tour. Newfoundland Salmon Fishing tours rival any other fishing tour on the planet - you are guaranteed to see fish, and some people are snagging 6 or 7 salmon in a half day tour!

Newfoundland Salmon Fishing Tours

2010-04-06T18:08:00.000-07:00

Newfoundland Fishing Regulations

The Newfoundland fishing regulations are strictly enforced with virtually every river

being stealthfully patrolled. Typical fines average $1000 for each illegally caught fish AND forfeit of vehicles and gear used to transport you to the location and catch the fish. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans coupled with the Inland Fish and Wildlife Division of the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods develop and enforce recreational fishing regulations in Newfoundland and Labrador. Below is a summary of the most pertinent and enforced regulations.

All non-residents are required to obtain a salmon license to fish on scheduled salmon waters. Non-residents who retain brook trout while fishing on a scheduled salmon river/stream are required to be in possession of a valid non-resident trout license. In addition, non-residents who fish for brook trout, on both scheduled and unscheduled waters (lakes, ponds or trout streams) are required to hold a non-resident license.

Time

Anglers may start fishing 1 hours prior to civil sunrise and must finish fishing 1 hour after sunset.

Legal and Illegal Gear

A salmon may only be angled by hook and line. The hook has to be a non-weighted artificial fly with a single hook. Bait, metal lures, and double and triple pronged hooks are prohibited. Beginning in 1999, only barbless hooks may be used for angling on all scheduled salmon waters in Newfoundland and Labrador. You may bend down the barb of a hook to make it legal or "effectively barbless".

There are virtually no restrictions on trout fishing on non-salmon waters other than bag limits. Trout may be fished with bait and/or artificial lures on non-scheduled lakes, streams, and ponds.

Non-Resident Guide Requirements

On the Island of Newfoundland Non-residents shall not fish on any

scheduled waters (salmon waters) unless accompanied by a salmon fishing tour licensed guide or a direct relative who is a resident of the province. Unscheduled waters (non-salmon producing lakes, ponds, and streams): Within 800 meters of a provincial highway, non-residents may fish unaccompanied on unscheduled water. Beyond 800 meters of a provincial highway, non-residents may not fish unless accompanied by a licensed guide or a direct relative who is a resident of the province. Bag Limits and Catch and Release Limits
NOTE: ALL SALMON OVER 63cm (24.75 inches) MUST BE RELEASED
Daily - Bag Limit
Two fish on Class I, II and III rivers.
No fish on Class IV rivers.

Daily - Catch -and -Release Limit
Four fish on Class I, II and III rivers.
Two fish on Class IV rivers.
Four fish in the fall catch-and release fisheries on the Gander River and the Humber River.

Field Possession Limit
Twice the daily bag limit.

Season - Retained
Class I Rivers: On the Humber River only the season retention limit is 6 salmon. Four fish on the Gander and Exploits. Tags numbered 1 - 6 may be used.
Class II Rivers: Four fish. Only tags numbered 1 - 4 may be used.
Class III Rivers: Two fish. Only tags 1 - 2 may be used.
Class IV Rivers: No fish may be retained on Class IV rivers; catch-and-release angling only is permitted. (Tags numbered 1 to 7 are valid for catch-and-release angling.)

Rivers are classified by the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans based on the strength of the salmon run.

Class I - For the Humber River (on this river only) the season retention limit will be 6 salmon. The Gander and Exploits river has a season limit of 4 salmon. The daily catch and release limit is 4. Class 1 rivers will not be closed to angling as a result of environmental conditions such as low water levels and high water temperatures. The Lower Humber and Gander River will have a fall fishery for trophy salmon which closes in October.

Class II - Approximately 130 rivers with healthy numbers where the season
retention limit will be 4 fish. The daily catch and release limit is 4. Class II rivers will be closed to angling if water levels are low and water temperatures exceed 22⁰C

Class III - Rivers where there are conservation concerns where the season retention limit will be 2 fish. The daily catch and release limit is 4. Class III rivers will be closed to angling if water levels are low and water temperatures exceed 22⁰C.

Class IV- Rivers which are either closed to angling entirely, or where the only fishing effort allowed will be catch and release. Where catch and release fishing is allowed, the daily catch and release bag limit will be 2 fish. Class IV rivers will be closed to all angling when water temperatures exceed 18⁰C.

Humber Valley Resort

2010-03-26T07:40:00.000-07:00

Friday, March 19, 2010

Western Star - Resort can still lead the economic charge

CORNER BROOK
GARY KEAN
The Western Star

Resort can still lead the economic charge: professor

A business professor at Memorial University says the original allure which made Humber Valley Resort attractive is still intact and the development can continue to be a hallmark component of the regional economy.

The troubled resort has emerged from bankruptcy under the ownership of a consortium led by local residents Katie and Graham Watton and Gary Oke.

Tom Cooper, assistant professor of strategy at Memorial’s School of Business, was in the Corner Brook area when the new ownership was announced last week and said the news was obviously the talk of the town.

More importantly, Cooper said the announcement can mark the beginning of a brighter chapter for the property since the risks of operating a resort are different than those of breaking ground and developing it.

The new proprietors need to concentrate on positive cash flow and effective marketing, according to Cooper.

“I think Humber Valley still has a good reputation in the province,” he said. “It’s now a matter of taking more of a longer-term view and making sure they run it like a business, rather than how quickly can we get these chalets up and get money back to our investors.”

It is common for resort developments to change ownership hands before they get off the ground, agreed Cooper, but they don’t usually spiral into bankruptcy like Humber Valley Resort did.

“For the new owners, though, this was an opportunity because they were probably able to get it at a reduced cost than if they had bought it from the original developers,” said Cooper.

The Western Star has not been able to confirm how much the resort’s assets were sold for, though it is believed to have been less than what was required to reimburse the millions of dollars owed to all of the project’s creditors.

“The interesting thing is, whenever I speak to other developers, they always point to Humber Valley as a success,” said Cooper.

“It as the first big resort of its kind to be done, it was marketed to Europeans and it was done in a professional way. Just the fact it was done was a success. The question now is can the new owners make it a success as a day-to-day operational resort?”

Having local ownership is a crucially positive component of the new approach, said Cooper. So is having someone, like Oke, who has a solid understanding of the golf industry.

“Whenever you’re managing something like this, it’s mostly about how you generate cash flow to keep things maintained and up to standard,” commented Cooper. “Humber Valley should always be a high quality experience, given its location and the amenities invested in it. But you still have to make sure the maintenance is there and it is well staffed and has good management.”

Prior to bankruptcy, major hotel franchise Marriott confirmed it was interested in the Humber Valley area.

The new owners have indicated they will be looking into the possibility of establishing a hotel at the resort, which some have said would be an integral piece if the resort is to fulfill the vision of being a major international vacation destination.

Landing a high-profile brand such as Marriott would be a positive move, said Cooper, in that it would lure travellers to the region and would create economic spin-offs.

One thing Cooper does not want to see is a plethora of resort-style developments inundating the area.

“I think creditors — banks and investors — may be a bit cautious, given what’s happened in the past, but I think entrepreneurs can still see some real benefits that will accrue,” said Cooper.

“The question is how much development can the west coast of Newfoundland sustain in terms of the number of resorts? ... That competitive advantage could be lost if there is resort after resort after resort.”

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Press release from the Humber Valley Resort consortium

(Presented by Katie Watton at the HVR Club House on 12th March 2010)

PRESS RELEASE HUMBER VALLEY RESORT

Noton Enterprises Limited, a numbered company, 61839 Newfoundland and Labrador Limited, and Oke Consultants Limited, all locally owned companies, have formed a joint venture partnership and have purchased the assets of Humber Valley Resort. The new owners intend to operate and manage the Resort under a new corporate entity: Humber Valley Resort Corporation (2010). I, Katie Watton, will be the Public Relations Director, Gary Oke the Managing Director of Operations and Graham Watton, Q.C., General Counsel looking after all corporate and legal matters.

We will be focusing on making that which is already on site work properly so that the Resort can become the success it already has the potential to be. First let me state that Humber Valley Resort is one of the best things that has happened to the West Coast of this beautiful Province. The vision was and still is spectacular, unfortunately the execution was less so, but that is the past. We have to put the past behind us and move forward. All that the Humber Valley and the West Coast has to offer is still here and that hasn’t changed - the scenic beauty and renowned hospitality which attracted people to come here in the first place remains. We intend to promote and develop Humber Valley Resort as a 4 season Resort Destination.

We do not intend to move away from the Resort concept. However, we are confident that by combining permanent residents and seasonal and holiday residents we will attain the best of both worlds and a perfect balance.

A major concern for many of the successful resorts in Western Canada - Fernie, Panorama, Golden, Radium Hot Springs, Kimberly and the like is that chalets are sold exclusively as second or vacation homes and the resorts become desolate ghost towns in the off season.

These resorts are now moving to a mixed residency, both permanent and seasonal residents, and we are convinced that by using this approach we will avoid these “down periods” and maintain the Resort’s vibrancy.

Some of the Humber Valley Resort’s permanent residents are former vacationers who fell in love with our community, the people, the scenery, our warmth, culture and our way of life.

People from all over the world call Humber Valley Resort their home. For some, it is a vacation retreat, and for others it is a permanent residence. As a resident of Humber Valley Resort your neighbours are from all over the world - England, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, various other places throughout Europe, various parts of Canada and Newfoundland. An exciting and stimulating mix of ideas and cultures.

We will shortly be meeting with the chalet homeowners association to work out and arrange a smooth transition and takeover of the operation, management and provision of all of the essential services to the Resort. A lot of work has to be performed to improve and upgrade the existing services, the roads, the communications, etc. We will start immediately.

With our very capable team which we will shortly be putting into place and under the supervision of our capable Managing Director, Gary Oke, we will get the Resort’s Golf Course in shape as one of the best golf courses in Canada. The Resort and the golf course, which is an 18 hole, Par 72 championship golf course, has won some excellent awards in the past - Humber Valley River Golf Course voted “Canada’s Best New Course 2007" - voted Worldwide Resort of the Year 2006 and 2007 - Best New Canadian Course, 3^rd place - Best New International Course. Under the capable management of Gary Oke we intend to win further awards for the Humber River Golf Course and the Humber Valley Resort.

The cost of the green fees will be reasonable - we intend to attract more members, visitors, golfers and tourists, who hopefully will come for several days - possibly weeks - and stay at the chalets at the Resort and vacation throughout Western Newfoundland and the Northern Peninsula, bringing economic benefit throughout the region.

Maintenance and rental of some of the chalets are presently being serviced and rented by a number of rental and management companies, including some owners themselves. We will shortly meet with these firms and individuals and the chalet homeowners association. We will consult with the chalet homeowners association and will have discussions with all of the interested parties with respect to the various property maintenance and rental management scenarios which are available and what would be in the best interests of the chalet owners, Humber Valley Resort and the people visiting and staying at the beautiful chalets in Humber Valley Resort.

We will also shortly be working towards getting the Eagles Perch Club House building up and running and available for special events, meetings, conventions, weddings, and the opening of the Dining room, the bar, and the golf shop. We have plans to provide themed events at the Eagles Perch at various times of the year and to providing seminars and weekends to include culinary instruction, wellness and personal development, and golfing seminars, etc. Within a short period of time we will be creating between 30-40 new jobs.

With the purchase of the Resort assets, the new owners have also purchased all of the intellectual property, copyright, trademarks of Humber Valley Resort. Humber Valley Resort has also in the past been honoured with 3 substantial website awards. The Resort also took top honours at the Silver Spider Web Awards. Humber Valley Resort walked away with awards for both site promotion and best overall site. We will be updating the website of Humber Valley Resort.

We will be giving serious consideration to a 4 star hotel in the Resort’s future plans, and incorporating and taking advantage of the Provincial Government’s Incentive Tax Credit Program. We are well aware of the recent announcement and the various comments concerning the proposed Resort developments in the Steady Brook area and we wish the developers every success.

However, we strongly believe there is room in the Humber Valley Resort for a 4 star hotel-condominium complex. We have the location, the infrastructure, the international world class golf course and the spectacular

Eagles Perch Club House, its Dining and conference facilities, meeting and banquet rooms and available lands adjacent to Eagles Perch which can accommodate the construction of a 4 star hotel-condominium complex.

We are not making any big promises, however, we do realize that to take advantage of the Provincial Government Incentive Tax Credit Program, we will have to make a decision on the 4 star hotel-condominium complex within the next 12-18 months.

We will consult with all stakeholders and keep them informed - the chalet homeowners association - the chalet owners - the Provincial Government - the Department of Tourism - Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador - the various municipal councils throughout the Humber Valley region, Western Newfoundland and Northern Peninsula.

We intend to provide the chalet owners association, the chalet owners, all of the stakeholders, and the public with thorough and honest communication in all aspects of the Resort’s operation to instill confidence and trust in the Resort and its new owners.

Our goal is to get the Resort and golf course back into operation and further develop and promote the Resort as a four season Destination and an upscale residential community.

We have had an opportunity to recently review the Provincial Government’s long-term vision and plan which was released last February, titled Uncommon Potential - A Vision for Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism”, which provides a framework to guide both the Provincial Government and their industry partners as we all work together to advance tourism in Newfoundland and Labrador through to 2020.

As the Premier said in his message and opening remarks in the Plan:

“As residents, we know our province is a special place, unlike any other. Similarly, we recognize that the opportunities and challenges we face are unique to Newfoundland and Labrador. This plan is designed to address the challenges and make the most of our competitive advantage in the global tourism marketplace - the fact that we offer unique travel experiences to visitors interested in taking an exciting adventure off the beaten track.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, surprises wait around every corner and the possibilities are endless - hiking the stunning coastlines, attending festivals celebrating everything from blueberries to squid, experiencing our rich and vibrant culture and heritage, witnessing natural wonders such as whales and icebergs, and meeting strangers who quickly become friends. Living here, it is sometimes easy to lose sight of the fact that these are, indeed, “uncommon” experiences.”

I would also like to refer to another couple of paragraphs noted in the Plan under the heading of Transportation Strategy to Grow Our Industry:

“For Newfoundland and Labrador, there’s no such thing as an accidental tourist. It takes deliberate planning and determined effort to visit here.

The transportation issues facing tourism in Newfoundland and Labrador are well understood and frequently articulated among industry stakeholders. In short, travel to, from, and around the province, whether by sea, air, or road is constrained by issues of affordability, capacity, infrastructure, and quality.

To compete effectively in an increasingly aggressive global market, we need the ability to bring travellers to the province in an easy, cost-effective, and pleasurable manner - by sea, by air, and by land. There is an immediate requirement for improved, affordable, and efficient access to and within the province. It’s the most critical element to stimulate inbound tourism. And it will have considerable influence on our industry over the next decade.

Access by Air. Air passenger travel accounts for approximately two-thirds of non-resident visits each year. Our response to strategic transport challenges identified in the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s ‘Air Access Strategy’ and through other forums is vital to the future success of our industry.”

We will work with the Provincial Government, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, and all of the stakeholders in promoting Humber Valley Resort and our beautiful province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The total annual budget being spend by the Provincial Government for tourism marketing is now 13 Million (from 6 Million in 2003). The tourism industry contributed almost 850 Million to the provincial economy in 2008, up from 790 million in 2007.

The Provincial Government is very committed and is doing an excellent job in marketing Newfoundland and Labrador nationally and internationally. The Provincial Government’s campaign continues to fulfill their main objective - promoting Newfoundland and Labrador as a Destination of Choice. As recently as February 1 of this year in New York City, Newfoundland and Labrador’s “Find Yourself Home” television campaign which was developed in collaboration with Target Marketing and Communications Inc., was awarded platinum honours at the Adrean Awards Gala. (I would further note that only 20 platinum winners were named from more than 1,100 entrants during the award ceremony.

Humber Valley Resort, the chalet owners, Humber Valley and Western Newfoundland will all benefit as a result of the tourism marketing on the part of the Provincial Government. We all have to play our role. We are all ambassadors on behalf of the Province. We want all of the public to know, people throughout Humber Valley, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, throughout Canada, the United States, Europe, nationally and internationally, that we are open for business - the security gate is not a barrier - the staff are there to welcome you - come visit us - play on our international golf course - fish in our world class salmon river, the Humber River - enjoy our cuisine, interact with the local residents - stay in the beautiful chalets on the Resort - take in the spectacular views of the Valley - experience our culture, our ideas, our way of life - do what I did. I came here 35 years ago from London, England, for the experience, for a 3 month period, and here I am 35 years later. I stayed for the lifestyle.

And that is our vision - “Come For The Experience, Stay For The Lifestyle”.

Thank you.

2008-02-23T06:45:00.000-08:00

SNOW KITING - My Newfoundland Adventures in Gros Morne National Park

2007-11-25T06:52:00.000-08:00

CANYONING WITH PAUL SHELLEY - My Newfoundland Adventures / Humber Valley Resort

2007-11-25T06:50:00.000-08:00

My Newfoundland Adventures

2007-11-25T06:49:00.000-08:00

http://youtube.com/watch?v=aKT_QoEzi3A

2007-11-17T13:44:00.000-08:00

2007-05-21T13:55:00.000-07:00

Another season of RIVER RAFTING, ROCK CLIMBING, WHALE WATCHING, LOBSTER EATING, SALMON FISHING, and just general PLAYING OUTSIDE is just around along the corner, and with it comes some really exciting things to see and do - like the all new KITE BUGGY ADVENTURES or SCUBA DIVING

Newfoundland Tours

Newfoundland Day Trip Blog

2007-05-16T20:38:00.000-07:00

Snowkiting in Newfoundland has to be the most amazing experience I we have ever had in our entire life. The guides were fantastic, and I couldn't believe how easy it was to put everything together after a day of instruction.

Snow Kiting - http://www.mynewfoundland.ca

Humber Valley Resort, Newfoundland CANADA

2007-04-02T08:45:00.000-07:00

Humber Valley Resort is proud to offer over 40 distinct adventure tours and family day trips through My Newfoundland Adventures.

To find out more about what to see and do during your next Newfoundland Family Vacation, check out the My Newfoundland Adventures web site at http://www.mynewfoundland.ca

www.mynewfoundland.ca