When Artist and Baidarka Meet

September 20th, 2009

When Artist and Baidarka Meet

If you’re reading this, and you follow our blog or just stumbled upon it, we’re humbled and honored. And occasionally we’re contacted by one of you with a story of your own, perhaps one that relates to something we’ve posted.

This very thing happened recently, and we’re compelled to share some photos and art of Lee Robinsong of Victoria, BC, and his 28’ Dyson Baidarka. Read his post below… and be sure to visit his site to see his INCREDIBLE “Circulist Landscape” paintings. Truly World Class!!!

Hi Brandon & Heather,

I’ve followed your blog on the Mt. Fairweather project, and can totally relate to the spirit of adventure, the very nature and dream by which this historical icon was designed and built!

I also have a baidarka storage problem of my own, only the baidarka I have is only twenty eight foot. I’ve had the craft since 1981, and it’s spent most of it’s time on Cortes Island, where I mostly sailed and paddled her on my own. recently I moved her to Victoria, where she now languishes in a friend’s driveway, as waterfront / easy launch locations are hard to find, not to mention loading and unloading her of a vehicle.

She is a wonderful craft, and is #5 of the 6 built in the same Belcarra park workshop in 1977. I acquired her from Peter Johnson who was one of the builders and adventurers on the Alaska expedition. #5 is still sea worthy with the original skin and some of the original art work, downwind sail, and one of the original paddles…the other paddle was unfortunately lost at sea!

I wish you well with the Mt. Fairweather project and hope a suitable storage and display situation comes up. These are truly magnificent crafts with historical significance, and deserve to be preserved and displayed, not to mention the thrill of a good down wind surf and paddle.