Passion for canoeing transcends the ages
By Victoria Wells
It was a special moment for canoeing enthusiast George Luste.
After announcing his latest paddling trip at the dinner table one night, he was touched to hear his then 14-year-old daughter offer to accompany him.
“Tija said, ‘I’m not very strong, but I’d like to go.’ So, the two of us did the trip. [I have some] wonderful memories of canoeing together,” he said. “That was really special.”
Luste, a physics professor at the University of Toronto and a wilderness devotee, has been paddling across Canada since 1963. He shared photos and memories of his more than 40 canoe trips at the S. Walter Stewart library Thursday, Sept. 23. The talk was presented as an event for the Outing Club of East York.
Many of Luste’s trips were undertaken with his family in tow, and he said the expeditions gave them a chance to bond.
The family’s experience of connecting to each other through the outdoors is one shared by the East York outing club. Lucy Perri, vice-president of the group, said activities like hiking, cycling, canoeing or skiing are great ways to make social connections. She sees the effects in the members of the club.
“If you go on a trip, everyone looks after each other,” Perri said. “There’s so much friendship.”
In the case of Luste and his family, canoeing trips became an important part of their shared history.
Luste’s wife, Linda, was introduced to canoeing by her husband. She said her family thinks of their trips with great fondness, even though the expeditions weren’t always completely pleasant.
“I remember one night with the four kids, I heard, ‘Mom, Debbie threw up in the tent!’ And then, here I am, cleaning the tent, telling them, ‘You have to get back in there. I don’t care if it smells!’” she said, laughing.
Such moments are remembered by the Luste children, now all grown up with kids of their own.
“Whenever they get together now, [the trips are] what they talk about. It was a nice family experience,” she said.
The tradition continues as Luste introduces his grandchildren to canoeing. He takes them on quieter daytrips, such as paddling on the Don River.
Canoeing has been a part of Luste’s life since he discovered the sport in 1963. He fell in love with canoeing at 23 on his first trip along the Abitibi River to James Bay.
Luste said he is thankful for finding the sport because of the connections he’s made.
“Canoeing has enriched my life,” he said. “I’ve met wonderful people on my trips. I’m very grateful for that.”
It’s a sentiment shared by Perri and the other members of the East York outing club. Now over 450 members strong, the club brings people together for exercise and companionship, with different activities planned every weekend throughout the year.
“It’s a club I think will always be around,” Perri said. “There’s fun and fellowship. We’re one big, great family.”
Originally published in The East Toronto Observer, October 2, 2009
