Indigenous Business to Launch Illuminated Kayaking Experience in Fredericton
FREDERICTON – Wolastoq Adventures will soon be launching its illuminated kayaking services in Fredericton and Oromocto. Aspen Bear, owner of Wolastoq Adventures, says that she is beyond excited to launch the business on June 16th.
Wolastoq Adventures is an Indigenous-based company that offers the Fredericton and Oromocto area the chance to adventure out on an illuminated, completely clear kayak. Providing people with an unreal experience, it really is like none other.
“It’s an Indigenous-based business as well because I do traditional tours,” Bear tells Huddle. “I thought it was really important to like, you know, combine innovation, fun, and culture.”
Bear claims Wolastoq Adventures is Atlantic Canada’s first illuminated kayaking experience. They do bookings online by the hour or for a whole day, and bring the kayaks directly to the renters rather than the renter picking them up.
“I wanted to kind of reduce the barriers for people who have no access to transportation and stuff like that,” says Bear.
Bear says that they have four clear kayaks available to rent in either double or single seat kayaks. Each of these include waterproof, colour changing, LED lights that are wrapped around the inside of the kayaks, as well as a waterproof Bluetooth speaker to make the experience even more enjoyable.
Along with this, the transparent kayaks that Wolastoq Adventures provides are much more difficult to tip than a typical kayak, so there’s no need to stress. Bear says that their kayaks are both wider and flatter than what people may be used to, making them much more stable when on the water.
“I mean, there’s still a chance that you can tip over, it is still a kayak, but it’s a lot more stable than a regular kayak,” she says.
This summer, Bear says that Wolastoq Adventures will be present at A Taste of the Atlantic in Fredericton. Bear also says that they are planning on going to the Powwows around the area, but will have to make that decision closer to the dates of.
In the upcoming summer months, Bear says that they are planning to add some more kayaks and other services to Wolastoq Adventures. One of the ideas in which she mentioned was transparent, light up paddle boards.
“Maybe [we will] just add more boats to our business here rather than expanding into different parts [of the province],” Bear tells Huddle when she was asked about expanding the company around the province.
With their opening date fast approaching, Wolastoq Adventures is excited to share this experience with everyone. Bookings can be done online on their website, but are filling up quick for evenings and after dark to get the full effect of the LED lights.
Ryley Roach is a Huddle student intern, based in Fredericton. Send her your feedback and story ideas: [email protected]