Archive for the ‘Did you know’ Category
May 25Ancient Mi’Kmaw Culture Re-Emerges: June 20 & 21 at White Point
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on May 25th, 2013
May 21Surfs-Up…Get out and Try Surfing at White Point, Nova Scotia
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on May 21st, 2013
Learn to (or at least try) surfing in Nova Scotia this year!
At White Point, we are home to Rossignol Surf Shop - one of the few Shops that offer Surf Lessons in Nova Scotia. Cold water surfing is growing in popularity, check out thisnew video by NS Tourism on their facebook page.
Located at the Boathouse at the Resort, Jeff and his team have been offering lessons for many, many years. As wave riders from the area, they are well trained, experienced and passionate about sharing the sport of surfing. Really there is just no better way to experience the power and thrill of the Atlantic Surf than on a board!
Suit-up and get ready to ride!
Rossignol Surf Shop offers 2 hour Surf Lessons at White Point.
Lessons are available as follows for the 2013 season:
May 18 – end of June
Saturdays – morning and afternoon
July/August
Monday through Saturday- morning and afternoon
What will you learn?
You’ll be introduced the sport of surfing through land and water activities so that you have the basic information required to surf in a safe environment, with the appropriate gear. 
You will learn…
a) surf safety rules
b) gear
c) selecting a safe surf site
d) falling off, paddling and standing on a board
e) going over, around, through and under waves
Surf Lesson Requirements:
Surfing requires a significant level of skill and ability in the water. To ensure you are ready to take on the challenge, Rossignol Surf Shop suggests that you should be a competent swimmer already AND be in good physical condition. Due to the size of the boards and physical strength required to handle the equipment and the surf, participants should be at least 12 years old. Some additional questions you can ask yourself….
…Am I comfortable in and under the water and a fairly good swimmer?
…Eager to try new things and wondering if I can “Turtle” ?
…Ready to push my personal limits?
…Wondering how a wetsuit can keep you warm when you are in the Atlantic Ocean? (Can I even fit into one?)
…Ready to shout “Yes!” AND pump your arm when you catch your first wave?
…Am I ready to enjoy and support a fantastic “green sport”
Did you answer yes to most of these?? Then you are ready!
What’s included in your lesson?
- Wetsuit and learner surfboard are provided.
Please note: Registrants will be asked weight and height or clothing size for proper wetsuit fitting.
– Ratio of 1 instructor for 5 participants. Meet your instructors below.
How much are Lessons?
Each 2 hour lesson is $75 plus HST per person
Book your Lesson Now!
Book your Lessons directly with Rossignol Surf Shop either in advance of your arrival at White Point or at any point during your stay. Call 1.902.354.7100 or email ross.surf@ns.sympatico.ca.
Meet our Rossignol Surf Shop Instructors
Isaac Norman
Hi folks! My name is Isaac Norman and I am currently eighteen years old and have been a surfer since I was ten. I’ve just completed my undergraduate degree in kinesiology at Dalhousie University with hopes of working in the medical field. I remember when my dad first got me out in the water and helped me catch my first wave. Needless to say, I’ve been hooked on surfing since then. Over my youth, surfing became part of my life and through much practice I had the opportunity to represent Canada at numerous World Junior surfing games. Surfing has introduced me to many unforgettable experiences and has taken me places to compete like California, France and Portugal. I surf because every wave you catch gives you a different feeling of satisfaction and there is always room for improvement. My goals in surfing involve perfecting different manoeuvres and working on my style. Other than surfing I play soccer. I am a national certified life guard so you’re always safe with me in the water. It always gets me stoked to share the experience of someone standing up on their first wave. Hope to see you at White Point Beach Resort!
Wil Bagnell
“I started surfing five years ago, when I was twelve years old. In fact, the first time I surfed was at White Point, when I took a surf lesson. I was instantly hooked. I love surfing, it’s a sport that never gets boring no matter what happens, you’re always having a good time. So far, I have surfed in Barbados and Tofino, British Columbia. Every time I paddle out it’s whole new experience, whether you caught the biggest wave of your life, or you pulled a really cool trick, the experience is always fun and always changing. I’ve been around the ocean my entire life and I feel very comfortable out in the water. Since I was a young kid I have been interested in the outdoors and sports. Other sports and hobbies I am involved in, are wake boarding, fishing, soccer and volleyball. A goal in my life is to pursue a career in the medical field. My surfing goals are to always improve, compete in more competitions, surf around the world and push the limits of my skills by surfing even larger waves. Surfing has done a lot for me, it has helped to improve my fitness and it has given me something that I am truly passionate about and wish to pursue even further. I’m going to have a good time in the water, I know you will too! See you in the lesson!”
Andrew Crouse
Hi, my name is Andrew Crouse. I took my first surfing lesson when I was 14 at White Point Beach Resort. Over the next year, I became addicted to riding waves. I’m currently studying Kinesiology at Acadia University, with hopes of becoming an athletic trainer. I enjoy playing soccer, working out, and surfing. Surfing has helped me travel the world, and make many new friends along the way. I surf because there’s always a possibility that I’ll catch the best wave of my life. I look forward to teaching you about surfing equipment, surfing technique, and helping you catch the first of hopefully many waves!
Joining the team this summer as Junior Surf Instructors is Emma Norman and Chris Hatt.
Want to learn more about surfing in Nova Scotia?
Visit Surf Nova Scotia online at: http://www.surfns.com/
Experience winter surfing with CBC’s Land and Sea: http://www.cbc.ca/landandsea/2010/09/winter-surfing.html
Check-out the surf conditions: http://magicseaweed.com/Western-Head-Surf-Report/343/
Learn more about surfing around the globe: http://www..surfrider.org/
Surf writer Chris Nelson was in NS researching his book and features other cold water places such as Scotland, Iceland, Northeast England, West Coast USA, etc. http://view.vcab.com/?vcabid=gjrSegnagScjajlc
See you on the beach!
February 24Caution: Kids Zone Ahead…March Break at WP!
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on February 24th, 2013
Indeed White Point is a haven for kids on March Break – heck those 6 years and under eat free too!
We kick off with CAA Winterfest March 8-10 with Mussel Bakes, Bonfires and a Karaoke Dance & Pizza Party.
2 family nights from $259 plus tax for CAA Members (Plus complimentary upgrade upon check in!)
2 family nights from $300 plus tax for Non-Members
Then we kick into all out March Break Mayhem for the rest of the week with a daily program that will leave Mom & Dad catching their breath on the couch in the Lounge!
Come for the week – 5 nights from $675/family OR just a couple, it’s up to you!
Check this out – the recreation department put together a wicked program of events, all complimentary with your stay!
Book now, call us at 1.800.565.5068!
December 302012 Beach Changes – Mother Nature’s Shifting Sands of White Point
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on December 30th, 2012
As 2012 draws near, we’ve pulled a screen shots from our Nova Scotia Beachcam…month by month starting with Dec 2011 and continuing to Dec 2012. It’s like a facial really – the surf crashes in, depositing sand along our shores starting in the spring, returning about 4 feet reaching full sand beach peak in August. Then as the currents change and the hurricanes of the fall begin arriving, the sand is pulled out to sea revealing basalt and granite millions of years old. Our shifting sands of White Point – watch them live on our Beachcam!
December 26Humpback … shifting sands reveal Humpback Rock at White Point!
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on December 26th, 2011
If you were here at White Point in the summer – you likely did not meet Humpback Rock! If you where here in any typical year Oct – June, you would have had the opportunity to meet her.
This chunk of basalt has been a fixture on our shoreline here at White Point for decades. We gauge the changing of the season by her. Mother Nature stirs up quite a punch with the surf of the Atlantic Ocean and with each storm that passes starting in late Aug/early Sept, each pull away just a little bit more of our sand. You can keep an eye on here on our Beach Cam as well as she is quite visible.
December 22, 2011 we measured her up … 38 ft long, 2ft high and a width of 8ft.
We’ll keep an eye on her and once a month, around the same time, we’ll show you how much change the beach undergoes over the course of the year.
Check out this video on YouTube to see what she looked like with the ocean surf at her back on December 22/11: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYFGut_OXFE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Shifting sands of Whit Point!
September 15Spring Roadside Cleanup nets 54 tons of trash…YUCK!
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on September 15th, 2011
That’s right – 54 tons of trash was ‘swept’ up and cleared off the edges of 638 Kms of Highway earlier this Spring across Nova Scotia.
We recently received a newsletter from the Adopt-A-Highway program, “Litterature” , in which they thanked and celebrated the efforts of 109 groups representting 1407 volunteers, donating 4033 hours of their time to the Spring 2011 Roadside Cleanup.
Unfortunately (yes, unfortunately), the Spring 2011 cleanup was deemed a tremendous success, with a total of 3433 bags of garbage and 223 bags of recyclables removed. Representing a total of more than 54 tonnes, (54.84
tonnes to be exact) of garbage and recyclables were removed for our highways this Spring.
White Point started doing “road sweeps” in 1992, though no documents have survived to outline numbers from those days. The first time the White Point team participated in the Adopt a Highway program was in April 1999, and we’ve been doing clean ups twice a year since then. We sweep an 8.5 km stretch of road between the Resort driveway and the Exit 20A on-ramp for the 103 highway.
On our first sweep (April ‘99) 32 staff participated; we collected 92 black garbage bags and 26 blue bags. Over the past 12 years we have collected a whopping total of 687 black garbage bags and 131 blue bags, along with some pretty strange items like hip waders and an oven!
Our ideal number for staff participation is 16 people, however we have done it with as few as 5. The maximum time it took us was 3.5 hours, least was 1.5 hours. We assign staff from each department to participate, so that the work is shared evenly, and everyone can appreciate a job well done at the end of the day. We believe it is our job to keep our community clean and healthy, and encourage other hospitality establishments to do the same!
Interested in participating in the Adopt-a-Highway program?
Contact :
Gina Bain, Coordinator
Box 550, Truro, NS B2N 5E3
Phone: (902) 893.6520
baingn@gov.ns.ca
adopt-a-highway@gov.ns.ca
by Nick Moase, Editor
Published Aug. 7, 2011 in the Queens County Advance.
I’ve been with The Advance for the past four summers now, and every year at the end of June I get invited to try out surfing. Every year, I’ve resisted. Was it fear? Not wanting to go out of my comfort zone? The reason really didn’t matter, I suppose. I just didn’t do it.
So when I got the invitation to go out again this year, I was all set to say no again. But something stopped me. I’m not sure what it was, but I asked the voice in my head “Why not?” I didn’t get an answer. That’s how I found myself standing on the boat dock out at White Point Beach Resort on July 27, getting sized for a wetsuit.
The first thing the instructor from the Rossignol Surf Shop said to me when I walked in the boathouse was “you’re tall.” You have no idea how often I hear that. I think it was just a statement that I needed a long wetsuit.
Squeezing into the wetsuit is a little like filling a sausage casing. It takes a minute or two to get everything stuffed in there, but the results are worth it. The wetsuit is key to getting out on the surf in Atlantic Canada. You get all of the benefits of being in the ocean, without turning a funny shade of blue.
First we learned a few basic techniques. It’s all deceptively simple, just a matter of positioning your board with the wave, and figuring out how to hop to a standing position quickly. I didn’t think for a second I would be out surfing with the pros anytime soon though.
Our first task was just crossing the lake beside the shop on the board. The lake is warm, and there’s no surf to worry about. It’s a safer place to try out what we were just shown on shore.
Believe it or not the most heart pounding moment, the moment when I suddenly had a niggling doubt I wanted to do this, was out on the lake. We were shown how to do a “Turtle Roll”, basically flipping the board upside down on top of you then rolling it back over again. It’s a technique to get through big waves.
However I couldn’t remember if I could swim. I think it’s been a decade since I last went swimming. When you’re in the middle of a lake with no idea how deep it is, it’s not the greatest time to wonder if you’re going to drown. With a deep breath and “carpe diem” running through my head, over I went. Then up I popped again. I secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Once we were on the other side of the lake, that’s when we got to the crux of this day.
Seeing the waves crashing on the shore is always nice… when you’re on the shore. Now you have to try and ride those beasts. That’s a bit different.
It takes a while to get into the waves too. You have to get by the already broken waves, out a little deeper into the swells. It’s not far, but it takes time and effort to go against the currents.
I felt exhausted just from getting out there. So much for thinking I was in shape. I started to wonder if it was worth the effort trudging out into the water. Then with the help of the instructors, I got myself lined up with a wave.
The ocean starts to heave you in the air, carrying you instead of just crashing over your head. The surge is powerful, pressing the board against your body. You have to push back to keep yourself in line. In one quick motion, one foot is firmly planted on the back of the board. The other is in the middle, guiding the direction you travel with the wave.
As a beginner, it doesn’t last all that long. A second or two, and you’re tossed back in the water like a rag doll. But that second is just enough to give you a burst of adrenaline. For a brief moment, you have actually done it. In a moment of clarity, I realized it’s that thrill that makes you want to haul your board back out into the water and try it again. I spent more time in the water that day then I had in the past five years.
So the big question: Would I do it again? Maybe. That seems like a cop out, but let me explain.
I wear glasses, and have since I was five years old. They go on my face in the morning, and stay on the entire day. To see what I see without my glasses, take a camera and focus it on the closest object it will focus on. Now without refocusing, look at something across a room. It’s pretty blurry.
The strap I used to keep my glasses snug against my face worked well in the shallow waves, but I don’t think I would trust it every time. After a little bit in the sun, they also get a film of salt over them, making it harder to see. So if I wanted to surf again, I’d need to think seriously about getting contact lenses or else laser eye surgery.
Would I recommend others try surfing though? Most definitely. I was out enjoying the summer sun, had a few laughs with the other people trying it out, and most of all had a lot of fun.
The best part? You can actually go swimming in the ocean in July.
Learn more about Surf lessons now with Rossignol Surf Shop, White Point.
August 15Let’s go surfing now…turns out, everyone can learn how!
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on August 15th, 2011
Ok, for 5 nearly years, I’ve been camped out here on the edge of the Atlantic, watching the surfers riding the waves. Every year, I’ve said, “this is the year I try”, and until this summer, following in the enthusiastic footsteps of my kids, who had been taking Surf Lessons with Rossignol Surf Shop all summer - I took the plunge!
For an event such as this, you need friends – so I called 9 other ‘virigin’ surfers, with lots of advance warning, Rossignol Surf Shop agreed to add us to their growing list of students in their “learn to surf” program here at the Resort.
Anticipation was the worst part of the entire experince – we all assumed it would cold and very nasty…as it turns out, it was one of the most amazing and enjoyable (and sore) adventures I personally had embarked upon! Laugh…we laughed so hard we ended up swallowing far too much salt water!
Following what amounted to pouring ourselves into wetsuits and grabbing our boards, we headed out to the Boathouse Dock for an ‘orientation’ with our boards – the grip, placement of our bodies/feet, the leash, paddling and popping-up!
Taking the plunge into the lake was great. We slipped in and tested out ‘paddling’, out in the middle we learned the turtle – a roll with our board, too easy! A pop up….a bit of a challenge, sitting easy!
Half way across the lake, many of us admitted we were pooped out – who knew we hadn’t used those muscles in such a long time! But the edge of the ocean called to us, and the sound of the surf, so inviting.
So we pushed on and after jumping in, under the guiding assistance of our Instructors, we headed for the waves – and the water, yes chilled but so refreshing and very bareable.
The surf – yeah, many of have played in the water and felt its rush but I have to tell you, when you have a 10ft board in hand, it seems to be a bit trickier. The power of those waves are amazing, and so much fun!
The rush of trying to catch a wave is overpowering – our instructors helped set us up, then shouted , paddle, paddle….pop, now, pop! And you know what you need to do, it was so easy on the Boathouse Dock – now with the wave at your heels, not so much. BUT, when you catch your first one, oh man, what a rush!
I’m happy to report I did catch a wave, not sure I ‘cased’ it but, I got up…once! All the other times were attempts only, apparently riding on your knees doesn’t count.
We laughed so much at each of our attempts, trying hard not to take each other out! And it didn’t take too long before we all realized that this was a bit harder than we thought…and after 2 hours, we were wiped out! We had so much fun:)
After we finished we headed back across the lake, exhasted and completly spent…yet still had a few laughs left in us. The full effect of the 2 hr adventure however didn’t get fully realized until the enxt morning – ouch!
Jeff, the owner of Rossignol Surf warned us before we headed out, we laughed at him when he suggested that we would use muscles we didn’t know we had – he was soooooo right! But, it was so worth it.
Trying to surf was an amazing experience – the salt, sand, power and sounds – you are completley surrounded by the Atlantic. Wild, untamed, alive, and so exciting!
Would I do it again, oh yes! Maybe not 2x’s/wk like the kids, but yes, I’d do it again!
Wanna come?
The gang at the Surf Shop are terrific, patient and so helpful!
Have a great day….I love my sandbox,
Donna
August 15Nova Scotia Night, Atlanticade 2011, St. Andrew’s, New Brunswick
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on August 15th, 2011
What began as a chat between White Point and the organizers of Atlanticade at a Motorcycle Show in Moncton in January became a very popular and exciting premiere “Nova Scotia Night” at Atlanticade on July 9th, 2011!
Dale Hicks and the event organizers suggested that they had always thought it would be great to have each province in Atlantic Canada each sponsor an evening at Atlanticade – an introduction and social of sorts. After giving it some thought, Donna at White Point pulled together a few partners from across Southwest Nova Scotia and what ensured was a savoury, spectacular evening under sunny skies at Kingsbrae Garden in St. Andrew’s, NB!
Many thanks to the folks that came out for the evening an of course our sponsors, WhitePoint Beach Resort, Taste of Nova Scotia, Destination Southwest Nova Tourism Association, Central Nova Tourism Association, Yarmouth & Acadian Shores Tourism Association, Yarmouth 250th, Bay Ferries, Nova Scotia Tourism and of course our hosts, Kigsbrae Garden.
Take a peek at the evening via video and the photo’s below.
We hope to see you all out and about along our shores on your rides!
August 12WIN $1000 in White Point Gift Certificates – just for staying any night from Aug. 14 – Sept. 2, 2011
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on August 12th, 2011
This summer, things are really heating up, especially if you stay with us between Aug. 14th up to and including Sept. 2nd, 2011.
Why you ask?
Because we’re giving away 10 x $100 = $1000 in White Point Gift Certificates to one lucky guest!
How can you WIN?
Stay at White Point any night between Aug. 14 – Sept. 2, 2011.
For each night you stay, you will receive one entry ballot.
Stay 1 night – get 1 ballot.
Stay 2 nights – get 2 ballots.
Stay 3 nights – get 3 ballots.
And so on and so on!
You see what’s happening, your chances of winning increases with every additional night you stay!
Book your stay online or call 1.800.565.5068!
What would you do with 10 x $100.00 Gift Certificates at White Point ($1000 Value)?
Maybe….
…Get the family together for a beach getaway.
…With 10 x $100 Gift Certificates, you could give them away to family & friends for Christmas!
…OR, use a couple for your team or school fundraiser.
Have other ideas, tell us on Facebook!
DRAW DATE: 3:00pm, Saturday September 3, 2011
Live on our BeachCam!
Contest Details:
~Prize includes 10 x $100 White Point Gift Certificates = $1000 for use at White Point.
~ Guests will receive 1 Ballot for each night they stay at White Point starting the night of Aug. 14 up to and including, Sept. 2, 2011
~ Ballots will be issued at time of Check-out from the Front Desk.
~ Gift Certificates will be valid for a future stay.
~ Gift Certificates are not redeemable for cash.
~ Winner will be drawn from all entries collected on Sept. 3, 2011 at 3:00pm live on our BeachCam.
~ Winner will be contacted by White Point directly and announced on Sept. 3, on Facebook and online.
~ Gift Certificates are valid until December 30, 2012 and may be used by winner, or by anyone they share them with. (makes a great Christmas Gift!)
Looking for more reasons to head to White Point?
Check-out our line up of events and activities, served up daily!
See you soon!
