The Comox Valley Paddlers’ Club is welcoming Campbell River photographer Eiko Jones as the guest speaker at their April meeting.
In April 1992 Jones embarked on a dream trip of kayaking a 1,500 nautical mile section of the Inside Passage. After a year of planning he and a fellow Kiwi set off from Vancouver to paddle to Skagway, Alaska.
In this presentation he will share some anecdotal stories and photographs from their journey. Rough seas, bears, icebergs, relentless rain and wind were some of the challenges faced along the way. The dramatic scenery and the people they encountered turned this trip into an amazing adventure, especially when sea kayaking was in its early stages of popularity.
Jones grew up in New Zealand and acquired his first SLR camera at the age of 14. He quickly discovered his passion for capturing images of animals, especially birds, in their natural habitat. During the early 1990s his extensive trips along the West Coast of British Columbia and Alaska his focus shifted to coastal landscapes above and below the waterline. The catalysts that drew him deeper into underwater photography were two shark diving expeditions in 2011.
Whether exploring the ocean or alternate bodies of water, such as marshes and rivers, Jones has developed a dramatic style in which he celebrates the corners of our world which are seldom seen. He captures the surreal through constant awareness of lighting and unique angles. While a big part of his work focuses on salmon and local watershed issues, other underwater and topside subjects round out his collection.
He has won many awards and has been published in numerous international magazines, including National Geographic, British Columbia Magazine and Diver, to name but a few. His fine art photography has also been sold around the world. Jones is also a proud member of the Ocean Artists Society. Further information is available at www.eikojonesphotography.com.
Jones' presentation commences at 7 p.m. sharp, Thursday, April 7 at the Lion's Den, 1729 Comox Ave., Comox (Nordin Street, behind the Pearl Ellis Art Gallery). Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The presentation will be followed by a short break and the club’s annual general meeting. The event is free of charge and non-members are welcome to attend.
Comox Valley Paddlers’ Club winter meetings take place the first Thursday of the month, October through to May. Paddling enthusiasts can learn more about club events and activities at the meetings.
For more information e-mail comoxpaddlers@gmail.com, visit www.comoxvalleypaddlers.ca or check out the club's Facebook page.