Make space in your life for ‘blue space'
Dan Rubinstein's latest book is Water Borne: A 1,200-Mile Paddleboarding Pilgrimage, from which this essay has been partly adapted.
'Hey! What's the rush? Take a break! Have a beer.'
I'm paddling hard, head down, at the tail end of another sweltering, stormy day of voyaging west along the Erie Canal. The waterside campground I'm aiming for, on the outskirts of Weedsport in upstate New York, is less than a kilometre away. Knackered, all I want is a shower and food, not to hang out with some dude hollering at me from shore.
Looking over my right shoulder, I see a small group on the back of a boat docked at a marina. A man with a big grin is waving me over. Despite what seems like a genuine invitation to join their party, it's not always wise to approach strangers who may be well into happy hour. But one of the main reasons I embarked on this journey – a 2,000-km circumnavigation from my home in Ottawa back to Ottawa via Montreal, New York City and Toronto – was to meet people. So I pivot my paddleboard and beeline to the boat.
Matt Donahue helps me climb aboard and introduces his wife, son and friends. 'Where the hell are you going?' he asks, handing me an icy can of beer.
Leaning back on a bench, I provide a précis. I'm a writer and love stand-up paddleboarding (a.k.a. SUP), and I'm curious about the curative properties of 'blue space,' about what happens when we spend time in, on, or around water. The aquatic equivalent of green space has received increasing attention in recent years from researchers who are interested in its impact on our psychological and physiological health, as well as the health of the planet. Concerned about these things myself, both the world's well-being and my own, I hopped on a 14-foot-long inflatable SUP with a couple drybags of camping gear and some notepads and started paddling down the Ottawa River toward Montreal.
That departure took place early in the summer of 2023, which turned out to be one of the hottest ever on the continent (at least for now). Now it's late July, and nearly two months of immersion journalism, and about 40 self-propelled kilometres every day, are draining my energy and resolve.
But Mr. Donahue and his crew are inquisitive and enthusiastic. They are happy for me. That somebody on an offbeat expedition is passing through their part of the state. There is teasing and laughing, high-fiving and rib-digging. Their joy makes me joyous.
Mr. Donahue gives me another beer for later and we hug. Not awkward, one-armed back-patting. A real hug.
'Where else,' I ponder while paddling away, 'do two middle-aged men who've just met hug like that?'
My obsession with blue space was sparked when I got my first paddleboard a decade ago. I had lived in half a dozen cities across Canada, all on either a river, lake or ocean, but never owned a watercraft of any kind. With a SUP, which can be carried under one arm, or in an oversized backpack if it's inflatable, I suddenly had intimate access to aquatic environments.
When paddling, I could gaze at shoreline forests or the shimmering horizon, or down into the water at fish and plants, the primordial soup our ancestors clambered out of. When it was hot, it was easy to jump in for a swim. Whether in urban or rural areas, being perched atop a SUP always made me feel better. And while we interact with blue space in individual ways, I'm far from the only person for whom water is an elixir.
The science is clear that being in nature is generally good for our bodies and brains. We tend to be more active and less anxious. Although it's difficult to differentiate between green and blue spaces, according to Mat White, an environmental psychologist at the University of Vienna and arguably the world's leading authority on this subject, water seems to uncork a multiplier effect.
Dr. White explores what happens when we do anything (paddle, swim, surf, walk, sit) in, on or near just about any type of water, from vast seas to downtown fountains. After leading several research projects and crunching the data, he believes that blue space has a mostly positive and, compared to other outdoor environments, a more pronounced impact on our mental and physical health.
'The crucial point about that research was that it was the poorest communities and individuals who got the benefits,' Dr. White told me. 'If you're rich, it doesn't matter how often you spend time in blue space. You're healthy and happy anyway. But if you're poor, it matters hugely.'
Water is a double-edged sword, Dr. White cautions. Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death around the world. Around two billion people don't have access to clean drinking water. Rising seas, intensifying storms, widespread flooding and water-borne diseases are among the deadliest consequences of global warming, and they tend to displace and kill those with the least capacity to escape or adapt.
These realities notwithstanding, people are happiest in marine and coastal margins, a pair of British environmental economists determined, gathering more than a million pings on their 'Mappiness' app. Blue neighbourhoods are 'associated with lower psychological distress,' reports a paper out of New Zealand. And taking the sea air – breathing in 'bioactive compounds that may originate from marine algae,' in the parlance of Belgian biologist Jana Asselman – appears to give our immune systems a boost.
These settings also offer opportunities for social interaction, suggests a Scottish literature review, kindling 'a sense of community [and] mutual support between people.' Moreover, hanging out in blue space promotes 'pro-environmental behavior,' especially among children. In other words, we pay more attention to others and take better care of the planet.
To decipher the mechanisms at play, I contacted another environmental psychologist, Jenny Roe at the University of Virginia. Blue space triggers our parasympathetic nervous system, Dr. Roe said to me before I left home, which basically tells the brain what our bodies are doing and then acts like a brake, dampening the stress response. Water can instill a sense of being away and boundless possibilities, she added, yet also a feeling of compatibility with our location, of comfort and belonging.
Evolutionarily, this makes sense. Our bodies are mostly water and, like all living things, we need it to survive. Even looking at a creek or pool is enough to lower blood pressure and heart rates, a pair of University of California, Davis, psychology researchers concluded, attributing this link, in part, to our forebears successfully detecting drinking water in arid environments.
I was thirsty throughout my trip. Lukewarm electrolytes don't cut in when you're paddling for hours in hot, humid conditions. But the kindness of strangers kept me hydrated.
People in boats and on shore offered me cold water and sports drinks; they shared snacks, stories, local intel about guerrilla campsites and, on several occasions, let me tent on their lawns. Poor and rich and every socioeconomic status in between, Black and brown and white and every blended colour on the spectrum, they welcomed me and looked out for me.
The interviews I had set up in advance were validating my holistic health thesis: in Kahnawake, Que., a Mohawk reserve near Montreal, I saw young leaders re-establishing their community's relationship to the river decades after the St. Lawrence Seaway was bulldozed through their front yard; I met kayakers on the Lower Hudson whose non-profits fight for free access to the river, so everybody can take advantage of its healing power. But it was serendipitous encounters that buoyed me the most. And even academics like Howard University's Lemir Teron affirmed that despite long histories of injustice, waterways such as the Erie Canal hold promise as public realms where a cross-section of people can gather.
Why does blue space seem to encourage connections between strangers? There's no peer-reviewed paper on this topic, but I think it's because of the impact of aquatic places on our well-being, coupled with a latent danger that compels us to watch out for one another, and the fact that we tend to slow down around water, creating opportunities for face-to-face conversation.
Much of my paddle took place in upstate New York, which leans Republican. One muggy morning on the Erie Canal, I pull over and chat with a man sitting on a staircase that descends into the water, feet submerged, below his Trump-flag-adorned RV.
We discuss whether the dark clouds gathering to the northeast will blow this way. He thinks I'll be fine.
Soon, I'm out of sight upriver and it's pouring, but there's no thunder and the rain feels like the best kind of shower. Had lightning struck, my new friend would probably have granted me refuge.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Quebec campsites may be closed due to strike over long weekend
Parc de la Chute-Montmorency near Quebec City may be affected by a strike of SEPAQ unionized workers. (Wiki Commons) Negotiations continue between unionized park workers and Quebec provincial park management to avoid a strike over the Fête Nationale long weekend. On Thursday, the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (SEPAQ) asked reservation holders not to cancel their stays, adding it will contact them with any updates. SEPAQ confirmed it has received a fixed-term strike notice from its workers that would go into effect from Friday until Tuesday, should the parties fail to reach an agreement. The strike would affect the following: Quebec national parks Aquarium du Québec Parc de la Chute-Montmorency Gîte du Mont Albert Auberge de montagne des Chic-Chocs Camping des Voltigeurs Centre touristique du Lac-Simon Centre touristique du Lac-Kénogami Wildlife reserves, as well as other SEPAQ parks and the customer relations centre, are not affected by the strike. 'Discussions are ongoing with the union, and SEPAQ is hopeful that a satisfactory agreement for all parties can be reached before a walkout occurs,' the agency said in a news release. 'SEPAQ will continue to make every effort to reach a settlement before this deadline in order to maintain stays and bookings.' The union announced the strike, with disputes mainly centred around wages. Syndicat de la fonction publique et parapublique du Québec (SFPQ) President Christian Daigle pointed out that many workers earn about $17 per hour, and the vast majority of them are seasonal workers. The union says it wants a 17.4 per cent wage increase over five years, the same as all government employees. 'This has a major impact on the people we represent. When you only work four or five months a year, missing five days of work is a serious financial hit,' he said. 'It's not something they do lightly, but people are tired of being taken advantage of and not being offered a fair financial agreement by their employer and, especially, by the Quebec government.' If a strike occurs, the establishments affected will be closed, and bookings will be cancelled and refunded. However, SEPAQ said it will continue to offer the following activities: Seasonal campsites. Fishing stays at the Devlin cabins and Lac à l'Épaule lodge in Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier. Day fishing at Archambault, À l'Épaule, Lapointe, Nouvel and Ruban lakes, as well as at Rivière Sautauriski in Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier. As for certain activities offered by park partners, SEPAQ recommends checking directly with them to find out whether or not their activities will take place in event of a walkout. Bookings can be modified or cancelled here.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Visit Ottawa Passes: Here's how you can checkout 5 Ottawa attractions for $100 this summer
A family takes a photo in front of the "Ottawa" sign in the ByWard Market on Victoria Day weekend. (Camille Wilson/CTV News Ottawa) Ottawa Tourism is inviting residents and visitors to checkout museums and other attractions in the capital this summer for just $100. The Visit Ottawa Pass was announced on Friday, a pass for $100 that allows adults to choose five out of 14 top attractions and activities to visit in Ottawa this summer. There is also a special summer package that allows children ages 17 and under to enjoy the same experiences for free with the purchase of an adult pass. 'The Visit Ottawa Pass – a new initiative that builds on the success of previous passes that is designed to enhance the visitor experience and drive tourism growth across the region,' Ottawa Tourism said. The Visit Ottawa Pass will also provide additional savings at select restaurants, attractions and shops across Ottawa. According to the Ottawa Tourism website, the Visit Ottawa Pass is valid for a single admission to five attractions and experiences, is valid for 72 hours after the first use and must be used on three consecutive days within 60 days from the date of purchase. 'There truly is no better time to visit Ottawa than the summer of 2025, with the myriad of free experiences for kids on offer through both passes, making Ottawa more affordable, value-driven, and responsive to the heightened interest in Canadian identity than ever before,' Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism, said in a statement. 'Ottawa's visitor economy is entering a new era of growth and opportunity. With strong leadership, a clear vision, and the support of our members and partners, we're well-positioned to grow our impact by attracting major events and marketing our destination to more potential visitors in 2025.' The Visit Ottawa Pass will complement the Canada Strong Pass, which will offer free access to Ottawa's seven national museums for youth ages 17 and under. Youth ages 18 to 24 can get 50 per cent off admission fees at the seven national museums in Ottawa. Here is the list of participating attractions and tours for the Visit Ottawa Pass. Bytown Museum Canada Agriculture and Food Museum Canada Aviation and Space Museum Canada Science and Technology Museum Canadian Museum of History Canadian Museum of Nature Canadian War Museum National Gallery of Canada Parc Omega Royal Canadian Mint (free tour) The Haunted Walk/Hidden InSite City Tours Water Taxi Eh – Unlimited day use of the water taxi that travels between Ontario and Quebec BeaverTails ByWard Market – Choose from one of three iconic BeaverTails pastry flavours Zack's Diner – receive a free milkshake The Visit Ottawa Pass also unlocks deals and discounts at attractions, restaurants and experiences. Some of the offers include:
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Search for victims resumes after massive rockfall near Bow Lake in Banff National Park
Rescuers in Alberta were set to resume their search for others who might be missing today after a massive rockfall that killed one and injured three in Banff National Park. Parks Canada visitor safety teams will continue working to assess the site with support from Canada Task Force Two (CAN-TF2 Calgary), a national disaster response team, officials said Friday in a release. "A Canada Task Force One … geotechnical engineer will conduct a slope stability assessment. The safety of first responders and park visitors is our top priority," the statement said. The task force team is also conducting infrared flights in the area with help from members of the Calgary Police Service. RCMP are still working to notify next of kin and no further information about the person who was killed is yet available, officials said. The rockfall was reported at about 1:30 p.m. on Thursday when Lake Louise RCMP were notified that "multiple hikers" were caught in a rockfall near Bow Glacier Falls. Parks Canada, the Lake Louise fire department, STARS Air Ambulance, the RCMP and EMS responded to the scene. According to STARS, two helicopters were dispatched — STAR-1 from Calgary and STAR-3 from Edmonton — and transported one patient each to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary. The conditions of those taken to hospital have not yet been shared. Bow Lake remains closed to all visitors and a no-fly zone remains in place to ensure public safety and for park operations, officials said. "Alpine Club of Canada guests staying at Bow Hut are safe. Visitors staying at Bow Hut will be able to exit on schedule via the usual route, which is unaffected and safe to travel," the release said. The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N) remains open with possible intermittent, short-term traffic stoppages in the vicinity of the incident. Bow Glacier Falls is located about three kilometres to the southwest of Bow Lake and is accessible via a popular hiking trail.
