Mike Graham-Smith
1931-December 25, 2021
Some of us long-time WCA members will recall Mike Graham-Smith, who passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 91. Mike was an active member from the late 1970’s to the 1990’s. He served on our Board of Directors in the 1980’s and organized many local trips. His spring Upper Credit River trip was always a popular one, not only because it was a fun easy spring run but also because afterwards everyone was invited back to Mike’s Georgetown home for a party featuring wife June’s great home baking. Mike was also an accomplished solo paddler who had no problem keeping up with plastic playboats while running the Gull River’s challenging rapids in his 16 foot fiberglass Bluewater Saugeen.
I last met Mike about 4 years ago when he showed up at the Streetsville put-in for my spring Lower Credit River trip. He just wanted to say hello and reminisce about our WCA trips together, confessing that he was no longer up for a day of river-running.
Wherever you are now Mike, hope you find paddlers welcome and that there are blue waters and sunny skies.
Attached photo is from Canal Rapids, Magnetawan River, Sept. 1983. Mike in bow & Bill in stern in clearly retro paddling gear.
Bill Ness
