On The Road to Hawaii (Part I)
Posted By Perry Gladstone on 10 September 2002
Toronto
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Building in Toronto seems to have been built around rather than built on. Surrounding a cavernous open space, atrium I believe they call it, is the communications center of our countries national radio and television networks.
Standing alone in this giant enclosure one can't help but wonder why it was so important to capture this much space inside the structure unless perhaps it is some kind of newfangled broadcasting chamber in which case the brightly colored billboards walking around should really be warning signs rather than poorly dressed tourists.
It does not surprise me one bit that all this should be going through my mind as I wait patiently for the wrong elevator to bring me back to where I can make my way to the right one. Eventually I find my way to the offices of Outfront, the first-person radio show that profiles dramatic events in the lives of everyday Canadians. I am there to meet two of the shows producers to discuss how we can take a radio audience Freediving (breath-hold diving).
Tomorrow, as a member of the Canadian National Freedive Team, I leave for Vancouver where I will begin an intensive training program with Four-time world record trainer and Team Canada Coach Kirk Krack in anticipation of the Pacific Cup of Freediving Oct.28-Nov.4 in Kona, Hawaii.
Vancouver is the center of Freediving in Canada due in great part to the fact that Kirk and several other world class athletes call it their home. It was also in Vancouver this May that I came in forth overall in the Canadian National Freediving Championships earning my place on the Canadian team and the opportunity to represent my country in Hawaii this year.
In anticipation of my impending departure, carefully laid out on the table in front of me is a mini-disk recorder and several zip-lock bags, two microphones fitted with condoms and wrapped with duct-tape, a battery operated and plug-in charger, box of extra disks, back up condoms and a roll of duct tape. Steve, one of two Producers of the show, has just gone over each item with me in detail and the other Alison, has just asked that I log each use of the equipment. "I'll be sure to do that", I say motioning towards the condoms... I quickly realize that I am the only one laughing.
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