I still remember that first day, which changed the way I saw the ocean forever. The day started pretty normal, I parked at the CBYC parking lot at Bluffers Park and decided to go for a walk while I waited for my dad. I walked near the south docs and watched the open water of Lake Ontario. The water was so still near the boats, it amazed me how it behaved that way. Near a creek, which led to the lake, there were these two guys fishing. I never fished before and never paid attention to it since it wasn’t something that sparked interest in me. However, when I watched the fish and saw one of their rods start bending and both guys getting excited, everything changed. Seeing how happy and excited they were to catch a fish caught my attention. One of the guys saw me watching them and called me over to try it out. I wasn’t sure at first, but I decided to try it out. It felt so cool feeling the fish pull on the line and being able to reel it in. I was nervous at first that I would make a mistake, but when I caught my first fish, all those feelings were gone. I was proud of myself, although it wasn’t a difficult task, I felt happy, and that’s a moment I’ll never forget.

Before that day, my life was very different. I had quit soccer earlier that summer because I no longer loved the sport. Soccer was a big part of my life and my identity, so once I quit, I felt like my life was bland and I had nothing exciting to show. The things I spent my time doing were unfulfilling and boring. I would wake up, eat, work and repeat. This made me feel stranded and lost. But then, something unexpected happened. My dad had gone to a boat show and loved it so much he bought a blue. Without planning beforehand, we now had to look for a marina when the boat got delivered. After some time, we chose CYBC at Bluffers Park. Since that day I reeled in my first fish, fishing became my new summer hobby, and it was even better having a boat. What started as a random experience while waiting for my dad turned into something that brought me happiness. Bluffers Park is now an important place to me and my dad.

The community is kind, energetic, and really welcoming. It was interesting when the people told me many people called the water “Bluffers”, but the head owner of the CBYC called it the “Big Lake”. Since my dad’s boat is on the same dock as the owner's, I have gotten to know him well, and he even invited me to dinner on his boat before. Many community members live on their boats all year round at the marina. During the winter, there are special devices placed around the boats that prevent the water from freezing. I have seen these in action, and it’s cool how theology can help people continue living on the water all year round. Many people at CBYC speak English, but I also speak Spanish and have met people who speak Spanish too. However, life on the water isn’t perfect, as there are global problems that happen.

A big problem is water contamination (Government of Ontario, 2018). Water is polluted, and people are unable to swim and enjoy the water freely. This is after not only the animals that live in the water, but also the health of people who are near the water a lot, like those who live on their boats. I usually hear that the marina is a safe place to swim as long as no water is swallowed, but this still shows that the water is polluted and not safe for humans (Government of Ontario, 2018). It’s important for everyone in our community to take care of things that matter to us, like water. Fishing is now something I have a passion for, and knowing that water can be contaminated makes me realize how important it is to try to stop that. Knowing that Lake Ontario is located on Indigenous Treaty land shows me that this water should be respected and well cared for (Our Home and Native Land, 2025). The water isn’t just a spot for fun and relaxation, but it’s a part of history and culture, so it deserves to be protected.

Looking back, it’s crazy to think how a small moment became so important to me, changing my life. Fishing gave me motivation again and helped me feel excited for the rest of my summer. Bluffers Park is now more to me than just a marina. It’s a place for change, meeting new people, developing new hobbies, and life in the water. To me, water is more than something I drink; it’s now something that shapes my life and identity the way soccer did once. I hope that in the future, Lake Ontario is still protected so that others can also enjoy it and experience the same joy I found in it.

References
Map of Ontario treaties and reserves | ontario.ca. (2018, April 24). Ontario.ca. Retrieved December 9, 2025, from https://www.ontario.ca/page/map-ontario-treaties-and-reserves

Our home on native land. (n.d.). Native-Land.ca | Our home on native land. Retrieved December 9, 2025, from https://native-land.ca/maps/native-land