Humorous Beginnings

Assignment from HOMELINC for LINC magazine

Humorous Beginnings

Let me start off with a little background to where my family and I live, Campbell River, British Columbia. Campbell River is the Salmon Capital, and there are allusions to this sprinkled throughout the entire town. Salmon come in different sizes and are named and categorised accordingly. The smallest is called a Pink, then comes the Chum, next is Coho and so on all the way to the largest salmon; which is a Tyee.

My family's first summer in Campbell River was amazing! The weather was beautiful, the sun was shining, and the water was calling to us. During this time, my son decided to join the local summer swim club, the Salmon Kings. I pursued the idea and contacted the president of the club for information. He was accepting of my son and repeatedly told me that he would start off in the Pinks, and at that point his swimming skills would be assessed. I was getting more bothered by the fact that my SON would be a PINK. I finally said to the president, "You are aware that I have a son, right?" He responded in the affirmative, so I asked, "Then why is he in the PINK and not in the BLUE?"  He was kind enough to explain to me the salmon categories and how the Salmon Kings adhered to those categories. We had a spectacular laugh over this! 

My son joined the Salmon Kings as a Pink and continued with the club until he became a Tyee. I understand now when someone makes reference to a Spring, Tyee, or Pink!