When: July 16, 2016 from 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
This short, 6 nautical mile (11 km) paddle around Barber and Gunn Islands in the south arm of the Fraser River (between Richmond and Delta) is an exploration of the protected waters of one of the largest river deltas in the Northwest. It is habitat for thousands of species, including almost every type of shore bird, and cleanses the Fraser on it’s way to the ocean. We will roughly follow this pictured course map (which had a different start point), and we will go counterclockwise to take advantage of an incoming tide (4.1 m high at 4:49PM).
This paddle is open to anyone looking for a reasonably calm and protected area to paddle in the Lower Mainland, at a slower pace and with a hopefully gregarious group of kayaking keeners and nature lovers.
Note: There are no kayak rental options at the launch site. Rental options are available from MEC, Deep Cove, and Ecomarine, but you’ll have to transport your boat.
We will start and end at Sharkey’s Bar and Grill in “downtown” Ladner/Delta (start outside and end inside for appetizers or an early dinner). There is a public dock with dry launch conditions and both high and low dock areas to meet the need off paddlers of every skill and flexibility level. The current favours a counterclockwise circumnavigation, and we expect to be on the water for 3 hours without really any good areas to stop. It will be a continuous, albeit slow, paddle. Due to that long duration of the paddle, without any rest break areas, the paddle will start where we have good bathroom facilities. (Just be sure to rehydrate and refill your bladder upon your return…and maybe with beer. Sharkey’s has the best.)
And, yes, the plan is to hold a “debriefing” in Sharkey’s after the paddle, appetizers and/or an early dinner if some are interested.
In midsummer and where we will never be more than 100 metres from shore, wet or drysuits will not be mandatory. However, a change of clothes is highly recommended in case of a capsize or inclement conditions, properly stowed in a waterproof container or dry bag. We can and will fish you out, but getting you dry afterwards is essential. The forecast conditions that day and the paddling wear everyone has will inform how we proceed. Non-cotton clothing and a water-repellent/water-proof top (wind-breaker) are best.
For information on what a 1A trip is, or any other difficulty/distance characterization, see this page here: https://www.skabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Trip-Class.pdf . Also check out the suggested Gear Checklist here: https://www.skabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Checklist-Gear.pdf.
Chisholm Street
Ladner,
- Belva Sutherland
- John Dorrell
- Gerry Hogeterp
Spaces Available: 7
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