Two instructors and five course participants set out in the morning from the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, rolling our boats onto the ferry despite some misdirection from ferry staff. Rolling off at Swartz Bay, we negotiated our way through the terminal to the Barnacle Road boat launch. After some course-related discussion we launched into perfect weather in the early afternoon. Passing through Gosse Passage we made our way as planned and made camp in the early evening. The campsite was quiet and there were enough tent pads for all of us. We enjoyed a delicious, shared dinner and went to bed early, anticipating good weather for the next day’s paddle. On day two we paddled to our designated lunch spot where we found a delightful but cold beach for lunch. The crossing each way required attention and pause for ferry traffic but the weather was sunny and the waters calm. Making our way back to camp we again shared a dinner and good conversation. We returned to Swartz Bay on day three, stopping for lunch then and making our way through Stranger Passage to the boat launch. We enjoyed a welcome light wind and some whitecaps on the way back, making the final leg of the trip more stimulating. Rolling back on to the ferry was made easier by requesting staff to open a gate and Gordon heroically ran uphill to the booths to purchase tickets for all of us a few minutes before sailing.
During the trip, each participant had a chance to act as leader and various and interesting scenarios were played out to challenge us, both planned and unplanned. Decisions were made, actions carried out, and all was discussed. Maureen was full of stories to illustrate leadership challenges. We all learned a lot in the process. Thank you to Maureen Benzon and Andrew Mylly for leading the course and giving us all confidence in our leadership abilities.
