Gambier Island Kayak Cuisine Weekend May 23-24 2026

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Kevin Webmaster

On Saturday, May 23, 2026, 10 paddlers set out from Brunswick Beach bound for Gambier Island, loaded with delicious ingredients for a ‘Kayak Cuisine Weekend’ to remember!

The crossing from Brunswick to Gambier took about 90 minutes with a moderate headwind and swell to contend with. After a short pause to catch our breath off Halkett Point, we headed around the point and across Halkett Bay to a beach for an early lunch.

Back on the water, we were serenaded by dozens of sea lions - the California variety, rather than Stellar, was our guess - sunning themselves on the docks and pontoons along the shore of Gambier. A few eagles were spotted, along with some cute young geese, as we cruised past the shacks and fancy homes.

We rounded the breakwater and arrived at Trudie’s property early afternoon, unloading the boats and hiking up the steep drive to the cabin. Numbers were drawn to select camping spots on the two available fields, the lower dubbed ‘Princess Meadow’ by Kevin when all five spots were snagged by the ladies!

When the tents were deployed and the boats hauled up, an easy afternoon was enjoyed by all. We reconvened at the cabin at 5 pm to receive our chopping and cooking instructions from Vincent for a three-course, Mexican-inspired feast of seven-layer dip and corn chips, chicken and vegetarian tacos, followed by a spicy fruit salad and washed down with non-alcoholic beers with lime.

After dinner, clean up and some laughs, most of us retired before the sun was down with full bellies and tired bodies, ready for a good sleep. Based on my survey, most people achieved this, despite some wind overnight and the occasional call from the giant sea lion on the pontoon nearby!

On Sunday morning, suitably caffeinated, we were on the water by 9 am - exactly as planned! There was some wind but not too bad as we passed by the noisy sea lions again. While paddling, we witnessed a boisterous wrestling bout between a pair of male sea lions vying for dominance over a nearby float. A solitary female nearby appeared entirely unconcerned by the
scuffle, which concluded when the challenger was unceremoniously shoved into the water. We rounded the corner into Halkett Bay where the water was calm and headed for the campground for a break. The tide was low enough that we couldn't quite make it over the gravel bar to the end of the bay, so we stopped on a beach where a dozen curious seals eyeballed us.

Back on the water, we crossed back to Brunswick Beach, but this time the wind was behind us, and we all agreed it was easier than the day before. We were back on the beach soon after 12 pm, where some people stayed for lunch while others hiked up the hill to retrieve their cars, load up, and head home.

Thank you to everyone for an enjoyable weekend, especially Trudie for allowing us to use her property, Philip for leading the trip, and Vincent for hosting a great dinner!

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Our dear friend and fellow kayaker, Chris Dennis

Posted on May 19, 2026 by Kevin Webmaster

Our dear friend and fellow kayaker, Chris Dennis, passed away on April 13, 2026 after suffering a heart attack. Chris was a long-time SKABC member until he moved from North Vancouver to Vancouver Island a few years ago. He emigrated from South Africa with his family many years ago and became an avid kayaker in the local waters. His favourite place to paddle was the Broken Group, but we also paddled with him in Haida Gwaii, God's Pocket, the Broughtons, Clayoquot Sound, and Nootka Sound. He loved being on the water and was a skilled trip planner and paddler. He generously gave his time to lead club and other trips, and was happy to share his knowledge with others. His friends are invited to join a celebration of Chris' life at 5 pm on Saturday, July 25th, 2026 at John Lawson Park in West Vancouver.

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Exploring in the Discovery Islands

Posted on May 12, 2026 by Kevin Webmaster

The convoy to Heriot Bay was uneventful, but the sunny, warm weather was welcome. However, after we looked around for parking and launching sites, it became apparent that the prevailing headwind would keep us shore bound at the Heriot Bay Inn campground for the night. The next day brought more sunshine and reduced wind, so our expedition of discovery in the Discovery Islands could begin.

At 0930 h sharp, Colleen, Nick and Iveta led Esmeralda, Eric and John out on the first 10.2 NM day of our now six-day trip. The first two crossings to Read Island were moderately choppy, but by the time we rounded Viner Point and headed northeast, the wind had decreased and our drysuits became a bit uncomfortable. Along the way, we encountered eagles, curious sea lions and very little boat traffic. After a long day of paddling we reached Penn Islands North, where we set up for the first of two nights at the BC Marine Trails campsite that boasted a new composting toilet. The campsite is a beautiful up/down split with the upstairs sites providing refreshing breezes and spectacular views from the rock thirty feet above the water. The downstairs sites are closer to the beach and are tucked in the woods out of the wind. As the tide went out in the evening, we sat upstairs and watched a solitary inquisitive seal patrol the small inlet below as it returned repeatedly to keep and eye on us.

Day 3 brought more glorious weather and a 6.0 NM tour of Frederic Pt on Read Island and the Penn Islands themselves. Near the end of our outing, we passed through the channel between Central and East Penn Islands. John speculated that this area was a nursery for young seals that had been left for the day by their parents and told not to venture out of the area. It seems that the temptation of kayaks was too much for many of them, as they followed our boats with interest for quite a while.

The next morning brought us to another travel day, but not until after we saw a small pod of orcas not far from our campsite. The whales were active in the same area in which we had seen the young seals, so perhaps there was an unpleasant meeting of the two. Shortly after, we set off on 4.5 NM day 3 with a crossing to Robertson Creek on Cortes Island, where we stopped for lunch and a water recharge. In the afternoon, we reached the dispersed camping site near the reversing tidal rapids in Von Donop Inlet. It was fascinating to see the rapids flowing seaward at low tide, but we were too tired to get up in the middle of the night to see the flow reverse.

On the next day, we explored the rest of Von Donop Inlet before heading back out into Sutil Channel and down the shore of Cortes to Carrington Bay (9.0 NM), where we spent two nights at the campsite at Carrington Bay Regional Park. Thankfully, the park was quiet and we seemed to be the only campers in residence. As at Von Donop, Carrington Bay also has tidal rapids connecting the Bay to a lagoon. John and I watched expectantly, but again, we could not see the rapids reverse into the lagoon. Our next day (day 5) was a shore day that included hiking several of the Park trails and a beach lunch on Carrington Lagoon.

Our final leg on day 6 took us out of Carrington Bay, past Coulter Island and the Subtle Islands. We then worked hard on three crossings under full sun and with calm winds, first to Viner Point on Read Island, then on to the Breton Islands and finally back to the Heriot Bay Inn on Quadra Island, 11.6 NM in all. For some of us, the trip ended with another night of camping at the Inn, while others departed for Quathiaski Cove and beyond.

Many thanks to Colleen, Nick and Iveta for researching and leading this outing and for scheduling it for a period of outstanding weather. Thanks also Esmeralda, Colleen, Iveta and John for accompanying photos. Exploring in the Discovery Islands

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Perimeter Line Replacement Workshop

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Kevin Webmaster

Perimeter Line Replacement Workshop
Saturday, March 21, 2026. 11:00am – 1:00pm and 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Leaders: Maureen and Ken
Participants: Es, Eric, Libby, Katie, Kirsten, Courtney, Christian

I had just finished taking pictures of the front and back decks of my red Delta 16 so I would be able to reproduce the pattern with new perimeter lines. It was now time to cut the old lines. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and snipped that first line in two. There was no going back now.

I’m usually daunted by repairs. I mean, if you need something fixed, best to get it done by someone who knows what they’re doing, right? My deck lines had lost their give, and the hatch cords were frayed and loose. It was time. I had been procrastinating on taking my boat somewhere to get these done and then noticed a club workshop was scheduled for the first day of spring. At $40, including the cost of materials, it was a good deal. I signed up. When I mentioned to Maureen that I felt daunted by this, she assured me that it was easy.

Saturday morning dawned sunny but cool. Six of us met in North Van and under Maureen’s direction, prepared ourselves for giving our kayaks a facelift. Ken provided the venue, as well as fresh coffee and a box of Tim’s donuts. I sensed it would be a good day.

We used my boat as a demo and Maureen started by showing us the step-by-step process. Starting with the front deck, we replaced the perimeter lines first, then the hatch cords. Now that the process had been demonstrated, the others started on their boats as well. It was my turn to do the back deck lines...without Maureen. I helped myself to a donut. Nothing like a honey cruller to fuel me for the next phase.

By lunch time, my work area was in the shade and I was chilly. A quick bite, then Eric and I moved inside the cabin and helped Libby work on her boat. Pictures, cut, measure, replace. We met the challenge of all the knots head on, with occasional help from Maureen and You Tube. By the time we gathered outside again, we were feeling the pride of accomplishment. The other boats were all done and Katie was polishing her new-to-her Guide 17, restoring it to its original beauty.

For a few hours that Saturday morning, there was a bit of a buzz around our work area - people chatting and laughing - which feels just as it should when a group of kayakers gets together to tackle a new challenge. We stayed on land this time, no paddling that day, but we had spent a few hours working on our boats. Suddenly I felt like a “real” paddler. And Maureen was right – it had been easy. Sort of. I mean, all those knots!

Our group was all smiles as we moved our boats out of the work area to make room for the afternoon group. They were now trickling in and looking for good spots to set up their kayaks. Eric and I loaded my boat onto our car. It gleamed in the sunshine. I took a step back and admired our handy work. We had really done this.

When I went back to the cabin to say good-bye, I noticed the next group was ready to get started. They too were now smiling eagerly, perhaps nervously, as they contemplated cutting their lines.

Esmeralda Cabral

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March 2 at Trout Lake Community Centre

Posted on March 5, 2026 by Kevin Webmaster

Our in-person meeting March 2 at Trout Lake Community Centre was lively with around 60 people joining in. Members commented that they appreciated the efforts by Esmeralda and other volunteers to plan the meeting -- including getting a call via our phone tree. We had several new faces from the publicity that included Meetup and Facebook. And of course many long-time members were in the mix.

For Susan's icebreaker activity people paired up a few times with people they didn't know well for questions and kayaking scenarios. Then after time for socializing, coffee, and cookies, people set up chairs for Maureen's presentation which included videos of rescues at Skookumchuck. There was good technical detail and audience participation. Overall it was an enjoyable kickoff to the paddling season. Thanks to all who attended!