[Richard Magill]

Does anyone in this forum ever paddle North Island (Nanaimo – Port Hardy)?  I’m looking for a place where a friend of mine and I can practice rescues in dynamic conditions without it being to consequential if we’re not as good as we thought we were :-).  I know there are some good places on the West Coast… specifically looking for east coast of the Island, preferably near some good camping spots.

Topic

[Nick Heath]

There are lots of places where the consequences might be severe for an error  – e.g starting with Turn Pt on Johnstone Str / camp at Little Bear Bay, but if you want something safer, I’d suggest Surge Narrows/Whiterock Passage. Hole in the Wall and Okisollo Rpds with good camping at Francisco I or Freedom Pt or other locations nearby. Another idea is out of Pt Hardy or Fort Rupert out to the Masterman Is and camp at Cattle I, but the current is quite weak.

[John Halliday]

I recommend that you become familiar with the marine weather forecasts for Pacific south coast here: https://weather.gc.ca/marine/region_e.html?mapID=02

Particularly Johnstone Strait and Strait of Georgia

Then find an area with strong winds and go there!

[Devi Desabhatla]

Pender Island. (  BC ferry to Otter Bay, direct from Tsawaassen or via Victoria)

Camp at Port Browning Marina.  Tent sites on grass next to small beach. Or you can glamp.. tented accommodation. Hot showers: 2x loonies. Good restaurant or go to small mall close by.

Small beach next to camp site in a bay. Perfect for roll etc practice in calm waters.

Head out to end of bay towards Saturna Island for more dynamic waters.

Circumnavigate South Pender

Channel between North and South Pender has strong tidal current , when time is right: ideal to practice cross tide ferrying.

I have been there last year and earlier in May this year for a training session.

Cheers

 

[Richard Magill]

Thank you!

[Lisa Ouellette]

Gabriola Passage is one location, accessible from the Gray Road launch on Gabriola Island.  If you have access to the BCMT map, you should be able to find this easily.  You need a good tidal change to fire that up.  No consequences, really, if you miss an eddy turn.

Also, the gap between Mudge Island and Vancouver Island – accessible from the Cedar boat ramp, also easily found on the BCMT map.  Again, a good tidal change will give you some nice eddy lines and waves to play in. Consequences also fine.

Both locations have camping options nearby.

[Author]

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