[Former Member]

Hi Ron,

My wife Donna and I are very interested for early August…or any time in August.

thanks

Doug Williams

[Ronald Simmer]

Hi SKABC folk. All the campsites in the Broken Islands are booked up by now but I propose a small group rent some rooms in the Broken Islands Lodge (formerly the Sechart Lodge) and paddle a few days end of July or early August. Right now there are open dates weekends or weekdays. Price is about $130 per day for 2 meals, hot showers, nice beds and cheer around the fireplace.  Email me at ron.v.simmer@gmail.com with your preferred dates and details about sharing rooms.  The deal is we park at a lot off the Tofino highway, launch boats and paddle a short distance to the lodge. They may have rentals if you dont have a kayak.  So let me know.   I am a long time member who used to lead trips to the west coast of Vancouver Island, but have been absent for a few years.   Cheers  Ron Simmer

[Former Member]

For those who don’t know, you can see a current map of wildfires in the province here:

https://governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/f0ac328d88c74d07aa2ee385abe2a41b

There are 211 active fires right now and I was surprised to see 4 of them are here in the Coastal zone.

[Mike Gilbert]

If you are in town and looking for something worthwhile to do on the water, Mike Gilbert is offering 4 different clinics this weekend for a cost of $150.00 for all four clinics.

Days begin @ 0900 hrs. and go until 1600 hrs. (ish) both Saturday & Sunday.

on the program…
Sat morning – paddle strokes skills and techniques
Sat afternoon – rolling skills
Sun morning – Greenland paddle skills
Sun afternoon – Re-entry skills

We meet in Vanier Park parking lot (by the Coast Guard station).

Maximum number is 6.  I have 3 spots left for those interested.  E-mail me (mgilbert1600@gmail.com) or give me a shout on my phone 778-835-0774 if interested.

[Former Member]

The FCRCC around Bowen small boats race this year is on July 25.

There will be the full course of 32km and a relay option with legs of 15km and 18km.

Currently there is only one Sea Kayak registered so far.

The event organizers are wondering if anyone from SKABC would like to participate.

There is a registration form with all the details about the race on it:

https://forms.gle/8MDQyYWYrJmMrGPfA

Contact Rob Magus robmaguscoaching@gmail.com with any questions.

[Former Member]

We have a number of members who have a lot of skill and training. I am hoping one of them will comment here.

I am well familiar with the method “hold the shaft of your paddle against the back of your coaming while using the paddle like an outrigger”. I use it often and have taught it to other people over the years. Recently I’ve been paddling a lot more and I got to where this method is too ‘fussy’ for quickly jumping in and out. Instead I have become comfortable with balancing on the back of my cockpit as I tuck my legs in or pull them out.

It has been interesting exploring this, because I came to see it’s the same balancing act getting in at the start of the paddle as it is when arriving, and also if you’re doing a cowboy scramble re-entry.

Beyond just balancing on my coaming or back deck, I find that putting my hands on the heels of my coaming, almost sitting on them, offers the best control over my boat while sliding in or out. I found that moment was the crux move in both cases.

Anyhow, I don’t know if this helps or not. Just my $0.02.

[Former Member]

Thank you for the advice!  Do you recommend anywhere in particular as an alternative to Clayoquot?

[Former Member]

Thank you for all the links!  I’ll check them all out.

[Nick Heath]

Parking – some years ago I left 2 cars in the pay lot near the RCMP in Tofino. This seemed a reasonable fee and the proceeds went to the village, although it is against my religion to pay for parking… I don’t know what the options are this year.

An emerging item of note is that the Ahousaht have just announced that they will close several campsites and will patrol with their so-called Guardians to collect $15/day from independent paddlers who are in their traditional territory. While this is illegal except for sites that are in IR or Treaty Settlement Land,  the commercial operators have already caved in and agreed to pay (they’ll just pass on the cost to their customers). In the present emotional, politicized climate I don’t expect the prov govt will say anything – they did not object when the same band charged fees on Vargas for use of the hiking trail, even if one camped at the Prov Park and did not use the trail – arriving instead by paddlecraft.  So – my advice is really that there plenty of alternatives to Clayoquot and I would go elsewhere until we have a clearer picture.

The Ahousaht might have info on a web site – but I did not yet find any.

 

[Former Member]

Hi Laurel

I highly suggest checking out https://www.bcmarinetrails.org/, unfortunately no notes about parking.

https://www.oceanoutfitters.bc.ca/parking-in-tofino

http://ioverlander.com/places/59304-overnight-parking-in-tofino

[Former Member]

Hi, this is our first time posting here…!  We are heading to Clayoquot Sound for a week of paddling at the end of July.  Does anyone have any suggestions on where to leave our car for the week?

Also we are planning to stay in the sheltered waters, so likely heading to the north end of Vargas Island, and around the back side of Meares.  Open to any suggestions on places to camp – ideally we’ll have two base camps on the trip, for 3-4 nights each.

[Brian Pegg]

I’ll join you Kapila!

[Kapila Jayaweera]

Hi Jenifer, Please look at my previous Friday posting for more details.

You can paddle half away and back if you like,

Meet up at 2:30pm near Locarno Beach “Trimble Street parking” lot next to public washrooms, ready to launch by 3pm

Thanks

Kapila

 

[Former Member]

Hello Kapila,

What time are you meeting for the paddle today? I may join you just for an hour paddle…can’t do more than that right now.

Jennifer Wilson

[Former Member]

I was wondering if anyone has some advice or resources they could share about how to handle a landing on a steep, gravel beach when there is surf?   The location where I often paddle has these characteristics and I am struggle a bit to figure it out.   My normal techique (side entry with the paddle held at the rear of the cockpit and acting as a brace) is not working well.   Thanks in advance … Nick

[Author]

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