[Kapila Jayaweera]

Few people sign up for the paddle before picnic today. If anyone else like to join, please add your name to my original posting before 1pm today.
Thanks,
Kapila

 

[Sarka Lhotak]

I would be interested more in the Nick Heath’s type of trip. I’ve just been to Thormanby, camped in Buccaneer bay. It must be a zoo there in summer. I was lucky to have two very nice young  couples camping there with me and Katya who arrived in the evening. And next day the wind was strong and no visitors or bathers came but I was wind-bound as well. I started from Buccaneer marina which was very friendly, peaceful and reasonably priced.

At this point I am also unclear about my August dates but I am usually flexible.

Sarka

[Nick Heath]

I’ve been thinking of posting a Thormanby trip, too, but mine might have a different agenda from yours, Nick. I’m keen to check in some depth (‘site assessment’) each likely camping location in Simson Park and not to camp at Buccaneer Bay/Grassy Point along with all the rowdies. I’ve camped at Farm Bay a couple of times and it is nice enough, but folks suggest that Long Bay is even nicer so I’d like to try it out.  There are 2 other sites too, on the E shore. Also I’d like to do some hiking or see how bushed in the old roads/trails have become. I feel that Simson gets neglected by BC Parks and I want to know if my hunch is correct or not. (Basically if it doesn’t have a road, a dock or a sand beach they tend to rarely/never visit). I’ve lobbied BC P without success to put some infrastructure (i.e. toilet) into one of the Simson sites, partly to divert people (paddlers) from Buccaneer Bay. Also  BC P arbitrarily closed the camping at Smuggler Cove about 2 years ago without saying anything, so area capacity is now reduced further. This island is great and deserves more paddler visits!  Of course, other day trips should also involve paddling around the islands, visiting Surrey Its and Smuggler Cv and maybe Secret Cv. I’ve launched from Brooks Rd and from Coopers Green and both are good. Technically, there is no overnight parking at Coopers Green, but I did not have any problem on the one occasion when I parked there for about 5 nights. I’m unclear about what dates I am free in Aug.

[Kallie Cunningham]

Hi Nick,

I haven’t been out for at least a year given COVID. This would be a great “re-entry” trip and I’d love to join.  Timing will matter due to work commitments. Let me know your plans/potential dates and I will look into whether it will work for me.

My last trip there I broke a rib, when packing up last day on one of Rick’s courses – long story.  I  am not used to this forum.  My email and phone details if I do not reply are:  kcunningham.unsw@gmail.com  and 604 619 3016.

Hope you and the family are safe, healthy and staying “cool”.

Kallie

[Former Member]

Hey Fellow Paddlers …

I am thinking of organizing a 4 day, 3 night trip to Thormanby Island in August and wanted to see if there is any interest.

Send me a note to nick@jones.ca

Nick

[Lorraine Sharpsteen]

Have you recently found one or more of our library books in your home? Coming to the club picnic at Locarno Beach this coming Monday evening? Our librarian will be happy to accept all returns, no questions asked! (Please note: this opportunity is only for the July picnic.)

[Kevin Amos]

Yes that sounds great. Kevin

[Brian Pegg]

Thanks for this Kapila I would like to join.  My boat is at Jericho anyways so super easy for me.

Brian

[Kapila Jayaweera]

I am planning to paddle before club picnic on Monday July 5th. If anyone interested please post on this forum so that other’s know.

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

Paddle towards Wreck beach and back closer to six nautical miles should be able to do it in 2 hours also then join picnic.

If more than six people sign up, then group will divide into multiple groups with 5-6 participant per group.

If anyone have question please contact me via Kapila_j@hotmail.com

Thanks

[Susan Servos-Sept]

Duane and I are interested. Have to see if can find some wheels, though. Unable to commit at this point.

[Former Member]

Given the extreme conditions right now for fire hazard around the province as well as the devastating images from the Lytton fire, I would not be surprised to hear of park operators keeping a close eye on campers using any kind of stove.

[Nick Heath]

The BC govt press release says ”

In addition to campfires, Category 2, and Category 3 open fires, the following activities are also prohibited:

The use of outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus without a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriter Laboratories of Canada (ULC) rating.

I suspect none of my 3 MSR Whisperlite (white gas/multifuel) stoves has this rating- I still have the packaging for the youngest of these and it says nothing about a CSA or ULC rating. I also have an Isopropane Pocket Rocket stove, and I don’t see any reference on it to safety ratings either, so are these stoves illegal to use or are they on a BC govt or CSA approved list some place that I’m unaware of?

Maybe I just need to suck it up accept a diet of cold raw oatmeal porridge and tea made by dropping my teabag into a cup of cold water?

[Former Member]

The freighters that are anchored along the West Van shoreline can be a useful flow indicator (in the absence of wind).  They can often be pointed in a different direction than the others in English Bay.

[Former Member]

Here are some notes for those new to this particular adventure:

BC Ferries – The ferry system serves kayakers the same as cyclists. When you pay for your ticket, let them know you are walking aboard with your kayak so they can charge you accordingly.

They will give you a code for the gate to access the vehicle area where you will walk down to the correct berth and ramp and wait with the cyclists. At Horseshoe Bay this gate is behind the building where the ticket booths are. At Departure Bay it is on the left side of the building where the ticket counter is. Do try and get someone to hold the gate for you while you roll your boat through. It’s easier on your boat and everyone else that way.

Your boat will be down on the main vehicle deck. On most sailings that area is closed off and patrolled by crew, so your gear should be safe. I keep my valuables in a special dry bag (ditch bag) which I keep with me while aboard the ferry or in my cockpit.

Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal – Most of you will be coming via Horseshoe Bay terminal to Departure Bay terminal in Nanaimo. This is one of the busiest routes in the ferry system and will be very busy on Labour Day holiday weekend. If you can arrange to be dropped off with your boat and gear (and picked up afterwards) this is the best case scenario. The terminal itself is undergoing renovations, so please check ahead of time what the parking situation is if you have to drive yourself.

Departure Bay Ferry Terminal – When arriving you will walk your boat off and to the left along the terminal building. You will find the exit gate near the end of the building. Once you walk out, head left and you can follow the exit road (staying to one side, out of the traffic) for about 2 blocks to the Brechin Boat ramp. This is where you will get your boat off your wheels and load it up. You will be crossing the channel to the shore of Newcastle Island and then following the shore around to the southeast side of the island where the group campsites are.

Coming back is the reverse. You will need to leave your boat outside the doors to the ticket counters, pay for your ticket, and then go back through the gate to the cyclist waiting area.

Kayak Wheels – If you don’t have wheels, now is the time to beg/borrow/steal some. Keep an eye out on Craigslist, FB Marketplace, or Kijiji, as they show up pretty regularly. There are center wheels and end wheels. Pretty much the only pro for end wheels is that they are small and will fit into most hatches. Center wheels support your hull if loaded properly. You will want to practice with them to make sure you know how to get your boat centered on them and strapped on securely. Set your heaviest gear (typically food and kitchen kit) and valuables aside to carry in soft rucksack (that can be packed into your hatches later) and put the rest in your cockpit where it will be supported by the wheels. Don’t forget you need room for camping gear + paddling gear. Bring your cockpit cover if you’ve got one.

Schedule – Do try and give yourself as much time as you can to travel to/from Nanaimo. If you can get away early on Friday, the midday sailings are great. There will still be good daylight in September, so a late afternoon sailing will get you to Nanaimo in good time. Some folk leave on Sunday afternoon/evening, but most leave Monday morning.

Newcastle Island – We have reserved Group Site 5 this year as that was the last available. Yes, they are booking this far in advance. This is at the far end (furthest north) of the group area on the eastern shore of the island. There are pay showers, so do not forget your loonies and bath sheet. The site operators also provide firewood, usually at less than $10/bundle, but do not count on that this year with the campfire ban now in place.

[Former Member]

As of June 30, all open fires – including campfires – will be banned in BC.
That means that there will be no campfires allowed for the upcoming
holiday (and weekend). The current hot dry weather has caused the fire
danger to spike, and with no rain in the forecast, any fires that start are
likely to spread quickly.

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021FLNRO0051-001261

Note: fireworks and tiki torches are included in the ban. Please don’t
be the reason for a wildfire.

[Author]

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