[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

[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

[Author]

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