[Former Member]

Back in town next week.  Deep Cove or Strathcona Park work well for me.  Call if these locations work for you.

Graham

(604)928-1542

[Maureen Benzon]

Hi Harley,

If you are trying to scramble up onto a wider boat, climb up near the back (be careful of the rudder), then keeping your body low and your legs wide, pull yourself forward until your chest is over the front deck before you drop your bum into the seat.

Have fun practicing!

 

[Former Member]

Hello ladies!

Thank you all for your thoughts, feedback & suggestions – it’s very much appreciated!

I just picked up a full Kokatat drysuit (albeit with back ‘relief’ zipper) to try out…but will try to find a men’s version with the front zip before I take it out to play in the water.   As you mention Quirine, it’s bulky up top to get a proper fit in the bottom.  I looked into ordering one with some modifications from Kokatat…but the price tag is a bit…extreme.

I like your idea Randy, of having both for the reasons you mention…especially as I hope to paddle year round too.

Thanks again!!

[Former Member]

I would be interested. Feel free to contact me at 778-231-7446 to coordinate a practice 🙂

 

[Christoph Reiners]

I would be interested but would likely not be available before Sept 6.

Christoph

[Former Member]

Hi Bob,

Thank you for sending Mike’s details and likewise I would also like to practice together after I complete my training

Thanks

Svetozar

[Former Member]

Hi Sarka,

Very valuable information, Thank you very much!

Regards

Svetozar

[Sarka Lhotak]

Hi Svetozor,

I just came back from the Broughton’s.

Challenging part there is to get across the Johnstone strait ( 4-5 km crossing) as it is often windy with waves. The next challenge is to get through either Blackney passage or Weynton passage which have dangerous rips and whirpools.

We did the Wheynton passage going back to Telegraph cove at the low tide slack (Alert bay), it was not too bad but hard work to go against a strong current and somewhat disconcerting as whirlpools suddenly emerge in front of your kayak. On the way north we started from Kaikash creek at the lowest tide, so got to Blackney passage about an hour after low tide slack. There was a current there and eddies but managable.

Add to that a possibility of a cruise ship going through these passages (mostly Blackney, moving slowly, smaller wake) but also straight down Johnstone strait at high speed creating a very large breaking wave. You can listen to the shipping traffic on Channel 71 to know if a big ship is coming.

To avoid all this you can take a water taxi at Telegraph cove to get over the Johnston strait and the passages.

There are lots of commercial groups paddling there so be prepared to share a campsite. Kaikash creek is a large campsite with orcas parading there every evening.  There was a humpback there as well plus lots of humpbacks in Queen CHarlotte strait.

Hope this helps,

Sarka

 

[Former Member]

Would anyone be interested in a rolling practice? As I am new to rolling I would need someone beside the kayak until I can manage to get over a number of times before doing it on my own. This would save perhaps numerous wet exits. My schedule is quite variable but if my workplace does not request my presence I would be happy to make time to roll.

[Former Member]

I will join you.

[Former Member]

Mike Gilbert is an excellent trainer and can be contacted through the club member list. After your training I would be quite happy to go out and practice. My schedule varies all of the time so I can be contacted through my email rmeraw@gmail.com or text at 604-417-8873.

[Kapila Jayaweera]

Let me know if anyone likes to join this paddle before the BBQ event.

Kapila

[Former Member]

Thank you Harley, I’ll be contacting Dave.

[Clark Perry-Bater]

I forgot one more thing. If you camp at Grace Harbour, there is a very easy 1 km trail up to Black Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes I’ve ever seen, so wild! Very nice for swimming, too. A mother loon tried to chase me out of the lake, undoubtedly protecting her chicks! Part way up the trail, maybe only 100-150 metres from the campsite, on the right, is a beautiful little waterfall. You’ll probably hear the waterfall from the trail.  That’s where I got fresh water to filter to drink.   -Clark

[Clark Perry-Bater]

Hi Sandra! My wife and I paddled in Desolation Sound for the first time last July. We had a great time, including a few challenges:

1. We launched at Okeover Inlet on a dropping tide. There is a very small marina with a boat launch ramp, but there are signs everywhere telling kayakers not to use the ramp. So we had to use the VERY rocky beach and by the time we finished loading our boats, I was standing in shoulder-deep water cramming our gear into the hatches. We could not find one bit of beach between the rocks to load our boats! So try not to launch at a low tide. If you have to, there is a better spot below the campground parking lot about 100 metres up the beach to the north.

2. As we paddled up the inlet (North), we encountered a bit of a headwind, even though we were told 3 days later as we paddled into a stronger headwind on our return that the prevailing wind in the inlet is a southerly, regardless of what the wind conditions are on the west side by Lund (which was a strong NW wind when we were there). So we ended up paddling against the wind both ways on Okeover.

3. You asked about currents. We only paddled as far as Grace Harbour (the first campsite on Okeover Inlet in the marine park.) Just before we turned right at Kakaekae Point to go up the harbour, we noticed a fairly strong current (1-2 knots or more, depending on the tide cycles) coming through the narrows beside that point. So if you plan to go through there, it would be a lot easier on an ebbing tide.

4. You said you plan to make a stop en route to Cumes. We found Grace Harbour to be a lovely campsite, as long as you don’t camp on the tent pad on the left before the outhouse. It was pretty stinky! We camped up the hill to the right – a bit of a climb with all our gear, but it was worth it. We stayed 3 nights! Of course, the water in the harbour is great for swimming – so warm!

So good luck, have fun, and may the wind be always at your back!    – Clark Perry-Bater

[Author]

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