[Lorraine Sharpsteen]

I have a single kayak to loan. All I ask is for help in loading/unloading onto my car and carpool to the event. The kayak is fully equipped but you need your own life jacket.

[Nick Heath]

I launched there. It is the bay (WellburyBay?) directly opposite the ferry dock across the isthmus. The concrete ramps/stairs negotiated with wheels and hand carry was a bit awkward. Need boats mostly unloaded first.  Not much beach below – likely none at high water so time your launch and retrieve times accordingly. Otherwise, super convenient for a car-free tour! Start here and end, say, at Village Bay, Nanaimo or Sidney.  There are other nearby launches, too as shown on the BCMTNA web map, but I’ve not used them. Despite some shortcomings I’d definitely use this one again.

[Mick Allen]

Here is some discussion and a few photos:

http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/community/viewtopic.php?p=66364#p66364

I didn’t realize the photos weren’t on the marine trails [http://www.bcmarinetrails.org] map: a few more have been added now.

 

 

[Peter Mountstevens]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="533"] Screenshot[/caption]

 

Hi Emily

I’ve launched from there before and although I don’t know if it’s the same site as Joan used I do remember there being a fair amount of boulders to climb over.

The launch site is not in the same bay as the ferry comes into. We wheeled our kayaks up the ramp and straight across the road to the opposite junction of Long Harbour Rd and Scott Point Drive where there are a couple of picnic tables at the front of the vehicle line-up area. There is an access point to the beach on that side of the headland. You can see it if you zoom into Street View on Google Maps. I’ve tried to include a photo but I’m not sure if it attached.

All the best.

Peter

[Joan Mercier]

Hi Emily

I have launched from Salt Spring and it was very difficult.  There is a steep set of stairs going down to the water.  Depending on the wind direction, the waves can really roll in.  Also when we landed, it was at high tide, and we had to stand in the water almost up to our waist to unload the boats.  This was a few years ago, perhaps things have changed, or another member knows of something better.

Joan

[Emily Glasbey]

Hey,

Has anyone experienced rolling onto the ferry (without car) and launching at Long Harbour, Saltspring?  BC Marine Trails says the launch is close to the ferry but I wondered how easy or difficult this particular one is.

We plan to paddle over to Galliano.

Thanks! Em

[Nick Heath]

For the past couple of  weeks, the “GarBarge” has been picking up by helicopter bags, strings and piles of previously collected plastic flotsam from Vancouver Island beaches and it is being unleaded today. On Saturday 1 Oct and maybe into Sun 2 Oct  volunteers will be sorting this stuff for recycling.

This is a concerted effort by several marine conservation and land management groups, including BCMTNA.

If you can spare some time on Sat, please help out.
To register, please go to the Living Oceans Society (chief event organizers)  Facebook page
  https://www.facebook.com/events/1107389392686607/
The event will take place at
River Road Barge and Transfer, 8761 River Road, DELTA  not at Steveston as previously announced.

Bring lunch, mug, gloves and, I would guess, rain gear
Starts at 10 am.
Hope to see you there.
/n

[David Murray]

Thanks Karin, I’m in.

 

[Nick Heath]

In my view, the trickiest place locally  for ferry traffic plus other boat traffic is Swartz Bay.  There are 3 separate passages, E.W and N to watch for.  The sprint for safety (taking a perpendicular course to the direction of the channel) only applies to the deep-water channels between the red/green marker buoys. Once you are clear of a channel you’re home safe because the biggies will never go there.

[Nick Heath]

Like Maureen, my experience is limited, too.  It seems that the better/more experienced companies have equipped their boats with cradles specifically for kayaks. Canoes will go well on standard flat bar racks like a roof rack and SUPs usually stack up on their sides or on top, with skegs removed.  I would maybe ask and bring along with you whatever you think you need to protect the boat’s finish. Stacking kayaks on top of each other sounds like a bad idea.  The taxi boats will pound if the water is at all rough.  The taxi operators prefer to do all the lashing themselves (I don;t blame them) but they are interested primarily in the security of their load .

[Karin Hartner]

Meet at 10 am for a 10:30 launch at Captain’s Cove Marina at 6100 Ferry Road, Delta.

This is a scenic paddle on the South Arm of the Fraser River and around the Ladner Marshes. It is suitable for newer paddlers as long as the winds are moderate.  The tide will be flooding for much of our time on the water. We will stop for a break so bring a lunch.

There is no kayak rental available in the area, so please rent the evening before if you plan to attend and do not own a kayak.

If you wish to join in, please contact Karin at    karinhartner@gmail.com

 

[Maureen Benzon]

The rescue practice is from 9 to 12. I will be going for a paddle afterward a quick lunch on the beach. Duration and distance depends upon who would like to join me, and how much energy we have left after a morning of rescue practice.

[Marina Dodis]

Hi Theresa,

I too am interested and also a new member to the club. I have done lots of multi day trips and have been paddling for a number of years. Where are you thinking of going?

Marina

marina@marinadodis.com

 

[Sarka Lhotak]

Hi Theresa,

 

I would be interested. I am available Thursday to Sunday. I am new to the club but have extensive paddling and tripping experience from Ontario. I moved to Squamish in August and so far I have paddled with SKABC members: Patti Gordon, Steve Barnes, Maureen Benzon, Joan Jones, Jonas.

Looking forward to meeting you,

Sarka Lhotak

lhotaks@mcmaster.ca

[Rose Sirois]

Club members will remember Sandra Baron and Peter Harris of Pacific PaddleSports who presented at a club night last year.  They are running a currents course in early October in case anyone is interested.  More details can be found at this link:

http://www.pacificapaddle.com/event/quadra-island-kayak-adventure-2/?instance_id=28287

[Author]

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