[Nick Heath]

The ‘club owned boats’ idea has much appeal, but SKABC in the past has been challenged  to own/maintain/ share even small equipment such as VHF radios (we had to sell them off cheaply), hydrophones (all ‘disappeared’.) This is not to mention marine charts and BBQ – all impacted by a lack of suitable storage space

Having a formal membership arrangement with a group like Club Locarno would seem to make the best sense. We’ve mulled this idea before and encourage non-boat owners to look into joining the kayak section of that club.

A mutual range of benefits might result – they get increased access to trips and training etc and maybe boat maintenance too. We get access to some boats for beginners or apartment dwellers and their boats can be booked and used either at or away from their Jericho site.

I think this should be explored more vigorously than I was able to do in the past couple of years. We have or have had several dual members.

 

[Nick Heath]

There are lots of places where the consequences might be severe for an error  – e.g starting with Turn Pt on Johnstone Str / camp at Little Bear Bay, but if you want something safer, I’d suggest Surge Narrows/Whiterock Passage. Hole in the Wall and Okisollo Rpds with good camping at Francisco I or Freedom Pt or other locations nearby. Another idea is out of Pt Hardy or Fort Rupert out to the Masterman Is and camp at Cattle I, but the current is quite weak.

[John Halliday]

I recommend that you become familiar with the marine weather forecasts for Pacific south coast here: https://weather.gc.ca/marine/region_e.html?mapID=02

Particularly Johnstone Strait and Strait of Georgia

Then find an area with strong winds and go there!

[Devi Desabhatla]

Pender Island. (  BC ferry to Otter Bay, direct from Tsawaassen or via Victoria)

Camp at Port Browning Marina.  Tent sites on grass next to small beach. Or you can glamp.. tented accommodation. Hot showers: 2x loonies. Good restaurant or go to small mall close by.

Small beach next to camp site in a bay. Perfect for roll etc practice in calm waters.

Head out to end of bay towards Saturna Island for more dynamic waters.

Circumnavigate South Pender

Channel between North and South Pender has strong tidal current , when time is right: ideal to practice cross tide ferrying.

I have been there last year and earlier in May this year for a training session.

Cheers

 

[Jody Baker]

There are plenty of good campsites in Johnstone Straight/Broughtons. Flower Island is now closed 😕. We’ve always favored White Cliff Islets. Its open, sunny, and very picturesque; it’s absolutely the best spot for watching humpbacks. They feed all around the islets and often come quite close. It is more exposed so maybe not the best of you expect bad weather. Landing is slightly tricky on rock; it can be slippery at low tide. Leg Cove is nice, very protected but can also be quite damp and cool. Owl and Cedar Islands are good options.  All the camp sites in the area can be crowded, especially with tour operators. We’ve found it’s best to arrive at sites in late morning if you can. There are currents so you should have the current tables for both Blackney Passage and Weynton Passage and plan accordingly. They are available at https://tides.gc.ca/en/current-predictions-station. There can be currents in spots around the Plumpers as you pass through. Its a beautiful area and you will probably encounter humpbacks, porpoises, sea lions, orcas.

 

 

 

[Kevin Amos]

Take a look at the BCMT map. https://www.bcmarinetrails.org/

But Kaikash is a nice place to stay without having to cross the strait.

https://www.skabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Kayak-Destination-Info-Sheet-Broughton-Group.pdf

[Richard Magill]

Looking for advice on a good two night trip out of Telegraph Cove.   Nice sites (though we are looking at BCMT), currents to be concerned about not obvious from charts, prevailing wind/weather patterns, etc. Not sure yet if we’ll be paddling to one spot and staying for two nights or camping at two different spots, but the primary goal of the trip is to practice skills in L2-3 water.

[Richard Magill]

Thank you!

[Sue Johnson]

1.     Two Thule square bars 57.5”

2.     Yakima rooftop mounted rubber rests.

3.     Yakima HandRoll Rooftop Mount, durable rubber rollers that help guide your boat into place. Rollers also pivot to adjust to the shape of your boat for a secure hold.

Instruction booklet included.

Excellent condition. Pick up near 22nd and Lonsdale,  N Van.

$ will go to the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation.

Cash only please.

[Vincent Law]

I’m selling brand new gear for a friend who was planning to paddle to Alaska. Then covid hit and now he has a busy life…

Gear includes:

Women’s Pivot dry suit size Medium $600

NRS Paddle Wetshoe 10 Black/Gray $49

NRS Women’s Paddle Wetshoe 8. $49

NRS Zoya PFD XS/M Gray $70

2 of NRS Taj M’Haul Deck Bag Red/Black. $60

2 of NRS Basic Touring Safety Kit Yellow. $75

NRS Hydrolock Map Case L $40

They are all listed on Facebook marketplace under my name.

10% off for SKABC members

[Yekaterina Yushmanova]

The idea of club boats is very appealing. I think it is a huge barrier for folks in the Lower Mainland due to lack of storage. Or/and a secure club storage facility.
Also adding a campsite between Keats and the Thormanbies.

 

[Lisa Ouellette]

Gabriola Passage is one location, accessible from the Gray Road launch on Gabriola Island.  If you have access to the BCMT map, you should be able to find this easily.  You need a good tidal change to fire that up.  No consequences, really, if you miss an eddy turn.

Also, the gap between Mudge Island and Vancouver Island – accessible from the Cedar boat ramp, also easily found on the BCMT map.  Again, a good tidal change will give you some nice eddy lines and waves to play in. Consequences also fine.

Both locations have camping options nearby.

[Richard Magill]

Does anyone in this forum ever paddle North Island (Nanaimo – Port Hardy)?  I’m looking for a place where a friend of mine and I can practice rescues in dynamic conditions without it being to consequential if we’re not as good as we thought we were :-).  I know there are some good places on the West Coast… specifically looking for east coast of the Island, preferably near some good camping spots.

[Nick Heath]

I received a suggestion from Tony C for a new path from the parking lot to facilitate launching kayaks etc off the N beach at Porteau Cv. I ran the idea by BC Parks, but the problem is that the dive area buoyage prohibits all vessels (even human powered) from the N bay all the way to shore.

[Bob Maher]

Hi,

I took my old Flare to the RCMP and they will dispose of them. I am sure that other Policy Forces do the same. Probably best to phone first.

Thanks, Bob

[Author]

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