Category Archives: Paddling

Trip Report – Open Bay to Breton Island – 9 Aug 2017

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Four members enjoyed an unusually calm and peaceful paddle from Len Road Beach to Open Bay. We paddled past Seal Rock at the mouth of Hyacinthe Bay to check out the seal colony then stopped briefly at Big Beach in Open Bay, where we observed a few tents at the high tide line. Enjoying the foreshore and intertidal exposed by the very low tide, we explored the caves and outcroppings of Open Bay, the extreme infolding and convolutions of the unique geological formations of this area were clearly visible. We continued over to the Breton islets, lazily watched by the seal colony draped over the exposed rocks, and a few curious Bonaparte Gulls. We were pleased to see so many sea-stars back again, and carpets of sea urchins in the more active waters between the islets. After a short lunch stop on the south Breton, we paddled back to Len Beach across the glass-still ocean, concluding the calmest paddle I have ever enjoyed on Quadra.

Valerie van Veen, Trip Coordinator

Note:   In the last photo, Len, our newest member, demonstrates the new membership requirement for carrying kayaks. Existing members are grand-fathered/mothered from this requirement. 😃 lol

(click on photos to view larger)

Kayaking  – Open Bay to Breton Island – 9 Aug 2017

Kayaking – Open Bay to Breton Island – 9 Aug 2017

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Open Bay to Breton Island
Date 9 August 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca,  or 250 285 2329; must contact coordinator 24hrs before to confirm
Description A casual half-day paddle to Open Bay and islets.
Meeting Place Len Road launch
Departure Time Arrive in time for 10:00 departure
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: No lake or recreational kayaks. Kayaks must be ocean-worthy wilth all safety equipment. Bring snack, water, appropriate clothing for a half day paddle. Cancelled if winds greater than 20 knots.

Multi-day Kayaking – Nuchatlitz Prov Park – 20-28 Aug 2017

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 This trip has been cancelled.

Activity Multi-day kayaking
Destination Nuchatlitz Provincial Park
Date 20-28 August 2017
Trip Coordinator Kathryn Manry
Contact Info 2103 or kamanry@gmail.com. Please contact the coordinator by July 1.
Description We will take a water taxi in both directions between Zeballos and Nuchatlitz Prov Park. We will spend nine days paddling and camping as conditions permit. Likely destinations are Catala Island, islets in the provincial park, and Mary Basin
Meeting Place Zeballos
Departure Time TBA
Difficulty
 Expect some challenging conditions: fog and wind are likely
Costs Transportation and one night in Zeballos
Trip limits Participants on this trip need to have been on a previous multi-day kayak trip with the Outdoor Club. Good paddling skills and good equipment are essential. Space is limited by the water taxi and by accommodation in Zeballos.
Dogs? no
Notes:

Camping, Hiking, Kayaking – Savary Island – 7-9 Aug 2017

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Activity Camping, hiking, kayaking
Destination Savary Island
Date 7-9 August 2017, Monday to Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Cyndy Chidley
Contact Info 250-285-3575; Please make arrangements with the coordinator well in advance of the trip.
Description
Savary is a jewel of an island surrounded by white sand beaches.  We will hike or kayak on Tuesday.  Cyndy’s place is off grid with two outdoor composting toilets, a wood fired sauna, and indoor propane cooking facilities.  There is a solar panel for lights and charging cell phones. Water is hand pumped.  Remember that August is the busiest time of year and Monday is a holiday.
Getting there: Your own boat (kayak, motor or sailboat).  There is no moorage on a dock; you can anchor. Other options are a water taxi from Campbell River, or a water taxi combined with truck taxi from Lund.  These can be shared.  There is also a 15 minute reasonably priced float plane ride on Coralair from Campbell River that will land you close to the cabin, weather permitting, if you reserve ahead.
Meeting Place Cyndy’s place, Savary Island
Departure Time Arrive Savary on Monday, Aug 7 and depart on Wednesday, Aug 9 on you own schedule
Difficulty
 Easy to Medium…Hiking or kayaking would take most of one day
Costs Cost of transportation to Savary Island
Trip limits 10 people
Dogs? Yes if hiking; No if kayaking.  Dogs love Savary Island, but you must pack water for them.
Notes: Please bring your own gear for camping, cooking and boating, as well as your own food.  Kayaks are not available to rent on Savary, so you need to bring your own if you want to kayak.  We ask that you take your garbage off the island when you leave with the exception of burnables and compost.

Kayaking – Open Bay and Beyond – 28 June 2017

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This trip has been postponed

Activity Kayaking
Destination Open Bay and Beyond
Date 28 June 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Ann Sutton
Contact Info asutton@uniserve.com or 2117;  please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description This trip will be dependent on weather. The plan is to paddle out around the Breton Islands, continue north to Village Bay, circumnavigate the island at Bold Point and head back south through Mould’s Bay.  This is a trip for paddlers with some experience with wind and comfortable sitting in kayaks for a length of time.
Meeting Place Open Bay; please park on the road
Departure Time Arrive at 10:00 for a 10:30 departure
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch and water.  Bring all necessary gear to meet the Coast Guard requirements and to ensure safety.  Don’t forget your spray skirt!

Trip Report – Kayak Training – 6 June 2017

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QIOC has endeavoured to offer a kayak rescue training session every year as part of our ongoing quest to improve paddler safety and skills. This year, we offered two sessions – one for kayak rescue and a second for edging and maneuvering. Six members took the morning rescue session, where we learned how to rescue another kayaker in the event of an upset, and two more joined three of the morning group for an afternoon of edging skills and new strokes including sweeping, sculling draw, stern rudder, bow rudder and the low brace turn – and various combinations. Under the auspices of Coast Mountain Expeditions, Doug Taylor led the training sessions (for a second year) accompanied by Krista Wall.

All participants were very enthusiastic, praising the support and patience of both instructors (not everybody is absolutely thrilled to turn themselves upside down….). Doug and Krista were also very helpful in advising how to properly rig kayaks for assisted and self-rescue.

The water seemed a bit chillier than last year, but the weather was warm and sunny.

Thanks to Lannie (Coast Mountain), Doug and Krista for a great day, and to all participants – improving our safety skills helps us, and all our fellow paddlers!

Darcy Mitchell

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Kayaking Training – Main Lakes Provincial Park – 6 June 2017

Kayaking – Granite/Kanish Bays – 30 August 2017

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Granite and Kanish Bays
Date 30 August 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Darcy Mitchell
Contact Info mitchelldarcy51@gmail.com
Description Depending on weather conditions, paddle from Granite Bay to Chained Islets, north to Kanish Bay entrance, across to Orchard Bay for lunch and back to Granite Bay. If it’s windy, we’ll likely paddle up to Small Inlet, hike across to Waiatt Bay and back with a stop at Orchard Bay.
Meeting Place Boat launch, Granite Bay
Departure Time 10:00 (come early to unload and prepare)
Difficulty
 easy/moderate
Costs parking and launch fee at Granite Bay Boat launch (about $5.00)
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: We’ll plan to be back at the boat launch by 4:30 p.m. Bring a lunch and snacks.
Bring all necessary gear to meet the Coast Guard requirements and to ensure safety.