Category Archives: Paddling

Trip Report – Kayak Practice – 23 June 2022

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Five club members met at Mine Lake to practice kayak rescues. As it was sunny, but cool and windy, blowing onshore, the decision was made not to paddle to another location and practice was held close to the boat launch. Participants discussed deck layout, paddle floats, and a dry running of a paddle float rescue and a group rescue.

Participants got in their boats or entered the water to practice solo rescues, including paddle float rescues with and without a sling assist. One couple also practised an assisted rescue involving two boats. Everyone seemed to be happy that they tried at least one rescue, and all came to the conclusion that rescue skills greatly diminish over a year’s period, and that at least two practices a year would definitely be beneficial and make paddlers more confident.

We had a relaxing lunch onshore as the day warmed up and two paddled along the south shore of Mine Lake and into the narrows, while the others returned home.

Brent Henry

(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking Practice – Mine Lake – 23 June 2022

Kayaking – Granite Bay – 7 July 2022

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Activity Paddling
Destination Granite Bay
Date 7 July, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Darcy Mitchell
Contact Info mitchelldarcy51@gmail.com  Please contact the coordinator by noon on July 6th.
Description Paddle around Kanish Bay and into Small Inlet for the hike across to Waiaitt Bay if weather and tides permit. About 4 to 5 hours depending on what we decide to do. Bring a lunch. This trip is also posted on the CR Sea Kayakers Facebook page.
Meeting Place Granite Bay boat launch
Departure Time On the water at 10 a.m.
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate depending on conditions.
Costs Launch fee – $5.00
Trip limits 12
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring footwear for walking.  Must have equipment that meets club and coast guard regulations.

Trip Report – Main Lake Provincial Park – 11-13 June 2022

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This was supposed to be an easy start to the camping season, spending a few days at the Main Lake Provincial Park.  But the weather forecasters didn’t cooperate.  Instead of early summer, we were given early spring.  Looking on the bright side, there were no crowds.  Actually the weather turned out better than expected.  No rain at all, warm enough during the day.  We did postpone the trip by two days to avoid the atmospheric river.

Saturday – First surprise – the lake level was far higher than expected, higher than we had seen it during the winter.  It’s been a rainy spring.  We paddled 40 minutes (3.4 km) to Howard’s campsite and set up the camp.  We then paddled another 10 minutes (0.5 km) to the Bay campsite and changed into hiking boots.  We followed the stream up from the campsite to a small lake and back (3.6 km; 3¾ hours).  There are some very nice waterfalls along the way and some impressive trees.  We now know that the best route on the upper section is between the stream and the canyon wall on the east.  For the lower section it’s not clear what the best route through a flat boggy area is.  Then a 10 minute paddle back to camp for a relaxing evening.

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Sunday – The wind shifted to northwest.  We were joined by Les for the day.  We paddled over to the channel between Main Lake and Little Main Lake and through the willows.  Where Stramberg Creek joins Shadow Brook Creek, we decided to land, have lunch and stretch our legs since it was windy on Little Main Lake and there were few places to get out of the kayaks.  We explored where there used to be squatters..  The very high water levels made it easy to get through to Little Main after lunch.  In the lake we saw a beaver swimming .  We paddled back to Main Lake, parted with Les and returned to Howard.  (10.5 km; 3 hours)  Later in the afternoon we hiked up the ridge north of the campsite, which has steep cliffs on the east and west.  This was a pleasant hike through open forest with some big trees and views.  (2.0 km; 1½ hours)  It was still windy through the night with a super almost-full moon.

Monday –  We packed up the camp and paddled to East Beach campsite.  (1.3 km; 20 min)  We changed to hiking boots for a hike to Yeatman Bay on Okisollo Channel.  The stream was a problem to cross, so we used an old logging bridge a bit up from the campsite.  At the Bay, it was a very low tide, so took the opportunity to we walk out to what is often an island and back to the campsite for lunch (3.6 km; 1½ hours), and then paddled back to the Mine Lake boat launch.  (4.0 km; 1 hour).  As we began to drive home, the rain started.

Norris

Multi-day paddling, hiking, camping – Main Lake Prov Park – 11-13 June 2022

Trip Report – Bretons and Beyond – 1 June 2022

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Four paddlers put in from the Len Road access on a rare dry spring day, and headed off on calm waters. We picked our way through the rocks between the Bretons (staying well clear of the seals with pups) and then made the two km crossing to the Dunsterville Islands on the Read Island side of Hoskyn Channel. Circling the middle island of the group we observed many purple ochre sea stars, urchins, sea cucumbers, and an abalone or two. Landing on these islands is always a challenge as there is no beach, just large rocks covered with bladder wrack. With the work of landing and securing our kayaks on a rock shelf done, we turned to survey the channel we’d just crossed and immediately spotted a few Orcas on the far side. Four Orcas appeared to be feeding and moving north. To add to the excitement, the other half of the pod, another four to five Orcas surfaced very near to our vantage point and swam past us. All eight to nine of the pod soon submerged and moved off to the north out of our line of site.

We enjoyed a lunch break on the rocks under the watchful gaze of a pair of nesting geese, explored the island/campsite, and then relaunched our kayaks with a very light rain beginning. We decided to cross towards Shellaligan Pass and then meandered along the Quadra shore noting the abundant sea stars and several more abalone. As the tide was getting close to maximum low and the surface was quite calm we were able to view the bottom dwellers very clearly as we cruised along admiring the rock formations. We were rewarded for our diligent observations with a sighting of the Valdez cave formations in the rocky shoreline.

We crossed the mouth of Open Bay and Hyacinthe Bay and soon landed on the beach, at low tide, about 200 m from our cars! Luckily we’d brought wheels and managed to get our gear to the foreshore without too much effort. Some wheel systems proved to be more effective than others!  13.0 km; 4¾ hours.

Vic Gladish

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Kayaking – Bretons and Beyond – 1 June 2022

Kayak Practice – Mine / Main Lake – 23 June 2022

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Activity Kayak Safety Practice
Destination Mine / Main Lake
Date 23 June, Thursday, with 30 June as back up
Trip Coordinator Brent Henry
Contact Info brenthenrys@gmail.com, text: 250-205-1106.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday evening (June 21) .
Description We will go on a warm up paddle and find a suitable spot to practise bracing, wet exits and paddle float rescues as basic skills for club paddles.
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time 10:00 on the water
Difficulty Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits 6-8, depending on previous experience
Dogs? No
Notes: If possible, bring to wear or borrow a lightweight paddling wet suit, as this facilitates getting immersed more than once. Have a towel and spare dry clothing and some lunch or snacks. A thermos of hot tea is not a bad idea for warming up after practise.

Participants should review kayaking information on the club site by going to: “Required gear and safety equipment”.

Boats should also have adequate flotation in both bow and stern, with either built-in bulkheads or flotation bags or air bottles of some type, attached or contained in the boat.

Paddling/Hiking/Camping – Main Lakes Provincial Park – 11-13 June 2022

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This trip has been postponed by two days from the original posting.

Activity Multi-day Paddling/Hiking/Camping
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 11-13 June, Saturday to Monday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710; please contact the coordinator by Monday night
Description We will set up camp at Main Lake and spend three days exploring by hiking and paddling.  Destinations can vary with the group’s interests.  We hope to explore a new area.  We encourage people to come out for the day on Sunday.  This will be the best day for the weather.  You must let the coordinator know so that meeting plans can be arranged.
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time On the water by 10:30
Difficulty
 Moderate depending on weather
Costs No camping fee before June 15th
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: This multi-day trip is relatively easy on a local lake, but requires good paddling and camping gear.

Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 21 May 2022

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This trip was rescheduled from May 11 and this time the weather was perfect. The first paddle of the summer in bright sunshine with a light breeze. Three kayaks met the other two kayaks at April Point Marina. From there we went up the west side of Gowlland Island to Steep Island.

Between Steep and Gowlland we found a three meter wooden dinghy barely floating. One gunwale was a few inches above the surface while the other side was a few inches below. The stern and bow were also only marginally above water. The decision was made that we should move it out of the passage and the Gong Show began. Being submerged it was very hard to tow and constantly weaved back-and-forth. Finally with two kayaks towing and one on each side keeping it moving straight, we got it to the north end of Gowlland Island.

We then proceeded to May Island and around the north end of Gowlland Harbour. Jill Sampson was very gracious and allowed us to have lunch on her beach. After lunch we weaved down through the smaller islands looking at the spring flowers. The nicest seem to be on Stag Island.

The group stopped at my place and had refreshments and snacks on the deck. From there the paddlers went to each of their own launching spots. About four hours and six nautical miles travelled.

Les

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos.

(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 21 May 2022

Paddling – Bretons and Beyond – 1 June 2022

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Rescheduled from March 23rd

Activity Paddling
Destination Bretons and beyond
Date 1 June, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description This could be short or long depending on the weather and the group! A calm day could allow us to aim for Dunsterville Islet, then Breton Islands and back. An iffier day could see us meander through Hyacinthe, Open and Moulds before a lunch break at Breton Island then return.
Meeting Place Len Road Shore Access
Departure Time Meet at 9:00; 9:30 am on the water
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 8
Dogs? Only very strong swimmers!
Notes: Please contact the trip coordinator 48 hours before the trip to confirm your attendance. A go/no go decision that reflects the weather forecast will be made by noon the day preceding the trip date.
Must have equipment that meets club and coast guard regulations. Bring lunch and gear for the weather.

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 11 May 2022

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Rescheduled to 21 May

Activity Kayaking
Destination Gowlland Harbour
Date 21 11 May 2022, Saturday Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 250-285-2029 or lhquadra@gmail.com
Description This will be our spring flowers tour of Gowlland Harbour. As it has been a cold spring I am hoping that the sea blush will be in full bloom. We will zig zag among the smaller islands of Fawn, Crow, Wren and Mouse as well as the larger ones. There will not be large currents so may go around Gowlland Island as well. This trip will be weather dependant so be sure and contact me by the evening of the 9th. 8 – 10 km; 3 to 4 hours.
Meeting Place April Point Marina
Departure Time Meet at 9:30, leave at 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring all gear as required by the Coast Guard as well as lunch.

Trip Report – Main Lake – 22 Apr 2022

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At the last minute, the trip coordinator was unable to come on the trip, but the remaining seven paddled out from the Mine Lake boat launch through the narrows and across Main Lake to a grassy pullout through the brush.  The morning was very calm and relatively warm.  From there, we hiked a short distance, starting along Clear Lake Creek.  We followed a flagged route most of the way to two big trees: a Douglas fir with a circumference of 8 metres and a Western Red Cedar with a circumference of 7.2 metres.  It seemed a fitting destination for Earth Day.  We briefly wandered through the open forest of Main Lake Provincial Park to a bluff and then returned to the shore for lunch.  Four of the group returned directly to the vehicles and the other three paddled along the shore to the east, exploring camping possibilities and trailheads.  We didn’t see another person during the paddle or the hike and it was a lovely peaceful trip.  11.0 km; 4 hours

Debbie
 
Thanks to Norris, Terry and Jonathan for the photos.

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Paddling/Hiking – Main Lake Provincial Park – 22 Apr 2022