Category Archives: Paddling

Kayaking/hiking – Hyacinthe Bay & Point – 20 June 2018

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Activity Kayaking and hiking
Destination Hyacinthe Bay and Point
Date 20 June 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710
Description We will have a short paddle in the Heriot Bay-Hyacinthe Bay area and then visit the proposed ecological reserve on Hyacinthe Point.  We may hike into the Crown Land adjoining the proposed ecological reserve.
Meeting Place Len Road
Departure Time Arrive at 9:30 to be on the water at 10:00
Difficulty
 easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: All kayak outings are dependent on weather.  Bring your kayak with appropriate flotation, paddle and recommended spray skirt, plus required safety equipment: life jacket, heaving line, bailer or pump, and whistle. Bring hiking shoes to change into on land as well as lunch and water.
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Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 2 May 2018

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A light wind started the day, however it soon diminished. Fifteen kayakers met at Gowlland Harbour Resort, we were all on the water before 10:30 a.m. Kayaked southeast, around the point of Stag Island. All the islands were painted in yellows, reds, blues & splashes of white flowers, extremely beautiful. We stopped at Vigilant Island, aka Tree Island and explored the area. The flowers were amazing, we even found chocolate lilies growing, also discovered a mass of large bones, probably a sea lion. To stand on this island and look at the flowers with the backdrop of snow covered mountains, unbelievable. We live here! Kayaked around the shore of the island viewing sea urchins, starfish, displaying a mass of colour in the ocean. The seals watched us and probably celebrated when we left. We then kayaked over to May Island, the tide was low and found adequate spaces for all to land. Enjoyed our lunches and chatter. Off again to view the ship wreck and kayaked over to the shore of Quadra. Traveling down the shoreline was such a treat, cascades of water, wildflowers in an abundance. The tugboats were still working, taking out log booms. Arriving back at Gowlland Harbour Resort, we were filled with memories of a pretty perfect day.
Thank you to all kayakers for your help, the sharing of stories, delicious cookies, laughter and to be together. And thanks to Gowlland Harbour Resort for giving us permission to launch from their private property.  Wishing you all beautiful memories of this day.
Margot

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Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 2 May 2018

Kayaking – Main Lake Prov Park – 30 May 2018

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This trip has been changed to a day-trip on Wednesday.

Activity Kayaking Multi-day kayaking/camping
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 30 May 2018, Wednesday 29-31 May 2018, Tuesday-Thursday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 2029 or leshand@gicable.com
Description The destination will be determined by the group when we depart the boat ramp.  Camping on Main Lake, probably on the north shore, with day paddling/hiking.  Possible day trips are: kayaking to Little Main Lake up Shadow Brook Creek, kayaking to the east end of the lake and hiking to Yeatman Bay, and/or kayaking to the north shore and hiking up to Clear Lake.
Meeting Place Boat launch, Mine Lake
Departure Time 10:00 10:30 a.m.  Plan to be at the launch site by 9:30.
Difficulty
 Probably easy, unless it’s windy
Costs As of 2017 there is a $5/person/night fee for camping between May 15 and Sept 15.
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Participants need to have all required safety equipment.  Here is the link to the Park information.  Everyone is responsible for their own kayaking gear, camping equipment and meals, but cooking groups would be a good idea.  I will send a list of people who have signed up a week before the event to facilitate planning, so please let me know if you are interested no later than May 15.  We’ll plan to come back after lunch on the 3rd day, so will have 2 half days and one full day to explore the park.

 

Multi-day Kayaking – Cortes Island, Shark Spit – 25-28 June 2018

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Activity Multi-day Kayaking
Destination Cortes Island, Shark Spit
Date 25-28 June 2018: three nights, four days, Monday to Thursday
Trip Coordinator Margot Wood
Contact Info 250-285-2393.  Please contact the coordinator by June 1st.
Description We will take the first ferry to Cortes, this can be a very busy ferry, please arrive at 8 am. We will launch kayaks in Whaletown Bay and paddle to Shark Spit, to set-up camp. This is such a beautiful camping area in the woods with many lovely sites. Weather conditions will determine our kayaking routes. Choices would be: Carrington Bay returning with a paddle in Coulter Bay; kayak around Marina at low tide, just gorgeous; Manson’s Landing, Smelt Bay and around Sutil Point. Dare we ‘do’ Gorge Harbour, all exciting. I am sure we will hear the wolves at Shark Spit either morning/evening and may even see them……lets hope.
Paddlers will bring their own breakfast, lunch, water and camping equipment. . Margot will put together ‘dinner teams’. Do not forget treats.
Meeting Place Cortes ferry line-up (8:00 am)
Departure Time 9:05 am ferry
Difficulty
 Moderate to difficult
Costs Ferry cost
Trip limits Eight kayakers.  Let’s try to car-pool.
Dogs? no
Notes: Must have kayak rescue skills, sea kayak and all kayak safety equipment.
The paddle could be moderate or difficult depending on the weather conditions and the wind can soon pick-up, we must be prepared for this happening. The beauty is astounding and hopefully we will see lots of wildlife.

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 2 May 2018

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Gowlland Harbour
Date 2 May 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Margot Wood
Contact Info 250-285-2393
Description We will meet, help each other to launch from Gowlland Harbour Resort.
We will kayak the islands to see the beautiful wild flowers. Kayak to May Island for our lunch.  Visiting the islands in Gowlland Harbour.  Returning to the launch area at approximately 2 p.m.
Meeting Place Gowlland Harbour Resort boat launch, 823 Gowlland Harbour Rd.
Departure Time 10:30 (unload and prepare at 10:00)
Difficulty
 easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: This trip is dependent on weather.  Bring your ocean kayak, paddle plus safety equipment. Bring your own lunch and water. I will meet you at the launch site at 10:00.  We help each other with kayak launch.
Gowlland Harbour Resort has kindly granted us permission to use their boat launch for this trip. This is not a public access.

Kayaking Training – Main Lake Provincial Park – 6 June 2018

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Activity Kayak training session
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 6 June 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Darcy Mitchell; Instructor Douglas Taylor
Contact & Registration Info mitchelldarcy51@gmail.com
Please contact Darcy no later than May 15 to receive a registration form for one or both sessions. Payment in full must accompany registration; registration deadline is May 25. Payment is non-refundable, unless you are able to find someone to take your place by the registration deadline.
Description 1) Three hour training/refresher on assisted kayak rescue and self-rescue. The session will begin with a review of basic safety and paddling skills.
2) Introduction to the Greenland Paddle (3 hours). Ever wondered about paddling with “a stick”? Paddles will be provided by the instructor for an introduction to paddling technique and when/where the Greenland paddle is most useful. Tip – the G.P. is reputed to be kind to aging shoulders….
Meeting Place Boat launch at Mine Lake
Departure Time Meet at the boat launch by 8:30 to be ready to start at 9:00 for the morning session.
The afternoon session starts at 12:30 p.m.
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs $60+GST=$63 per person for one session or $105+GST=$110.25 for both sessions
Trip limits 8 people per session
Dogs? No
Notes: All participants must provide their own kayaks and all safety equipment, including PFD, paddle float, pump, sponge, whistle. Wet suits are strongly advised (if you need a wetsuit, the trainer or other club members may have spares to loan – mention to Darcy when you register). Bring warm drinks and warm clothing as we can get pretty chilled.

Trip Report – Kanish Bay – 30 Aug 2017

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After weeks of dry weather, August 30 started out in a shower of rain, delaying, but not cancelling, the planned kayak outing to the Chained Islets in Kanish Bay. Four club members launched at the Granite Bay ramp and made our way along the south coast of the Bay to the Islets. After a short break for a snack, we ambled back, meeting rain about half an hour before returning to Granite Bay. The main benefit of the weather was the calm to light breezes from the southeast, rather than the heavy north westerlies that often blow into the Bay.  9.9 km; 3¼ without the shore break.

Darcy Mitchell

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Kayaking – Kanish Bay – 30 August 2017