Five paddlers enjoyed an outing on Quathiaski Cove on May 26. It was mostly sunny with a light southeast breeze. The day came with very big tides and currents, which made for interesting paddling even in the relatively sheltered waters of the Cove. We explored the Cove and enjoyed the pony on Grouse Island, sea urchins, Harlequin ducks, and baby jellyfish.
Kayak Quathiaski Cove 26May2013
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This gallery contains 13 photos.
Twelve paddlers participated in QIOC’s first ever trip on May 5, 2013. The weather was perfect – warm, clear and calm. The route included a tour of north and south Gowlland with a lunch stop on Vigilant Island. There were … Continue reading
| Activity | kayaking |
| Destination | Cortes day paddles |
| Date | Saturday-Sunday, 20-21 July 2013 |
| Trip Coordinator | Debbie Quigg and Margot Wood |
| Contact Info | 285-2393. Please contact the trip coordinators well in advance of the trip. |
| Description | We haven’t done these trips, but come to Cortes and explore with us. There are a number of options: 1) come Saturday on the 9:05 ferry, paddle with us, and return to Quadra on the 5:50 ferry, or 2) come Friday anytime or Saturday on the 9:05 and camp on Cortes, paddling together on Saturday and Sunday.The Saturday paddle is expected to be from near the ferry dock at Whaletown south to Shark Spit on Marina Island or to Coulter and Carrington Bays, conditions permitting. For Sunday, we could choose a paddle in Squirrel Cove, or from Manson’s Landing, or from Cortes Bay out and around Twin Islands, depending on conditions. |
| Meeting Place | Cortes ferry terminal, 20 July |
| Departure Time | 10:00 |
| Difficulty |
Moderate |
| Costs | The cost of the ferry. If you stay over Saturday night, there is the cost of camping or other accommodation. We think we can launch the kayaks for free, but there might be a charge at Squirrel Cove or elsewhere. |
| Trip limits | none |
| Dogs? | no |
| Notes: | This is the weekend of the Cortes Music Festival, so definitely plan ahead if you want to stay over Saturday night. The Music Festival takes place right next to the Gorge Harbour Marina. If you want to party all Saturday night, Gorge will be the place to camp. If you prefer it quiet, Smelt Bay Provincial Park or Squirrel Cove will suit you better.Arrangements have not been made for the group, since we have no information about how many are interested. Camping at Gorge Harbour includes access to their pool and other facilities. Reservations can be made for Gorge Harbour by calling 935-6433. Tents are $25/day.
Reservations for Smelt Bay are made on-line through Discover Camping. They allow up to three tents and four adults per site. The cost of a site is $16/day plus a $6 reservation fee. Tenting at Squirrel Cove is $15/tent. Phone 935-6327. |
| Activity | kayaking |
| Destination | Hyacinthe Bay to Open Bay, Breton Islands |
| Date | Sunday, 7 July 2013 |
| Trip Coordinator | Valerie Van Veen |
| Contact Info | 285-2329; vvv@qisland.ca Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip. |
| Description | A pleasant paddle along coast, explore Open Bay and the Bretons. Allow about 4 hours (wind dependent). Plan to enjoy the 12:00 – 13:00 low tide at Big Beach in Open Bay. |
| Meeting Place | Turn on to Len Road, then turn left immediately to go down to the beach. Parking is limited; we can double park if needed. |
| Departure Time | Meet at 09:30, launch at 10:00 |
| Difficulty |
Moderate; trip will be cancelled if winds ≥20 knots. |
| Costs | none |
| Trip limits | none |
| Dogs? | no |
| Notes: | Bring lunch, water, and maybe a swimsuit and towel.
Kayak and equipment must meet all Transport Canada kayak paddling requirements. Bring water and lunch and clothing suitable for weather and sea-state. |
| Activity | kayaking |
| Destination | Paddle Canada Level 1 course at Quadra lakes and Coast Mountain Lodge |
| Date | Saturday-Sunday, 15-16 June 2013 |
| Trip Coordinator | Valerie Van Veen, course taught by Coast Mountain Expeditions |
| Contact Info | 285-2329 |
| Description | 12 hours. 2 days; land and water instruction; includes planning and executing a day trip in sheltered waters. |
| Meeting Place | |
| Departure Time | |
| Difficulty |
|
| Costs | $210 per person, with certification; $199 per person without certification (regular $250, includes cert)Kayak rentals $40 per day, delivered (regular $60 + delivery) |
| Trip limits | 6 for certification |
| Dogs? | no |
| Notes: |
| Activity | kayaking |
| Destination | Valdez Drive to Village Bay |
| Date | Sunday, 15 Sept 2013 |
| Trip Coordinator | Terry Hale |
| Contact Info | 285-3157 or terence_hale@yahoo.com Please contact trip coordinator by Wednesday September 11th to sign up. |
| Description | An intermediate level trip to Dunsterville Island (wind & waves permitting) & Village Bay Lakes from Valdez Drive beach access. |
| Meeting Place | meet at beach access – south end of Valdez Drive |
| Departure Time | 10:30 |
| Difficulty |
Moderate |
| Costs | none |
| Trip limits | 12 paddlers |
| Dogs? | no |
| Notes: |
| Activity | kayak or canoe |
| Destination | Quathiaski Cove |
| Date | 26 May 2013 |
| Trip Coordinator | Lonn McMartin |
| Contact Info | 285-3425 |
| Description | Allow 2 to 3 hours to explore Q-Cove. |
| Meeting Place | Q-Cove boat launch |
| Departure Time | 10:00 |
| Difficulty |
Easy paddle in protected waters |
| Costs | The Harbor authority said that we can launch all of the kayaks for the single price of $4. Parking cost is $2, unless you park up the hill. |
| Trip limits | none |
| Dogs? | no |
| Notes: | If people do not have access to boats, contact the trip coordinator for a possible loan for the day. |
| Activity | Kayaking |
| Destination | Gowlland Harbour |
| Date | Sunday 5 May 2013 |
| Trip Coordinator | Les Hand |
| Contact Info | 285-2029 |
| Description | Gowlland Harbour is a lovely, protected harbour with several interesting islands to explore. |
| Meeting Place | Gowlland Harbour Resort parking lot, 823 Gowlland Harbour Rd. |
| Departure Time | 10:00 |
| Difficulty |
easy to moderate |
| Costs | none |
| Trip limits | limited by parking to about 12 cars |
| Dogs? | no |
| Notes: | Only 2 vehicles can unload at beach at one time so please be on time. We will paddle South Gowlland and North Gowlland, 3 to 4 hours weather permitting. Bring a lunch. If pouring rain e-mail will be sent out by 8 am cancelling trip.
Gowlland Harbour Resort has kindly granted us permission to use their boat launch for this trip. This is not a public access. |
KAYAK PRACTISE SESSIONS WITHOUT INSTRUCTORS
We have various options here.
13 April 2013, updated 19 April 2013
Valerie Van Veen
Training Coordinator Valerie has tracked down the elusive Strathcona Pool Kayak course, a Paddle Canada “Introduction to Sea Kayaking” as outlined on (page 16 of 40 in the PDF, which is actually page 40 of 64) of the Campbell River Spring Recreation Guide:
http://www.campbellriver.ca/CityHall/Departments/RecreationCulture/RecreationPrograms/Documents/Rec%20Guide%20Winter_Sprint%202013.pdf
Each course is a standalone course. If you take all three courses (Rescue IK1, Paddle Skills IK2, Progressive Paddling Skills IK3) you can earn your Paddle Canada Introduction to Sea Kayaking Certification. Kayaks and all the gear are provided for all courses.
NOTE: IK1 (Rescue skills) at Strathcona Pool; IK2 and IK3 Paddling skills at McIvor Lake or CR Estuary
Please contact STRATHCONA POOL, 250-287-9234, if you are interested in taking any or all of these courses.
Quadra Island Outdoor Club 