Category Archives: Paddling

Happy Hour Paddle – Quathiaski Cove – 9 August 2024

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Activity Happy Hour Paddle
Destination Quathiaski Cove
Date 9 Aug, Friday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459
Description This will be an easy, evening paddle to explore the nooks and crannies of Q Cove and Unkak Cove. It will be about a 90-minute paddle as the tide rises and the sun sets.
The happy hour part will follow at the Gladish residence at 590 Green Rd. Bring a post paddle snack and a favourite beverage. Don’t bring a chair as we have plenty around our imaginary campfire.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove harbour/ boat launch
Departure Time 1830
Difficulty Easy
Costs Parking and launching. Bring 4 toonies.
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: This will be a chance to check out your paddling gear in preparation for our two night Kanish Bay trip.
Have an early dinner and be ready to paddle.
Looks like the heat wave will still be here.

Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 10 July 2024

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Ten people gathered on a beautiful, calm, sunny day for a paddle and social. The Stuart’s place is a bit difficult to launch from as there is a steep driveway with a switch back and only one vehicle can come down at a time. Then you have to pack the kayak around the pond. This was made easier by the fact that I live here, two members paddled over from their place, and another member brought his kayak in by boat to the dock. All in all it worked out well and we managed to leave a little ahead of schedule. We paddled south around the south end of Gowlland Harbour to start. After passing the old sunken barge, we stopped where the two abandoned boats have sunk to talk about how bad the government is managing abandoned boats on our coastline. We then paddled on flat water up the east side of Gowlland Island and stopped to stretch our legs on the north end. As we proceeded toward Gowlland Resort there was a colony of seals on some of the small islets. At Seascape Resort, now called Jade Resort, we stopped to look and discuss the falling apart of the old barge hotel. This is a total disaster of waste and garbage being emptied into our beautiful harbour because of the inability of government and courts to deal with a problem.
We then had an easy paddle back to our entry point. Here we had a great social on the deck, complete with chips and salsa, smoked oysters and meats with cheese and crackers, veggie platter, and Smokies and buns from the barbecue.  Plus drinks and desserts.  (7 km; 2 hour paddle)

Les

(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 10 July 2024

Multi-day Kayaking and Camping – Granite Bay and Beyond- 20-22 Aug 2024

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Due to weather this is now a day trip on Thursday.  There is a new trip description.

Activity Kayaking and camping
Destination Granite Bay and beyond
Date 20-22 Aug 2024, Tuesday to Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459
Description This will be a two night multi-day paddling trip out of Granite Bay. We will set up a base camp at Orchard Bay and explore the familiar haunts of Small Inlet and Kanish Bay. As well as doing lots of paddling we will do the hikes to Waiatt Bay and Newton Lake.
Day 1: paddle to Chained Islets and Bodega Pt and finish at Orchard Bay on a rising tide.
Day 2: paddle to east end of Small Inlet and hike to Waiatt Bay and/or Newton Lake (big tidal changes to deal with); camp at Orchard Bay
Day 3: paddle to Granite Pt., Nixon Is, Ashlar Creek and return to Granite Bay and take out on a rising tide.
WEATHER/WINDS will determine the final trip plan and itinerary. We will be very flexible.
Meeting Place Granite Bay boat launch
Departure Time Meet up 0830. On the water by 0915.
Difficulty Moderate, but difficulty variable with the wind.
Cost Fee for launching/parking and fuel
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: Must have ocean kayaks with sealed hatches and sprayskirt with all Transport Canada required safety equipment. PLEASE REVIEW OUR PADDLING GUIDELINES. You will not put in unless fully equipped. (https://qioutdoorclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/paddling-guidelines-july2023.pdf ) Trip is weather and wind dependent. Only signed-up participants will be contacted of any changes in plans. MUST sign up by Sunday evening, August 18.
You need drinking water for 3 days, your own camping gear and food. Be aware of the weather forecast when prepping your gear and clothing. There are no food caches or outhouses. We will hang our food and have a designated “outhouse” area.

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 10 July 2024

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Activity Kayaking and social
Destination Gowlland Harbour
Date: 10 July 2024, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info lhquadra@gmail.com or 250-285-2029
Description This will only be a one and a half to two hour paddle followed by a social hour on the deck at my house. I will provide appetizers.
Depending on current and weather we may go around Gowland Island otherwise we will just stay around the southern part of Gowland Harbor. Because of this please bring a spray skirt and all necessary equipment mandated by the Coast Guard.
If it is more than showers the date will be changed.
Meeting Place 1157 West Rd
Departure Time Meet at 10:00; Leave at 10:30
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 12
Dogs? No
Notes: Only one vehicle at a time can come down the hill so be on time. I have permission to park vehicles at the landlords house. From there it is a steep concrete driveway with a switch back involved. You will need to be able to back up with your mirrors to get down close to the water. Otherwise you will park up above and we will use two people to carry the kayaks down. When you sign up I will explain more as it will not be that hard.

Hiking – Savary Island – 26 June 2024

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This trip may be changed due to transportation issues.

Activity Hiking
Destination Savary Island
Date 26 June 2024, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Cyndy Chidley
Contact Info 250-285-3575
Description
Savary is a jewel of an island surrounded by white sand beaches.  We will hike around and through Savary, exploring its beaches.
The challenge is getting to Savary Island.  Water taxi and float plane are available, but sometimes complicated and expensive.  One option is to go to Powell River and take the scheduled water taxi from Lund.  We are still working on how to do this realistically.
Meeting Place: Water taxi dock
Departure Time TBD
Difficulty
 Mostly easy as the hiking is quite level.   Circumnavigating the island is very long.
Costs Cost of transportation to Savary Island
Trip limits
Dogs?
Notes: Please note that for practical reasons, the go-no go date for this trip is June 10.  Cyndy does not have communication once she has left for Savary Island.

Multi-day Paddling, Camping, Hiking – Main Lake Prov Park- 12-14 June 2024

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This trip will likely be postponed and/or substituted.

Activity Paddling, camping, hiking
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 12-14 June 2024, Wednesday to Friday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459
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. Possibilities include paddle into Little Main, Paddle to Village Bay Lake, hike to Yeatman Bay and/or Surge Narrows.
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time 1000
Difficulty Easy unless the wind comes up while we’re on the water.
Cost Fee for camping
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: This multi-day trip is relatively easy on a local lake, but requires good paddling and camping gear. Bring footwear suitable for hiking (easy). Each participant is responsible for their own camping gear and meals. Tent and meal sharing can be arranged if you buddy up with someone.
Ask coordinator about joining for just 1 or 2 days if you have a schedule conflict.Visit the BC Parks Camping website after May 28th to register and pay for camping.  https//:camping.bcparks.ca under “Backcountry” ;l “Backcountry Registration” ; “Main Lake”

Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 15 May 2024

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The paddling trip that almost wasn’t actually worked out really well for the three of us that showed up at Gowlland Harbour Resort. One health concern or another, and switching from one launch to another, played havoc with the plans and commitments for this outing.
We got on the water a little ahead of schedule and set off for a counterclockwise circumnavigation of Gowlland Harbour. Warm temperatures, nearly flat calm seas and friendly currents set the scene for a very enjoyable trip. Otters, seals, and a sea lion shared the harbour with us, the only humans on the water during our time out. We took our lengthy lunch break on the gravelly beach on the west side of Gowlland Island in view of a string of Private Property signs!

Many thanks to Gowlland Harbour Resort for allowing us to launch from their property.

Total distance: approx 10 km
Total time: 4 hrs with a nearly 1 hr lunch stop

Vic

(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 15 May 2024

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 15 May 2024

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Gowlland Harbour
Date: 15 May 2024, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description The put in at April Point Marina.  We will paddle around all of Gowlland Harbour checking out the many small islands and the spring flowers. This will possibly take about four hours. Route will depend on weather.
Meeting Place April Point Marina
Departure Time Arrive at 930; on the water by 1000
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate depending on wind
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Please sign up by May 13 by phone, text or email.
ONLY ocean capable kayaks and all necessary safety equipment as per transport Canada safety rules. (http://www.tc.gc.ca/publications/en/tp14726/pdf/hr/tp14726e.pdf)
Bring a lunch, snacks, sunglasses, etc
PLEASE REVIEW PADDLING GUIDELINES: https://qioutdoorclub.org/paddling-guidelines/

Trip Report – Bays and Bretons – 22 March 2024

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On the second day of Spring ’24 nine paddlers were more than ready to get the paddling season underway. It was a cool, overcast and very calm day – ideal for an easygoing paddle. After reviewing our paddling guidelines and ensuring that we were all suitably equipped we set off. Our route took us along the shoreline past Mould’s Bay and into Village Bay where we took our first rest stop. We then worked our way southward through the rocky islands that surround the larger Breton Island. The brief rain shower stopped and the sky brightened as we pulled in to the beach for our lunch stop. Most of us were quite happy to haul out after nearly two hours of paddling. (10.4 km; 4 hours)

Vic

Thanks to Carrie and Norris for the photos.


(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking – Bays and Bretons – 22 March 2024

Kayaking – Breton Islands – 22 Mar 2024

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Breton Islands
Date 22 March, Friday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; (cell 250-287-0459).
Description This will be a short day paddle on the first full day of spring. We will put in from private property on Open Bay, paddle into Mould’s Bay and towards Village Bay, then back into the Breton Islands and a beach stop for lunch. Exact location for our put in will be provided once you have signed up with the coordinator.
Hopefully there will be plenty of birds and mammals to observe and some sun to warm us on the beach as we sip hot drinks and have lunch.
Meeting Place Exact location in Open Bay TBA
Departure Time Meet up at 0930; On the water by 1000
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate depending on wind
Costs None
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: Fully equipped ocean going kayaks only please.
Please review paddling guidelines in preparation for this outing: https://qioutdoorclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/paddling-guidelines-aug2018.pdf
As this will be our first paddle of 2024 we’ll spend some time doing a gear check and review our protocols.

Be prepared for the weather; carry your snacks in the cockpit; staying warm and dry will be our our primary concern and will dictate the length of the outing.