Deep Bay Trip Report - July 13, 2021

 A total of 21 adventurous paddlers launched from the the Deep Bay Spit, 10:00 am sharp, with the goal to circumnavigate Chrome Island and explore the southern coastine tip of Denman Island.

 

An exceptionally warm summer day with inland temperatures expected to reach close to 30 degrees celcius, along with very calm winds, set up the perfect conditions for a pleasant day on the water.  After signin, orientation and a few paddling tips, the group gathered together to cross the Baynes Sound channel over to Denman Island.  Turning south, we explored the rocky coastline of Denman and eventually circumnavigated Chrome Island.

 

In a small package, Chrome Island provided a very picturesque view of a wind and wave swept rocky island outcrop.  There were no seals or cormorants to see this day (they must have all gone to better fishing grounds), but the whitewashed bird droppings on the cliff rocks left no doubt that this was home to a substantial cormorant nesting site…. and …..  Let’s not forget the main attraction, the very famous and historic  Chrome Island Lighthouse, established in 1891, still manned and watching out for seafarers to this day. 

 

At this point, the group gathered up and collectively decided that we wanted to continue on and explore more of the Denman Island coastline.  Turning the corner and heading up the other side of Denman, we encountered wind gusts which provided welcome relief from the heat as well as some paddling challenges to add to our ocean kayaking skills. 

 

We eventually pulled into a park location on Denman, just south of the Hornby Island Ferry terminal for a picnic lunch.

 

After lunch, we headed back to Chrome Island with the intent to stop off at a beach site on Denman for a rest and a cool swim.  However, upon approaching our destination, we discovered that an extremely low tide made this well intentioned idea unrealistic, so again, we gathered up and made the decision to take advantage of the very low winds to cross Baynes Sound to Vancouver Island and back up the coastline to our original morning launch site.

 

With amazement, extremely low tides turned our return trip along Vancouver Island to Deep Bay from a short paddle to a much longer journey.  We were all asking ….. Where did all that water go?  The spit must have grown by a mile.  At the same time, we noticed an unwelcome stench… the death and rotting decay of shellfish, marine life and ocean vegetation.  This level of die off is historic for the area and a testament to the cause and effect of record high air and water temperatures.  Yes, climate change is very real and we are witnessing it’s effects, even here in paradise.

 

After taking count of survivors and helping each other to load back up, we headed home with some off us to stopping at the Cone Zone to count a few ice cream calories, exchange a few high fives and celebrate another special PGOSA Day on the Water.

Trip Report by Walt Ienseer

Photos by Michelle, Bruce, Lil, Norm, George, Pat, Connie, Penny, Cormack

and Jim