Spider Lake Paddle - Sept 20, 2022

 14 PGOSA Paddlers enjoyed a leisurely paddle at Spider Lake. The day started off rather chilly but the sunshine soon started warming things up. During the pre-trip meeting Cormack introduced a very special member of the group – Stan Pollard. Stan, along with his wife Daphne, were the founders of our paddling group. Memories were shared of some of the trips that Stan led including a multi-day paddle at Cortes Island. Stan was also a real innovator regarding the kayaking equipment that he used including being one of the first kayakers locally to use Hullavator Kayak Racks. Thanks to Cormack and Janet for bringing their canoe so that Stan was able to enjoy a day on the lake. 

 

We then talked about the season-end survey and activity ideas for next year – including training sessions for rescues and paddling strokes and overnight trips to new areas. 

Royston Wrecks to Goose Spit Paddle - Sept 6, 2022

 A fun group of 18 paddlers met at Royston waterfront to start our journey. Our Flotilla consisted of 16 kayaks, 1 double kayak and 1 exquisitely outfitted foot-peddling fishing boat. The tide was very low and most of us were able to drive quite close to the water to unload our kayaks and prepare for our tour of the day. The sun was bright and the water was calm making for a very good start.

 

Look at all the Delta Kayaks

We edged our way towards the 13 hulls (Ghost Ships) that were sunk, beginning in the late 1930s, for a breakwater for the log booms that used the Royston area for collecting before towing to the mills. This breakwater helped prevent storms and tides from breaking up the idle log booms. Canadian warships, windjammers, tug and harpoon boats were decommissioned ( no KAYAKS though) and scuttled to build the breakwater.

 

 

Deep Bay Paddle - August 23, 2022

 

A total of 12 paddlers launched from the Deep Bay Spit, 10:00 am sharp, with the goal to circumnavigate Chrome Island and explore the southern tip and coastline of Denman Island. A warm summer day with inland temperatures expected to reach close to 30 degrees celcius, along with very calm winds and favourable tides 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. 

Heading southward, we explored the rocky coastline of Denman, to the remarkable views of several colonies of sea lions and seals sunning themselves on the low tide exposed rocks and frolicking in the warm waters, eventually reaching Chrome Island. 

 

Ladysmith Paddle - August 9, 2022

 Our Ladysmith harbour to Elliot Beach paddle was a very hot day (starting at 22 degrees and finishing at 29 degrees). There were 23 souls that decided to brave the heat. 

 

 After a brief historical talk about the area to be paddled, we set off from the Ladysmith Fisherman’s Wharf at the usual time 

 

and made way for the gap (denoted by the 49^th parallel marker) between the Woods Islands in the hope that we would be able to get through and witness the log boom formation activities on the far side. Unfortunately, the low tide level prevented us from doing so, and we therefore took the shoreline route along the West side of the Woods Islands instead.     

 

Cedar to Pirate's Cove Report - July 26

 It was a beautiful hot day when 16 kayakers set out from Cedar boat launch for their bimonthly paddle – waters were mostly calm with a slight northwest breeze, the skies blue, and the enthusiasm high with anticipation of another great paddle.  Conditions could not be better and we were heading to Pirate’s Cove at the south end of DeCourcy Island.  Whether looking for buried treasure, or wanting to see where Brother’s X11 had his cult followers sequestered, or just wanting a another paddling adventure, the stage was set.

 

We headed across Stuart channel to the bottom of Link island where there is an opening called “hole in the wall” -  one can scoot through a narrow passage when the tide is half up or higher.  The passage was high and dry when we got there as it was nearing low tide.  Stuart Channel can be busy with power boats but wasn’t too crowded with Tuesday being a weekday and not on the weekend.  Link and parts of DeCourcy Islands have sandstone cliffs going up from the water’s edge making it a spectacular scenic view if using one’s imagination to look at the carvings made from centuries of wind and water against the cliffs.

Comox Lake Paddle - July 12

 

13 kayakers met at the Comox Boat launch on a sunny, warm summer day. The water was calm, as we paddled along the shoreline after launching at 10am. There were no mishaps or delays getting everyone on the water.

 

Paddling counter clockwise, we passed older cabins/cottages passed from one family to the next, 

 

 

as well as a site where mining and logging took place.

 

 

A little history:

 

Besides being the reservoir for the Courtenay and Comox water supply, Comox Lake is also the water supply for the BC Hydro Puntledge Generation Station. The lake was at one time an important means of transporting logs – you can still see the pilings that were used in the log booming areas.

 

I refer you to the following site for history of the lake:

Cumberland Museum - Up the lake (an interesting article)

Nanaimo Paddle Report - July 5, 2022

Despite an unseasonably cool and wet summer and having to previously reschedule, 18 adventurous paddlers showed up for the Nanaimo Paddle.

The original plan was to circumnavigate Protection Island and explore the Nanaimo Harbour, but by the time we were ready to launch, the Kayaking Gods rewarded us with a high tide, clearing skies, mild temperatures and little to no wind ... perfect conditions to reconsider a more adventurous trip.

 

Putting it to a unanimous vote by all paddlers, a decision was made to circumnavigate Newcastle Island.

Once in the water, we proceeded westwards towards Departure Bay. Rounding the corner, we could see one ferry in the Departure Bay Terminal with another ferry coming into the channel.

 Special care was taken to make way for several float planes taking off from the water. 

 Traveling up the west side of Newcastle Island, where winds and waves can sometimes be testy, we experienced very mild calm seas make it a very pleasant paddle.

Puntledge River Paddle Report - June 14, 2022

 

16 Paddlers in 15 kayaks and 1 canoe started off from the Courtenay Marina Park under sunny conditions. We immediately started upstream on the Puntledge River to explore the Kayak Launch area near Lewis Park and the 5th Street Bridge. The current in the river was running quite strong so we soon decided to head downstream towards the estuary and the Comox Marina.

We followed the main channel of the river marked by navigation signs that indicated a narrow channel in the river about 300 metres downstream of the launch site where the current was fast for a short run. The pylon supporting the navigation marker had caught number of logs. In attempting to maneuver through the log jam one paddler flipped over. They safely floated downstream and were able to exit the river on their own. Two others attempted to avoid colliding with the person floating in the channel. They collided into the logjam, their kayaks jammed together and were held against the logs by the force of the current. One of them tipped out and a quick thinking participant helped them get back into their kayak. Six paddlers in a passing outrigger canoe attempted to free the two kayakers but their boat was caught by the force of the river and became jammed up as well. The Fire Department was alerted. They worked with Comox Valley Search and Rescue Services who affected a rescue with no injuries sustained by anyone.

Lessons learned:

·       Listen to and follow safety instructions provided by event leaders at the launch site;

·       Fasten your PFD completely and leave it fastened while paddling;

·       When paddling as a group in a river follow the path of the leader;

·       Paddle in single file, not in social side-by-side alignments;

·       Maintain space between boats to allow for manoeuvring;

·       If a stationary object, pylons sweepers or log jams, appears downstream be aware it is necessary well in advance to manoeuvre into a path that will allow you to avoid colliding with it.

·       Practice wet exits;

·       Make sure your spray skirt fits snuggly but comes off easily;

·       Never let go of your boat and or paddle if at all possible;

·       Have all your gear secured - tied to your boat;

 

911, the Courtenay Fire Department, RCMP, and especially Comox Valley Search and Rescue Services served our situation professionally and expertly. We will be sending a Thank You note to these organizations.

Sproat Lake Paddle Report - May 31, 2022

 The day started cool and wet, as we all drove off from Parksville, not knowing whether things were going to improve.

It was great to have a good turnout.

20 paddlers took part in 14 kayaks and 2 canoes

Getting ready to launch at Sproat Lake Provincial Park

The Pre-Trip Meeting

After our pre-paddle briefing, we set out eastwards to look at the Petroglyphs at K’Aka’Win. These are a very important example of First Nation prehistoric art, estimated to be around 3000 years old. 

 

 

We then paddled down, but not close to, the beginning of the Somass River, taking care not to let any of the kayaks get caught in the current.

Our paddle then took us along the south shore of the lake, past the Houseboat rental dock and past many beautiful houses and docks. 

 

Maple Bay Paddle Report - May 17, 2022

 Maple Bay is a scenic community nestled in the hills along the ocean 10 minutes east of Duncan. It is situated half way along Samsun Narrows separating Saltspring Island from Vancouver Island. The sheltered bay is reputed to be one of the finest natural harbours on the West Coast of British Columbia.

 

The public boat ramp by the Maple Bay Rowing Club is on shallow sloping pebbled beach, a perfect spot for launching kayaks and canoes.

 From there our flotilla of 18 paddlers in 15 watercraft paddled south along the shoreline past a forest of masts in the very full marina of Birds Eye Cove.

 

 

The end of the cove has a double row of beautiful floating houses.

 

 

The deck of one house is evidently the preferred lounging site for a large river otter that was not at all concerned as we passed by.