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.

 

 

Upon hitting the open ocean and paddling along the top of Newcastle, where wind, waves and rollers are normally experienced, we were once again rewarded with very calm, quiet waters.

 

 As we turned the top corner of Newcastle, heading south, and having made excellent time in our trip, Captain Jack Sparrow gathered together his Motley Crew for a parle. After putting it to a team vote, the decision was made to include Protection Island as well, before breaking for lunch. 

 

Heading out to the northern tip of Protection Island, we rounded the corner and traveled along the eastern coastline, viewing the many beautiful homes, summer residences and cabins that 350 people all home. to our immediate east we could see Gabriola Island, serviced by the ferry running between Gabriola and Nanaimo, as well as an Evergreen freighter anchored in a sheltered spot. 

 

As we hit the southeast corner of Protection Island, we paddled past the Gallows Point Lighthouse and Keeper's Cabin.

 

 What a deep and rich history Protection Island (nee Douglas Island) had to share with stories of pirates, fur trading, coal mining and ship disasters. 

 

Completing this leg of our paddle, most of the group stopped off at the southern shore of Newcastle for a picnic lunch, while some visited the Dingy Dock Pub, Canada's only registered floating pub.

 

After lunch we gathered together to cross the channel over to the Nanaimo Harbour and Marina where we explored its nooks and crannies, viewing various types of sailing vessels including the new Canada Oil Spill Response vessels, Penny's Palapa and tourists staring down at us from the walkway overhead.

 

 Exiting the inner harbour, we paddled back to our original launch site, carefully avoiding a youth training sailing club, and viewing more boats, boats, boats...lots of boats.

 

Did we see any wildlife? yes we did...bald eagles, blue herons, cormorants, griebes, ducks along with various other shorebirds and seabirds. Add to that a raccoon, several seals and a few dogs fetching sticks in the water. 

 

All in all, it was a day to remember and one which most of us relived again in our minds when we went to bed that night.

We paddled a total of 13 km in approximately 4 hours on the water. 

Report submitted by Walter

Photos contributed by Donna, Libby, Lil and Jim