Cedar to DeCourcy Paddle - July 11

 Sixteen paddlers had an enjoyable and sunshine-filled paddle recently to DeCourcy Island across from the Cedar boat launch, just south of Nanaimo,  on Tuesday, July 11th.  

 

When we headed off, the 7-8 knots of easterly winds were in our face, the tide was flooding, so the paddle across the channel was a bit of a  “grunt”.

 

When we reached the shores of DeCourcy the waters calmed as we were in the lee of the island. 

 

The sandstone rock formations along the west side of Link and De Courcy islands are quite stunning and well worth the paddle if you have never seen them. A leisurely paddle along DeCourcy, enjoying the rock formations, made up for the struggle coming across the strait.

 

 

 

Pirate’s Cove at the south end of DeCourcy was our destination and also our stop for lunch.  One side of the anvil shaped peninsula at Pirates Cove – a Provincial Marine park, is specifically for kayakers.

 

Campsites are available and there is a “biffy’ and potable water if supplies need replenishing.  The other side has a dock, tie ups and anchorage for boaters who want to enjoy the park.  Legend has it Pirates from the 1800s hid or buried treasure when stopping at the cove.

 

For our return trip we paddled along the east side of DeCourcy which is where most of the summer homes or cabins are located. 

  

Scooting through a narrow channel between a small island and DeCourcy was possible as the tide was mostly in.  With the water flow with us, paddling was minimal as we floated through the channel.  

 

When reaching Link island the tide was 2/3rds of the way in so we were able to paddle through the very  small opening between Link and DeCourcy islands and then head directly across the channel back to the  Cedar boat launch, our starting point.

 

This time with the breeze and tide at our backs and helping us out, we enjoyed the view of Vancouver Island and the small community of Cedar as we made our way home.   All in all it was a great paddle – about 14-15 kms with a variety of wind, water conditions and scenery but warm and sunny the whole time with some spectacular views......well worth the effort and time to drive to Cedar!

Photos contributed by Sharon Ball and Lil Harm

Report submitted by Jim Powell