Sept 3 - Bamfield Trip Report

 15 members of the PGOSA Paddlers met up in Port Alberni at 8:30 a.m. September 3rd, 2024, and proceeded as a convoy out to Bamfield.  Enroute, we stopped at Sarita Lake. 

 

By 10:30 a.m. the group was on the water at Grappler Inlet 

 

Mermaid in Grappler Inlet

and headed over to the Coast Guard Station on Bamfield Inlet.  Wind and wave conditions were good. 

Aug 27 - Goose Spit Park to Comox Harbour and the Puntledge River

Ten of our members met at Goose Spit Park to explore the Comox Harbour and Puntledge River. At the pre-trip meeting we learned about some of the places of interest that we were going to see during the paddle. These included HMCS Quadra - the Sea Cadet training base, Filberg Lodge and Park and the Comox First Nations fishing sticks and traps on the Puntledge River.

Jellyfish at Goose Spit

The trip started off at 10:00 am under sunny and calm conditions. Within a few minutes we paddled past some live aboard boats which were definitely in need of repair. Near the entrance to the Comox Marina, we maneuvered around a number of anchored boats 

 

and laser sailboats from the Comox Bay Sailing Club. 

 

After taking a brief rest, we started to paddle up the Puntledge River. 

Comox Glacier in the distance

 A rising tide made for a smooth paddle 

 

as we passed many Comox First Nations’ fishing stakes placed on the banks of the river. This practice dates back more than 1300 years. We then paddled under the noisy bridge deck on the 17th Street Bridge. 

 

 

Aug 13 - Nuttal Bay to Mistaken Island Trip Report

 

Nuttal Bay to Mistaken Island Trip Report – Aug 13, 2024

A fine time was had as the paddling group explored the Beachcomber/Nuttal Bay area on this week’s paddle.  Staying local and viewing some of the Oceanside area from the water gives one a whole different perspective of the beauty and development of what once was a beach vacation area with small summer cottages and lots of empty forested spaces.  Now beautiful houses populate the completer shoreline and one can see the luxuriousness of our waterfront area!

 

North of Beachcomber is Mistaken Island and it remains private, unpopulated, with the only residents being the Walker family who have lived on it since the late nineties. 

August 6 - Comox Lake Paddle

 

Comox Lake Paddle Report August 6, 2024

 

15 PGOSA paddlers in 13 boats met at the Comox Lake Boat Launch near Cumberland.

 

After the pre-trip meeting and warm up stretches we paddled in a counter clockwise direction and saw some cottages and homes along the shoreline. Just past the cottages we stopped at Perseverance Creek and a few paddlers went up the creek a short way to have a look.

 

Continuing on, we navigated around the first of several deadhead logs found around the lake.

 

July 30 - Cedar to DeCourcy Island

 

Cedar to DeCourcy Island Trip Report – July 30, 2024

 

Seven PGOSA Paddlers met at the Cedar Boat Launch to head to DeCourcy Island. At the pre-trip meeting Jim went over a brief history of DeCourcy Island and the cult led by Brother XII who populated the island in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Pirates Cove Marine Park on the Island was established in 1966 at the south end of the Island. This is a popular destination for sailors and kayakers.

Under cloudy conditions with a slight chop and light winds from the east we headed past Round Island towards the Tumbolo (a neck of land) between Mudge and Link Islands. After the 3 km crossing, we stopped for a short break just offshore of the beach.

 

We then headed in a southeasterly direction on the west side of Link Island. 

July 16 Union Bay to Sandy Island paddle

 

July 16 Paddle from Union Bay to Sandy Island

 

Walter Ilenseer led 11 PGOSA Paddlers on a paddle from Union Bay to Sandy Island. The trip started in calm conditions

 

 as they crossed Baynes Sound.

 

They first headed to the Sandy Islets located north of Sandy Island. 

 

At their destination they viewed many seals relaxing in the water. The winds picked up and the seas did get rough for awhile. The group then turned around and the conditions calmed down as they headed to Sandy Island. 

 

They took in the sunny weather while enjoying their lunches on the beach at the Provincial Marine Park.

 

The afternoon was spent crossing Baynes Sound to return to Union Bay.

 

 In total they paddled 14 km.

 

Photos contributed by Penny Vanson.

Report by Walter Ilenseer and Jim Swanson

July 9 Sproat Lake Paddle

 

Cormack Gates and Ron Stephenson led 14 paddlers on a paddle at Sproat Lake. We met at the Boat Launch at Sproat Lake Provincial Park. Just before the pre-trip meeting, we witnessed the Hawaii Martin Mars Water Bomber fire its engines and take a test taxi down the lake as it prepares for its final flight. The water bomber, will be the centrepiece of the new B.C. wildfire aviation exhibit at the British Columbia Aviation Museum in North Saanich.

 

The Pre-trip meeting trip began with Ron sharing some fascinating local history stories and Cormack talking about some of the local flora and fauna. Donna Roy then led the group in a short series of warmup exercises.

We started paddling

 

 toward the Petroglyphs carved on some rock bluffs on the edge of the lake.

 

After crossing to the south side of the lake we paddled past houseboats for rent

 

 and saw many luxurious homes and cottages on the shore of Sproat Lake. In addition we paddled past a family of Canada Geese.

 

With the temperature rising (forecast to hit 36c by mid-afternoon) we decided to cut the trip short and paddle across to view the Martin Mars water bomber. We enjoyed the experience of paddling right up to the enormous plane - the largest one built by the Allies in World War 2.

 

Philippine Mars on shore

We then looked for turtles basking on logs near the shore. Unfortunately, it was probably too hot for them and we returned to the launch site at the Provincial Park.

First Nations canoe

 

After a relaxing lunch in the shade the group had a relaxing swim in the lake. We then loaded our kayaks and gear into our vehicles before heading home. One nice thing to note is that the temperature on the water while paddling was quite bearable. We did make sure that we were well hydrated during the trip.

On this trip we paddled approximately 5 1/2 km.

It was a very enjoyable, historic and relaxing day.

Report by Jim Swanson and photos contributed by Lil, Cormack and Jim.