Sand River August 11 2025 - Harvey Pearson

Sand River  - August 11, 2025 - Leader: Harvey Pearson 

The following link has the photos from today's paddle to Sand River.  The weather was picture perfect, and the wind did not pick up until we were pretty much finished.  Only four people attended, but it was a great group; and the water was warm for swimming. The trip was 11.2 miles in total... and we saw a bear...

PGOSA Sand River Aug 11 2025 - Google Photos

 

SLO-MO PADDLERS - PGOSA UNION BAY PADDLE 

July 29, 2025

Report by Trip Leader – Walter Ilenseer
Photos thanks to Don, Lil, Diana
Track thanks to Harvey

A total of twelve adventurous kayakers launched from the Union Bay Boat Launch, 10:00 am sharp, with the goal to explore the north western shoreline of Denman Island and wonders of Sandy Island Marine Provincial Park.

Weather conditions were ideal as the group launched from Union Bay and crossed Baynes Sound to Denman Island. Upon reaching the shores of Denman the group proceeded northward, sheltered from any winds by the protection of Denman Island, viewing several barges of a vibrant oyster fishery, the tranquil beauty of coastal cottages, peaceful sailboats moored in Henry Bay, and crystal clear waters.

Upon reaching Sandy Island, referred to by locals as Tree Island, the group stopped for a rest and picnic lunch. 

 In discussion with group attendees, the decision was made to continue the kayaking journey further north to explore the Seal Islets. The last of these Islets, rewarded us with a National Geographic moment, where we were able to enjoy the marine habitat of well over 100 sea lions, basking in the sun and swimming in the waters around us. What a sight to behold, especially when they would, upon occasion, stampede into the waters at the slightest intrusion. Needless to say, to respect their space and for our own protection as well as theirs, we kept a safe distance away. But, what a sight! For many this was the highlight of this kayaking adventure.

After exploring the northern tip of Sandy Island, the group paddled back to our original launch location, where we helped each other load our kayaks back onto our cars for the last leg of our kayaking trip ….. a well deserved stop at the Cone Zone in Qualicum Bay for some cool refreshing ice cream.

Total distance kayaked was 10.2 miles or 16.4 Km. Needless to say, with wonderful memories of frolicking seals still fresh in mind, most enjoyed a very well earned and restful sleep that night.

Perfect weather, on the water, surrounded by natural beauty, wonderful sights, great companionship.
All in all …….Just Another Day in Paradise!!

Ucluelet July 22 and Grice Bay July 23 2025 - Harvey Pearson

 

Ucluelet July 22 and Grice Bay July 23 2025 – Harvey Pearson

Thank you to all who attended, for your help and cooperation.  In total 14 people attended Ucluelet and 12 people attended Grice bay.  The distances were 10.9 miles and 11.6 miles respectively.  For your reference, I have included the tracks from each trip shown below:

Regards, Harve

Grice Bay

Ucluelet Harbour

Comox Lake July 15 2025

 Comox Lake Paddle Report July 15, 2025

15 PGOSA paddlers in 15 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 to have a look. The water was much higher this year, so they got quite a distance further up the creek than last year.

 

Continuing on, we navigated around the first of several deadhead logs found around the lake. Again, because the water was higher, the deadheads were less of an issue this year. At this point, two paddlers (rehabbing injuries) broke off and returned the way we came and the rest of the group carried on.

 

We paddled past the Fish and Game Club and thankfully there was very little rifle range action to disturb the quiet. Next, we passed the Comox Valley Water Treatment Plant at the start of the Puntledge River.  Comox Lake is the main source of the area's drinking water supply and on a calm morning like we had, the water was crystal clear.

 

From here, we had a good view of the Comox Glacier and then headed further along the shore past the Comox Lake Ecological Reserve.  Our lunch stop was on a small (much smaller than most years due to the high lake level) strip of sandy beach at Boston Bay. The trees further back from the beach offered some much-needed shade from the hot sun. The wind picked up after lunch as usual, and we headed across the lake into choppy waves and then along spectacular cliffs before returning to the boat launch.

 

After everyone loaded their kayaks, a few folks went into Cumberland to the brewery and some went for a dip in the lake.  The boat launch was very crowded on our return, so likely it would be better to paddle at Comox Lake in June or later in August in the future.
 

It was a beautiful day for a paddle, covering 13 kms in about 4 hours.

 

Trip Leaders Donna and Scott Roy

 

PGOSA Comox Lake 2025 - Google Photos Link of photos and track thanks to Harvey

June 15 - Dickson Lake Photos

 Harvey Pearson led a trip to Dickson Lake near Port Alberni.

 

June 10 Bamfield Harbour

 Photos from the Paddle 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vJ8ZB73BKYHNrgiEA

June 3 - Royston Wrecks Report

 

Royston Paddle June 3

 

Linda Watson led 18 paddlers on a tour of the Wrecks of Royston. Before the trip started Linda gave a brief history of the 15 ships which formed a breakwater for the Comox Logging Company’s operations. We then paddled a short distance to view the wrecks up close. 

 

The next part of the trips (3 km) was spent paddling across Comox Harbour

 

May 21 - Sproat Lake Trip Report

 

Sproat Lake – Stirling Arm – Trip Report – May 21

 

Linda Watson and Jim Swanson joined Ron Stephenson for the Stirling Arm paddle. Meeting at the Port Alberni Walmart parking lot, Ron led the drive from there to the launch site on Stirling Arm. We headed west on Highway 4 to the McCoy Lake turnoff then drove for about 20 minutes on a mix of paved and rough pot-holed logging roads which tested the shocks on our cars.

We parked on the side of Stirling Main logging road on the west side of Stirling Arm. The 100-metre-long access trail to the launch site was very rough and our kayak wheels were put to a good test. 

 

We launched from a small beach area at 10:30 under cloudy skies and headed east across Stirling Arm.

 

 It was quite interesting to see the contrast between the totally-wooded wilderness on west side of the Arm and the large homes and cottages on the east side. Many of the homes are quite large with a wide variety of watercraft tied up to large docks. 

 

May 20 - 2025 - Westwood Lake Trip Report

 

Despite nice weather in the days leading up to our opening paddle for the 2025 season, a stiff NW wind arrived by early Tuesday and skuttled our plan. The idea was to tour around Newcastle Island or try the inner harbour near Protection Island if conditions were unfavourable. The group assembled at the Brechin Boat ramp near Departure Bay and after talking this through and glancing at the windsock, we opted to try nearby Westwood Lake instead.

 

 

Westwood Lake

We had 14 people in 13 kayaks out for the Westwood Lake paddle.  The lake is the most visited park in Nanaimo, and it offers a nice trail system around the lake, a beach and, of course, water sports.

Towering above Westwood Lake at 1,025 metres is Mount Benson, Nanaimo’s highest and distinct peak. It was named for a British physician that worked with one of the coal companies in the early settlement times around Nanaimo. Besides offering great hiking and mountain biking, Mount Benson also has prominent telecommunication towers. The photo of the kayak group on the water features the southern flank of Mount Benson.