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.
