Trip Planning Resource Guide

PGOSA Paddlers

Trip Planning Resource Guide

 

 

This Resource Guide is intended to assist PGOSA Paddlers’ members in planning for and leading a PGOSA Paddlers’- sponsored kayaking trip. It is not a prescriptive document but is designed to serve as a resource. The information presented is current as of 2026 and is gleaned from numerous sources – other kayaking groups, Paddle Canada, Seamanship and Trip Planning workshops, experienced kayak trip leaders and various web resources. Special thanks go out to Harvey Pearson, Cormack Gates, Jim Powell, Jan Kretz, Jeff Burdison, other experienced kayak guides and trip leaders including PGOSA Paddlers’ members who attended the Trip Leaders’ Workshop on May 5, 2026

 

Jim Swanson

May 2026

 

 

PGOSA Paddlers

Trip Planning Resource Guide

A. Pre-Trip Planning – Web Resources

1. BC Marine Trails Map - https://www.bcmarinetrails.org/

A great tool for trip planning. Shows most launching and kayak camping sites on the BC Coast. Members’ map offers features such as photos of launching and camping sites, drawing tool for trip planning, exporting maps, marine charts. Annual BCMT membership is $35 for access to Members’ Map

2. Oceans Connect - https://oceanconnect.ca

Website and App

Uses Google Maps to show the following conditions for any location on the BC Coast

for the next 48 hours:

1.     Wind speed and direction

2.     Currents

3.     Waves

4.     Tides

5.     Sea Temperature

6.     Air Temperature

7.     Clouds

8.     Precipitation

Note: Both BCMT and Oceans Connect must have an Internet connection

3. Tides app – by 7^th Gear – App for Apple and Android Phones and Tablets

Tides, weather and map for many locations on BC Coast.

Does not need Internet Connection

Good websites – windy.com, tides4fishing.com, fishweather.com

B. Scout Location before Trip – Considerations

1.	Driving Directions from Parksville/Qualicum area.	Driving Distance and Time? Meeting location & time for car- pooling? Meeting location & time for convoy? Road Closures/access to launch site Launch Time On the Water?
2.	Parking area	Good road access? 4-wheel drive only? Parking for how many vehicles? Parking fee? How to Pay? Washrooms?
3.	Access from Parking area to launch site	Brief description Distance Carts needed?
4.	Launch site	Busy access times? Ramp? Sandy Beach? Rocky shore?
5.	Tides on day of trip	Launch and finish at high or low tide?
7.	Places to take breaks and have Lunch while on trip	Tides at Lunch time
8.	Discuss location with Activity Manager

 

Information regarding the paddle.

Share this information with the Activity Manager regarding the trip. Decide if you want participants to register with you. If so, how do you want them to communicate with you – i.e. E-mail, Text, Phone. Make sure that the Activity Manager is made aware of this well in advance of the date of the trip.  

 

 

 

 

C. Before the Day of the Trip

 

The Membership Manager will e-mail you the current Membership List a few days before the trip.  Print this off so you can check off everyone at the Pre-Trip Meeting.  

If weather is looking “iffy” for the date of the trip, contact the Activity Manager and discuss if there is a need to cancel/change trip *Make this decision at least 36-48 hours before the scheduled date and ask the Activity Manager to announce the change.*

D. Day of Trip - At Site

·        Is your Cell Phone fully charged?

·        Do you have Activity Manager’s Phone Number in your Contacts

·        Do you have Sweep and Helpers in your Contacts

·        Do they have you in their Contacts

·        If possible, plan to arrive at Launch site well before planned launch time

·        Place your own kayak and gear at launch location – watch for tides

Pre-Trip Chat with group - Points to Cover

·       Take attendance using your printed Membership List and do a head count. Make sure everyone is a current PGOSA Paddlers member including signed a waiver form.

·        Carry this list with you while on the trip in a waterproof bag. This is important as everyone’s Emergency Contact information is listed.

·        Who has kayaked at this location?

·        General heading for trip and Features to see on route

·        Where breaks will take place

·        Lunch site and when group will return to launch site

·        Tides and weather while on trip

·        Safety issues on trip – On-water Communication, Stay together – emergency protocol

·        Who will be carrying First Aid Kits

·        Who is able to help with Assisted Rescues?

·        Determine Leads, Sweeps and anyone comfortable with First Aid.

·        Ensure that everyone has the necessary safety gear.

·        *At Checkin establish meeting area to gather at before starting to leave launch area. Everyone stays at this area until you are ready to start the trip*

 

On Water Organizational Skills & Safety Considerations

·        Do head count at meeting area and do not leave until everyone is ready

·        Check with Sweep on the number of vessels on the trip – helps with keeping track of vessels and people on the trip.

·        Give clear instructions re direction headed, staying with group, staying between Lead and Sweep.

·        Have people pair up (buddy system) before leaving meeting area. This helps people stay together and reduces the chances of someone getting separated from the group.

·        Make sure group stays together – Check regularly with Sweep and group

·        Use clear arm/paddle signals and whistle sounds

·        If anyone needs assistance, communicate with Trip Leader, Lead or Sweep

·        Establish clear protocol if anyone needs to leave group early

·        When crossing busy channels keep everyone in a fairly tight formation so that large vessels will be able to see the group.

Lunch Site

·        Any interesting features to explore?

·        Any washrooms?

·        Tides – are kayaks above High Tide mark?

·        Communicate re time allotment for Lunch and leaving time

·        Do head count when leaving

Wrapping up Trip

·        Do head count upon Return to Launch site

·        Anyone needing assistance with equipment?

·        Any place to meet at after trip? i.e. Cone Zone

After the Trip

Arrange to deliver Attendance Sheet or email list of participants to the

Membership Manager -slomopaddlers@gmail.com

 

 

E. Following the Trip 

Complete a brief newsy report on the trip within a few days of the trip. (Do Not send as a PDF file) and email to – slomopaddlers@gmail.com .This report, and photos taken by participating paddlers, will be posted to the group’s website:    Pgosapaddlers.blogspot.com.

 

Note: Please make sure that the report does not contain participants’ names and please do not use closeup pictures of paddlers to maintain anonymity.

F. Lead and Sweep Responsibilities

Lead Kayaker Roles

• Navigation & Route Choice: Selects the route, navigates, and adapts to weather/water conditions.
• Watch for changing tides, cloud formations, wind direction and fetch (the distance wind travels over water)
• Pacing: Sets a speed suitable for the weakest participant.
• Decision Making: Identifies obstacles, chooses lines, and decides when to cross, scout, or stop.
• Communication: Signals to the group, communicates with the sweep, and monitors the overall group size. 

Sweep Kayaker Roles

• Group Management: Stays at the rear to ensure all participants are accounted for, often monitoring for stragglers or fatigue.
• Safety & Rescue: Typically, a strong paddler equipped to assist with capsizes, rescues, or gear issues.
• Rechecking: Follows the group, ensuring no gear or people are left behind, especially at breaks or on landing.
• Support: Assists the leader in identifying potential issues within the group. 

Note: There can be more than one Lead and Sweep on a trip so that people can trade off on these roles. This also allows for people interested in helping with these roles to get some experience. A second Lead/Helper could travel in the middle of the group to assist the Lead in monitoring the group.  

G. On-Water Communication: Whistle and Paddle Signals

When paddling, different factors can affect good verbal communication.

• Distance
• Wind
• Not speaking loudly and clearly
• Not being face to face
• Age, i.e. hearing loss

Here is a quick review of whistle and paddle signals to communicate with your paddling group when verbal communication is compromised;

Whistle Signals

• ONE loud whistle blast: Attention. Stop and look for further direction.
• TWO loud whistle blasts: Stop. Stay where you are – look for further direction.
• THREE loud whistle blasts: Emergency.

Paddle Signals

Paddle held horizontally over your head with two hands:

STOP. STAY WHERE YOU ARE.

 

 

 

 

 

Paddle held vertically over your head:

GATHER AROUND THE PERSON HOLDING THE PADDLE.

 

Paddle held at 45 degrees to body:

GO IN DIRECTION PADDLE IS POINTING TO. 

 

Paddle overhead, waving back and forth:

EMERGENCY. COME HERE. HELP.

If Emergency Occurs. Have group Raft-up into a tight formation listening for instructions from the Lead or Sweep. Rafting up kayaks creates a stable, connected group for socializing, resting, or rescues, usually by aligning kayaks in a parallel line, often pointing in opposite directions for balance, and holding onto neighboring boats. The technique provides stability, enhances visibility to other boaters, and allows for shared gear or assistance

 

H. Wind Speed Guide for Kayakers

 

1 knot = 1.852 km/h

 

Wind Level	Speed in Knots	Kayaking Conditions
Light Air	1-3 Knots	very safe
Gentle Breeze	7-10 Knots	small whitecaps begin to appear - becoming challenging for kayakers
Moderate Breeze	11-16 Knots	upper limit for inexperienced kayakers
Fresh Breeze	17-21 Knots	quite challenging in a kayak, solid experience required
Strong Breeze	22-27 Knots	Paddling is very difficult, be experienced, gear up for immersion, paddle with other experienced kayakers also dressed for immersion

Wind speed is a huge factor when deciding if to go out or not.  If paddling in exposed wind I would not go if wind if above 15 knots. You also must take into consideration direction of wind, and if you are going to be exposed to it or if you can paddle behind an island or land mass.  Many times, you can detour to get out of the direct wind allowing land to break the speed of the wind.  Northwest Bay is a good example of this.  If SE wind you can paddle along the east shoreline and it can be calm while at the mouth or middle of the bay the wind is causing whitecaps.

 Overall, 15 knots is a good cut-off point for deciding to paddle or not.

Thank you to Jim Powell for these notes on winds

 

 

 

 

I. Safety Gear for Kayaking

Mandatory Safety Equipment – Transport Canada-mandated

·        An appropriately-sized, Transport Canada approved PFD

·        A buoyant heaving line (15 metres in length)

·        Paddle (with drip rings)

·        Hand Pump

·        Sound signalling device - Whistle

Recommended gear

·        First Aid Kit in a Dry Bag

·        Spray Skirt

·        Extra Paddle

·        Paddle Float – inflatable if possible

·        Kayak wheels with bungee cord for transporting kayak on land

·        Extra Change of clothes and food in Dry Bag(s)

Suggested gear

·        VHF Radio

·        Chart or map – in waterproof map case

·        Trip Plan left with a friend

·        GPS or Magnetic Compass – deck or hand held

·        Headlamp with batteries for evening and night kayaking

·        Sunscreen

·        Sunglasses

·        Hat

·        Raingear

Note: Some or all of the recommended gear may be required by Trip Leaders.