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  • The Compass blog
    The Compass blog
What to wear kayaking

What to wear kayaking

What does appropriate clothing to wear kayaking look like? We all want to get out and enjoy the water without having to worry about the dangers or what-if’s that come along with being a paddler. There is something romantic about being able to spontaneously load up your kayak and launch into the ocean, onto a river, or into a lake to explore for the day.…
The Victoria Waterways Loop

The Victoria Waterways Loop

The Victoria Waterways Loop The Galloping Goose trail and the more recent E&N Trail are well known to bicyclists and pedestrians as a way to make a complete circle route from downtown Victoria to the 6 Mile Pub area and back again. However, there is also a water route that also allows you to travel a complete circle from the inner harbour and back again.…
Ocean River Sports to the Gorge Tillicum Bridge Paddle Route

Ocean River Sports to the Gorge Tillicum Bridge Paddle Route

Paddling Victoria’s Upper Harbour, the Selkirk Waterway & the Gorge Waterway Paddling the Upper Harbour and along the Gorge Waterway gives you a completely different perspective than the Inner, Middle and Outer Harbour.  You will pass by the industrial area of the harbour as you move into the Selkirk Waterway and finally the Gorge Waterway itself.  Here you will begin to see the real beauty…
Safety Guidelines for Paddling Around Victoria & Vancouver Island

Safety Guidelines for Paddling Around Victoria & Vancouver Island

Safety Guidelines for Paddling Around Victoria & Vancouver Island Victoria is the gateway to world class paddling destinations around Vancouver Island, BC. Being surrounded by water, Victoria offers an endless variety of paddle sport experiences from the serenity of a calm lake, or the bustle of an urban paddle on the inner harbour, to the excitement of a fast moving tidal current. Whether you’re a…
Paddling Victoria’s Beautiful Waterways

Paddling Victoria’s Beautiful Waterways

Victoria has one of the most beautiful harbours and inland waterways in the world making it a spectacular, as well as an incredibly convenient spot to go kayaking, canoeing or paddle boarding for a few hours or a day.  Explore this historic working harbor from the water with its historic streets and architecture as well as it’s rich mix of ongoing activities including;  whale watching…
Victoria Circle Paddle Route

Victoria Circle Paddle Route

The Victoria Circle Paddle Route, an obvious but often overlooked route The Victoria Circle Loop is a kayaking route full of changing landscapes that can take up an entire day if planned carefully.  There is now interest in improving some access points to this route including developing a walkway under the Tillicum Bridge allowing an easy portage if the tides aren’t favourable. For more information,…
Kayaking to Discovery Island

Kayaking to Discovery Island

Amy’s Top 10 Highlights of her solo Kayaking trip to Discovery Island Kayaking Discovery Island is an awesome adventure with easy access via Oak Bay Marina. The little island is rich in natural beauty, wildlife, and history. A relatively short paddle, this is a great adventure for an experienced kayaker. The currents through Haro Straight can change quickly and are too much for a novice paddler…
MacNeill Bay to The Trial Islands Paddle Route

MacNeill Bay to The Trial Islands Paddle Route

Kayaking Routes around Victoria: MacNeill Bay to the Trial Islands The Trial Islands are located in the Strait of Juan de Fuca just off the shores of Oak Bay.  There is easy access to the water and parking at MacNeill Bay.  It is an excellent short day trip, which can easily be accomplished within 1 or 2 hours. Caution should to be exercised when planning…
Top 5 Rivers Near Victoria

Top 5 Rivers Near Victoria

Top 5 Rivers Near Victoria by Graham Litman 5. Cowichan, Marie Canyon (Class 3, 1.5 hours) The Cowichan is the South Island’s bread and butter run. It’s fairly  free of major hazards, has fun play spots, and warm water (Cowichan supposedly means “the warm land” in Coast Salish). The Cowichan is runnable at almost 365 days of the year, due to a weir at Cowichan…

About Ocean River

Located in Victoria, British Columbia on beautiful Vancouver Island, Ocean River is one of the premier speciality kayak and adventure companies in North America. Brian Henry, the founder & current owner, has been running Ocean River since 1981, and Ocean River continues to be recognised as one of the most significant outdoor/paddlesports instructional & tours provider in North America.

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SUP Adventures on the West Coast

Wesley takes on SUP adventures on the west coast of British Columbia!

Moving back to the West Coast from the Rockies ...