Whitewater Paddling on Vancouver Island
Get involved with the whitewater paddling community on Vancouver Island and learn about some great spots to check out Whitewater paddling around Victoria and Vancouver Island is primarily a winter sport. While the rest of the country is prepping for snow sports, here on the island we are grabbing our paddles and hitting the rivers and ocean surf. There are few large lake fed rivers…
Brentwood Bay to Tod Inlet Paddle Route
Paddling to Tod Inlet in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park Tucked in behind the famous Butchart Gardens is a beautiful tree lined inlet accessible only by boat or by a walking trail just off Wallace Dr near Benvenuto Ave. This is an ideal paddle for beginners as the waters of Tod Inlet and the launch at Brentwood Bay are very sheltered and the total route there…
Flares – Obsolete or Still a Good Idea?
Should You Carry Flares When Paddling? This question often comes up, do you need to carry flares with you, especially with many paddlers now carrying cell phones, VHF radios, PLB’s and satellite messengers? In fact, the Transport Canada Small Boating Regulations don’t require you to carry any kind of visual signaling device unless you are in a boat over 6m in length, (many double kayaks),…
Kayaking Gear List
The Paddling Gear You Need to Have & the Paddling Gear You Should Have The following gear lists itemize the equipment you need to carry with you whenever you paddle and other items you should consider carrying depending on the route you have planned and the time you will be out. For more detailed information on the basic gear you are required to carry see…
The Uchuck – A Novel Way to Reach the Remote West Coast
Kayaking from Kyuquot to Nootka Sound One of my favourite Vancouver Island kayaking trips is from the tiny fishing village of Kyuquot, nestled in a protected harbour in Kyuquot Sound, down the coast to Friendly Cove (Yuquot) in Nootka Sound. What makes a destination like this so special is its remoteness. What makes this trip particularly unique and special is using the Uchuck III to…
How to Choose the Right PFD
Lifejackets vs Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) First off, let’s eliminate the confusion between Lifejackets and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs). A true lifejacket is designed to turn an unconscious victim face up in the water. They have more buoyancy than a PFD, come in two sizes only and must be red, yellow or orange. They are bulkier and lack the comfort for long term recreational use.…
Paddling to Discovery Island Marine Park
Paddling Route and Exploration of Discovery Island This spectacular paddling route takes you from the shores and stately homes of Oak Bay, crossing through the Chain Islets, to the Chatham Islands and Discovery Islands. This popular destination offers a true west coast paddling experience. You will feel as though you are hundreds of miles away in the wilderness paddling around Discovery Island. Paddlers should be…
