Get out on the water and SUP in Victoria and Vancouver Island at some of our favourite places to stand up and paddle
There are numerous places to get out on the water around Vancouver Island and we could go on and on for days with ideas of where to get out there but we will try to limit it to three spots around Victoria.
Our in-house SUP expert, Yannick, gets out on the water as often as he can and likes to find places to SUP in Victoria with easy access where he can enjoy a few waves.
1. The Green Marker past the breakwater
The Green Marker between the breakwater and Esquimalt Marina is an excellent place to take your paddle board on those windy evenings. It is practical and easy to get to and on good days you can easily get in 6 or 7 runs in an evening. This spot offers a great nearby area to practice. On calm days paddling along the shore from the Ocean River docks out along the edge of the harbour can also be a relaxing a beautiful route to enjoy.
Photo by Douglas Bain of Bluegiraffe Photography of some paddlers out near the breakwater and green marker
2. Jordan River to Gordon’s Beach
This stretch of coast is breathtaking, to say the least. It is a dream for many surfers and stand up paddlers especially on the days when westerly winds bring incoming swells from the pacific ocean. The Juan De Fuca offers the south island a rugged and tree-lined stretch of coast where cell service is intermittent at best. When the waves are just right you will see heads bobbing on the horizon chasing waves in many forms. Not for the novice, or even beginner paddler, this stretch of coast is something to behold just as a weekend camping destination – and offers plenty of opportunities to watch other paddlers and get inspired.
Photo by Chris George of some insanely photogenic SUP surfing at Jordan River
3. Dallas Road
Dallas Road is a great spot if you are looking for a calm paddle on a nice day. This stretch of shoreline can offer some amazing views of the Olympic mountains in the background and some killer marine life to check out. There are many access points to get out into the water making it extremely accessible and right Downtown Victoria. Please note this is not a good place to paddle if the weather is bad, and conditions can turn dangerous quickly with increased wind in the area.
Yannick Michaud out in his element.
These three places are all salt water and will need a bit more planning and knowledge of the sport than a beginner may possess. To learn more about SUP and get comfortable on the water consider taking a course. You can also get out on the water on a SUP with an Ocean River Tour or take out a board as a Rental and walk on some water around Victoria’s Gorge waterways at your own pace.
