Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/adwords10?hl=en-us&forcelang=false&x=c4c6247cf3ee42e5bd377bcb92eb8e16
http://www.youtube.com/adwords10?hl=en-us&forcelang=false&x=c4c6247cf3ee42e5bd377bcb92eb8e16
Friday, November 12, 2010
New Destinations on the Horizon
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
West Coast Trail Tip #5-What to Bring and Not
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Rivers are Coming Up-Slowly...Get Your Paddles Ready
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Adventure Blog: Freya Hoffmeister Talks Paddling Around Australia ...
Friday, October 29, 2010
West Coast Trail Tip #4-Food for the Trip
Thursday, October 28, 2010
West Coast Trail Tip #3-Transportation In and Out
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
West Coast Trail Tip # 2-Date Considerations
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
West Coast Trail Tip # 1-Trip Planning
Monday, October 25, 2010
Rivers are Beginning to Fill
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Moonlight Paddle...with not so Much Moonlight
Each class paddled on one side of Maple Bay, near Duncan, BC, on Vancouver Island. Grade 7 paddled across the inner harbor and then further down into Bird's Eye Cove, while the Grade 8 class paddles along the north shore and just into Sansum Narrows, between Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island.
Both groups were dazzled by the phosphorescence in the water. The bioluminescent organisms in the water gave a tremendous show as our paddles and our boats moved through the water. It was a great trip.
New West Coast Trail Squidoo Lens
Thursday, October 14, 2010
The Touring Season is Over for 2010!
We have trainings, re-certifications,and practice to do-and in some of the most interesting conditions!
Part of our off-season is to sort through the massive numbers of photos and video that we took during our tours and trickle them out to you-the best of the best.
Keep an eye out for yourself or friends as the memories pile up on the blog.
Until the next post....cheers!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Gulf Islands Sea Kayaking - Trip to Rum Island
Paddling from Sidney, cross to Sidney Spit. It is often easier to carry kayaks over the spit than paddle all the way around it. From the northeast side of the spit, island hop to Forrest Is. and Rubly Is. over to Gooch Is. The more interesting side is the north side. Travel along this north side of Gooch to Rum Island. Look for the National Park sign.
On your crossings, watch for the wind, especially if it will be opposing current. It can get pretty choppy out there. Also watch our for Washington State Ferries passing through the channel.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Gulf Islands' Sidney Spit Sea Kayaking Virtual Tour
Check out this day trip to Sidney Spit by sea kayak. Mornings are usually the best time to kayak over because the wind can kick up in the afternoons. We show a panorama of the spit from the water, walk through the day use area, and pick up a heron "strolling" along the spit. This is a great place for a short sea kayaking trip from Victoria.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Update to Paddlefest Attendance
It looks like more and more people are taking advantage of the short, on-water instructional sessions than ever before, but not so interested in gear, equipment, and tours.
We will definitely be reconsidering attendance next year if the format stays the same, as are a number of other vendors, so they say.
All in all, good for people getting on the water, not very economical for other businesses to spend a day with very little traffic going their way. Hmmm?
Monday, June 14, 2010
Gulf Islands Sea Kayaking-Crossing Sansum Narrows
Heading out of Maple Bay on the south side, there is a long stretch of shore before a gap in the land-Sansum Narrows. This gap feels the rush of water as the tides change, creating rips and eddies. Paddling a sea kayak through the narrows or crossing it is best done near slack current. Here, we cross it at about 1 hour past slack and get a little bit of the choppy swirl about two-thirds of the way across. This is some of the fun with more advanced sea kayaking skills-playing in currents.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Why Hike the North Coast Trail?
The Trail is New
There are no Crowds
Reflections of the old West Coast Trail
The Gem at the End
After traveling the rough coastal trail, it is a treat to walk the flatter areas Cape Scott Provincial Park, meandering along the trails exploring the old settlement areas as they are reclaimed by the ever-present wildness of the area. Cape Scott on its own is worth the effort to see. It is absolutely beautiful, with its sandy beaches, lakes, lagoons, and coves. To read more reasons, visit the full article at "Why Hike the North Coast Trail?".
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
MEC Paddlefest Sunny But Not Well Attended
Quite a few people did take part in the on-water stuff, including some free mini-courses and boat/paddle demos. Hoping things pick up next year!
Photos:
Thursday, June 3, 2010
MEC Paddlefest this Saturday in Victoria, BC
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Rain, Wind, and Hail on the North Coast Trail!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Food Glorious Food!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
The Sun Is Out!!
It is time to drag out and dust off the sea kayaks to get paddling again. Trips up and down the highway, looking out at the water of the Gulf Islands along the way, have started the kayaking blood flowing again.
While Gary has been busy mostly inside this winter, Georgia has been able to paddle the river a couple of times and get up to Mount Washington (for North America's best snow this year). Right now, she is in Terrace coaching a group of archers at the BC Winter Games.
Both are looking forward to picking up their activity levels. So far, we have plans for the Ladysmith Paddle Festival, doing our annual lead guide scout trips hiking the North Coast Trail and Cape Scott Park, paddling in the Southern Gulf Islnads, and assessing trailheads on the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail.
The Maple Mountain hikes have continued to get their legs into shape. Next will be practicing paddling strokes.
Don't forget to visit our Tips for Trips page. This month, we are giving you great information on many aspects of hiking and backpacking trips.
So much to do.........Ah, Beautiful BC!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
REI Article on General Aches and Pains.