2011 Go Kayak Paddling Journal

2011 Paddling Journal Wrap Up

2011-12-18T11:12:00.000-08:00

It's been another great paddling year. I discovered a lot of new places and met great people and new friends. The highlight was our trip around West Coast Vancouver Island North with Patti and Michel from Port Hardy up to Coal Harbour and from Winter Harbour to Cape Cook. I will absolutely have to go back there.

It was the first summer of Go Kayak, sea kayak instruction (www.gokayak.ca). Very satisfied with what we've done this year, a lot of rescue and rolling courses, rolling courses being by far the most popular for 2011. We had a few Level 1 and Level 2 courses which kept me busy in between our paddling adventures.

I would like to thanks Atlantis Kayaks (Robin, Karen and Chelsea) who kindly took good care of our kayaks, fixing all the scratches and bruises we did to them, we couldn't have gone where we've been without your help.

I now can't wait for the upcoming year, more paddling time and adventures are around the corner. See you on the water in 2012.

2011 paddling distance - 662.4 miles ( 1227 km)

P43-Esquimalt Harbour

2011-11-27T09:52:00.000-08:00

Paddle #43
Date: Nov 26, 2011
Destination: Esquimalt Harbour
Distance: 6.2 miles
Cumulative miles: 662.4 miles ( 1227 km)
Put in and out: PFKC
Pictures: Click here

Pacific Fleet Kayak Club AGM paddle and meeting. 9 people showed up for the club paddle. We paddled to the Fisgard Lighthouse, down the Harbour, under the bridge and up to the falls (only accessible at high tide). Paddled from 13:00 to 16:00 hour. No wind, no wave, no rain, for a day the was suppose to have 25 to 35 knots wind, it was pretty dam good!!!!

P42- Trial Island

2011-11-27T09:38:00.000-08:00

Paddle #42
Date: Nov 7, 2011
Destination:Trial Island
Distance: 3 miles
Cumulative miles: 656.2 miles ( 1215 km)
Put in and out: McNeil Bay

Went out with Bastien on a paddle around Trial Island. We stopped to say Hi to Meredith and visited the lighthouse. Wind picked up in the afternoon up to 20-25 and we had great surf coming back through Enterprise Channel.

P41-Discovery Island

2011-11-27T09:33:00.000-08:00

Paddle #41
Date: Nov 6, 2011
Destination:Discovery Island
Distance: 10 miles
Cumulative miles: 653.2 miles ( 1210 km)
Put in and out: Cadboro Bay

Went out with Bastien on a paddle around Discovery Island. Great conditions, wind 5-10knots and sunny.

P40-Jordan River

2011-10-15T16:13:00.000-07:00

Paddle #40
Date: Oct 15, 2011
Destination: Jordan River
Distance: 4.7 miles
Cumulative miles: 643.2 miles ( 1191 km)
Put in and out: Jordan River

Went out paddle with James and Jas at Jordan River. Not much swell and surf but caught 1 or 2 good ones. Very nice weather, sun, light wind, another good day on the water despite the lack of action. Still...better be paddling than watching TV.

P39-Wallace Island

2011-10-10T20:22:00.000-07:00

Paddle #39
Date: Oct 8-10, 2011
Destination: Wallace Island
Distance: 12.9 miles
Cumulative miles: 638.5 miles ( 1183 km)
Put in and out: Arbutus Rd (Salt Spring Island)
Pictures - Click here -

A great Thanks Giving Weekend at Wallace Island. The forecast was calling for bad weather but it turned out to be an awesome weekend with good paddling conditions. Patti and I had a great time with Sue, Dennis, Lynn, Morley, Tony, Marie-Josée and Olivier. Great weather, great people, great paddling, great food, great stories...just a great weekend.

P38-Gorge Waterway

2011-09-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

Paddle #38
Date: Sept 16, 2011

Destination: Victoria Harbour

Distance: 5.1 miles
Cumulative miles: 625.6 miles ( 1158 km)

Put in and out: Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club (VCKC)

A quick paddle on the Gorge. Average speed of 4 miles. Slow current under the bridge on an ebb. West winds 5-10 knots. A lovely training paddle on a nice Friday morning.

P37-The Slew

2011-09-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

Paddle #37
Date: Sept 13, 2011

Destination: The Slew

Distance: 3.1 miles
Cumulative miles: 620.5 miles ( 1149 km)

Put in and out: 10 Mile Point
Video at: http://youtu.be/W32BuHH9cmk

A very nice early morning paddle to the slew. Quiet and Peaceful...almost yoga on the water!

P36-Discovery Island

2011-09-11T21:29:00.000-07:00

Paddle #36
Date: Sept 11, 2011

Destination: Discovery Island
Distance: 9.6 miles
Cumulative miles: 617.5 miles ( 1143 km)

Put in and out: Oak Bay Marina

Paddle Canada Lv1 around Discovery Island. Super nice weather and a bit of current at 10 mile point.

P35-Discovery Island

2011-09-11T21:25:00.000-07:00

Paddle #35

Date: Sept 9, 2011

Destination: Discovery Island
Distance: 7.4 miles
Cumulative miles: 607.9 miles ( 1126 km)

Put in and out: Oak Bay Marina

Paddled out with Patti who camped at Discovery with her girlfriend. It was a very nice there and back evening, great conditions..again. Sunny, hot, hot, hot!

P34-Blackberry Point

2011-09-05T22:31:00.000-07:00

Paddle #34

Date: Sept 2-5, 2011

Destination: Blackberry Point

Distance: 32 miles

Cumulative miles: 600.5 miles ( 1112 km)

Put in: Blue Heron Park

Pull out: Blue Heron Park

Spent the long weekend at Blackberry Point. Played in current at Race Point (Porlier Pass) and went for a big burger at the Thetis Marine Pub. A very, very nice weekend with exceptional weather conditions.

P33-Gulf Islands National Park

2011-08-28T21:26:00.000-07:00

Paddle #33

Date: August 26-28, 2011

Destination: Portland, Saltspring and Prevost Islands

Distance: 36.8 miles

Cumulative miles: 568.5 miles ( 1053 km)

Put in: Sidney (Amherst)

Pull out: Sidney (Amherst)

Pictures: - Click here -

Patti and I had a wonderful paddling weekend in the Gulf Islands National Park. We put in and out in at Amherst in Sidney and paddle to Portland Island Friday evening. On Portland Island we met Gerald and Karina from Nanaimo. We paddled together the next day to Prevost Island but detoured by Saltspring Island where we stopped for a drink at the local pub (Ganges) before finishing the day at Prevost campsite. Patti and I came back to Sidney on Sunday from Prevost via Portland and Coal Islands. The whole weekend was fantastic…sun, sun, sun and more sun with light wind, perfect conditions through out the weekend, paddling only in t-shirt, summer was au Rendez-vous for that weekend. Broke the 1000 km mark on that paddle for 2011…yeah!

P32-Esquimalt to Victoria

2011-08-22T09:03:00.000-07:00

Paddle #32
Date: August 21, 2011
Destination: PFKC to VCKC (Victoria)
Distance: 8 miles
Cumulative miles: 531.9 miles ( 985 km)
Put in: PFKC
Pull out: VCKC
Pictures: - Click here -

Patti and I took Barry for a paddle from PFKC to VCKC. Barry is from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. It was interesting for Barry to feel a bit of wind waves and swell on the outside and the flat calm condition in the Gorge waterway. Nice weather, a bit overcast but sunny late afternoon, warm wind too.

P31-Vargas Island (Tofino)

2011-08-17T12:20:00.000-07:00

Paddle #31
Date: August 11-16, 2011
Destination: Vargas Island (Tofino)
Distance: 20 miles
Cumulative miles: 523.9 miles ( 970 km)
Put in: Tofino
Pull out: Tofino
Pictures: - Click here -

We ended our visit on the coast by visiting friends on Vargas Island. it was a great stay and we came back by paddling the outside of Vargas Island up to Lennard Island Lighthouse. We met Tony, the lighthouse keeper who gave us a very interesting tour of the lighthouse. At Vargas, we met Francis, the Park Ranger who gave us an update on the wolf situation. There are now 6 wolves on Vargas becoming more and more "friendly" with campers and getting closer to people. Campers are advised to use caution when spotting a wolf and use extra caution to avoid an encounter. They are advised to report any unusual wolf behavior to Parks authorities.

P30-Winter Harbour to Cape Cook

2011-08-17T12:07:00.000-07:00

Paddle #30
Date: July 29 to August 10, 2011
Destination: West Vancouver Island North - Cape Cook
Distance: 104.6 miles
Cumulative miles: 503.9 miles (933 km)
Put in: Winter Harbour
Pull out: Winter Harbour
Pictures: - Click here -

After the first trip to Coal Harbour, Patti and I paddled from Winter Harbour to Cape Cook and explored Brooks Bay from top to bottom. Found interesting places to stay such as cabins and nice sheltered sandy beaches. We were also surprised to find roads that give access to Brooks Bay from Port Alice. The weather was great and sea condition allowed to to make it to Cape Cook by hugging the shore and exploring caves and rocky shoreline. Another wonderful sea kayak trip on the West Coast.

P29-Port Hardy to Coal Harbour

2011-08-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

Paddle #29
Date: July 17 to 26, 2011
Destination: West Vancouver Island North
Distance: 117.2 miles
Cumulative miles: 399.3 miles (740 km)
Put in: Port Hardy
Pull out: Coal Harbour
Pictures: - Click here -

Patti, Michel and I spent 10 days paddling around West Coast Vancouver Island North from Port Hardy to Coal Harbour. We had fabulous paddling conditions to complete this 10 day trip. Lots of wild life and sandy beaches on the coast. We stopped and visited Cape Scott and Quatsino Lighthouse and really took the time to enjoy the west coast and giving it a lot of respect.

P28-Canada Day Celebrations

2011-07-02T01:41:00.000-07:00

Paddle #28

Date: July 1, 2011

Destination: Victoria Harbour

Distance: 6.4 miles

Cumulative miles: 282.1 miles (522 km)

Put in: VCKC

Pictures: - Click here -

Gail, David and I paddled down to Victoria Harbour for the Canada Day Celebrations and for the fireworks that started at 10:20 pm. The current was in our favour that night under the Tillicum Bridge. A nice and calm evening paddle, no wind and warm. The fireworks were awesome and we had the seat in the house, from our kayaks. We paddled back to VCKC with a flood and landed at 11:00 pm. A very, very nice evening on the water and great Celebrations.

P27-Gulf Islands (Rum Island

2011-07-02T01:29:00.000-07:00

Paddle #27

Date: July 1, 2011

Destination: Rum Island (Gulf Islands)

Distance: 14.6 miles

Cumulative miles: 275.7 miles (511 km)

Put in: Amherst (Sidney)

Pictures: - Click here -

Michel and I paddled to Rum Island where we stopped for lunch before heading back via Sidney Island where we stopped for a break and checked out the beach. We had to paddle through good currents during the day, which made the paddle interesting. The day started overcast and uncertain but the sun came out in the afternoon and the wind died, leaving a pretty calm sea ahead of us.

P26-Songhee Point to Fisgard Lighthouse

2011-06-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

Paddle #26

Date: June 19, 2011

Destination: Fisgard Lighthouse

Distance: 7.7 miles

Cumulative miles: 261.1 miles (483 km)

Put in: Songhee Pt

Pictures: - Click here -

Our fiend Donna from Vancouver came over to Victoria for the weekend. On Saturday, we attended MEC Paddlefest and went for a paddle on Sunday in very nice choppy water. We paddled from Songhee Pt in Victoria to the Fisgard Lighthouse in Esquimalt, had lunch on the beach and headed back with winds and waves. The winds were West (10-20 Knots) against an Ebb so the conditions were pretty nice for a bit of fun in the waves. A fun day on the water.

P24-25-Victoria, Discovery and Oak Bay Tea Party

2011-06-05T23:15:00.000-07:00

Paddle #24-25
Date: June 4-5, 2011
Destination: Victoria, Trial & Discovery Island, Oak Bay Tea Party
Distance: 24.3 miles
Cumulative miles: 253.4 miles (469 km)
Put in: Oak Bay Marina June 4 and Gyro Park June 5
Pictures: Click here -

Day 1, June 4th - It was a very but very nice day and for the first time this year, I paddled without a dry top or a dry suit. Patti and I went from Oak bay Marina to the Victoria Breaker where we stopped for lunch. We crossed to the south tip of Trial Island and crossed again to Commodore Point at Discovery Island. We had a strong flood and paddled at an average of 4 knots for that 7.2 miles stretch. We rested and napped for 2 1/2 hours before heading back by going around Chatham. Because the music was inviting, we stopped at Willows Beach for music, food and entertainment at the Oak Bay Tea Party before heading out late to the Launch site at Oak Bay Marina.
Distance = 18 miles

Day 2, June 5th - We put in at Cadboro Bay and paddled to Willows beach for the Oak Bay Tea Party event where we spent the day watching skydivers, air show, bathtub race, etc. It was another gorgeous day on the water. We met Dennis and Joanne who were teaching a PC Lv1 course for SISKA and other paddling friends here and there on the water.
Distance = 6.3 miles

P23-Discovery Island

2011-06-02T17:17:00.000-07:00

Paddle #23
Date: June 2^nd, 2011
Destination: Discovery Island
Distance: 9 miles
Cumulative miles: 229.1 miles (424 km)
Put in: Gyro Park

Michel and I went for a paddle to Discovery Island that turned out to be an energizer paddle since we never stopped and just went hard for 9 miles. We hit a strong flood with 10 kt west winds and choppy water at Great Chain Island + strong current. An overcast day but a great day for pushing it.

P22-Clover Point & Discovery Island

2011-05-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

Paddle #22
Date: May 28, 2011
Destination: Swiftsure Race Start (Clover point) & Discovery Island
Distance: 14.5 miles
Cumulative miles: 220.1 miles (407 km)
Put in: Oak Bay Marina
Pictures: Click Here

Patti, Michel and I paddled to Clover point and watched the start of the Swiftsure Race. We paddled to Trial Island and crossed to Discovery Island where we stopped for lunch under the sun, warm sun. After lunch, Michel left the group and went back home, Patti and I kept on going to complete the circumnavigation of Discovery and Chatham Island. The marine forecast was calling for winds up to 25 knots but turned out to be light winds, sunny and warm. We had a flood all day and going from Clover Point to the South end of Trial Island, we averaged 6 knots with a peak of 8 knots at Trial. Over all it was a very nice day on the water with great paddling conditions.

P21-Blackberry Point

2011-05-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

Paddle #21
Date: May 21,22,23, 2011
Destination: Blackberry Point
Distance:34.9 miles
Cumulative miles: 205.6 miles (381 km)
Put in: Blue Heron park, Yellow Pt Road
Pictures: Click Here

Great May Long Weekend at Blackberry Point. We paddled to Porlier Pass, Dionisio Point, Gabriola Passage, Pirate Cove, Pylades, Ruxton, De Courcy Islands and spent good quality time with friends at Blackberry Point. Valdez Cliffs are magnificent, a place to go if you haven’t paddle that way yet. It turned out to be an excellent paddling weekend with sunshine and light winds since we were expecting rain, rain and rain. At Blackberry, the End of The Word did not happen; it was heaven at all time. Thanks Dennis for the invitation.

Follow Johnatan's Adventure on a SUP from Anacortes to Glacier Bay on a SUP at http://www.wildhaunts.com/

P20-Victoria / /Esquimalt

2011-05-18T08:58:00.000-07:00

Paddle #20
Date: May 17, 2011
Destination: Victoria and Esqumalt
Distance: 9.8 miles
Cumulative miles: 170.7 miles (316 km)
Put in: Songhees Point
Pictures: Click Here

Another great day at work Tuesday with our Kiwi friend. What a day and awesome evening paddle in Victoria. Winds calm, almost glass water, sun, sun, sun and perfect conditions.

P19-Discovery Island

2011-05-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

Paddle #19
Date: May 12, 2011
Destination: Discovery Island
Distance: 8.7 miles
Cumulative miles: 160.9 miles (298 km)Put in: Gyro Park
Pictures: Click Here

Took a friend from New Zealand (Renee Olivier) to Discovery Island on a sunny day. There was a little bit of action at Baynes Channel Marker and winds were around 10 knots. After a short break at the campsite, we had 15+ knots SW winds pushing us all the way back to Caddy Bay.

P18-Esquimalt

2011-05-08T21:02:00.000-07:00

Paddle #18
Date: May 8, 2011
Destination: Esquimalt Harbour
Distance: 13.8 miles
Cumulative miles: 152.2 miles (282 km)
Put in: Delta Hotel (Victoria Harbour)
Pictures: Click Here

Paddled from Delta Hotel to Island Blvd where we stopped for lunch and for a nap. On the way back, we detoured by Esquimalt Lagoon and headed back to Victoria. Nice weather, good see condition. A bit of wind and rain, here and there...!

P17-Trial Island

2011-05-06T20:55:00.000-07:00

Paddle #17
Date: May 6, 2011
Destination: Trial Island
Distance: 3.6 miles
Cumulative miles: 138.4 miles (256 km)
Put in: McNeil Bay
Pictures: Click Here

Patti, Michel and I had a good paddle at Trial Island. Played a bit in currents and hit the surf zone on the West Side, by the Lighthouse. Nice green waves on a strong flood.

P16-D'Arcy Island

2011-05-01T20:59:00.000-07:00

Paddle #16
Date: May 1st, 2011
Destination: D'Arcy Island
Distance: 11 miles
Cumulative miles: 134.8 miles (250 km)
Put in: Island View Beach
Pictures: Click Here

Patti, Michel and I paddled to D'Arcy Island from Island View Beach on a sunny and warm day, We stopped at the National Parc on D'Arcy for lunch and came back by paddling to James Island where we stopped for a break before heading back home.

P15-Victoria

2011-04-25T19:38:00.000-07:00

Paddle #15
Date: April 25, 2011
Destination: Caddy Bay, Trial Island, Discovery Island, Chatham Islands, Caddy Bay
Distance: 12.5 miles
Cumulative miles: 123.8 miles (229 km)
Put in: Caddy Bay
Pictures: Click Here

An exciting day on the water with Patti and Michel paddling from Cadboro Bay to Trial Island, across to Discovery Island, around Chatham Islands and back to Caddy Bay. Wind, waves and surf on the menu, specially crossing from Trial Island Lighthouse to Commodore Point, we surfed wind waves with an 18-20 knots SE wind.

P14-Vargas Island Tofino

2011-04-21T09:12:00.000-07:00

Paddle #14
Date: March 26 - April 3
Destination: Tofino, Vargas Island
Distance: 45.5 miles
Cumulative miles: 111.3 miles (206 km)
Put in: Tofino
Pictures: Click Here
Videos: Yves | Patti

Great two weeks spend at Vargas Island. Robin and Kren joinded us for 3 days. We paddled in and around Vargas Island and played in the surf and Dick and Jane's beach. Great weathe over all...Just a good time onm the west coast.

P13-Chatham Island

2011-02-23T09:18:00.000-08:00

Paddle #13

Date: Feb 19h, 2011
Destination: Baynes Channel, Chatham Island

Distance: 6.1 miles
Cumulative miles: 65.8 miles (122 km)

Put in: Cadboro Bay
Pictures: Click Here

Patti and I went for a practice run for our upcoming Paddle Canada Level 2 Instructor Course. We practiced rescues, towing and navigating. A super day under the sun and...under water. On the way back, we met Michael, Dan and Paulo.

P12-VCKC to Caddy Bay

2011-02-16T19:08:00.001-08:00

Paddle #12
Date: Feb 13h, 2011
Destination: Cadboro Bay (Gyro Park)
Distance: 10.5 miles
Cumulative miles: 59.7 miles (110.5 km)Put in: VCKC
Take out: Gyro Park (Caddy Bay)
Pictures at: https://picasaweb.google.com/111828628676535280067/VCKCToGyroParkCaddyBay#

A nice and sunny paddling with Michel from VCKC to Caddy Bay. We stopped at Fisherman Wharf for a warm and spicy chilli at Grilligans BBQ and the owner asked us if he could take a picture of us (poster boys) for his business…yeah why not! we still had to pay for the chilli. We then paddled around the breaker and follow the coast line all the way to Caddy Bay. A very nice day on the water; sunny, wind calm, excellent sea condition for a leisurely paddle…a good day at work. Big thanks to Janet for picking us up at Caddy Bay.

P11-Fisgard Lighthouse

2011-02-14T07:47:00.001-08:00

Paddle #11
Date: Feb 13th, 2011
Destination: Fisgard Lighthouse
Distance: 3 miles
Cumulative miles: 49.2 miles (91 km)
Put in and out: Pacific Fleet Kayak Club Boat Shed

I was teaching an ocean phase course with the Navy Kayak Club (www.pfkc.ca). Even if the weather was calling for strong wind, it ended up being a very nice and sunny day. We paddled from Pilgrim Cove to Monroe Head then crossed to Yew Point and followed the shore to Fisgard Island. After lunch, we headed back to the Kayak Shed where I demonstrated self and assisted rescues.

P10-Baynes Channel

2011-02-12T17:33:00.000-08:00

Paddle #10
Date: Feb 12th, 2011
Destination: Baynes Channel
Distance: 8.1 miles
Cumulative miles: 46.2 miles (85.5 km)
Put in and out: Cadboro Bay

Patti, Michel, James, Daniel and I, under the eyes of Mac, who didn't get wet since he had no dry suit, went for a rescue practice run at Baynes Channel. Launching at Cadboro Bay, we met Michael, Dan and Paulo before heading out to the marker. The maximum ebb was at 1:15 pm and we hit active waves and played for a bit before doing rescues. After spending time doing rolls, re-entry and roll, scramble, cowboy and assisted rescues, we finished the day by paddling to Great Chain Islands and back by Cattle point. The swells were pretty nice coming back, allowing us to get some surf out of them. Entering Cadboro Bay, Patti, James and I took the time to garden some rocks before making it back to the car where the wind and the rain picked up.

P9-Trial Island

2011-02-12T09:56:00.000-08:00

Paddle #9
Date: Feb 10th, 2011
Destination: Trial Island
Distance: 3.1 miles
Cumulative miles: 38.1 miles (70.5 km)
Put in and out: McNeil Bay

Michel and I paddled to trial Island for a visit at he Lighthouse. Thanks to Meredith, the lighthouse keeper for her hospitality. It was a nice sunny day,wind Light Air, seas calm, just a beautiful day to be on the water.

P8-Baynes Channel

2011-02-08T19:55:00.000-08:00

Paddle #8

Date: Feb 8th, 2011

Destination: Baynes Channel

Distance: 5.4 miles

Cumulative miles: 35 miles (65 km)

Put in and out: Maynard Cove (10 mile point)

Michel, Dorothea and I went for a paddle hoping that Baynes Channel would be as rough than it was in the last 2 days...but not this time! We played a bit around the marker and crossed to the sluice were we spend some fun time. The wind was 10-15 kt with good currents to paddle across Baynes Channel. After playing at the sluice, Dorothea got tired so we slowly paddled back, drifting pass Jemmy Jones Island. Once on the other side (Victoria) we followed the shore to Maynard Cove. I ended the day by going to the pool session at the navy base. A good day on the ocean and at the pool.

P7-Baynes Channel

2011-02-07T13:15:00.000-08:00

Paddle #7
Date: Feb 7th, 2011
Destination: Baynes Channel
Distance: 3.5 miles
Cumulative miles: 29.6 miles (55 km)
Put in and out: Maynard Cove (10 mile point)

Strong ebb and a strong SW wind = Baynes Channel on fire. Michael Jackson and I had a great time surfing at Baynes Channel between Jemmy Jones and Chatham Island. There was a series of strong green waves all across the channel, the perfect waves for a perfect ride. After playing for 1 ½ hour, we were exhausted and called in for the day.

P6-Baynes Channel

2011-02-06T15:14:00.000-08:00

Paddle #6
Date: Feb 6th, 2011
Destination: Baynes Channel
Distance: 5.5 miles
Cumulative miles: 26.2 miles (49 km)
Put in and out: Maynard Cove (10 mile point)
Pictures at: https://picasaweb.google.com/111828628676535280067/BaynesChannelFeb62011
Video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNnmkGrzans

You never know what the conditions will be at Baynes Channel. Today, we lucked out! We played hard for two hours and then went home for a big breakfast, all before noon...what a great morning!

P5-Baynes Channel

2011-02-05T15:57:00.000-08:00

Paddle #5
Date: Feb 5th, 2011
Destination: Baynes Channel
Distance: 8.7 miles
Cumulative miles: 20.7 miles (38 km)
Put in and out: Maynard Cove (10 mile point)
Pictures at: https://picasaweb.google.com/111828628676535280067/Feb5th2011Paddle#

When out and played in current at Baynes Channel and Vantreigh Island. The group split in two so Patti, Michel, James and I paddled around Discovery, stopped at the campsite for a bite and kept on paddling to Great Chain Island before coming back to Maynard Cove. It was a fun day on the water with Patti, Michel, James, Michael, George, Christian and Thomas.

P3 & P4-Jordan River

2011-01-23T18:17:00.000-08:00

Paddle #3&4Date: Jan 22-23, 2011
Destination: Jordan River
Distance: N/A
Cumulative miles: 12 miles (22 km)
Put in and out: Jordan River

A wonderful weekend surfing at Jordan River. Great surf (both days) and GREAT rides. The best sea kayak surf I've done so far.

P2-Baynes Channel

2011-01-16T20:38:00.000-08:00

Paddle #2
Date: Jan 16th, 2011
Destination: Baynes Channel
Distance: 1.5 mile
Cumulative miles: 12 miles (22 km)
Put in and out: Maynard Cove

Patti and I went for a “playddle” (play & paddle) today at Baynes Channel. No big waves to rave about but we had to stay in the channel between the marker and the shore because of very, very strong winds (20-25+ kt). It was a good refresher for manoeuvring and turning the kayak in very strong winds that could almost throw you off. We also practiced few roll in %$# cold water and froze our brains a couple of times. But all that was done under the sun, better than a good day at work.

P1: Baynes Channel - Chatham & Discovery Island

2011-01-08T18:03:00.000-08:00

Paddle #1
Date: Jan 8th, 2011
Destination: Baynes Channel
Cumulative miles: 10.5 miles (19 km)
Put in and out: Maynard Cove
Pictures - Click here -

First paddle of the year with Patti and Michel. 10.5 kt under a blue sky and light winds. We played a bit at Baynes Channel before crossing over to Strong Tide Island and keeping on around Discovery, Chains Islets, Cattle Pt and back to Maynard Cove.

PS2: Pool Session

2011-01-07T09:36:00.000-08:00

January 6th, 2011 - Michel, Patti and I had a lot of fun at the pool.

PS1: Pool Session

2011-01-05T08:13:00.000-08:00

January 4th, 2011 - Good pool session with Patti. It is great to start the new year in a warm environment, practicing rolls, just to keep the skills up to date.

2011 Paddling Adventures

2011-01-03T19:12:00.001-08:00

A New Year and new adventures for Go Kayak. I'll be posting my 2011 paddling adventures on this blog. Come back for great stories...!

"P" stands for Paddle and "PS" stands for Pool Session.
Example: P1 = Paddle #1 / PS2 = Pool Session #2

Yves Aquin
CEO Go Kayak Sea Kayak Instruction
Victoria, BC, Canada
http://gokayak.ca/