COWICHAN VALLEY PADDLE NEWS

2.1 TRIP RATINGS:

As per past practice our trips will be rated as follows -

A - sheltered areas, B - some exposure or mild currents, C - expect some surf, swells or strong currents. 1 - less than six nautical miles per day, 2 - six to ten nautical miles per day, 3 - more than ten nautical miles per day.

Note that trips are sanctioned by our trip committee (Lis Farrell, Richard Bird and Dennis Wyatt ). If you would like to go on a trip, call the trip leader or coordinator at least two days before the scheduled date of the trip. All members are expected to be able to do a wet exit and re-entry for any of these trips and are expected to consider their own fitness level and skill before deciding to go. The trip leader has the option of refusing anybody who she or he feels is not fit or experienced enough to do the trip.

2.3 TRIPS

Thanks to our trip committee for their hard work putting these trips together. Also, thanks to our trip leaders for volunteering to do these trips.

June 13, 14 and 14- Blue Heron Park to Blackberry Point. Call Richard at 748 6608.

June 21- Paddle and Pot Luck (A1)- Quamichan Lake and Carol's house. Call Carol at 748 8583

June 22- Maple Bay to Samsun Point: Moving Water Practice II - Paddling in currents- Call Dave and Lois 743 5617 or e-mail at drthompson@shaw.ca

July 13- Blue Heron Park around Kuleet Bay and return (B2) Call Dave Goodacre at 748 1765 or e-mail at goodkayaker@shaw.ca

July 20 - Arbutus Ridge, have lunch at Genoa Bay and return (B2) Call Dennis at 743 3505 or e-mail at denniswyatt@shaw.ca

July 27- Cedar-by-the-Sea to DeCourcy and return (B2) Call Lis at 245 5282 or e-mail at lisrexfarrell@shaw.ca

August 10- Saanich Inlet to Goldstream (or the other way depending on the weather). Shuttle required (B3). Call Ed at 743 1220 or e-mail at campbed@shaw.ca .

August 24- Ladysmith Harbour to Kuleet Bay and Return (A2). Call Gord at 245 8333 or e-mail at wilcoxg@shaw.ca .

August 30- Blue Heron Park to Boat Harbour (B2). Call Lis at 245 5282 or e-mail at lisrexfarrell@shaw.ca .

September 2 to 6- Broken Group, Water Taxi from Torquart Bay. Call Lis at 245 5282 or e-mail lisrexfarrell@shaw.ca .

September 14-FullerLake practice & pot luck. Call Lis 245-5282 email lisrexfarrell@shaw.ca

October 5- Shawnigan Lake (A2). Call Ed at 743 1220 or e-mail at campbed@shaw.ca .

NOTE- There will be some trips planned on short notice in the winter so be aware of the perils of paddling in cold water. Everybody should read the article on Cold Water Consequences in the February issue of Sea Kayaker magazine.

2.4 CAMP OUTS

June 13, 14 and 15- Blue Heron Park to Blackberry Point Call Richard 748 6608

September 2- 6- Broken Group, Water Taxi from Torquart Bay call Lis at 245 5282 or e-mail at lisrexfarrell@shaw.ca .

3 Kayaking events:

September 19, 20 and 21- Sea Kayak Symposium Port Townsend, Washington

4. SYMPHONY SPLASH 2008

This year The Symphony Splash is on Sunday, August 3. Although this event is not a club function, last year club members volunteered to do the water patrol and collect donations. In addition to an orientation at Island Brewerys, we each received a $10.00 gift certificate and a T-shirt. If you would like to volunteer for this year's event, please call Dennis at 743 3505 or email him at This year The Symphony Splash is on Sunday, August 3. Although this event is not a club function, last year club members volunteered to do the water patrol and collect donations. In addition to an orientation at Island Brewerys, we each received a $10.00 gift certificate and a T-shirt. If you would like to volunteer for this year's event, please call Dennis at 743 3505 or email him at denniswyatt@shaw.ca .

5. SANDY ISLAND

On Saturday, May 17, Richard, Lis, Don, and Walt met at Coronation Mall at 0900 hours to set off for Union Bay. We arrived there 1˝ hours later, welcomed by a beautifully sunny day and calm seas. Sandy Island beckoned to us with its vibrant green trees and sandy beach. After a 50 minute paddle we beached our kayaks, unloaded our gear and supplies, and set about selecting a perfect camping spot under several arbutus trees. Richard and Lis had, of course, been there before and knew the ideal spot to set up our kitchen, under the trees at the edge of the beach.

After setting up camp, we spent Saturday exploring the island, combing the beach for moon snails and sand dollars, and venturing out on the sand bar that separates Sandy Island from Denman Island. Soon it was time for "Happy Hour", enjoying conversation, cooking dinner, a stroll along the beach, and settling in for the night.

We woke up to eagles greeting the day from their nest above our camp. Sunday was equally as sunny and warm as the day before. In the morning the calm water invited us to explore the north-eastern shore of Denman Is. We passed many anchored boats in the bays and chatted with the relaxing mariners. Seals, cormorants, eagles, pacific loons, and the prolific seagulls caught our attention on this calm paddle. After lunch Richard set off in search of clams, while Lis, Don, and Walt circumvented Sandy Island. Our resident eagles stood sentinel on the shore as we passed by, and several blue herons were wary of us, making a noisy retreat. Don was keen on circling the island, so Lis and Walt obliged him the experience of portaging across the sand bar with our 3 kayaks in 5 or 6 shuttles. The rest of the day followed the relaxing precedent of the previous day.

Having been forewarned of inclement wind and weather by Richard and Don's marine radios, we broke camp and set off for Union Bay the next morning. Richard and Lis made an early start, while Don and Walt lingered until mid-morning. The first group set off in winds of 10 - 15 knots and reached the cars in 55 minutes. As the morning progressed the winds increased to 15 - 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots. Don and Walt needed to paddle a longer route, traveling along the wind protected shore of Denman Is. until they were opposite Union Bay. Crossing the open water under these conditions required a careful choice of direction, balancing between the direction of the strong winds and the action of the waves. We arrived at the cars at 1400 hours and witnessed a local emergency as someone had called search and rescue to assist a floundering sailboat.

It was a great weekend filled with much variety in weather and paddling conditions. We're ready for the next camp-out in June, and hope that more members will join in the fun. (Thanks Walter)

6. Moving Water Practice

Thanks to Dave and Mike for the very practical moving water practice on Esquimalt Lagoon on June 8. It was a very useful and practical exercise in ferrying, eddying, paddling against a current and, later in the morning, going aground. Heal well, Audrey.

7. SOMENOS MARSH- VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society is organizing an invasive plant work bee on Saturday, June 14 from 08:30 to 12:30. One of the main objectives is to remove flowers from the yellow flag iris before they go to seed. Volunteers are needed and kayaks may be helpful. To volunteer e-mail Eric Marshall at ericmarshall@shaw.ca .

8. ATTACHMENTS

Attached are suggested Check Lists for both day paddles and multi day paddles, if you have any suggestions on how to make them better, e-mail Ed at campbed@shaw.ca . Also attached are the CKCC Paddling Guidelines. These are the guidelines which all club members are to follow and understand when out on a club trip. Please ensure that you read and understand them before embarking on a club paddle.

WEB SITE OF THE MONTH- Do you have any good kayak websites that you would like to share? If so e-mail Ed at campbed@shaw.ca.

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS

You are visitor since July 9/00