New for 2008!

We absolutely  love paddling here and are pleased to be offering this destination for 2008. Clayoquot Sound provides a quintessential west coast paddling experience. Home to white sandy beaches and old growth rainforests, it was recognized as a Unesco International Biosphere Reserve in 2000. The majority of our time will be spent travelling along the shorline of Vargas Island, exploring its bays, offshore islands and islets, and large white sandy beaches. This trip was conceived with a little extra beach time in mind  and combined with the variety of paddling opportunity available (weather and conditions permitting), it offers a nice balance between paddling and relaxation. Both beachcombers and those desiring a taste of the open west coast , whether revisiting or for the first time,  will delight.

KAYAKING 

No experience is required, although we do insist that you know how to swim, have a good fitness level and a good sense of adventure. All kayaking and safety equipment is provided, including dry bags. We take along 6 to 8 single kayaks: TESLA's, SOLSTICE GT's, ARLUK  III - IV's,  TELKWA's  and 2 or 3 double kayaks - PASSAT's, SKANA's, TOFINO's and take turns in a variety of boats -. Our maximum group size is 12, including guides, often group size is smaller. We paddle approximately 3-5 hours each day, leaving plenty of time for hiking in the woods, or just relaxing on the beach. Weather and sea conditions will ultimately determine our route and weather permitting, for paddlers to get a taste of the exposed west coast and ocean swells generated by the Pacific Ocean. Most landings involve negotiating through the surf. If this is your first time in the surf,  no problem. This is an ideal opportunity to gain some experience and adding it to your skill set. A surf landing is not  surfing and you are not required  to know how to surf your kayak. On the contrary, we like to pick spots to land where their are no waves, , or the waves are small. Regardless,  we coach you safely all the way along. With good instuction, a surf landing involves a gentle, controlled landing and provides an exhilerating sense of accomplishment. Those interested in developing or improving their kayaking skills, our guides are always happy to provide paddling tips, practice rescues, or discuss the art of navigation.

Agenda  

We rendezvous early on day one of your trip in TOFINO - approximately 3.5 hours or 150 miles west of Nanaimo. People are responsible for getting themselves to Tofino or the nearby town of Ucluelet ( 40 min drive) the night before (e.g., to join July 15th trip, arrive in Tofino or Ucluelet on the 14th). We can help arrange car pooling and there is the Tofino Bus  running daily from Victoria and Nanaimo regions.  There are plenty of choices for accomodation in both communities, however, Tofino is extremely busy during the summer so make sure you book early. Ucluelet and the Ucluelet Campground are  good alternatives. We can also recommend lodgings. We will rendezvous in Tofino (location TBA) early the next morning. This is where we pack our boats and launch on our first day. We typically break camp two out of our four paddling days. On all trips our travels will take us to Vargas Island and if the weather/conditions are good, a circumnavigation and a visit to off  shore islands which flank Vargas and dot Clayoquot Sound. Weather permitting, we plan to arrive back in Tofino around noon on the fourth day, in time for people to catch ferries out of Nanaimo returning to Vancouver.

Meals

We have found from past experience that the most economical, fun, and greatest variety of meals comes from when the food effort is shared (this also keeps our guides fresh!). Each person is responsible for the purchase and preparation of a share of group meals (typically two or three meals depending on group size).  We organize the meal schedule and can forward you some suggestions about what keeps and packs well if you wish. Check out Meal Ideas and The Paddling Chef facebook group.

How to Reserve

A $200 non-refundable deposit reserves a space. Full payment due 60 days before trip start. We aren't able to process credit cards. In order to minimize your costs , please pay by cheque. Thanks. If you cancel, you'll get your balance back unless it is 14 or fewer days before trip start, in which case we'll refund you 50%.

To make your reservation,

Please email us at info@kayaktoursbc.com,

Or give us a call at 250-247-0189

Payments can be sent to Gabriola Sea Kayaking, 363 Hemlock Ave, Gabriola BC, Canada, V0R 1X1.

Please make cheques out to Gabriola Sea Kayaking.

Price Includes 

• All kayaking equipment 
• Cooking equipment 
• Two guides/outfitters (5:1 ratio) 
• Dry bags (one 20 litre bag per person) 
• LOTS OF FUN

Does Not Include

• Transportation to and from Tofino 
• We share meal purchase & preparation (meals from lunch day 1 to breakfast day 6)
• Accommodations in Tofino the night before trip start
• Tents (rentals available for $45 if you reserve well in advance)
• Sleeping bag & camping mat

Your guides will be using nautical chart  #3673 for the Broken Group available for roughly C$20. Please visit  the Canadian Hydrographic Service website to find a location near you to purchase your chart if you would like to bring one along.

Philosophy

GABRIOLA SEA KAYAKING are ADVENTURE OUTFITTERS. We wish to attract healthy, self-sufficient, fun-loving adventurers. Participants take part in all aspects of the adventure, including meal preparation and daily trip planning. Our primary role is to look after navigation, reduce risk, and outfit your trip. Our guides are outdoor professionals from an eclectic variety of backgrounds and have spent many seasons exploring the wilderness. We have been leading kayak adventures since 1995.

Hope to paddle with you this summer!