Bowen Island: Checking Out the Coastline

Wednesday, November 25, 2020 Despite the number of reported Covid-19 cases still being sky-high for British Columbia, it seems some people are following the new guidelines. At least that is what my sporadic client bookings would suggest. I am not complaining though, at least I am on the fortunate side of still having a job,ContinueContinue reading “Bowen Island: Checking Out the Coastline”

Crossing Burrard Inlet: A Reconnaissance Mission

Sunday, November 22, 2020 The view from Spanish Banks East Concession out over Burrard Inlet to Point Atkinson. Photo by Mon Jef Peeters. I have some lofty ideas on the horizon for my SUP adventures. I have yet to do an overnight trip. My long-term goal is to do the Sea to Sky Marine Trail from VancouverContinueContinue reading “Crossing Burrard Inlet: A Reconnaissance Mission”

First Real Downwinder

Saturday, November 14, 2020 The boys suited up and ready to go downwind in the field west of the Ferry Building Gallery, West Vancouver (Trevor and Mike, background left to right). Photo by Mon Jef Peeters. Back on July 13, 2020, I attempted to SUP from Porteau Cove north towards Britannia Beach. I had done,ContinueContinue reading “First Real Downwinder”

The Fraser River Challenge

Saturday, October 17, 2020 The Fraser River from my launch site. Photo by Mon Jef Peeters. This was my third adventure from the Surrey Blueways trio of waterways (see paddle plan here). The other two waterways are the Nicomekl River and the Serpentine River. The Blueways Master Plan states that “The Fraser River Challenge provides a route for experienced paddlers from Surrey BendContinueContinue reading “The Fraser River Challenge”

Squamish to Britannia Beach

Saturday, October 3, 2020 This paddle has been on my radar for a while. And with the winter approaching, I was starting to think that it might be a paddle for 2021. Fortunately, the weather cooperated, and Mike was keen to paddle the fall waters of the Átl’ka7tsem (Howe Sound)! The full disclosure is that someContinueContinue reading “Squamish to Britannia Beach”

Serpentine River Circuit‽

Sunday, September 13, 2020 This adventure was my second from the Surrey Blueways trio of waterways. The other two waterways that I have paddled are the Nicomekl River and The Fraser River Challenge. The Blueways Master Plan states that “The Serpentine Paddling Circuit provides a loop circuit for novice and exercise-oriented paddlers in the central Serpentine Valley”. I tried toContinueContinue reading “Serpentine River Circuit‽”

Ballenas Island(s)

Monday, August 17, 2020 The map above is a strange situation in Google Maps where the satellite view of Ballenas Islands shows empty space. So it looks like I went out and circled nothing. Yet in Google Maps map view the Ballenas Islands are depicted. My paddle to the Ballenas Islands was a sequel to my explorations (Denman Island Crossing, Winchelsea Islands?) of places to paddleContinueContinue reading “Ballenas Island(s)”

Winchelsea Islands or Were They?

Saturday, August 15, 2020 While away in Parksville (we were staying near Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park) I used the paddling.com app to search for local launch sites for different areas to explore. The launch site near Brickyard Community Park looked promising with a few islands nearby off of the shoreline. As I did more research I found out that these were the WinchelseaContinueContinue reading “Winchelsea Islands or Were They?”

Correctly Mistaken Island

Friday, August 14, 2020 We are staying in Parksville near Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park. If you have not been to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park before I would definitely recommend that you go. Funnily enough, the first time that I came here was as a youth when I joined my best friend’s family on their summer vacation. However, I neverContinueContinue reading “Correctly Mistaken Island”

Denman Island Crossing: Baynes Sound

Wednesday, August 12, 2020 I knew that I was not going to make it to Denman Island or Hornby Island leaving from our place near Qualicum Beach from my previous (albeit not serious) attempt. So after scouting out nearby launch sites from paddling.com I decided to cross to Denman Island from Deep Bay, which was approximately a 15-minute drive up the island. I decidedContinueContinue reading “Denman Island Crossing: Baynes Sound”