Paddling Cooper's Cove with a new paddle

Got a minute to get back to writing about that short outing in Cooper's Cove the other day, trying out my new paddle. Things have been busy around here with the move, and I was glad to take the time to go out in a boat.
Cooper's Cove is a nice sheltered place for taking a recreational kayak, and a good place for entering Sooke Basin. I like that there's room for a couple of cars to park, and a loop for turning around. The Galloping Goose bike & hike path is right here, and bus stops for the #61 bus! There's even a kayak rental place right here, and a restaurant.
I sent a SPOT OK signal while paddling here -- you can see my location at this link. Looking at the map just now, I noticed again that sometimes when I'm near a cliff the signal doesn't reach always reach a satellite right away. Half the sky is blocked by the cliff, eh? The signal got through about two minutes later, when I was a few dozen yards away from the cliff and headed towards the launch site. If I really wanted to pinpoint my location up against a cliff, I'd send the signal and stay put for a few minutes, letting the SPOT keep flashing its OK signal till a satellite comes into range.
The paddle I was using is by Advanced Elements, and it's their Ultralite Pack Paddle. At 23.6 ounces, it's certainly lighter than any other paddle I've handled, even my carbon paddle with scoop blades. It comes apart into four pieces, and has its own drawstring bag with a mesh side.
For paddlers needing a paddle to use in challenging conditions, I recommend Advanced Elements' Touring 4-part paddle with dihedral blades rather than the Ultralite. The Touring is what I used on the Red Deer River, though if I were going there again my spare paddle this time would be the Ultralite since the stretch I paddled isn't whitewater. The Touring 4-part paddle is sold through West Marine stores as well as Advanced Elements' website.

MEC Paddlefest Victoria 2015

This morning, Louise and I headed down to Willows Beach for the 2015 iteration of the MEC Paddlefest Victoria. This year's event probably could not have taken place on a better day. With nearly constant sun and nearly no rain since April, today was another gorgeous day. Okay, I'm trying to put a nice face on it -- we're actually facing some extreme drought conditions and forest fire dangers in the province. It's going to be a long, hot summer. But things aren't bad enough that we can't put those thoughts aside for a while and enjoy today's event.


First, Louise and I wandered down to the Ocean River area where we bumped into Ben, and chatted with him for a while as we caught up with each other.


But of course the whole point of a paddlefest is to go paddling, so Louise and I took turns trying out the new Delta 17.

I enjoyed paddling this boat so much that I forgot to take a picture of it.

Then we bumped into our old pal Mark of Kayak Distribution, and spent a while catching up. We're starting to do more talking then paddling at these things.


Another successful paddling event!


Trip length: .10 km
YTD: 8.44 km
More pictures are here.

Kayak Landing Fail

Not every surf landing goes right. But on the other hand, any landing where you finish with a smile is a good one.
Check out the video below:

David Suzuki rescues capsized canoeists at Site C Dam protest

During the Paddle for Peace event on Saturday July 12 along the Peace River, a capsized canoe put several people in danger. Who came to their rescue? David Suzuki and his friend Shirley Ann Reiter, in a story told at this link.
After the rescue, Suzuki gave the keynote address to the people gathered to protest construction of the Site C Dam. Not a bad day, overall.

Kayak Trip Along the Inside Passage

While deep in the bowels of YouTube, I stumbled upon this video chronicling a kayak expedition up The Inside Passage from Vancouver Island to Alaska in 2010. Check it out embedded below:

You're Gonna Need a Bigger Kayak

What would you do if a great white shark swims under your kayak? If you're Giancarlo Thomae, you take out your camera. Two weeks ago, he was paddling off Santa Cruz to check out reports of great whites swimming around offshore. He eventually counted over a dozen.
Check out the video below. Be warned, it's a quick clip, but there's also some pictures here. And check out Giancarlo's website for more great marine life pictures.

The Handyman's Secret Weapon

Vote for Russell in the Canoe & Kayak Awards

Canoe & Kayak Magazine is hosting their 2015 awards on their website. Take a minute while you're doing computer paddling, and vote.
It's a particularly good year to vote for the awards, because we've got a local paddler on the ballot! Russell Henry has been nominated in their Spirit of Adventure category, for completing the fastest circumnavigation of Vancouver Island. We wrote about his circumnavigation here on Kayak Yak blog.
And we have another paddler of our acquaintance on the ballot: Justine Curgenven and her teammate Sarah Outen have been nominated in the Expedition of the Year category.
Really, you can't go wrong voting for any of the nominees, particularly in the Paddle With Purpose category which honours some heart-warming projects.

Puget Sound conditions are getting soup-y

Puget Sound is a terrific place for kayaking... or more precisely, there are several good launching places in the sound. I was glad to enjoy a couple of them last year during a short trip to Whidbey Island. (Yes, John, I am working on my trip report and yes, there are some photos.)
But this summer in particular, there are concerns with the extra-warm conditions leading to algae blooms. If paddlers want to know what conditions to expect, a good online resource is Eyes Over Puget Sound. As their website says:

The Washington Department of Ecology distributes a monthly report combining high resolution aerial photographs with satellite and ground-truthed monitoring data for Puget Sound surface conditions.
Ecology's Marine Monitoring Unit takes monthly samples at 40 core stations throughout the Puget Sound region. During a transit flight between stations, monitoring team member Dr. Christopher Krembs takes photographs of surface water conditions in the Sound. These high-resolution images are combined with satellite photos, ferry data between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. and measurements from instruments moored in the Sound to create the Eyes Over Puget Sound report.The report observes changes in water conditions that can be seen on the surface, such as algal blooms, wildlife activity, and oil spills, and provides contextual and interpretive data. Reports are released within two days of observations and have been published monthly since April 2011.

While I'm not sure about that word "ground-truthed" I'm sure the reports have the details I'd want to know if I were paddling in Puget Sound again. Scroll down for news of algae blooms, jellyfish, and water clouded with sediment that would help small boat users know what to expect in this unexpectedly-hot summer.

It's A Dog's Life Being a Kayaker

Cats supposedly have nine lives, and if dogs are similarly blessed, this six year-old Lab named Rosy may have just used one of them. His two teen-aged humans had brought her down to the shores of Loch Broom in Scotland for an early evening play session. But while the boys swam in the water, Rosy, who hates the water, uncharacteristically climbed into their kayak and launched it. Without a paddle, or PFD for that matter.
When the startled boys realized that their kayak had gone missing, as well as their dog, they quickly commandeered a rowboat and rescued the family pet, but not before bemused neighbours had plastered Rosy's picture all over social media. While the dog remained calm and appeared not at all bothered by her adventure, it might have ended differently as the Loch empties into the nearby Atlantic Ocean. The family is hoping that Rosy's kayaking career is over.

I Was Cheering For The Shark

A Florida kayak fisherman had to swim quickly for cover when a shark he had hooked flipped him and his kayak. Personally, I was pulling for the shark. Check out the video:

Fire Ban in CRD Parks

Hey, paddlers who like to go ashore and cook while day paddling or camping! We just got this press release from the Capital Regional District parks branch, quoted below. If you're in one of the CRD's parks around Victoria -- heck, if you're in any park on the Island or nearby islands -- the dry spell has caused extreme fire risk. Basically, don't light any campfires in a park or even on an isolated beach as the forest is tinder dry. One spark can fly in the wind. If you use a gas barbecue or campstove, be really careful and supervise it carefully.

Information BulletinFor Immediate Release
Monday, July 6, 2015

Fire Ban at Regional Parks Expanded to Include Charcoal Barbeques

Victoria, BC– Effective immediately charcoal brick and briquette barbeques are prohibited at all Regional Parks within the Capital Regional District due to the current extreme fire hazard rating. Propane and gas barbeques are allowed under direct supervision. The campfire ban at Island View Beach and Jordan River Regional Parks Campgrounds remains in effect. The bans are intended to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. Park visitors are asked to be aware of all spark sources and to report forest fires to 911.

-30-

For media inquiries, please contact:Laurie Sthamann, Communications Coordinator CRD Parks & Environmental Services Tel: 250.360.3332 Cell: 250.890.8030

www.crd.bc.ca/parks

Even if you're somewhere that still looks green, the whole province is dry and no rain is likely for another week or two. Check out this video taken by Karl Johanson of a fire that started June 29 on the Panama Flats, where he and Stephanie have paddled their kayaks in Colquitz Creek during winter flooding. The green bushes and trees are flaring up, fast and hot.

Fireworks and Kayaks Don't Always Mix

A Michigan kayker badly injured his leg and blew up two kayaks when the fireworks he was igniting exploded prematurely. Another kayaker was also injured. The man dropped the fireworks mortar into the water between the two kayaks when he realized the powder had ignited early.

Kayakers Rescue Dolphin

Here's your "feel good" kayak story of the week. Kayakers in Scotland saved a dolphin from drowning. Investigating after being advised by someone on shore that there was a dolphin in distress, they discovered three juvenille dolphins near shore. However, one was trapped in seaweed and was slowing being pulled underwater and in danger of drowning. The kayakers managed to free the dolphin from the seaweed and direct it back out to open water. In return, it gave them a couple of joyous jumps.
Check out the video embedded below:

Cooper's Cove in a new kayak!

Today I had a chance to do two great things. One was to paddle in Cooper's Cove, which we've visited before as you can see at these posts, but I haven't been here in a boat for years. The other was to try out my new inflatable kayak!
Yes, I have a little fleet of kayak, and a number of them are inflatable. Yes, this one is a new model of one I already have. I've been using it for seven years, and oi, these puppies do get a little worn out after a while, y'know?
At any rate, I'll write a better post soon with a review comparing this model of kayak to the others I've paddled. For now, I'll say WOW, and close with a link to my SPOT message showing my location on this sunny day as the tide was coming up to full tide slack.

Canada Day Paddle

Louise and I went for our annual Canada Day Paddle on the Gorge. Every year, Gorge Road is closed for a mile-long block party.

We don't usually see much wild life on our Canada Day paddles -- most of it finds something better to do than hang around with a few thousand humans while they make music, eat food and play road hockey -- but we did see something fitting for this day: Canada geese.


A quick paddle to the bridge and back and we were done. Time to get ready for the fireworks!




Trip length: 3.39 km
YTD: 8.34 km
More pictures are here.

Kayaker Rescued Off Denman Island

According to this story from the Victoria Times-Colonist, a kayaker was rescued last Friday evening by the crew of the BC Ferry, the MV Quinitsa. While docked at Denman Island, crew responded quickly to a rescue call. A woman on shore had heard someone calling for help from out on the water, and due to the swift action of the ferry crew, the kayaker was rescued about a mile from the terminal. The paddler and her kayak were taken to the terminal.
While no details were released about the kayaker or the nature of her emegency, she was fine and she picked up her kayak the next day.

Ten Mile Point weather station for boat users!

 Kayakers in Cadboro Bay, there's a new website to put on your list along with Big Wave Dave.

"A new website that uses data from a private weather station at Ten Mile Point should be a boon to local residents as well as recreational boaters and ocean enthusiasts in and around Cadboro Bay," says an article on the Saanich News website. "The weather station is owned and maintained by local resident Julian Elliott, a San Francisco native who retired to Saanich with his wife. While Elliott has been operating the weather station since 2006, the user-friendly website will be appreciated by outdoor enthusiasts, he said."

Here's a link to the article in Saanich News about the new weather station.

Our friends Susan and Mike in their canoe

A bug on their canoe's gunwhale could have heard the following during Tuesday night's canoe lesson:
Mike: Why don't you take the stern?
Susan: I don't want to take the stern.
Mike: But you're doing so well! You should try the stern.
Susan: But I'm happy in the bow.
(Later.... with Susan paddling in the stern.)
Mike: What the heck are you doing? Can't you get us going in a straight line?
Susan: You said you wanted me in the stern.... (more bickering....)
Cue LOVE BOAT theme music....