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Paddle to the Premier: Stop the Site C Dam

By Guest | Published: August 19, 2010

From The Wilderness Committee

From the coast to the Kootenays, from Bute Inlet to Glacier-Howser, hundreds of private power projects have been proposed on BC rivers and streams. These projects are environmentally damaging, expensive, and produce energy we don’t need.

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A Kyuquot Sound Experience – True West Coast Paddling

By Big Kahuna | Published: August 9, 2010

Kyuquot Sound, the Bunsby Islands and Brooks Peninsula is a spot on this earth everyone would benefit from experiencing. It represents true West Coast Canada – rugged, beautiful and wild. It offers so much for anyone with an adventurous spirit.

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Paddling the Yukon River Quest

By Guest | Published: August 5, 2010

By Janice Mason


If you really LOVE to paddle long distances (kayak, canoe, voyageur) and are looking for an amazing way to spend a few days, consider doing the Yukon River Quest – a 740 km race from Whitehorse to Dawson City (down river).  Not only is the Yukon a fabulous place to spend some summer days, the area is rich with historical significance (Klondike Gold Rush) and ghosts of people who have endured amazing hardships.  Now attempting to paddle 740km in less than 60 hours might seem like a hardship to most, but the folks of The Yukon do their best to make the event worthwhile and memorable, and besides, the route along the river & the countryside is just grand.

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Still Not A Done Deal!

By Guest | Published: August 5, 2010

Update on the proposed Victoria International Marina and its adverse affects on human powered harbour users from Tim Houlihan, Harbour Paddler

A:  Since the Victoria International Marina was awarded a small permit  under the Navigational Waters Protection Act as Transport Minister John Baird described it in the House of Commons, applications have been filed in Federal Court for a Judicial Review of the decision by the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations and by Dogwood Initiative and Houlihan.  This small decision now has 3 Justice Department lawyers appointed, who asked for an extension in providing the files to the applicants and then suggested that because of the complexity of the case, it be put under case management – appointing one Federal Judge to deal with the issues. Simple decision?  Not now! See the applications on Vancouver Island Outrigger’s library – http://vivaa.ca/downloads/cat_view/65-harbour-development.html

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The Manitou 14 from Necky Kayaks

By Jon | Published: July 29, 2010

Ocean River's Jon Lacroix

Working in the best kayak shop on the planet (and one of the busiest), I thrive on getting people excited about the sport of kayaking. For me, as a sales person and a kayaker, the Manitou 14 from Necky Kayaks represents a go-to kayak for just about anyone getting into the sport.

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Be Whale Wise

By admin | Published: July 16, 2010
ORS staff knows seeing marine wildlife in their natural environment can be a thrilling experience.  They also know paddlers, in their excitement sometimes forget that our presence has an effect on wildlife and their habitat.  When paddlers get too close, approach too fast, or make too much noise we may be causing the animal’s unnecessary stress, sometimes even threatening their lives or even that of your own.
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Vancouver Island SUP Race Series – Victoria Results!

By admin | Published: July 15, 2010

Congratulations to all the racers and to Ocean River Sport’s own Yannick Michaud for finishing 1st in the Men’s Long Unlimited and to Ocean River Sport’s Kathleen Burton the only individual to race both the short and long courses.  Way to go everyone, see you in Ucluelet!

Unofficial Race Results!

SUPer Grom Class
Winner 1st Jolan Lacroix

Groms Class
1st Dustin Raume
2nd Larsten Matlo
3rd Jordon Clawson

Youth
1st Ian Giroday
2nd Riley Richters
3rd Aaron Przy

Men’s Short Unlimited
1st Markus Kellerhals

Men’s Short 12.6
1st Mike Matlo
2nd Zyji Jackson
3rd Craig McWilliam

Men’s Long 12.6
1st Stu Robinson
2nd Andrew Robinson
3rd Ryan Horlyck

Men’s Long Unlimited
1st Yannick Michaud

Women’s Short 12.6
1st Tara Cameron
2nd Elysia Dempsey
3rd Gillian Montgomery

Women’s Long 12.6
1st Marie-Claire Gravel
2nd Kathleen Burton

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Alert Bay Kayak & Canoe 360 Race

By admin | Published: June 29, 2010

The Alert Bay 360 is billed as a Kayak Eco Paddle and this annual event takes place on July 24th in Alert Bay BC.

The course takes paddlers around Cormorant Island in a clockwise direction. Prizes for 1st ($1000), 2nd ($500) and 3rd ($250) Mens and Ladies.  All participants are eligible for some great grand prizes, including an Atlantis WaV valued at $4,000, a Sam Johnson beaver mask valued at $2,500 and $1000 cash.

The ferry to Alert Bay goes from Port McNeill on Vancouver Island and will be very busy – go early.

Check out www.alertbay.ca for more info and for a list of accommodations and services in Alert Bay.

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Paddling the Yukon River Quest – for Woodwynn Farms.

By admin | Published: June 29, 2010

The Yukon River Quest (www.yukonriverquest.com) has been touted as the longest annual canoe and kayak marathon, and one of the toughest.  Janice Mason and her 21 year old nephew Robin have decided to take on the challenge of the river and will be on the start line at noon on June 30, 2010 for the run to the boats along with 80 other teams and individuals. They are paddling in a tandem kayak in an event that includes single & tandem kayaks, solo & tandem canoes and voyageur canoes from around the world.

The race covers 746 km of the Yukon River, from Whitehorse to Dawson City.  Their goal is to reach the city of Klondike Gold Rush fame within 60 hours of leaving Whitehorse.  Other than 2 mandatory stops (the first of 7 hours and the second of 3) the race is a continuous paddle down river.

TO DONATE: and for more details please contact Janice at jemcity@shaw.ca

Cheques made payable to Woodwynn Farms can be mailed to:  Janice Mason, #102 – 1825 Kings Road, Victoria, BC, V8R 0A3.  YOU can also donate directly to Woodwynn Farms through their website; however, amounts donated directly through website will not count toward Janice’s fundraising endeavour.

Good luck Robin and Janice, ORS wishes you safe travel!

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ORPC hosted the 11th annual Island Iron Outrigger race

By admin | Published: June 29, 2010

Considered one of the premier outrigger races on our coast, Island Iron Outrigger race saw another successful year.   Many heartfelt congratulations go out to all the paddlers competing on Saturday, June 19th; to the volunteers; Oak bay and Victoria Coast Guard Auxiliary and of course the paddlers of ORPC (Ocean River Paddling Club), who without all their hard work, Island Iron simply would not have happened.

There were 30 — 6 person racing teams out to compete in the 17km race. The course went from Cadboro Bay, west toward Oak Bay Marina, and Mary Todd and out and around the Chain Islands, and around the back of Discovery and Chatham Islands and back through Baynes Channel to finish in Cadboro Bay.

Small boats paddled “Trial by Water” on Sunday, June 20th.  They set off from Gonzales Bay, to Clover Point and then down and around Trial Island.  The women had a great time of it with great race conditions but the men got caught with the wind kicking up at the same time the current started to smoke off the south end of Trial Island.  It was an exciting race to say the least but all paddlers got back safe and sound with a true Vancouver Island experience.  There was a excellent turn out for this small boat race.  A a big thank you goes to to all the safety people and Coast Guard Auxiliaries from Oak Bay and Victoria units for their assistance.

Race results can be found on the ORPC Club website.  http://www.orspaddlingclub.com/index.php

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