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.

The Site C dam is a key part of this strategy to sell us down the river. The water behind the dam will help firm up the intermittent power created by small private power projects, making it easier for them to sell their power to California. The cost to local communities, to the environment, and to hundreds of BC rivers and streams is just too high.

On Sunday, September 19th, join the Wilderness Committee, the Peace Valley Environment Association, Sierra Club BC and the Treaty 8 First Nations to say No to the Site C Dam.

The rally will begin at 10:00am on the front steps of the legislative assembly building in Victoria. Speakers include David Suzuki, Chief Roland Wilson, and more!

Then join us for a 1.5 hour paddle up the beautiful Gorge Waterway. This family friendly outdoor event is the perfect place to get your kayaks and canoe in the water, and support an important cause.

To learn more please visit www.wildernesscommittee.org/sitec.

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.

Our tour in early July was one I helped develop with my old friend Dave Pinel who owns and runs West Coast Expeditions. Ocean River and WCE work as partners in order to offer a complete, safe and super fun experience in a place that few people get to experience.

Our group was a good size of eight paddlers of various skills and experience, but with the common purpose of enjoying themselves. We departed from Fair Harbour on July 1st. Voyageur Water Taxi owned and operated by Leo Jacks, a local Kyuquot Native, knows the area like the back of his hand. The heavy duty aluminum water taxi carried all four of us with ease and before we knew it, we were making our way through the Islands of Kyuquot sound and landing at Spring Island where the WCE base camp is located. The base camp is an amazing haven on a protected bay on the inside of the island. It has a gourmet kitchen, dining area and camp fire area as the hub of the place with kayaks of various designs stored all around which you will get your choice of. This is a true base camp from where logistics happen and kayak trips leave. The sleeping accommodation at base camp is deluxe with canvas walled tents and real beds with foam mattresses. Each tent is located in a beautiful area to give privacy and a great view. In the morning, there is a hot shower for anyone who wants one as well as all the hot coffee you can drink and amazing breakfasts.

We departed with fully loaded kayaks on July 2nd to paddle to the Bunsby Islands and beyond with our final destination on the base of the Brooks Peninsula. Each of the three camp sites we stayed at over the next six nights where well chosen and they were all quite different. We spent some time at Green Head in the Bunsby Islands, as it is the iconic rock pillar. The best camp site was the one on Island 125 off the Acous Peninsula with morning and evening sun. A beautiful beach with a view to die for, we stayed there for two nights. From Acuse we did our most amazing paddling to outer islands between the Acous and the Brooks, where we encountered Stellar Sea Lions, sea otters, various sea birds and the most amazing rock gardens to simply enjoy and play in with the gentle swell. The return trip to camp, along the Vancouver Island side, we saw black bears and more bald eagles than one could count. The sea was simply teaming with life.

Do not miss getting to Battle Bay and paddle up the river to get fresh water and to rinse yourself off of salt. This is something so totally different than the salt water we where all used to. A great chance to relax in the tranquil slow moving river.

Our last day in the area, we stuck out for a day paddle to Jacobson Point at the base of the Brooks Peninsula and the gods were with us that day with calm water and hot weather. We had our helmets but they were not necessary for a surf landing. After an easy landing for the group, everyone in the group simply ran back into the water and went for a swim. We realized that it was impossible to stand in the sand on the beach for more than a couple of seconds in bare feet – it was so hot, a rare occurrence that far up the island.

We headed back to Base Camp on Spring Island on the 7th and it was so deluxe to relax on the last night there as we prepared to get ready for the water taxi to take us home the next day.

We had a bit of everything; wind, head winds and luckily, following seas that are tons of fun to run with.

Getting back up to Brooks was a truly great experience that I plan to keep doing as well as more of our Ocean River guides, working in partners with our friends at WCE.

Do the trip with your own group but make sure you are ready with the right skills, equipment and leadership. Watch the swells, wind and direction of the weather to plan your day. If you feel you are not ready for this trip on your own or wish for logistics to be taken care of, please give us a call at Ocean River and we will be pleased to work with you to get you out there.

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.

I think that this year’s weather fell into the category of memorable – though the kind you’d rather forget or boast that you had survived!  Waking up to pouring rain for race day after 2 fabulous sunny summer days was a tad hard to bear, and then there were THE waves & terrorizing or sickening swell for 50 km of Lake Laberge (we heard that at least one member of the winning Texans crew say they would not paddle on that lake again!) … followed by depressing headwinds and more downpours later along the river, but at least it was downriver.  Unfortunately Lake Laberge was the downfall for a number of paddlers as close to 1/3 of the entries did not complete the race.  The rest of us managed to endure the weather and conditions.  But paddling into the ‘midnight sun’ (yup it was shining though it was only 10:45PM), the full rainbow landing in the river right behind us, faces in the rocks everywhere, Sam McGee’s ashes, the true feeling of sliding downhill on this massive body of water, and finally the sight in the distance of the Moosehide Slide (landslide) that marks Dawson City (= finish line) made me forget most of the challenges associated with being on the river for 3 nights (5 hours of sleep over 72 hours) and the sheer craziness of dragging family and friends all the way up north to help (yes, we drove all the way from Victoria and back again, logging over 6000km)!

My 21-year old nephew Robin and I somehow managed to win the Mixed Tandem Kayak category in 56 hours and 31 minutes.  Not exactly vying for first place overall (The Texans finished in 42 hours) but pretty decent effort for our first attempt.  In the end we are both really glad we let the river take us along and at times take us where it wanted (= we got lost a few times).  And my support crew, led by my daughter, was the absolute best!

ORS Note: Thanks Janice for sharing your experience with us!

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

B:  City of Victoria Council has agreed to implement its Harbour Plan and Songhees Plan policies and re-zone the Lot 1.  This process started out 5 years ago and on Aug 26, 2010, staff will present the proposed re-zoning by law to Council and Council will set a date in the future for a Public Hearing.  You can read the staff proposal at and see the re-zoning draft plan http://vivaa.ca/downloads/cat_view/65-harbour-development.html

C:  BC Government has not as yet issued a lease of the water lot that Victoria International Marina needs to develop the moorage for the ship sized yachts.  The Minister responsible Pat Bell on one hand debunked Councillor Young’s concern about litigation but has confused the issue by calling for a negotiation to get through this. http://www.timescolonist.com/business/Minister%20offers%20help%20find%20compromise%20city%20marina%20developer/3290587/story.html#comments

Again, keep reminding Minister Pat Bell that he must use his power and act in the public interest by rejecting the application to lease Lot 1 for a moorage for ship sized yachts rather than at the eleventh hour suggesting negotiations that exclude the public…. Fortunately Mayor Fortin has rejected that proposal…

The links are here to let you speak!    http://www.savevictoriaharbour.com/

Take action:  contact City of Victoria Council and support their efforts at getting the community interest back into this mega marina

I do not want to be made a paddling tunnel rat by the Victoria International Marina!  Do You?

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.

It’s not very often a product comes along that combines all the elements of great function with great value, giving you more for less. The Manitou 14 is one of those products. As someone who has been selling kayaks for the past 7 years in one of the world’s best and most active paddling destinations, finding all these elements in an entry-level kayak makes my job easy. At only just over $1300 I can get anyone out in a boat to enjoy our amazing coast without ‘breaking the bank.’

The Manitou 14 is designed to be stable for the beginner while offering great playfulness for the kayak enthusiast. It’s a wonderful, user-friendly kayak that fits a variety of paddler sizes and abilities. Its comfortable seat and spacious leg room make it an ideal boat to get started and keep you interested for the long run. Despite its lower cost it is still a lightweight kayak with a skeg and a super comfy seat. These options make it the perfect boat to get you out on the water and be happy. Personally, I really enjoy paddling the Manitou 14 and I recommend you get out and paddle one too!

1. Be Cautious and Courteous: approach areas of known or suspected marine wildlife activity with extreme caution.  Look in all directions before planning your approach or departure.
2. SLOW DOWN: reduce speed to less than 7 knots when within 400 meter/yards – 100 meters/yards = 1 football field – of the nearest whale.  Avoid abrupt course changes.
3. KEEP clear of the whale’s path.  If whales are approaching you, cautiously move out of the way.
4. DO NOT APPROACH whales from the front or from behind.   Always approach and depart whales for the side, moving in a direction parallel to the direction of the whales.
5. DO NOT APPROACH or position your vessel closer than 100 meters/yards to any whale.
6. If your vessel is not in compliance with the 100/meters/yards approach guideline (#5), – if in a motorized boat, place engine in neutral – allow whales to pass.
7. STAY on the OFFSHORE side of the whales when they are traveling close to shore.
8. LIMIT your viewing time to a recommended maximum of 30 minutes.  This will minimize the cumulative impact of many vessels and give consideration to other viewers.
9. DO NOT swim with, touch or feed marine wildlife.

Congratulations to all the racers and to Ocean River Sport’s own Yannick Michaud for finishing 1^st 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 1^st Jolan Lacroix

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

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

Men’s Short Unlimited
1^st Markus Kellerhals

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

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

Men’s Long Unlimited
1^st Yannick Michaud

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

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

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.

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!

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 20^th.  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