Route Classifications. Novice, Intermediate, and Experienced are subjective classifications. You and your paddling partners are responsible for judging whether your skills and experiences qualify you to undertake a particular SGI OUTSIDE route. Speaking with a capable local paddler or tour operator will help you determine which of these are appropriate for your current skill level. Improving your paddling technique and safety/rescue expertise in gradually more challenging ocean and weather conditions, broadening your trip planning/risk assessment, and making conservative on-the-water decisions will open you up to new and exciting route opportunities.

 

Novice Paddlers. Those with limited experience paddling in cold ocean water should join a guided tour offered by a local commercial operator (part-, full-, or multi-day). A note about kayak tour operators: They’re not all the same. Ask about their guide certification, years in business, customer testimonials, and safety precautions.

 

Intermediate and Experienced Paddlers. Paddling with accomplished, experienced paddlers, who can interpret changing weather and ocean conditions, opens up some of the EXPERIENCED routes to intermediates. The SGI ocean water is cold year-round (winter 6°C/43°F, summer 13°C/55°F), so it is critical you know what to do in the unlikely event that you should capsize. Carry the right equipment and dress properly. Plan and watch for ferry and boat traffic, and the shoreline swell deflection that large crafts can produce. When you go ashore, remember to fasten your bowline to a tree, rock or piece of secure driftwood so that you won’t lose your vessel should you misread the changing tide level or the reach of a ferry’s wash. Check the wind predictions and 24-hour marine weather forecast throughout the region before setting out (updated every 4 hours), in particular when crossing to another island. Pack plenty of drinking water, be prepared for late afternoon winds, leave a paddling route plan with someone on land, and WEAR and ZIP UP YOUR PFD. If conditions change shortly after you launch, listen to your instincts and go back. 

 

Nautical & Tide Charts. NAUTICAL CHARTS: Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS). Southern Gulf Islands TIDE CHARTS (Fisheries and Oceans Canada): Log on to the Government of Canada’s Tide Stations website, type in Southern Gulf Islands in the map’s search bar, and choose the tide station(s) covering your paddling route. Click on View Station Data, confirm the date, choose Feet under Select Units, then scroll down to Hourly Predictions. The table of hourly tides covers 24 hours over 7 days. I prefer tide heights in Feet because they clearly show the lowest tide times and the water level falling and rising. If you’re unsure whether you’ve read the tide table correctly, ask a local kayak tour operator or a boater coming ashore or on the docks at a marina.

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SGI Outside Maps. Don’t use these maps for navigation in lieu of nautical charts. Remember, a nautical mile (NM) equals 1.85 kilometres and 1.15 statute miles.

 

Wind Predictions. Windy.com: Search the SGI you are paddling to or around to find wind direction and velocity by time of day. Adjust the Settings to your preferences.

 

Communications. Every paddler should have the means to communicate with their home base, the Coast Guard, and other boats on the water. Be sure to carry a saltwater-protected cellphone with appropriate roaming capabilities, sound signalling devices (whistle and horn), and visual indicators (flares, mirror, headlamp/flashlight, EPIRB). Many experienced paddlers carry a marine VHF radio; see the Connect page of the BC MARINE TRAILS website for more information about on-the-water Mobile Phone, VHF Radio, and Satellite communications.