Paddling on Vancouver Island ? Feb 11-18

[msims]

Hi all, I'm out visiting my brother who lives in Ladysmith and was wondering if I could arrange a paddle w/ any of you while I'm out there for a day ..

Here's the hitch - I would need a boat. :-[ I'm currently paddling a Nitro, but would be comfortable in an Ocoee/Rival/etc.. any rentals available on the island? I'd be open to C1, but I'm a big guy (6'5"/230) ...Also if my brother is available we'd like have to rent a tandem, as he only has a cedar strip boat. We're comfortable in CIII, nothing too hairy.

I'm not exactly sure what my plans are, but Sunday (14 Feb i think) is out for sure. Anyway, just hoping this might work out.

Thanks, Mike.

[Jan_dettmer]

Yea, I think we can work something out. I have a Blunt and a Quake I could borrow you, However, the Blunt has a painfull (for your size) 5 inch seat. The Quake might be OK, maybe a bit small.

Am in Victoria. e-mail me when you know more

On the river, Jan

[(O)C]

I was out there last year and arranged the very accessible Cowichan River in an open boat via Ocean River Sports in Victoria- had a great time. (there are other options).

info here:

http://www.oceanriver.com/

http://members.lycos.co.uk/canadianrivers/id25.htm

There is a group of C1-ers who go there and also do ocean surf fairly regularly.

[Jan_dettmer]

I think the group of c1-ers is us But I only came to the island 1 year ago...

Jan

[msims]

Any other outfitters that you are aware of in either Cowichan, Duncan, or Nanaimo that might offer the same?

Jan, thanks very much for the offer! I appreciate it. I'll get in touch w/ you next week about my plans and see if we can't sync up.

Mike.

[yarnellboat]

Hi guys,

Thanks for including the links in your messages - funny we need a UK site to provide info on a river in BC. I can't make it anway on this weekend, but Jan, do know of any good on-line resource for island rivers?

The reason I ask is that some of you hotshot, surfin' C-1ers scare me. If I were able to join you, msims might've scared me off with considering "only Class III," in BC, in February, as "nothing serious." Obviously you can't tell me whether I'd be comfortable or a laibility on the Cowichan since we've never paddled together, but what might it be like for an intermediate open-boater? (On the mainland I've the regular Class II runs: Cheakamus, Mamquam, Chilliwack, Nicola, Similkameen, Tulameen, etc. some of which I consider to have Class III sections at medium-high water.)

How "not serious" is the Cowichan, and what section do you run?

Somewhere recently I read a description of an "intermediate trip" to include Class III - IV water! I think I'll pose this question to the larger forum....

Have fun! Hopefully we'll be able to hook up and paddle sometime Jan. P.

[yarnellboat]

Sorry Mike, "CIII, nothing too hairy" was the actual description. Isn't CIII for an open boat getting there? Just curious about peoples' perception and classifications. P.

[msims]

Ok, maybe CII+ - perhaps my impression of CIII is actually a more involved CII... I think the "nothing too hairy" comment still applies...

There was another posting here, I think if you search for "Nanaimo" you might find it, it contained a number of Van. Is. Links.

ps. I'm there for a week, currently I have plans Friday/Sunday. Thursday/Mon are possibilities, although I realize that im the only one loafing that week - might be harder for y'all.

--m

[Jan_dettmer]

Hi P,

the Cowichan is easy. You can definitely do it if you run the Chiilliwack. Tamahi Rapid is a lot harder at higher water than everything on the Cow! I would call the Cow a class 2 run with a class 3- drop in the end "last drop". Last drop is class 2 hat medium flow and class 3 at lower water since it gets more technical at low flow. However, that is only my opinion. Have a look at it yourself and judge wether or not you want to do it...

There is no hairy stuff on the standard runs.

I just came from the Cow and had a great day surfing some good waves. Its at 110cms right now and that is a great surfing level.
Higher than that it gets bigger, more whirlpools and boils. Most people would call 60-80cms normal flows. However, people run it in Summer when there is almost no water (not recommended, I try to avoid it below 40 cms)

Hope that helps, Jan

[tim marks]

I am the canoe guy on the south island, although Jan is taking over that title now. There are lots of options from Nanaimo to Victoria, none hairy even if your swimming. (dry suits recomended)
Everything Jan said, I am just adding I have Wednesdays off if you want to be showen around.

[yarnellboat]

Jan,

I've only paddled Tamihi and the rapids below it at low water, but it sounds like I'd be comfortable on the Cowichan. Thanks for the info, reference to flow levels is always appreciated! I really hope to be able to try some island rivers sometime and to hook up with you, Tim and others.


Have fun & good luck with your bow stall, P.

[msims]

Jan, Tim, Mr. Yarnell,

Ok, so I spoke w/ my brother and he's definitely interested in coming out if possible. Is Wed (11-feb) or Monday (16 Feb) possible for any of you? The weekend doesnt work well for me as I'll be busy w/ the entire family... Sorry, I'm sure the weekend works better for you as you're all probably working.. Hope it will work out.

ps... I'll return the favour if you ever come to Southern Ontario!

Mike.

[yarnellboat]

Both these weekdays are out for me. Good luck though, hooking up with folks while travelling is definately a cool feature of this forum!

Pat.

[Guest]

I can paddle Feb 11. I have an Aftershock that can be borrowed. Jan might have a Quake to borrow. Email Jan or I