Video Review: The Broken Islands

September-October 1994

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

 

Summit Productions, 1994 Douglas Brunt

This new video on the Broken Islands is a thorough introduction to the wonderful paddling experiences available in Barkley Sound. The video familiarizes the viewer/paddler with the geology, native history, and wildlife of the islands, as well as showing how to paddle there safely.

Frequent references to a map of the islands, and their sub-groupings, help acquaint the viewer with routes. But Douglas Brunt does fall into the expedition mentality when describing a circular tour of the islands, necessitating moving from site to site. He neglects to suggest the ease of centralized base-camping, an excellent alternative because the islands are in fact very close to one another.

What the video does best is to convey a good sense of the area by the many picturesque scenes of paddlers -both kayakers and canoeists- moving among the islands, and showing the Lady Rose in action, dropping paddlers off in just the way many will enter the area.

The tape also updates earlier guidebooks, explaining that the Lady Rose (or Frances Barkley) (see Sept/Oct 94 issue) now stops outside the Broken Islands -near Canoe Island at the former Sechart Whaling Station- not at Gibraltar Island, as formerly. But in attempting to be as up to date as possible, the producers jump the gun on announcing a Parks Canada reservation system. This will not likely be in place by next year after all.

The video also offers frequent advice about planning and preparation -including the amount of water to take- although perhaps it has too many warnings about shellfish hazards, winds, fog, rain, wild animals, and drownings. And at times there is amateurish camera work which detracts from the effect. However, it's good to see that Douglas Brunt has not shied away from pointing the camera at the visible clearcut scars on the mountains adjacent to the Broken Islands.

Overall the video is an accurate portrayal of the Broken Islands and while not an exciting presentation, would be useful in a group setting for those planning to visit the Islands. o

See also the "Bowron Lakes" video, written and directed by Brunt. Both are available through outfitters, paddling shops and select bookstores throughout North America, or contact Summit Productions at 11639 64B Ave., Delta, BC V4E 2E1. Phone/Fax: (604) 599-8096.