News

August-September 2000

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

Archaeological Dig

Benson Island in the Broken Group (Barkley Sound, BC) is closed to camping till September 4, 2000 due to an ongoing archaeological dig this summer. Interpretative tours by Tseshaht First Nations are available at 10 am and 2 pm at $5.00 per person. To book group tours call Bernelda Robinson at 250-724-4229.

Apologies

It was inevitable, with so many great women in paddling that we would miss someone in our Women in Paddling list (last issue) and we did. We forgot Gillian Butler, partner in Pacific Northwest Expeditions. Sorry about that, Gillian. She can be reached at 250-245-3706. We also neglected to include Sea Otter Kayaking of Saltspring Island, BC in our listing of Children's paddling opportunities. Contact: 877-537-5678. And we forgot to include Sea Kayak Adventures as offering Women's trips. Contact 208-765-3116.

Zippered Sprayskirt

Brooks Wetsuits has introduced a unique touring skirt with a waterproof zipper making access to your cockpit even easier. It's handy for guides, fishers, photographers or others who need to get 'down below'. For those who have trouble with regular skirts, the zippered skirt can be left snugged onto your kayak's coaming, ready to step into. It's made with durable Duratex-fabric laminate on 3.5 mm neoprene, and has an adjustable waist-band. Available in Brooks 8 standard sizes or custom fit. Suggested retail price $180 US /$263 Cdn. Call 888-986-3441 email: bwetsuit@uniserve.com

New Chart Releases

The Canadian Hydrographic Service is announcing two new chart releases of interest to paddlers and boaters. Chart 3962 has been upgraded with new information on the Fiordland Recreation Area, covering one of the finest examples of glacially gouged fiords on the British Columbia coast, where sheer granite cliffs rise more than 1000 metres. Chart 3935 has new information on the Hakai Recreation Area, the largest provincial marine park in BC. Contact D.L.Fisher, ph: 250-363-6358 or chartsales@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Website: www.ios.bc.ca/ios/chs

Paddling Hazards

Dr. Bill Crawford of the Canadian Hydrographic Service is soliciting the input of kayakers as to whether it would be useful on CHS charts to identify hazards specific to paddlers. He is concerned about areas of tidal current along the coast of British Columbia which are significant for human powered craft but below chart thresholds which are focused on larger boat traffic. Contact him at 250-363-6369 or crawfordb@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Tours & Programs

The Campbell River Museum offers guided paddling trips with a historic focus, as well as boat trips, van tours and First Nations Programs on Northern Vancouver Island, BC. Contact the Museum at 250-287-3103.

Ecotourism Operator Appointed

Frank Brown of the Heiltsuk Nation and SeeQuest Adventures in Bella Bella is the first of two representatives from BC appointed to the Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council this year. The council provides governments and the public with information about the state of BC's fisheries and habitat. It promotes an integrated ecosystem approach to fisheries management and supports public and private stewardship of marine resources and fish habitat. Contact Frank Brown at 250-957-2611 or toll free in BC: 888-905-2611 or seequest@bellabella.net

Gear Exchange

The Island Outdoor Centre is continuing their Gear Exchange Program which they started at the Vancouver Island PaddleFest this year. This gives you the opportunity to sell that old spray skirt that doesn't fit anymore, the wetsuit that shrank somehow, the daypack that seemed so big years ago. The Island Outdoor Centre is located just off the Island Highway in Ladysmith, Vancouver Island. Contact Janine at 250-245-7887.

Pacific Rim Logging

Industrial-style, destructive logging has begun at the border of Pacific Rim National Park by International Forest Products (Interfor) in spite of the recommendations made by the Federal Panel on the Ecological Integrity of our National Parks. Due to the clear-cutting, there is now a significant stretch of Pacific Rim National Park that is less than 100 metres wide.To view photographs of how close this logging comes to the Park boundary, check out: http://www.geocities.com/parkinperil.

Custom Kayaks

Paddlers dreaming of a kayak that perfectly fits their body contours, complementing their paddling ability, need to dream no longer. PS Composites creates custom-sized kayaks based on customers' weight, paddling ability, length of legs and shoe size, with the extra option of self-created graphics. Paul Schreiner Sr. and Mary Kay Heffernan currently offer 60 different types of kayaks of fiberglass and polyester (kevlar is also available). A custom kayak averages about $1500 US, paddle about $250 US. Contact: 717-944-1752, kayak@custom kayak.com, or www.customkayak.com

Village Island

Village Island Tours is up and running in the village of Meen Quam Leese (Mamalilaculla) in the Broughton Archipelago, BC. They have installed docks, a store and have a room with 3 bunks available in the float house. All of these amenities are on the north side of the island and are not visible from the Village site. A Native Dance Group will be on site for much of July and August. The nearby Native community of New Vancouver will be offering salmon BBQs four days a week. Village Island Tours, ph: 250-287-2868. Foot ferry available from Telegraph Cove. Ph: 250-974-5225. Viking West Tours also has a scheduled run to Village Island this year, leaving Port McNeill northbound at noon Friday and Saturday and returning at about 5 pm. Viking West also provides service to Alert Bay, Swanson Island, SW Gilford area, Echo Bay & Kingcome Inlet. This schedules allows for 2-3 hour layovers in the archipelago area and sets up either a weekend or week in the wild. They also offer lodging at the OrcaWatch B&B at the edge of Blackfish Sound contact 250-956-3431 or cell 250-974-8088. VHF radio: "Viking Express" Ch. 16, 73, 79.

Feeding Wildlife Illegal

Recently a camper was attacked by a wolf in Clayoquot Sound. Jur Bekker, Clayoquot Area Supervisor for BC Parks has been receiving reports of people feeding wolves and notes feeding wildlife is an offence under the Parks and Recreation Area Regulations as well as the Wildlife Amendment Act. Please observe, record and report any incidents of individuals or groups feeding any wildlife in any park to the local Area Supervisor. If clients of any commercial operators are seen feeding wildlife, permits may be cancelled in addition to charges being laid. Contact Jur Bekker at 250-726-2168.

Oystercatcher update

Nina Raginsky of the Saltspring Island, BC Waterbird Watch Collective recently called to thank WaveLength for helping to publicize the plight of oystercatchers. She praised the three kayak companies on Saltspring Island-Island Escapades, Saltspring Kayaking, and Sea Otter Kayaking-who have worked hard to educate paddlers about the need to avoid the shoreline where the birds nest. She said that chicks are being successfully reared at three sites around Saltspring-in Ganges Harbour, Fulfold Harbour and the Channel Islands.

New Kayak Lineup

Mark Hall, formerly the Operations Manager at Seaward Kayaks, has recently accepted a position as Director of Sales at Voodoo Technologies selling Riot Kayaks, Sun Recreational Kayaks, and Azul Kayaks-the latest addition. He is excited about the new challenge but admits to missing the west coast industry and friends. Voodoo has acquired a high tech composite manufacturer that will continue construction with some additional designs. Three styles will be available: 1. the traditional North American style, 2. the steerable skeg new concept, and 3. the British style. A leading innovator with its Xytec plastic process, Riot Kayaks has enjoyed enormous growth with its whitewater and recreational line up. Stay tuned for a company profile and complete product line-up. To book an appointment at the Salt Lake retail show with Mark, email: "Riot Kayaks" riot@riotkayaks.com

Ocean River Paddling Club

The ORP Club is a non-profit division of Ocean River Sports (Victoria, BC) designed for those who like to paddle performance kayaks and canoes. Club boats include outrigger and marathon canoes, K-1s, and a surf ski, and can be booked through ORS. Located on the inner harbour, ORPC hosts annual races, produces a monthly newsletter and hopes soon to begin training juniors. For membership call Ocean River Sports at 250-381-4233.