The Fellowship of Dive Kayaking

December 2003 - January 2004

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

by Barb Roy with Tallen Patrick

Dive kayaking at Porteau Cove, British Columbia.

People join paddling clubs to be around others who share similar interests, to gain additional knowledge and training, to participate in organized activities, and become part of a supportive ‘fellowship’ network.

Since my 16-year-old daughter Tallen and I enjoy both kayaking and scuba diving, we decided that joining a dive kayaking group would be a great way to experience both worlds. Safety in numbers was on my mind while group fun and camaraderie was on hers.

Our task of finding a club specifically for dive kayakers, however, proved to be quite a challenge. It was either sea kayaking or scuba diving only. Then we discovered Divers Down Under, a dive club sponsored by Adventures Down Under in Bellingham, Washington, which was dabbling in the use of dive kayaks. Since the club mainly catered to divers, they encouraged us to organize several outings and see if an interest developed.

Accepting the challenge, Tallen and I organized four group excursions during the summer: Clear Lake in Oregon; Barkley Sound, Porteau Cove and the Powell River area in British Columbia. Little did we know the popularity the dive kayak combination would generate!

Tallen hefts an inflatable dive kayak.

Clear Lake was a big surprise to everyone. At an altitude of 3,100 feet, located two hours east of Salem in the Willamette National Park off the McKenzie Highway, this crystal clear lake was born from a volcanic eruption around 1000 BC. Only nonmotorized crafts are allowed, making it very quiet both on and around the lake.

When we weren’t diving or snorkeling in the 41-46°F water, we fished for trout or checked out the lava fields bordering almost an entire side of the lake. Underwater, the main attractions were several ancient trees, resembling tall spears rising out of an ash-white, volcanic moonscape. Visibility was at least 70-100 feet in the northern (clearest) section. Camping is available at both ends of the lake (May-October) or accommodations can be found at the Clear Lake Resort. While water and pit toilets are available, it was necessary to bring everything else in. We found this site great for hiking, photography, birding and mountain biking.

Barkley Sound, on the west side of Vancouver Island, is an awesome place to explore anytime of the year, weather permitting. We chose August and launched ourkayaks in mothership style, from a larger dive charter boat (Rendezvous Dive Ventures), which transported us to the outer edge of the Sound near Austin Island. This way we were able to dive the wreck of the Vanlene, sunk in 1972 with a cargo of new cars. Once finished with the dive, we paddled over to check out several sea caves and photograph a group of Oyster Catchers. Tallen was fascinated with the overlapping fronds of a huge kelp forest around us.

“This is science at its best!” I thought, watching her get all wrapped up in the fronds. The ultimate field trip.

Rainey Bay, where the lodge is located, offered protection for paddling when the weather kicked up and for practicing our entries and exits from the sit-on-top kayaks, loaded with scuba gear. It was great to have the convenience of a warm place to return to after six hours on the water.

Porteau Cove Provincial Park in Howe Sound, about 13 miles east of Horseshoe Bay, is easy to get to and painless to launch from, divable year-round, and a relaxing place to spend the day. Besides having picnic table s and a few camping sites, the park is a wonderland for divers, with an array of underwater enhancements placed there many years ago. The prime attraction is the 136-foot minesweeper, Nakaya, scuttled in 1985.

Not liking long surface swims to get to the Nakaya, we found that dive kayaks worked exceptionally well in getting us safely to the wreck. After diving, several of us paddled up the coast, checking out new areas to dive and snorkel.

The Powell River area drew us for an outing in September. With the tourist and fishing seasons were over there was no competition for camping sites, no long ferry lines and no problem launching the kayaks.

Preparing to dive at Samish Lake, Washington.

Tallen had discovered online that the Malaspina Coast between Grief Point and Sarah Point had numerous sheltered bays and coves between. We decided to check them out.

Mermaid Cove seemed to be a great place to start. In 1989, a nine-foot tall bronze statue, the Emerald Princess sculpted by Simon Morris, was placed in 60 feet of water to greet divers. This was a ‘must see’ for the group and we paddled out to the buoy marking her location.

Saltery Bay, the downtown Powell River waterfront and Lund were other good launching areas, we discovered. Having other dive kayakers along gave Tallen and me (who are not that experienced) a chance to check out dive and birding sites that we would not have attempted on our own. Add this to the experience Tallen received when she encountered hundreds of harmless garter snakes in Lund—it was an unforgettable trip.

Since our dive kayaking group excursions began, the dive club has also sponsored two dive kayak demo sessions for other divers and non-divers.

During one of the sessions at Lake Samish, south of Bellingham, we were able to try a new inflatable dive kayak, the Dive Yak made by Sevylor, and the rigid-hulled Tarpon made by Wilderness Systems. Both boats proved to be exceptional for transporting us and our gear. I found the Tarpon to be a good platform for viewing shore birds. The Dive Yak however, was easier to fold up and pack into my car.

The future holds endless possibilities for the dive-kayaking portion of the club. Since we have became part of this unique fellowship, Tallen and I have increased our skills, added to our traveling experience, and met some awesome people who share our favorite interests.

HELPFUL INFORMATION

Clear Lake: Willamette National Forest, www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette, 541-225- 6300 or Cold Water Cove Campground, 877-444-6777.

Barkley Sound: Rendezvous Dive Ventures, 877-777-9994 www.rendezvousdiveventures.com

Vancouver Island Tourism: www.vancouverislandtourism.com

Porteau Cove: www.shorediving.com or www.BritishColumbia.com

Powell River: 604-485-4701 www.discoverpowellriver.com

Adventures Down Under/Divers Down Under Club: 360-676-4177 www.adventuresdownunder.com

For starting your own club, see www.siton-topkayaking.com