August 27-30, 2024
Come join us for this Women in the Wild Kayaking and Camping Skills & Paddling Adventure!! We paddle in a magical paradise for kayakers: the Broken Group Islands. This wild and lush chain of islands, made up of over 100 small islands and islets in Barkley Sound, contains hundreds of hidden coves, isolated bays to explore, stone fish traps and other artifacts of aboriginal habitation.
Here we may spot whales, seals, sea lions and porpoises. We camp on sandy beaches beneath the stars and other nights, beneath towering red cedar and Sitka spruce. Paddling in this area is an incredible experience and includes a bit of everything: open coast, protected passages, warm lagoons, and narrow channels all teeming with inter-tidal organisms and marine wildlife.
This Women in the Wild package combines a Kayaking, Camping Skills and Seawomanship component, along with 4 days or immersing yourself in the wilderness and beauty of the rainforest and paddling the Pacific Ocean. This is sure to be a wonderful experience for you, learning lots of new skills and knowledge as you gain confidence to explore this fabulous, world class destination. The Broken Group Islands (BGI) is part of Pacific National Park Reserve and is located off Canada’s wild West Coast, beautiful Vancouver Island
This experience is designed for the woman who thought she could never come out on the high seas in a kayak and be safe and survive in the Wild! It is for the woman who has always wanted to visit beautiful British Columbia… experience the beaches and wildlife, the utter beauty and quiet and paddle the fabulous Broken Group Islands off pristine Vancouver Island’s West Coast.
It is a call to the Wild Woman inside us who wants to feel that wildness and immerse herself in the Power of Nature and, at the same time, challenge herself to go beyond her comfort level and do something that is daring (hey, isn’t that you?).
Now to Begin...
The focus is on preparing you for the multi-day kayaking trip into one of the most spectacular paddling destinations in Canada, the Broken Group Islands (BGI) in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. You will gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to come out on the high seas with other like-minded women and Journey into the Wild.
You will learn:
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- Kayaking Skills – a solid foundation of paddle strokes, edging, bracing, drawing, towing, launching techniques, wet exits and solo and assisted rescues. We delve into risk management, how to apply a framework for route planning, how to outfit your kayak for comfort and safety, and, if you are thinking of buying, what kind of kayak would be best for you. Upon successful completion, you will be awarded your Paddle Canada certification. We have added on the Level 1 certification, so if you have your Basic or similar experience or you pass all the Level 1 requirements, you will be awarded Level 1. All participants receive the same amount of instruction.
- Seawomanship Skills – to help you navigate on the ocean in safety. Learn how to: read your chart and the common symbols, calculate tides and currents and distances, listen to coastal weather reports to make an informed decision of whether to paddle or not, how sea state, topography, wind and weather impact upon your paddling plans, use a compass, take a bearing, use piloting, hand railing and communication devices as well as on-water signals. This takes your knowledge to a whole new depth as you practice on the ocean what you have learned. Think how euphoric you will feel by the end of this amazing journey!
- Camp Craft – part of the fun of a multi-day kayaking adventure is setting up camp. You will be a savvy and knowledgeable camper in no time! You will learn what clothes and gear to bring, how to pack your dry bags and kayak, how to set up a campsite with tents, tarps, and kitchen and build a fire. Around the campfire discussions include wilderness ethics and environmental awareness, camp etiquette, food preparations and storage, etc… we have lots to share!
- Continual Experiential Learning – throughout the 4 days, you will continue to learn and deepen your skills, having lots of time to practice your navigation on the water, use your chart to locate campsites, plan the paddling trip through the Broken Group Islands, set up camp, make fires, put up tarps, practice your knots and listen to the marine radio broadcast. Just think… 4 full days in the wilderness… you will be a changed woman when you return!!
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Journey into the Wild
You are now ready to paddle into the Broken Group Islands, a spectacular destination of countless islands and islets. Home to the Huu-ay-aht and Tseshaht First Nations for thousands of years, we travel back in time as we paddle their ancient water routes. Lush vegetation abounds due to the abundant rainfall and mild temperatures. Majestic old growth forests of Sitka spruce and western red cedar grow to towering heights. Snow capped mountain vistas, white shelled beaches and soaring bald eagles welcome us. We have also been blessed with sightings of whales at times and our West Coast marine mammals and birds are prevalent on our paddles.
So let the Wild Woman out to come and play with other female adventuresses! Each day is an adventure… from paddling in between numerous islands and islets, to standing next to massive old growth cedars and firs (okay we hug them sometimes), listening spell bound to stories about First Nations of long ago in this their ancestral home, camping under sacred cedars to sitting mesmerized around a campfire sharing heartfelt conversation. All this is waiting for you…..
Cost is $1180 plus 5% goods and service tax (gst). Your Women in the Wild Kayaking and Camping Skills & Paddling Adventure package includes:
* 4 glorious days of kayaking and 3 nights of camping off the shores of the wild West Coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
* Experiencing spectacular scenery, pristine wilderness, and our amazing wildlife (think sea lions, dolphins and whales…).
* Kayaking Skills
* Camp Craft
* Seawomanship Skills
* The Paddle Canada Basic Certified Course for Beginners
* Hearty and healthy meals (all food allergies addressed in the Registration Package), snacks and beverages from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 4 (and we do sneak in chocolate :-)).
* Fibreglass kayaks and all the regulation Transport Canada gear (pump, paddle, throw rope, lifejacket with whistle, plus spray skirts and paddle floats).
* Professional, certified, knowledgeable and very supportive Guides and oh yes we are personable and fun to be with.
* Safety equipment and extensive first aid kit and communication devices.
* All group camping equipment except a sleeping bag and pad (available to rent if needed).
* Dry bags for your personal gear.
* Launch, camping, Pacific National Park fees, and a daily donation to Tseshaht First Nations on whose ancestral lands we operate.
Register here or contact Jan or more details.
