Thanks to the Victoria Kayaker blog for this update…
Vancouver Island Kayaker Haley Shephard has resumed her attempt to circumnavigate South Georgia after a series of mishaps delayed her original attempt last month.
You can follow Haley through her blog: hayleyshephard.blogspot.com/
Thanks to Victoria Kayaker for this:
Last week we reported on Alert Bay kayaker Hayley Shephard who was just about to embark on a solo kayak circumnavigation around South Georgia Island. Storms and a severed finger have now put the expedition in jeopardy.
According to the Victoria Kayaker blog, the skipper of the vessel they are on severed part of his finger and short an able bodied sailor the support vessel cannot sail to South Georgia.
They should know by tomorrow whether they will be able to continue the expedition. In the event that this happens one possible backup plan would be to circumnavigate the Falkland Islands instead, which also has not yet been done.
To follow along visit Hayley’s blog here.
The Yukon River Quest, the longest canoe and kayak race in the world, begins today in Whitehorse, Canada. This year’s field will feature 79 teams with 172 paddlers from all over the world – including several past champions – in what should be a competitive event.
From the Canadian Press - Nick Castro, a Victoria kayak store owner, will be attempting to break a kayaking record by circumnavigating Vancouver Island in less than 17 days.
If the weather co-operates, Castro will leave Port Hardy, on the northern tip of the island, on June 13. He’ll paddle down the Island’s west coast – past Tofino and Ucluelet – and arrive in Victoria before turning north.
The journey is about 1,120 kilometres, and he’ll have to cover about 80 kilometres each day. He plans to use satellite technology to update his daily progress on Google Maps.
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Nick has also started a blog, here’s an excerpt from his most recent entry:
Here is the beginning of the story, it’s been a few months of preparation but everything is falling in place and I will attempt to break the speed record for the circumnavigation of Vancouver Island by Sea Kayak this June!
Where to start!!! Well, first of all, I have never been a racer before. But I feel like I don’t have that much time left to see all the places I have dreamt of. Also my work season is short and takes place mostly in summer, so I am short on time. I think the speed record might also grab the attention of the public and bring sea kayaking and the ocean environment into the public lens….
New Westminster, BC – March 30, 2009. The Mountain Equipment Coop Big Chop Summer Paddle Series begins on April 30, 2009, off the shores of Vanier Park in Vancouver. This ten race series will be held every second Thursday and is open to paddling enthusiasts of all levels. Racers in kayaks, outriggers, surfskis and outriggers will battle it out on either the 8km ‘Big Chop’, or the 4km ‘Little Chop’.
The MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series offers a supportive and challenging environment to both the experienced and new racer. Beginners can take advantage of MEC’s instructional sessions that are held before each race, and participate in the ‘Little Chop’, which was set up for newer racers or those looking for a fun and less competitive environment.
The Mountain Equiqment Co-op Big Chop Summer Paddle Series is a 10 race series happening on Thursday evenings in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The race is open to OC 1 & 2, Kayaks, and Canoes. Race dates for the series were announced last week with the first race happening on April 30th. Following is a summary of the schedule. For maps, registration and other information visit bigchop.ca.
2009 SERIES SCHEDULE
The following was posted in the lastest MOMAR newsletter…
The final race of the MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series will take place on Thursday, September 11th, 2008. You are invited to come down to Vanier Park in Vancouver for a paddle race followed by the Series Party at the Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co. We will be giving away over $8000 worth of prizing including a Think Surfski, a Seaward Infiniti Kayak, a $1000 prize package from MEC, a mega prize package from Helly Hansen, a Stolquist PFD, two Accent Wingblade Paddles, plus much more!
This is paddle racing at its best. The Big Chop appeals to all levels of paddlers and is open to kayaks, outriggers, surfskis, and canoes. The final race will feature a 7.5km course with a 3.5km ‘Little Chop’ option. Kayak rentals are available but are limited.
Cost is $8.00 for the race with party tickets available for $10 each. Click here for more info and to visit the Big Chop website.
The Burnaby Canoe and Kayak Club is offering a range of programs this summer designed to make you a more efficient and effective paddler. They include the following:
For more information click on the links above or go to www.burnabylake.com.
The following is from their website:
The MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series begins this Thursday. Each race includes two events, the 7-10km ‘Big’ Chop or the 4-5km ‘Little’ Chop. You can race in either a kayak, outrigger or canoe. Registration costs $8 and includes post race food and drinks. The season ends with a party and and a major draw that includes two kayaks. Here are the details:
The race is owned and operated by the MOMAR and Vancouver Ocean Sports. For more info visit www.bigchop.ca.
Written by Robert Matas and published in Saturday’s Globe and Mail, March 28, 2008.
The rugged coastline of British Columbia is a deceptive lover. It can seduce you so easily with its supersized mountain cliffs, hungry bears slapping salmon out of the water, majestic eagles circling above and whales playfully breaching just metres away from your kayak. But it will betray you just as easily and without warning. A fair weather friend, it will abandon you as soon as the winds shift. Suddenly, storm clouds march in and you are dealing with swells and tidal waters moving faster than you can handle.
Kayakers, canoeists and other small-watercraft boaters for years have talked about getting government protection for existing havens along the coast and adding new ones to create a permanent chain of sheltered places above the high-tide mark where they can wait out a sudden change in weather or set up a small tent to stay overnight.
Finally, in a landmark meeting this month, a group of paddlers from kayak and canoe clubs from Vancouver Island and the Vancouver area took a step toward that dream.
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