Our Kayak Trip Around Vargas Island, British Columbia – The Preparation

Bob’s and my epic adventure, a first-ever kayak trip, was going to be circumnavigating Vargas Island, British Columbia.  It had been planned months ahead when we announced our plans to visit Bob’s sister on Vancouver Island.  She and her husband, Martin, had kayaked around Vargas Island before and were eager to initiate us to the rigours of ocean kayaking.

To paddle from the wharf at Tofino, around Vargas Island and back to port would require 5-6 hours of paddling some days, varying according to how strictly one keeps to all of the inlets, points and bays around the island.  Our trip encompassed 4 days and 3 nights of camping.  I have documented the whole trip in segments.

Only a day into our visit on Vancouver Island, it was necessary for Bob and me to practise kayaking never having used one of these watercraft before.  Despite it being mid-July, the morning was grey and chilly with a constant breeze, so I was grateful that it warmed up significantly by the time the sun burned off the haze.

First, though, we walked the dogs so Bob and I could understand the lay of the land.

A creek borders the back of Claire and Martin’s property and empties into Deep Bay on the inside of a sandy spit that shelters it from the ocean.

Bob and Claire carried first one kayak to the edge of the creek.

They then returned to fetch the second kayak.  It was a short distance down the streambed to a spot where the kayaks could be put into the water.

Claire paddled across the bay, with one kayak in tow, skirting the marina.

Bob and I at the same time picked our way through the pebbles to get to the sandy beach.  We spent a couple of hours learning the ropes.  Claire’s instructions were very clear and easy to remember – how to hold the paddle and use sweeping strokes powered by our shoulders; the routine required to get in and out of the kayak without tipping it; and most importantly the series of steps necessary to re-man the kayak once you flip and slip into the chilly waters of the ocean.  Brrr!

Then it was time to practise flipping the kayak and rerighting it!  Once we got dunked, all thoughts of the cold water were swept away and were replaced with the concerted effort to get back afloat before drifting out with the tide.  Photos are lacking because all attention was focused on keeping Bob and me safe.

Another day was spent exercising the dogs, meal planning, shopping for necessities for the camping trip and just generally getting organized.  Bob and I were excited but also a bit anxious never having kayaked before let alone on the ocean.

And then the morning of the planned excursion arrived.  Everyone was out and about early.  Bob and I rented kayaks, a Solstice GT and Solstice LT, 17-foot fibreglass kayaks with graphite paddles.  Mine was yellow, Bob’s was red.  They were slick, streamlined vessels.  Claire took the dogs to Doggie Daycare, and Martin watered the gardens.

By 9 a.m. we were back at Claire’s and began the process of packing all of our gear into multiple Rubbermaid tubs in case the trailer should leak if we passed through rain.

The containers as well as all of our dry sacks fit neatly into the trailer.  We had everything required for 3-star camping…everything including a toilet seat!

A 3-hour drive ascending mountains and then descending back to sea level brought us to our launching point, Tofino, a bustling tourist town on Clayoquot Sound.

Haystack-shaped mountains circle the harbour, with a range of jagged mountain peaks as a backdrop to the forest-clad slopes.

From the dock, Arnet, Felice, Beck and Stone Islands can be seen dotting the waterway, and every conceivable type of boat was plying the waters…tugboats, water taxis, cabin cruisers, sailboats, trawlers, motor boats and kayaks, as well as an endless procession of sea planes taking off or landing as they transported tourists to a local hot springs.

After storing all of our gear into the holds of our kayaks, Bob, Claire, Martin and I maneuvered around a section of wooden wharf and then set off.  I was quite nervous but excited about the challenge!

The next leg of our trip:  Our Kayak Trip, Vargas Island, British Columbia – Day 1- Rassier Point

Frame To Frame –  Bob and Jean