Kayaking site invites paddlers to share experiences in qathet

After extensive research and firsthand experience, a group of avid kayakers from Victoria have created an online resource to help paddlers plan expeditions. Planning includes finding a place to stay that has some creature comforts, such as a roof, kitchen and bed, after a long day of paddling. 

Longtime kayakers Debbi Leach, Beth Haysom, Norm Smyth, Jim Lamb and map guru Tony Playfair created a website and digital map called Kayak Friendly Lodging (KFL), which provides information about accommodation that's accessible to those who prefer not to camp, or who want a mix of camping and lodging while on multi-day trips.

"Often a keen kayaker has a spouse who is not as fond of camping and prefers day trips in fair weather," said Leach. "KFL lodgings work well since the spouse can come on the trip but choose to paddle or not, explore by foot or relax with a book."

The group identified around 100 lodgings and various cabins, houses and bed and breakfast locations throughout southern coastal BC, including some on the northern Sunshine Coast. 

The plethora of marine parks on BC's coast are set up for kayakers with tent pads, picnic benches and places to secure a kayak overnight. However, many of the islands are made of craggy, steep rock, and may not be suitable for those who have physical ailments or are new to multi-day kayak trips. Not every cabin or lodging is suitable for everyone though, because of the need to secure the kayaks and have them be accessible for launch. 

Leach said she found out that April Point Lodge on Quadra Island has put in a new kayak launch on the property, and SunLund RV Parks and Cabins on the northern Sunshine Coast, has made an easier access for kayakers to launch from their beach.

"There's a group of us who kayak together, and it was basically Beth's idea [to build the website]," said Leach. "We started building [KFL] around the Gulf Islands, and then we thought we should include Vancouver Island and the Salish Sea, which are popular places to do multi-day trips."

Desolation Sound Marine Park, Savary Island, Discovery Islands and the Copeland Islands are accessible from Lund and Okeover Inlet, and have hundreds of kayakers visit every year.

"We asked [accommodation hosts] questions like: is it possible to paddle in and paddle out, or store your kayak overnight?" said Leach. "Some people like to go, for example, to Savary Island for a couple nights, then pack up and head somewhere else; some people just want to stay at one place and do day trips."

Leach said they found a range of accommodations, from a basic bunkhouse to kayak glamping and lodges, all the way to a bit more high end, such as Kingfisher Pacific Resort and Spa on Vancouver Island.

"The website is available for people who want to [plan a trip] on their own," said Leach. "Then, we linked up with the BC Marine Trails map, because their trails are all about camping." 

Leach said it's good to have a choice of places to stay on a trip: some camping and some with a roof, kitchen and bed.

"Sometimes people want to camp for a few nights, then stay in a place that has a shower before heading back home," said Leach. "It's nice to have options."

The group encourages travellers to leave feedback and information on the KFL website in order for others to have an idea about lodging and/or trip ideas. Many kayakers depend on word of mouth, guide books and tips from fellow paddlers, when it comes to planning a trip.

Some of the information out there about lodging is not up to date, so KFL is trying to fill a much-needed, real-time information gap.

Leach wrote a report on the KFL website about her trip to the Sutil Channel and kayak glamping on Hill Island, launching from Heriot Bay, Quadra Island, on a water taxi:

"You can have a whole island to yourself for a week to explore the 122 acres as well as Sutil Channel," stated Leach. "The cabin is up a long dock which is quite a struggle to hump gear at low tide. There are two bedrooms each with double beds and the third with bunks and a single bed. The kitchen has a propane stove and fridge with on demand hot water. Both solar and electric lights were working. Out back are the shower and sink as well as two outhouses."

The Sutil Channel is located between Read, Quadra and Cortes islands.

Leach said the group was able to paddle across to Read Island exploring Evans and Burdwood bays, circumnavigate the Penn Islands, paddle across to Cortes to go up Von Donop Inlet, Carrington Bay, Whaletown Bay and to Shark Spit on Marina Island.

"I've taken advantage of a lot of [lodgings], but I do tend to still want to go camping," said Leach. "I've been paddling, doing longer trips for the last 30 years."

The group has some tips on how to best use the website and map:

“Find an area to explore then click on the kayak friendly places to stay that we’ve flagged. The link will take you to an information page designed for paddlers. From there you can contact the lodging directly to make your booking. Some people may choose a route going from one lodging to another. Others may prefer to base at one place for day paddles."

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