Mothership Adventures > Kayaking Tours of BC > Kayaking Skills Workshop in Desolation Sound

BC Kayaking Skills Workshop in Desolation Sound / Discovery Islands and Broughton Archipelago

A Sea Kayaking skills workshop on the south coast of BC

A collaboration with Victoria BC’s Ocean River Sports

Miray turning in kayak Join us for a unique combination of paddling instruction and mothership luxury in two beautiful locations - Desolation Sound / Discovery Islands and the Broughton Archipelago of BC Canada. Hone your sea kayaking techniques with Ocean River Sports’ expert instructor while exploring these kayaker’s paradises.

During our daily kayaking instruction sessions we will practice a wide range of skills including strokes, rescues, and towing. We’ll learn to read current tables and to navigate through channels with tidal current. In these tidal areas we’ll practice ferrying, eddy turns, maneuvering in fast moving water, and current safety, all with the comfort of your guides close by. The kayaking each day will combine scenic exploring and skill building, as your instructors offer tips and answer questions. Our itinerary will be flexible with opportunities for focused learning on the water and relaxed paddling amongst the islands. On board the Columbia III we’ll enjoy mothership comfort as we travel to new kayaking destinations or anchor for the night in a quiet cove. Evenings include chart work lessons, route planning, hot showers and delicious meals served with wine.

Luke in Kayak Please note: Single kayaks and dry or wet suits are necessary for this kayak skills building course. Guests are expected to bring their own kayaks and paddling gear if possible. If you don’t have your own equipment, Ocean River Sports will happily provide you with any gear you might need at a nominal fee. Their team of experts will ensure the equipment they rent is properly fitted to you.

"Absolutely wonderful time learning, touring and eating!! Thank you so much."
Kathy, Washington, USA 2010

Desolation Sound / Discovery Islands:

Surrounded by vibrant evergreen slopes and back-dropped by 7000’ snowy peaks, Desolation Sound and the Discovery Islands are a paddler’s dream. This is one of BC’s most beautiful and famous boating destinations with steep-sided channels, dramatic tidal currents, tranquil coves and seven marine parks. The paddling choices here are plentiful and diverse - explore the maze of islands in Octopus Islands Marine Park and visit the seabird nesting colonies and sea lion haul-outs of Mitlenatch Island. Let the current carry you through Surge Narrows and experience stunning Hole in the Wall, well known for its tidal rapids. Rocky islets of arbutus and fir trees display their carpets of spring flowers at this time of year and families of newly hatched Canada geese paddle along the shores. A few days spent here learning new paddling skills and relaxing amidst such beauty is sure to invigorate and inspire you!

This tour starts and ends in Campbell River, British Columbia (directions/planning).

Broughton Archipelago:

This wilderness archipelago is well known in British Columbia’s paddling world for its innumerable narrow passages amongst hundreds of islands, open windswept edges of Queen Charlotte Strait and tidal currents through Blackney and Weynton Passes. The inflow of nutrient-filled waters from the open Pacific brings abundant marine wildlife - we’ll often see Whitesided dolphins, Dall’s porpoise, humpback whales, eagles, seals and seal lions as well as the rich inter-tidal life along the rocky shorelines. The archipelago is sparsely inhabited now, though village sites, clam gardens, pictographs, and middens are all evidence of the First Nation’s presence here. The Broughton is an exciting place to explore while perfecting your kayaking skills.

This tour starts and ends in Port McNeill, British Columbia (directions/planning)

2012 Desolation Sound / Discovery Islands Dates and Cost
May 18-22 Skills Workshop Desolation Sound	4 nights	$1,650.00 CDN
June 6-10 Skills Workshop Broughton Archipelago	4 nights	$1,650.00 CDN

Trip size limited to 8 - 10 participants. Our trips are all inclusive from the point of departure. Trip prices are per person in Canadian dollars plus 12% H.S.T. Exchange rates are updated every 15 minutes.

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