Six months ago, the phone rang, and Duff Gibson – Olympic Gold Medallist, Torino – was on the other end, asking questions about paddling stand up paddleboards on the West Coast of Canada. I told him I’d happily share all I knew about weather and wind patterns, about currents and camping spots… if I could come along on whatever adventure he was planning. Duff, without hesitating, said yes. (Thank you Duff!)
His plan slowly morphed, and eventually Duff settled on attempting to paddle 100km in a single day, on Kalamalka Lake (near Vernon, BC). That paddle – a fundraiser in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation campaign to combat AIDS in subsaharan Africa – took place last weekend. We launched at 4am, and finished the 100km 18 hours later, as daylight faded, at 10pm.
Knowing I’d be fit and prepared from training for that event, I planned something even bigger for this weekend – a bit of a treat really – a SUP from Vancouver to Victoria.
Rather than racing straight there, my route will wind thought the Southern Gulf Islands, taking several days to enjoy this magical landscape, where I was first introduced to the Canadian West Coast as a novice sea kayak guide over two decades ago.
The timing coincides with CPAWS’ launch of the revitalized Big Wild Challenge Campaign, and also parallels their efforts to strengthen marine protection in the Southern Strait of Georgia – so I’m thrilled to combine efforts with MEC and CPAWS to bring awareness to both these important initiatives. More details are below, but first, a few words about inflatable SUP boards.
Two months ago, when Duff asked me to join him on the 100km challenge, I had never even stood on a SUP before.
After mail-ordering a C4 Waterman iTrekker inflatable SUP and 3-piece paddle from MEC, I headed to a lake near my home in British Columbia’s Purcell mountains, where spring ice clung to shady shorelines. Shakily, I set off. Within five minutes I’d already tumbled in, spluttering and shivering. A mere 6km of paddling left me sore and tired – an inauspicious start.
But day after day, week after week, I went back. Soon I was paddling 20km, then 30km. Some days the wind howled, the angry water full of whitecaps, and I spent most of the time balanced timidly on my knees. But other days I glimpsed speed, and found the hours passing easily. Then came a 50km paddle, from Canal Flats along Columbia Lake, through the wetlands and river sections, and down Windermere Lake. Arriving at Invermere, I jumped ashore, rolled up the board, and hitchhiked back to my car.
This week, I flew from Cranbrook to Toronto and finally back to Vancouver – with my board and paddle in a duffel bag.
The new inflatable boards – light, easy to transport, structurally solid, and robustly built – are game changers in a world where long boards have traditionally been difficult to put on roof racks, and impossible to fly with. Mine takes less than six minutes to pump from flat to full 17lb pressure. Without one, the Vancouver2Victoria paddle would be almost impossible for me. With one, it’s as simple as flying with a duffel bag.
The Challenge
Stand Up Paddle (SUP) from Vancouver to Victoria.
The Causes
First: to celebrate the newly launched Big Wild Challenge, to encourage everyone to register their own summer Challenge on the site, and to remind us all, as Canadians, of the great adventure possibilities that lie in our own backyard, no matter where we live.
Second: to raise awareness of the National Marine Conservation Area Reserve being planned for the Southern Strait of Georgia, and to support CPAWS’ efforts of securing meaningful protection for one of the most heavily utilized regions on the West Coast of Canada.
The Concept
The recent advent of inflatable SUP boards provided the inspiration for this journey. Traditional SUP boards are big; so big that strapping them on roof racks can be difficult, and flying with them is out of the question. But the new inflatable boards can be rolled up, slipped into a duffel bag along with a 3-piece paddle, and flown anywhere.
For decades, MEC has worked toward what I feel is a crucial goal: getting people outside more often, and allowing them to be more comfortable while they are out there. I’m honoured to be associated with MEC through their new Envoy Program, and the board I’ll be using (C4 Waterman iSup iTrekker) is one they sell, so it seems only fitting to make it a human-powered store to store adventure. After picking up a few final supplies at the Vancouver MEC store, I’ll make my way to Jericho Beach, pump up the board, and set off. A few days later – depending on weather – I plan to paddle into Victoria Harbour, roll up the board, toss it in a duffel, and wander to the nearby MEC Victoria store, where the journey will officially end.
The Team
Initially I’d planned this to be a solo mission; carrying just the essentials with me, sleeping under a sil tarp (and using the inflatable board as a pad!) on the Gulf Islands.
But for me, the most valuable part of any wilderness journey is sharing the experience with those I care about, so when my good buddy Dave Quinn announced he was in need of a “coastal fix” – it only made sense to travel together. Dave, not yet convinced of the glories of SUP, will travel beside me in a kayak. And yes, it will make the moment of commitment – when we leave the mainland and set out on the significant crossing of the Strait of Georgia – a little less severe. It will also mean, thanks to the kayak’s hatches, that we can eat better food en route!
We’ve asked talented young filmmaker Kalum Ko (from our hometown Kimberley, BC) to join us. This will be KK’s first coastal paddling experience, and he’ll man the front of Dave’s double.
The Journey
We will begin our paddle June 13, weather and winds permitting, making our way down the mainland coast towards the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal before crossing towards Mayne Island.
If you are interested in following our progress, MEC and CPAWS will post images and updates during our journey via Facebook and Twitter.
To see exactly where we are, visit: spotbruce
Supporting The VAN2VIC Challenge – Our Goal: 1000 Facebook Shares
Rather than asking others to support this cause themselves, I’m putting my money where my mouth is. And MEC is backing me up, dollar for dollar. You can support this challenge – and I’ll make a donation on your behalf – by simply sharing this VAN2VIC post on Facebook. Here’s how: On June 13, MEC will announce the VAN2VIC SUP challenge on Facebook. When that announcement reaches 250 shares, MEC and I will put $500 towards CPAWS. At 500 shares, the donation increases to $1000. 750 shares generates $1500. And our goal – 1000 shares – will provide $2000 to CPAWS.
Of course you are also welcomed and encouraged to donate via the BWC website, supporting CPAWS and their wilderness conservation work directly.
To learn more about the Challenge and how to donate, visit the Big Wild Challenge.
Photo: Dave Quinn
The post My Big Wild Challenge: SUP from Vancouver to Victoria appeared first on MEC Blog.