Archive:Sea kayaking to Lighthouse Park
Synopsis
Come explore the ocean. Leaving from Jericho sailing centre, we will paddle to Granville Island and then to Lighthouse park on the north shore. Yarr, the ocean! Aye, great fun be mountains and beautiful they are but me true heart belongs to the sea. But the sea can be a harsh mistress. Aye, she beckons you hither with fair winds but you musn't throw caution to the wind or she'll break wind and bite you in the arse. Oh and this time of year it's still really cold. Really cold + wet = really-er cold-erer
Skills required
- Strong swimmer
- Strong self-rescue skills, ie be good at getting back in your boat when you flip and bail, using paddle float and well-practiced skill. This can be practiced at the voc kayak-polo sessions in the pool every other tuesday night.
Equipment required
- Ocean kayak (not a river kayak). If you don't have a kayak they can be rented from Ecomarine on Granville Island or MEC (but MEC is not adjacent to the water so you'd need a car with racks). They should include a hand pump, paddle, paddle-float, sprayskirt.
- 5mm full-body wetsuit or drysuit or combination of farmer john wetsuit with drytop (drytop is half a drysuit, has sealed gaskets)
- Neoprene hood
- Neoprene booties (not if using drysuit with integrated feet and shoes overtop)
- Neoprene gloves
- PFD (Personal flotation device, life jacket)
Approximate timing
My kayak is at Jericho sailing centre so if you have a boat you can launch there with me and we will paddle to Ecomarine to meet people who are renting. Then we'll follow the shoreline to lighthouse park, stop for lunch and aim to be back at Granville Island by 5:30pm