Surfski Knowledge Base

(Ed. For more see Vancouver Island Circumnavigations )

Nicholas Cryder
08/14/15 #17822

Hey friends, recently had the pleasure of taking a shot at Vancouver Island circumnavigation record in a surfski, and thought I would share my experience with you. I put in at Port Hardy, and paddled most of the way down the west coast before I was injured coming in at night on a technical, rocky landing. Ironically this happened after clearing the last major crux of the west coast. Such is life!

Its a long read, but a detailed trip report of my experience if you have ever wondered what it's like to paddle offshore in such a remote place. There are some pictures for you skimming types, and a handful of typos for you grammar hawks too!

I also wanted to offer a huge thanks to those of you who knew what I was up to and so kindly shared your knowledge and encouragement with me. Greg B, Kirk, Kiesling, Maloney, Cooksy, Cirino and especially Jerome Truran who had a wealth of knowledge from his attempt.

I don't know if I would make another attempt, certainly not unassisted, but I do think a surfski well paddled has the potential to bring the record to sub ten days. Better get after it!

Cheers,

-Nicholas

Reivers Dustin

08/14/15 #17823

Great read Nick. Me, LB and a couple other guys did Brooks some years ago. One of the guys had an Ocean Kayaks boat and we were able to send him into those rocks to find little pocket beaches without tearing out a rudder. It was a life saver because that is rough business out there. The weather comes fast from a long way away. I heard that the guy who named it the “Pacific” was very aware of the irony in this name.

I took a vhf radio on that trip and remember looking around thinking, “this radio is about as useful as a brick”. GPS devices weren't readily available then.

rd

David Scherrer
08/14/15 #17824

Reivers,

Musta been tough in those skin boats……..

D.

Reivers Dustin
08/14/15 #17825

I remember Dave Peebles and LB having some grand discussions about where we were and which island that was up ahead and what was the best direction. The other guy was Bob Hollingsworth and although he's a particular character, he's a really good guy to have around on an adventure like that one. I think LB just likes stirring things up and I always had a good feeling about our heading. Bob never wavered. A GPS would almost take the fun out.

A story: we were making the big push around the very outside of Brooks and everyone kinda needed to pee. But it's a 20 mile rock garden out there. Not being Tsunami Rangers, we couldn't land. I think LB and Dave P had pee bottles. I have a big bladder, so just didn't go. But Bob decided to show us kids how and got up in a kneeling position and peed over the side. Now even if your hose is rather long and/or you don't care about mixing a little different salt water onto your legs, the sphincter management to get relief is impressive.

Maybe it spoils the story to mention that Bob paddled an Ocean Kayak S.O.T. I still think it's impressive with that boat rocking around.

rd

Ted Scherrer
08/15/15 #17829

Ha! leave it to Reivers to find the good in people…. when are you going to write your first novel rd?
Boy it must be nice to have a big bladder…

Reivers Dustin
08/16/15 #17830

A book. Well, now that I'm retired, I just do what the voices in my wife's head tell me.

rd