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Gulf Islands Expedition

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Explore the Gulf Islands

Over the course of 2 nights, we stay in campsites within the Princess Margaret Marine Park, Southern Gulf Islands, BC.  Princess Margaret (Marine Park) is a part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, one of Canada’s newest national parks. The park protects a portion of British Columbia’s beautiful southern Gulf Islands – a landscape of rocky headlands, forested hills and shorelines studded with colourful tidepools. The park resembles a patchwork quilt of protected lands scattered over 15 larger islands, and many smaller islets and reefs.

LEARN TO SUP CAMP

This overnight trip is the ideal way to take your SUP skills to the next level while learning the basics of backcountry camping. 

  • Must feel comfortable Stand Up Paddleboarding at an easy pace (with rest breaks) for 3 to 4 hours per day with a fully loaded board
  • Advanced flatwater SUP certification or equivalent experience, skills and knowledge as assessed by the instructor. Paddlers need time and practice to sufficiently develop the skills learned in the prerequisite course before registering in this course. Please contact us if you are unsure if you meet the prerequisites.
  • No previous camping experience is necessary
  • Age restrictions 18+ (may consider mature 16+ who are strong paddlers)

Our island campsite set within the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve will serve as basecamp for 3 days. Here we will get a taste of remote wilderness camping while minimizing the concerns that first time wilderness campers face. 

Amenities include picnic tables, animal-safe food storage (don’t worry there are no large animals on the island) and a composting outhouse. It is the perfect set up for learning the basics of Leave No Trace back country camping. 

Here we feel worlds away from civilization. Our campsite overlooking the ocean and a white sandy beach is the perfect vantage point to watch the sunset while we eat dinner. We will be soothed to sleep in our cozy tents by the sounds of seals frolicking in the water and owls hooting from the Arbutus trees. There will be few signs of people and lots of immersion in nature.

Your guide will review all the site amenities and functions upon arrival as well as provide reminders for safe use where necessary.

MEET YOUR SUP LEADER

Hi! I'm Pam!

I am a certified Paddle Canada SUP Basic & Advanced Flatwater Instructor, as well as a Coastal Touring 1 Instructor. My goal is to share a love of the ocean, from the perspective of paddling and ocean literacy in order to foster connections between people and between people and the sea. My teaching style emphasizes safety & technical skills while having fun in a positive, supportive environment.

Having studied Marine Biology at the University of Guelph & Commercial Photography at Sheridan College, I am blending my passions through teaching SUP in BC and ON. My love of the water has led me to many aquatic pursuits - canoeing as a child, competitive sailing, sprint canoe/kayak racing and long-distance Outrigger Canoe racing before discovering the sport of Stand Up Paddleboarding.

OCEAN SCENERY

If we get lucky, we may see some wildlife! This is a Pacific Harbour Seal, AKA Phoca vitulina richardsi. Did you know that the large eyes of harbour seals are protected by oily “tears” that help them see in deep dark waters? We will be paddling in a biodiverse region of BC so our chances for viewing a variety of sea birds and marine mammals is pretty good!
Optional

Girls On Boards Donation

Price : Bring cash if you would like to make a donation.
As a licensed provider of Girls On Boards events, all of our other trips and programs contribute a donation towards this program. You can learn more here: https://www.girlsonboards.co/ 

What to Bring

For this SUP adventure, we are keeping it simple! Click here to access and print your packing list. 

Add-on +C$205

Paddleboard Gear Rental

Register by 6 May 2023

Rentals of paddleboard, paddle, leash, throw bag with tow line and PFD for 3 days available.

Add-on +C$250

Backcountry Camping Gear

Register by 6 May 2023

Our backcountry gear rental for 1 person includes

  • 1 or 2 person tent
  • Inflatable sleeping mat 
  • 3 season sleeping bag 
  • Headlamp
  • Stove, fuel and plate/bowl/cup/cutlery
  • 2 - 20-30 litre dry bags + 1 - 10 L dry bags
  • 2 water bladders
Location
Sidney, BC, Canada
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