Ladner Marshes

In August 2011 my friend Stephen and I took our kayaks to paddle the Ladner marshes. These marshes are part of the Fraser river estuary before emptying into the Straight of Georgia, the body of water separating British Columbia's mainland from Vancouver Island.

Almost ready to go.

Deas Island Regional Park is part of etro Vancouver's park system.  Not to be cofused with the City of Vancouver.
The island isn't really an island, it's connected to land. There's also a rowing club there with a convenient floating dock - that's where we put in.

After making ourselves comfortable we are all set and paddle away from the dock.

West is where we were heading.  The weather really helped with mild temperatures and little wind.  We also lucked out as the tides for that day proved to be minimal.

One of several marinas.

The highway 99 viaduct

Immediatelly after the viaduct we took a sharp left into a slough.

This slough had a pedestrian bridge crossing it. I realized we rode our bikes many times over this bridge on our way to the Rusty Anchor pub. The food isn't bad there, although service can be a real hit and miss - typical for most restaurants.

These  fowers were the only touch of colour around.  Actually the place felt a bit depressing with its grey and stagnant water. Not the kind of place to go for a swim in.

We paddled back out, and found ourselves on one of the river's main channels.  Some interesting river grasses - on the left.

Blue skies and a fishing boat going by.

 

Grasses are really cool.  We were hoping to find an opening through these grasses going into a slough.

At last we found one. Initially this slough was quite wide and easily navigable, then as we got deeper in there, the waterway became a lot nerrower; to the point that I was getting a bit concerned about being able to turn around to get back out, even with my short Safari.  Stephen though, didn't seem too worried.

He was right.  Once in while things open up to give us more room to manuvre.

I like this shot.  There wasn't a single animal to be seen.  I thought there would at be some birds or fish, instead nothing.

Suddenly, we went under this pedestrian bridge.  It must be part of some marsh boardwalk network.  It would be interesting to visit this place on foot as well.

Another little bridge.

A GPS would have been useful; not just to know where we went, but also to help retrace our way back to the river.  These little bodies of water go everywhere and it would have been aggravating if we would have had trouble finding our way.

After getting back to the river our route took us further west towards our lunch destination in Ladner.

These guys are better be left alone.

A little more paddling to the floating dock.

Took the Safari out and secured it to a post. I fortgot to mention the new Sunny seat I installed to replace the kayak's standard pillow type seat.  This is a great improvement in confort - no more sore back or legs going to sleep.  I wish this upgrade was available for the Safari.  I was lucky Innova had one last old style Sunny seat to give me.  The newer Sunny seats aren't compatible any more - different attachment setup.
Lunch was spent at Ladner's well known Sharkey's Seafood Bar & Grill, literally a few steps from the dock.  We were too busy eating to remember to take pictures.

Then we retraced our steps back to Deas Island.  This time we paddled all the way without stopping and made very good time, even considering there was a weak current flowing against us.  It was fine paddling.

Getting closer to our base

This time the grassed were really close. I could have touched them.

Of course the last part of the trip hasn't been recorded at all.  No pictures.
But it was fun; the conditions were perfect, not much current and just a few other boats.  We did manage to see two other inflatable kayaks thought.  People are starting to notice them.
All in all, a good day.

Urban Paddling - May 29/2011

One of the many good things about living in Vancouver is the proximity to the outdoors.  False Creek is just a few minutes cycling from my office.  I have paddled here several times before, and so far I still have not gotten tired of the different city views available from the water.  A real urban paddling treat to enjoy from a kayak.

Taking advantage of the nice spring weather, on a sunny Friday afternoon I left the office early, way early. With my Safari in tow I cycled to Vanier Park.  There are boat ramps, parking, the Coast Guard station and... water taps to wash your kayak after paddling.  Unfortunately there was still a problem with the water supply, so no washing this time.  But I found a water hose at the nearby False Creek Community Centre (another convenient put-in place).

First I pointed my bow offshore toward English Bay.  Of course pictures of waves look a lot smaller than they really were.  The breeze was about 12kn with about a 2' chop and a few whitecaps.  Waves were often breaking over the Safari's deck. Trust me... my Safari was bouncing around like a little rubber duckling.  But I felt quite safe with little chance of capsizing and the kayak's self-bailing bottom kept me floating high.  Once I reached the red mark defining False Creek's entrance I decided to turn around to take advantage of a following sea.  It was really fun being pushed by the waves.  My GPS showed a max. speed of 8.5km/hr.!

Now paddling toward the Burrard Bridge to False Creek's protected waters.

Vanier Park is on the right.  On the left and not visible, is Vancouver's WestEnd.

False Creek is home of a boathouse community.  It would be nice...

Quite a few of these boathouses have a boat docked just outside their door.

These innocent looking stone steps lead to Feathercraft.  The world renowned folding kayak manufacturer.

My Java was born in that building behind.

Another convenient put-in place. 

The False Creek Community Centre floating dock c/w a H2O hose.

The FCCC is home of an active paddling racing club.

Continuing... spring is definitely in the air...

Urban paddling offers so many interesting views.

This building, the Erickson, is becoming a Vancouver icon. 

This condo tower was built in honour of the famous architect Arthur Erickson.

We are approaching now the infamous Olympic Village with it's luxury condos subsidised by city taxpayers.

We are all in the hole for that.  But that's another story.

I like the way these guys are hanging out.  If I was a seagull I would be there too.

Of course humans know how to hang out sometimes too.  Like this your couple on the rocks for instance.

Maybe I'll stick to humanity for now.

One of my favourite pictures.  Parked in front of the Creekside Community Centre (another potential put-in place) with Science World in the background.

Urban paddling at its best!

These cormorants also know how to hang out in style.

Now paddling back towards Vanier Park.

I'm just under the Granville Bridge with the Burrard Bridge in the background.

Like it or not, this one of Vancouver most iconic symbols.

The Burrard Bridge was built in the 1930's in an Art Deco style.

Note the wind has died down completely.  Now it would have been the right time to paddle out English Bay, it's getting close to dinner time.  I'll save it for another time.

June 2010 Evening Paddle with SKABC

On a cool June late afternoon last year I met with some of the kayak club members for a little paddle off Jericho Sailing Centre beach.
As usual I towed my little Safari inflatable behind my bike.

The rig

Everything is unloaded and ready for assembly.

...unroll the Safari

The trick is to inflated the seat and footrest first. 

Then the bottom and finally the side chambers.

Too bad there's any picture of me paddling. 

This one, with one of the guys would have to do.

Here's one of my favourite photos.  An inflatable enjoying some quality time with the big guys.

Another cool picture with Jericho in the background.

We are putting the kayaks in the to have a little fun.  A one-paddle race to a buoy and back.

One-paddle kayaking isn't as easy as it seems. 

Going on a straight line can be a challenge.

Some of the other paddlers are now ready to head back.

Paddling Day from Deep Cove

August 22nd I joined the Vancouver kayak Meetup group for a day of paddling out of Deep Cove.
We were a total of 7 boats.  Four hardshells and three inflatable kayaks.

This was my first time out with the Meetup group in a couple of years.  The conditions were excellent, with just a light breeze in the beginning and good breeze on the way back, just enough to provide some fun paddling.

Steven demonstrating how user friendly inflatables are.

All here?

We knew we were safe from pirates.  This battleship acted as our escort.

From Deep Cove we crossed Indian Arm to Racoon Island.

Underway.

In Indian Arm paddling towards Racoon Island.

At Racoon Island.

Steven. The nice view is the other way!  Steven is on his, aged but still going strong, Innova Sunny.

My Safari is the foreground.  Note the shiny skin.

Loops watches the photographers at work.

Couldn't really get any closer without having to walk.

Janice, the battleship's captain, and her deckhand.

Off we go again towards Twin Islands.

Ted is paddling his own "aged but still going strong" Innova double Helios.  Janice's niece is at the controls.

At Twin Islands we quickly got off our kayaks to take them ashore.

Norm is looking for that fish he thought he caught.

My Safari resting besides Loops' hardshell. 

Loop's kayak, at 9' something, was even shorter than mine.

Birdseye view from above of others kayaker getting ashore.

Twin Islands are connected during low tide.  The north island has camping spot too. ...will have to make a little overnight trip sometime.

Our boats peacefully at rest.

The gang enjoying lunch... with a view.

With the raising tide, the islands are no longer connected.

Jim getting ready to step aboard...

...carefully stepping aboard.

Steven and Norm are ready for the return paddle...

...while I get closer to those rocks...

...so close to the barnacles too.  Just don't step on those things with your bare feet!

Now, where's that carabiner I thought I lost?

All set for the return trip.  But first...

...we decided to circumnavigate the Twin Islands.

Norm greets the locals.

After Twin Islands we headed back to Deep Cove.  We paddled against a headwind and some wave action, but it wasn't too bad.  We all made it safely back to shore.  All in all we paddled at least 6 nautical miles.

Enjoying apres paddle donuts.  What's Steven smoking anyway?

And now just some of the protagonists:
(photo contributors: Jim, Steven and Loons)

Norm, smartly wearing his drysuit.

Loops, smartly with his feet up in the air.

Steven.  Always ready, smartly.

Janice.  Smartly looking confident.

Ted and Chelsey.  Hey, this is fun!

...and me on my Safari.