Important Note: In reading this article you’ll see I’ve included a number of warnings about potential hazards. In doing so, I’m not meaning to imply that these waters are overly risky, but want to provide you with a good amount of information so you can judge on yourself as to whether or not these waters are suitable for your skill set. That said, water conditions can change within minutes, so always have an exit strategy or backup plan in case things get ugly!

To kick it off I thought I’d start with my home beach, Stearman Cove in West Vancouver. It’s a bit off the beaten track for most people in the Lower Mainland, but once you’re here you’ll have plenty of paddling destinations to choose from.

Getting Here

Stearman Cove is located just East of renowned Lighthouse Park, in the neighborhood of Caulfeild.

To get here, travel East along Marine Drive to the 4200 block, and just past the Paradise Garage/Cypress Park Market, turn left on Stearman Drive, then right on Ross Crescent. From there, you’ll see a small parking lot on the left which brings you to the beach.

The beach itself is pretty good.. It’s mostly gravelly sand mixed with small rocks with a couple small sandy areas. It’s not the best beach on the North Shore, but certainly a nice place and worthwhile destination for a beach day.

Stuff to Know

• Aside from the conditions and variety of destinations available from this location, the best part about Stearman Cove is that even on the busiest days of Summer, you can always find a nearby spot to park.
• There are no washroom facilities.
• Cypress Park Market is a 5 minute walk away and they have a good selection of sandwiches and light meals plus beverages, snacks and some beach necessities.
• Dogs are not allowed, though this rule goes largely ignored. That said, don’t blame me if you get a ticket as I do see bylaw offers around once in a while.
• Since this beach sits behind Lighthouse Park, the sun does set a little earlier here than other areas in West Vancouver.
• Winds tend to kick up in the late morning and die down around dinner time, so if you’re looking for the best conditions, get here early or wait til after dinner.

Map

Here’s a map of the general vicinity. Click here for Google Maps’ version.
Standard disclaimer applies, don’t use this map for navigation!

Paddling Destinations – West

The greatest thing about Stearman Cove is regardless of the weather conditions, you always have options… If it’s windy and choppy, just run a bunch of laps around the cove… If it’s a S or SW wind, make the push down to Sandy Cove and have a nice downwinder on the return leg… Or if it’s glassy, the World is your oyster… Keep it mellow and close to home or head out on a long distance expedition, or anything in between!

Tiddley Cove (~2km round trip): Located just West of Stearman Cove, this is a very short route, but it’s a good area to introduce new paddlers to the sport. Note that this cove is extremely well protected which also unfortunately means the water is really muddy and there are a number of sunken hazards exposed at lower tides. That said though, it’s a nice place at the higher tides.  There’s also a Government wharf here so it’s a good alternative launch if you’ve got a cumbersome board.

Starboat Cove (~3-4km round trip): Travel further East along the rocky shores of Lighthouse Park and you’ll pass Eagle Point. At lower tides be aware of the reef and stick within 10 meters of the shore to avoid bottoming out. Once you pass Eagle Point, turn further inland and you’ll reach Starboat Cove. Be mindful of the old dredging barge sitting on the left hand side of the beach when paddling in. Easy to see when the waterline’s low but it’s slightly submerged at higher tides.

Around Lighthouse Park (~4-7km round trip): Again continuing along the shores of Lighthouse Park, the Point Atkinson lighthouse will start to come into view shortly after Starboat Cove.

That said, as you near the lighthouse the waters become much more exposed… Wakes off the Nanaimo ferries and cruise ships, outflow currents from Howe Sound, rebound currents off the tip of the point, and the fact that you’re no longer protected by Lighthouse Park’s shadow.

That’s not to say the Western waters of Lighthouse Park are always sketchy, but glassy conditions here are more the exception than the norm.

Lighthouse Park’s shores are rocky drop offs into the ocean, but there are a few small “rest areas” if you know where to look. Just pay attention to the tides, and be sure to store your boards well above the tide line if you’re planning on doing some exploring around the park, since rogue wakes from passing boats have been known to sweep a few boards out to sea.

Lighthouse Park and Beyond (7km+ round trip): If you’ve some more time to explore, go ahead and continue further East past the park, and you’ll run into some pretty cool little areas.

First you’ll pass the Grebe Islets, a couple of small rocky outcroppings that are filled with wildlife. Paddle up close to the island with the lighthouse beacon and look deep into the water for some great views of the vast abundance of kelp and starfish. Just be mindful of the large seal population that use these rocks as a resting area… They’re especially curious of stand up paddlers, even more so than kayakers or other boaters. Dozens of them have followed me at times.

Continue along for another km or two and you’ll arrive at Fisherman’s Cove, the largest marina enclave in West Van. Watch for the sailing lessons taking place around here and give them plenty of space, as most are novices and have a harder time controlling their direction.

We’ll be covering the areas between Fisherman’s Cove and Whytecliff Park/Horseshoe Bay in a future article, so from here we’ll turn it around back to Stearman Cove.

Paddling Destinations – East

So we’ve covered the West side of Stearman, now let’s take a look at what lies to the East of this great paddle destination…

Traveling East and around the freshwater river mouth. Watch for the currents here, as the freshwater mixing with the ocean can result in some slightly unpredictable ebbs and flows.

Erwin Park (2-3km round trip): Nothing much going on here, but it’s a good place to stop and reconsider your options if the winds start kicking up. Be mindful of the rocky shoreline here, as there are some medium to large sized rocks to navigate around.

Sandy Cove (3-4km round trip): From Erwin Park, you’ll pass the dock of the Canadian Fisheries Research Station, seen on the right side of the image shown here, shot from Sandy Cove beach.

Straight ahead you’ll see a long steep sandy beach, which is your first destination, Sandy Cove. This is a popular summertime beach, and is one of the few places in the area that does have public washroom facilities. No real hazards I can think of around here, it’s a pretty safe and popular beach. If you’re bringing a snorkel and swimfins, this is a great place to hop in, as the water is usually warmer than other areas, and there’s a very cool starfish and sealife population that lives just in front of the homes to the East of Sandy Cove.

West Bay Park (5-6km round trip): Tucked around the corner about a kilometer and a bit past  Sandy Cove is West Bay Park. This is actually quite a nice, underused neighborhood park, and like Sandy Cove, does have washroom facilities. There’s some sandy areas as well as some large grassy areas. I haven’t spent a ton of time here, but it’s definitely worthy of a stopover if you’ve got the time.

Beyond West Bay Park is Altamont Park, 29th Street, Dundarave, and Ambleside, but we’ll be covering those destinations in another segment that will be dedicated to the Eastern regions of West Vancouver.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed our first installment of Where to Paddle, and if you’d like to put a similar article together about your home paddling locations, please feel free to get in touch!

I was headed to Mexico for an impromptu surf trip a few weeks back and got in contact with Colin. He and Sabine now run a bed and breakfast on the beach near La Penita, on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, about an hour and a half drive North from Puerto Vallarta. They have been working on a property they bought some 6 years ago, and have transformed it into a thing of beauty.  I was fortunate enough not only to visit Casa Siestas and Olas, but to have Colin take me out for a session on his standup paddleboard. A quick aside…I brought two boards down with me and was expecting surf…this part of Mexico is having a terrible season. There has been very little swell to speak of in an area that is usually blessed with constant waves.

Anyways, I was getting rather despondent about the lack of surf and was wishing I had brought my standup. Colin came to the rescue. Not only did he lend me his standup for the afternoon, but even better, he took me out to a secret left hand reef break.  I spent the afternoon basking in Mexican sunshine and paddling into perfect waist-high waves. We enjoyed a couple of cold Cervesas on the beach and headed back to Casa Siestas and Olas. If any of you are heading down be sure to be in contact with Colin and Sabine. Casa Siestas and Olas is a very special place run by a couple of very special people. I can’t wait to return. Visit the Casa Siestas and Olas website for more information : www.stayandplayinmexico.com.
Check out the pictures below!

Editors Note: please note that the Bed and Breakfast is now closed for the season but the Casa is still available to rent.

Shot at South Chesterman Beach, Lina was riding the Starboard Whopper 10’0, a board I’ve heard nothing but good things about since its release last year.

Some cool little rides in there!

Note that riding here is extremely sketchy, definitely NOT something I’d suggest… Cool to watch the experienced guys get at it though!

Check it out at http://www.hollyburnsailingclub.ca/Webcam.aspx

Additional sponsors include Surftech, Patagonia, Longboard Island Lager and Duke’s.

If you can make it over to Oahu for this event, by all means GO! The Battle of the Paddle is widely known as THE Stand Up Paddleboard race/gathering/all around good times event, and I’m sure the new Hawaiian event will easily live up to the high standard set by the original event held for the past few years at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, California. Be sure to check out Bodie Shandro’s (of Surftech/Kialoa) recap of the 2009 event. if you need any further convincing that this is a top notch event!

Be sure to check out the video’s after the press release…

Now come celebrate the modern waterman’s lifestyle at the Rainbow Sandals Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle Hawaii: a stand-up paddle festival and exposition that includes a series of races and demonstrations for all ages and skill levels. Battle of the Paddle Hawaii invites you to be part of the exciting rebirth of the sport that began right here in Waikiki.

Staged at historic Duke Kahanamoku Beach at Ft. DeRussy, June 12 & 13, the Battle of the Paddle is more than an ordinary paddle race. For the sport’s elite paddlers it presents the greatest championship styled SUP race as well as the sport’s largest cash purse of over $25,000.

There is also an Open Age-Group race, relay races, as well as FREE kids races. At the last Battle of the Paddle in California, the Open Age-Group Race had the largest SUP field ever assembled. The Hawaii race is promising to be even bigger, so come and be a part of history in the making.

New to stand-up paddling? Check out the free SUP Expo. Meet the world’s best shapers and manufacturers, and check out this summer’s hottest designs and innovations. There’ll be a rainbow of boards and paddles available for you to trial free of charge.

Immerse yourself in the local culture and community. Kanalu will be on site shaping ancient style surfboards and providing cultural education and a surfboard history exhibit. Na Kama Kai will also be there with their ocean awareness program, children’s activities and free kids SUP races throughout the weekend.

Everyone who enters The Battle of the Paddle Hawaii will receive a free pair of Rainbow Sandals, event tee and lunch. A special welcoming event and aloha concert will be hosted by Quiksilver on Friday evening, June 11, featuring local musicians. Event proceeds will directly benefit the Hawaiian Community.

Whether you’re racing for the prize or just want to get your feet in the waters of SUP for the first time, The Rainbow Sandals Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle Hawaii is the perfect way to experience the rich tradition of Hawaii’s original surf lifestyle. (Full schedule of events here)

Battle of the Paddle Hawaii

Battle of the Paddle Hawaii, Elite Race

Battle of the Paddle Hawaii, Community

Battle of the Paddle Hawaii, Distance Race

Battle of the Paddle Hawaii, Kid’s Activities

Here’s what we know so far…

The colourful, warm waters of Kalamalka Lake between Vernon and Oyama, BC will be home to the first major SUP race in Canada – The Kalamalka Classic. It’s a 3-event SUP race at one of Canada’s prime flat water Stand Up Paddling locations and the organizers have partnered with Gatzke’s Farm Market to provide great food, a hammock hangout, bocce’ and accommodations.Overview of the Event:

Dates: June 19-20, 2010
Location: Kalamalka Lake – Vernon & Oyama, BC (3.5 hrs from Vancouver, 4.5 hrs from Seattle)
Organizer: Kalavida Sports Ltd. / Kalavida Surf Shop, Vernon BC
Contact: Kevin O’Brien – oksup@shaw.ca
Host: Gatzke’s Farm Market/Kalavida Sports Ltd.
Sponsors: Sitka,
Nearest Int’l Airport: YLW Kelowna (20 mins)
Nearest Major Int’ Airport: YVR Vancouver

Friday: Registration, Demos, Kal Beach casual paddle, and more to come.

Saturday: (The Kaloya Crossover) It’s a short, loop course that has two different races; one for the newbie’s and one for the experienced paddlers.  Newbies will do a short 2-mile version of the course and the experienced paddlers will ‘crossover’ the land at Kaloya Park as part of their 6-mile loop course.  The afternoon will feature a more casual atmosphere with sprint races for prizes, board demos, vendor expo, followed by dinner at Gatzke’s Farm Market.

Sunday: (King/Queen of Kalamalka) The day that we’ll see the King and Queen of Kalamalka Lake crowned.  This is the long distance paddle and the first male and female to cross the length of Kalamalka Lake (from Oyama to Vernon) will be crowned.  Expect the winning time to come in around 2 hours for the 9-mile trek – An amazing chance to see one of the world’s most beautiful lakes up close and personal.

Event Fees and Registration: To be announced

Classes and Age Groups: To be announced

Prizes and Awards:  To be announced

Accommodations at Gatzke’s:

• 3 Cabins available (sleeps up to 6 people) *book now!
• Tent sites
• RV parking with no hookups
• Contact Lindsay Wong at: events@gatzkefarmmarkets.com

Click here to get all the details!

Here’s the article:

By ANNE KYLE
Leader-Post
Surfing in Wascana Lake?
It is hard to believe a prairie boy can surf when he lives 2,500 kilometres away from the nearest break waves, but Reginan Jeremy Ellams has found a way to pursue his love of the sport.

Ellams, 30, has taken up an ancient form of surfing, which originated in the Hawaiian islands, called stand up paddle surfing (SUP). And he doing it in Regina on Wascana Lake. “A big part of surfing is respecting the ocean and respecting the people (the local surfers) because people dedicate  their whole life to it. It is a lifestyle. I got into it and I’m addicted to it, but I live 4,000 miles away from the ocean,’’ Ellams said.

“That is why I got into stand up paddle surfing. It keeps me connected and close to surfing, the water and nature.’’ Ellams, who works as the art director at Phoenix Group, said he took up surfing 11 years ago while on holidays in California and now spends five or six weeks a year travelling to Mexico, California and Hawaii to hit the waves. About three years ago while in Hawaii, he discovered the sport of stand-up paddle-surfing. He learned the technique and took up the sport about two years ago.

According to Wikipedia, stand up paddle surfing (SUP) is emerging global sport that is a throw-back from a practise that originated in Hawaii and was introduced in California in 2000. “In Hawaii, the beach boys in Waikiki use (the stand-up paddle board) to surf in between the waves and they  will also do it to go from island to island, you know like the flat-water thing,’’ Ellams said.

Ellams explained he needed something to occupy his free time between surfing trips and to keep him in physical shape. Stand up paddle surfing fit the bill as it helps to strengthen the whole body core, he said, explaining while there may be no waves Wascana Lake is ideal for flat-water  surfing.

Not many people are into the sport in Saskatchewan, so Ellams said when he and his girlfriend go down to Wascana Lake he gets a lot of questions from curious spectators. It may look difficult, but it isn’t, he added. The board, a thicker, longer version of the surf board, is extremely buoyant, he said, explaining it is like paddling a kayak but only with a longer paddle. “It is fun, good exercise and just something different,’’ he said.

And here are a few photos from his travels around Regina, and abroad:

Thanks for the stoke JJ!

The day was a touch bittersweet as this was my last chance to paddle with Johnny, who returned home to San Francisco later that day with his wife Adrienne. These are two of the most stoked and avid paddlers I’ve ever had a chance to meet. During my week of paddling with Johnny, I learned a ton and had a great time showing him the sights around Vancouver on our standups. Was  a pleasure meeting you and definitely looking forward to next time!

Conditions were typical Deep Cove, super calm glassy water with great weather all around.

Pretty interesting part of the trip was the chance to see one of the Fastcat ferries up on a ship transporter up close, being prepared for its trip to its new home in the United Arab Emirates. They’d even already gone ahead and covered the old signages with the new owner’s names.

Upon returning to the beach we met Kelvin Humenny, a local stand up paddleboarder who was on the most beautiful board ever… A meticulously hand built twelve foot hollow cedar strip SUP board that Kelvin built from scratch, accompanied by an equally impressive custom build wooden paddle with carbon inlay. Take a look at the image gallery at the bottom of the page for some photos of the board, very impressive!

Overall a great day for sure!

Upon arriving we found the entire area packed with teenagers all over the beach, movie crews setting up gear on the Eagle Harbour Yacht Club wharf, and paparazzi with big ass cameras milling about. Sort of a surreal scene, especially here in sleepy West Van.

We weren’t all curious to figure out what was going on, so started off east towards Lighthouse Park. Heading straight out of Eagle Harbour, we made a straight line for the rocky outcroppings just out from Klootchman Park. On the rocks we encountered the biggest group of harbour seals I’ve ever seen around here, must have been 20 or 30 of them. As we approached more than half of them jumped in the water and swam up for a closer look at what we were doing. Though we had no close encounters such as the one with a baby seal from a couple weeks ago, it was still pretty impressive to see how much wildlife still lingers around these heavily trafficked waterways.

From there, after some pretty major crossup swell from passing ferries and tugboats we reached our destination at Lighthouse Park, just beyond the popular rock climbing area of Juniper Point.

After a short pitstop, we made the return with a route closer to shore where we found much calmer water.

Good paddling location, we’ll definitely check it out again!