Sunshine Coast Event: Keats Island, L2

This trip is for the Sunshine Coast Event. Registration will be available to Sunshine Coast Event registered members only on the night before the trip. Signup will be at the event headquarters campsite.

This trip is limited to members with a wet exit certification (except for level 1 trips when the paddler is not using a spray skirt....if the paddler is wearing a spray skirt on a level 1 paddle, the Wet Exit Certification is REQUIRED).  To successfully register you will need to sign into your OOPS member account, and your account will need to be a member of the "Wet Exit Certified" group if you intend to wear a spray skirt.  Your acceptance is conditional on approval by the Organizer, who may contact you with questions about your skills and equipment.  If the measured water temperature is different enough from that listed below to warrant a change in required immersion protection, the Organizer will contact all participants and the Trips Board member with the update at least a day before the trip.

Narrative: Circumnavigation of Keats Island located on the edge of Howe Sound and the Strait of Georgia. In recent years, orcas, grey and humpback whales as well as dolphins and porpoises have returned to Howe Sound hunting for salmon and other food fish as well as seals and sea lions (also abundant in these waters). The island is located just east of the town of Gibsons east of Sechelt. We'll launch from Gibsons Landing, head south thru Shoal Channel around the south western tip of Keats Island keeping the small Home Island to our starboard side. We’ll continue our travel following the southern shoreline of the island to Eastbourne where we’ll take out for lunch, a distance of about 5 miles. We'll then continue circumnavigating the island around to Plumper Cove Marine Provincial Park located on the Island’s western bank where we can take out for another break From there, we will continue following shoreline, keeping Shelter Islets to our starboard side, to Keats Landing Terminal. At the terminal we’ll make a crossing back to Gibsons Landing, a distance of about 1 mile. Total distance for the day will be approx.10 miles. Water time will be approx. 4-5 hours.
Meeting Time: 8:15:00 AM
Launch Time: 9:00:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Gibsons Landing
Take out: Same
Route Alternative for bad weather: TBD
Required equipment:  
Minimum Immersion protection: Farmer John
Primary Organizer: Tom Waldron
Co-Organizer(s): Teresa George
Has organizer paddled here before? No
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes
First Aid /CPR Person:
Maximum number of paddlers: 10
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 75° Estimated
Estimated Water Temperature: 65° Estimated
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 5 hours

Tide Station: Gibsons
Tide times & heights: Low at 05:48 AM 7.9’ / High at 10:55 AM  11.5’ / Low at 4:50 PM  6.2 / High at 11:46 PM 15.8’
Current information: Less than 2 knots
Hazards:
Wind strength: Level 2: 7-12 knots (14 mph) – wind noticeably effects movement of paddle
Swell/Surf size: Level 2: Waves up to 2', no breaking waves
Sea state: Level 2: Waves up to armpit; light to moderate chop, scattered whitecaps
Landing types: Level 2: Frequent landing opportunities including docks or moderate sloping banks, brush or overhanging trees
Currents: Level 2: Mild currents (up to 2 knots): current increases / decreases group speed by half
Total distance: Level 2: 6 to 11 miles
Open crossing: Level 2: Less than 1 mile
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments:
Location (Optional): Gibsons Marina 675 Prowse Road, Gibsons, BC

Photos (Optional):

COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19