L3 Paddle Sunshine Coast - Thormanby Islands

When
July 19, 2019
8:15 AM - 5:00 PM
Location
Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park Trail Head, 5172 Brooks Rd, Halfmoon Bay, BC V0N 1Y2, Canada

Registration for Event Trips is done at the event. Wet Exit Certification Required. Your acceptance is conditional on approval by the Organizer, who may ask 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 communicate change to all participants before the trip.

Narrative: Sandy beaches, hidden coves, beaver dams, and miles of unspoiled Provincial Park--this 12-mile circumnavigation of Thormanby South has it all.

We’ll launch from Brook Rd. at 9 a.m. Our half-mile crossing of Welcome Pass begins at about 9:30 a.m. on an outgoing tide. Cross over to Pebbly Beach and take a very short break if needed (total 1.36 miles). At about 10:15, head north and around the north end of South Thormanby to Buccaneer Bay Park (cumulative 4 miles total). Arrive about 11:30 a.m. Take an early lunch break. With a tide height between 5 and 6 feet, we should be able to paddle over the spit.* Continue 4 miles to Farm Bay, arriving about 2 p.m. Take a one-hour “second lunch” break and short hike to the beaver dam. Continue north two miles, taking another short break at Pebbly Beach if needed, arriving there at about 4:00 p.m. Low tide at 2 p.m., so there will be a slight assist heading north with the flood. Look for sea stars at low tide. Cross Welcome Pass and arrive back at the launch (take-out) at about 5 p.m.
* If tide is not high enough or there are weather concerns, reverse route and go to Farm Bay, take a break, and return to the launch with stops at Pebbly Beach as desired.

Meeting Time: 8:15:00 AM
Launch Time: 9:00:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Brook Rd. near trailhead for Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park
Take out: Brook Rd.
Route Alternative for bad weather: TBD or 8 miles R.T. Brook Rd. launch to Farm Bay, stayin on east side of South Thormanby Island.
Required equipment: Towline
Minimum Immersion protection: None
Primary Organizer: Chris Mayou
Assistant Organizer(s): TBD at Event
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: TBD at Event
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 70 F.
Estimated Water Temperature: 65 f.
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 8 hours (9 a.m-5 p.m.)
Tide times & heights: Halfmoon Bay:
06:54 13.1 ft.
13:59 3.0 ft.
21:26 15.1 ft.

Current information: There will be some current in Welcome Passage. Possibly up to 2 knots, so we may need to ferry or "overshoot" our target and let the current help us.
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 3: Bad footing, rocky shores, or surf up to 1.5'
Currents: Level 2: Mild currents (up to 2 knots): current increases / decreases group speed by half
Total distance: Level 3: 11 to 15 miles
Open crossing: Level 2: Less than 1 mile
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 3
Rating Comments: I am rating this as Level 3, mostly due to distance and lack of frequent landing opportunities. This trip will not take place if strong winds are forecast which would result in actual Level 3 paddling conditions. My goal is Level 2 paddling, with Level 3 trip length. The alternate 8-mile round-trip option would get us off the water earlier, avoiding some afternoon winds. We'll watch the forecast carefully.
Location (Optional): Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park Trail Head, 5172 Brooks Rd, Halfmoon Bay, BC V0N 1Y2, Canada

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon