Saltsprings Island Event: Dionisio Point Provincial Park through Porlier Pass - L3

When
July 29, 2024
9:00 AM
Location
Southey Point
Spaces left
1

Registration

Members with wet exit certification
Active club members with wet exit certification, including kayaking professional and lifetime. Provisional acceptance pending approval by the trip organizer.
OOPS Paddler (No WEC required)
A level 1 paddler requires no WEC. this ticket is for anyone.
Paddler Seeking Wet Exit Certification
Ticket for a paddler that wants to get their WEC on this paddle. Don't allow these if you don't want to do WEC on the paddle. MUST BE FOR LEVEL1 PADDLES ONLY as the person might not pass the test or you might do the test at the end of the paddle

Leader: kent slawson
Narrative: This trip is proposed as an out and back paddle from Southey Point, Saltspring Island to Dionisio Point on the far northern tip of Galiano Island. To get there we will navigate Porlier Pass a body of water that separates Galiano and Valdes Island to the north. Porter Pass connects Trincomali Channel to the West with the Strait of Georgia looking east and constricts to half a mile at its narrowest. The pass is noted for tidal currents that can reach 8-9kts with some impressive overfall. To our fortune, Monday looks to be a favorable day for transiting the pass with an afternoon max ebb current estimated at less than 3kts.

Launching at Southey Point we will Island hop north to Reid Island. From there we will cross directly to Galiano and ride a waning flood tide east through the pass. There are landing opportunities on either side of the point - we will choose from the most accessible and wind protected. We can eat a lunch, look around a bit and then ride the ebb current back through the pass. We may slightly vary our return trip to Southey Point depending on wind and interest.

Meeting Time: 9:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 9:30:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Southey Point, Saltspring Island
Take out: Same
Route Alternative for bad weather: Reid Island is a good spot for assessing conditions and group commitment
Required equipment: Towline
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Kent Slawson
Co-Organizer(s): TBD
Has organizer paddled here before? No
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? No
First Aid /CPR Person: TBD
Maximum number of paddlers: TBD
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 68F
Estimated Water Temperature: 55F
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 6.5hr
Tide times & heights: 0551 2.6ft
1422. 9.2ft
1650. 8.9ft
2225. 10.5ft
Current information: pass flood (runs east) turns at 11:54 and ebb reaches max current (west) at 14:31 ( 2.9kts).
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 3: Up to 4 knots: paddlers must sprint to move forward
Total distance: Level 3: 11 to 15 miles
Open crossing: Level 3: 1 to 2 miles
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 3
Rating Comments: This trip trip is rated at Level 3 for distance, open crossings and current. I want participants to be able to sustain a group pace of 3kts, as well as efficiently assist in rescues. We will likely encounter some dynamic water in the pass, so consider your comfort crossing eddy lines and landing/launching in wind generated surf.
Location: Southey Point, Saltspring Island
Photos (Optional): yes
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: Fulford Harbour
Link to map of route (Optional)

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon