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drinking hot cocoa beside a toasty fire, or
in the tropics. Pratt-Johnson’s book has the
most comprehensive information available
about Island paddling, but I warn you that
it’s dated. The book was written in 1984
and while the natural landscape has altered
very little, the human landscape has
changed tremendously. Some roads no
longer lead where they once did, some
access points are no longer public, and
some formerly free camping spots have
been lost down the whirlpool of economic
development. For this reason, I’ll keep my
descriptions general.
For up-to-date information on rivers, contact
local paddling stores, request current information
on the Whitewater Kayaking Association
of BC’s web-based message board
(www.whitewater.org), or for the latest on
North Island rivers visit Jeffrey Holden’s
Home page (http://ourworld.compuserve.
com/homepages/jholden). You can also visit
www.coastalbc.com for photos and stories
about Island whitewater, and www.
vancouverisland.com/Recreation/
whitewaterkayak for short write-ups about
some rivers not included in the Pratt-Johnson
book or here.
1. Koksilah River, near Shawnigan Lake,
has two runs that are available only after a
good downpour. The upper run is a short
Class II with a couple of Class III drops that
are easy to portage. The lower run through
a canyon is about 15 km long and offers
more of a challenge. Class III and IV water
is interrupted by two difficult drops with
awkward portages, and one easy, mandatory
portage.
2. Cowichan River is possible to paddle
all year, although it can be extremely low
in the summer. Located west of Duncan,
this Class III- run is within a provincial park,
which gives it a beautiful wilderness setting.
A lovely, easy river at low levels, it
can provide a lively challenge at high levels.
At only 4 km long, it is not strenuous
and the whole run can be scouted from
trails along the shore, or from the water.
3. Nanaimo River, just south of its namesake
town, is a playful Class III- (to IV-) river
with ledges scattered along its length. Some
ledges can be dangerous at high water because
they are so straight. The most difficult
drop is near the end of the run and is
indicated by a 3 metre tall house rock in
the middle of the channel.
4. Campbell River, which runs through
its namesake town, is a straightforward,
short, Class II that runs all year. If you swim,
however, you may be in for awhile because
it is a swift flowing river. The most challenging
rapids are right below the put-in at
the power plant. The entire run can be
scouted from beautiful trails on either shore.
Vancouver
Island
5
6
Long Beach
3
2
1
5. Nimpkish River (and Davie River) has
three different runs, ranging from Class II
to Class III with Class IV drops. Near the
town of Woss, the Nimpkish can be combined
with a ski trip to Mt. Cain for the ultimate
winter holiday.
6. Gold River, beside its namesake town,
has three runs that can be combined for
one long run. The upper run is technical
and challenging, with a Class IV rating at
high water. It cuts through a gorgeous pooldrop
canyon. Low water eliminates choices
in some chutes. The middle run is much
easier, but intermediates should use caution
at high water. The lower run is easier
still, however there is one Class IV-section
about 350 m long.
While the rivers on Vancouver Island—
of which this is only a very partial list—are
spectacular and distinct from those on the
mainland, my favorite places to paddle on
Vancouver Island are the ocean beaches.
There is nowhere in BC that offers such easy
access to such novelty. Continuous, regular
waves! No boulders hidden under the
water! No sweepers! No whirlpools! There
is no better place to practice surfing and
rolling. Even if you come out of your boat,
the ocean just pushes you back to shore
where you can get back in and try again.
And even if the waves out at the break are
too big and intimidating for you, you can
play all day in the foam piles.
4
Jordan River
Victoria
KINDRED SPIRIT
KAYAK COMPANY LTD.
• Whitewater & Ocean Lessons
• Wilderness First Aid
• Swift Water
Located in the beautiful Cowichan
Valley on Vancouver Island
Call 250-701-1888
www.kindredspiritkayak.com
Long Beach, the granddaddy of BC surfing,
offers miles of beach for all to play on.
The principal areas are Long Beach itself,
Wickaninnish Beach, and Cox Bay
(Chesterman Beach). During storms, the
waves here can be absolutely massive. But
even when there are no storms, there is (almost)
consistent action to keep water people
happy. Please keep in mind, though,
that kayak surfers with our paddles have a
decided advantage in catching waves over
surfers. We can catch most anything we
want, while they have to wait for the perfect
wave. Give them the odd break and
drop off the occasional wave so they can
play too.
Jordan River, a community west of Victoria,
is an ideal surf spot when the waves
are up. The flow of the river takes you past
the break and sets you up for the next ride,
without the struggle of breaking through the
surf to get out. The area, however, is quite
small so competition for space can be quite
stiff with the growing legions of surfers.
The most difficult part of winter paddling,
I find, is the anticipation of cold. Once I
get past that and into my boat, however,
cold is pushed to the back of my mind by
all the fun I’m having. Besides, continuous
paddling keeps my core temperature high
so that I am unaware of the air temperature.
And water temperature isn’t really an
issue because let’s face it, the water in BC
is usually cold. To be a happy winter Island
paddler, one only needs a water-tight
drysuit, pogies or gloves (which I don’t prefer
because I lose a sense of where exactly
the paddle is in my hands), a skullcap, a
bomber roll and a warm refuge in which to
brew hot cocoa at the end of the day. ❏
© Steve Crowe is the
co-author of
‘Whitewater In BC's
Southwest: A Guide
to Accessible Runs
for Beginner to
Advanced Kayakers’.
Detailed information
on Long Beach can
be found in the book.
The North Island’s only
full service kayak shop.
Specializing in whitewater,
recreational, and touring kayaks.
Retail, Rentals and Lessons
250 338-8844
333 Fifth Street, Courtenay, BC
skiandsurfshop@shaw.ca
October/November 2002 www.WaveLengthMagazine.com
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