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Water Taxi Transport M any paddlers are learning that being transported by water taxi at the start or end of a paddling journey allows more area to be covered. No wonder that each year sees this form of transport becoming more popular with paddlers on the BC coast. When using a water taxi, it’s to your benefit to know a little about how they operate. First, the captains are usually running on a tight schedule, so being on time is very important. It’s wise to arrive at your pick up location a couple of hours prior to pick up time. This allows for kayaks and gear to be prepared for loading. Kayaks should be empty. Gear should be in drybags and piled close to the pick up spot. The captain will help with loading and offloading, and he usually has good advice on safe, quick loading procedures. Don’t hesitate to tell him what cargo is fragile and needs extra care, or what needs to be with you in the cabin. You don’t want to hear the bottle you are bringing for that special moment make a sickening, cracking noise during loading. It’s also best to keep each bag below 50 pounds for easy loading. Some vessels have tight cargo spaces so smaller is better. For your safety on these fast boats, it’s advisable that you stay in your seat while in transit. Most vessels have high speed drive systems and the captains will avoid debris on the water by making quick turns and sudden stops. On landings at a dock or beach, the captain has to secure the boat for loading, so stay in your seat to give him a clear path to conduct his duties efficiently. When a water taxi is coming to pick you up from a shore landing, it never hurts to help ease it onto the beach gently. Remember, the captain cares more about Tom Sewid his boat than his wife, and helping to make that gentle landing is sure to put a smile on his face. In return, he’ll treat your kayak like an egg, no matter what it’s made of. Every transport operation is different and communication is the key. Try to ask questions about what to expect before your trip begins. Remember, water taxi captains are eager to please and share their knowledge. Take the time to talk to them and you will find that they’re very knowledgeable about their areas. But don’t be offended if they don’t make eye contact when talking with you in transit—they’re concentrating on what lies ahead to ensure a safe trip for their clients. ❏ © Captain Tom Sewid lives in Sayward on Vancouver Island, BC and runs Village Island Tours and Water Taxi. www.villageisland.com 1-877-282-8294. 28 www.WaveLengthMagazine.com June/July 2004
From the Rainforest Heading for the Horizon Water bottle—check. Snack bar— check. Extra sweater, gloves, toque—check. Duct tape—check. Dressed for immersion—check. One hour after maximum ebb. Time for my annual spring expedition to intercept the north-bound Gray Whales. Riding the tidal flush out to sea. Coming around Stubbs Island, picking up the tail end of the ebb in Father Charles Channel. Winds are light westerly, not a cloud in the sky. First warm days of spring—nothing better. Hope I see some whales… Starting to pick up some swell. The horizon obscures occasionally—seas must be a meter or more. Flushing past Wickaninnish Island. Last chance to pull ashore passing by. Shouldn’t have had that second cup of coffee—too late now. Taking my time. Remembering: enjoy the journey, not the destination. Suddenly, McKay Reef. The final thin line of rocks extending from Lennard Island all the way up to Sea Otter Rock. Call home to do a radio check. No answer—Bonny must be in the garden, soaking up some rays. Time to head offshore. But first, must relieve my bladder. A delicate operation at sea in the best of conditions. Not made easier by the fact I’m alone. Or the five foot seas. Thank goodness I don’t paddle a skinny boat… Winds are light westerly, not a cloud in the sky. First warm days of spring—nothing better. Hope I see some whales… A simple hiker’s compass laid on my spraydeck. Turning the boat around, take a bearing on Lone Cone Mountain (Wah Nah Juus) on Meares Island. Now I can use the back bearing. The plan is to shoot 3 miles straight out to sea. Start the timer on my watch—this should take about an hour if I keep moving. Settling into a steady rhythm. This feels great, if slightly crazy. I can hear the whalewatchers chattering away on Channel 18. Sounds like the whales are about 3 miles north of where I’m headed. Don’t have the luxury of changing course and motoring over. But there are bound to be more whales coming—twenty thousand in total, and this Dan Lewis is the peak of their migration. I turn the radio off and keep paddling. Believe. Tune in to the energy of these remarkable creatures who annually make the longest migratory swim of any mammal—a 12,000 mile round trip. Passing right by my home, just offshore. Try to feel the whale energy, tune in to their presence. Faint whiffs of rancid fish-breath in the air. Whales must be close. Hard to see them from my low vantage point, especially with these five foot waves. Suddenly, that familiar sound of a whale spouting, the giant hollow sound as her lungs refill before diving. Must be close. Watching, waiting. There! Right there, not 100 feet away. A few more spouts and she is gone. It’s getting late. I’m a couple of miles offshore, heading for the horizon, and I feel great! Paddling on like there’s no tomorrow, as if the harsh realities of darkness on the open coast don’t matter. Nothing matters now, except paddling on towards the horizon and watching for whales. A couple of working skiffs pass by, heading down the coast. Packing it in for ➝ June/July 2004 www.WaveLengthMagazine.com 29
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