2008.02.95 - Super Sunday

It's SuperBowl Sunday, so what are a bunch of kayakers to do? That's an easy choice...who cares about the big game when we've got kayaking to do!
Today we're putting in at Cooper's Cove in Sooke. It's cool and cloudy this morning, and there's also a forecast for a bit of a breeze. We were worried it might be too rough to go out of the cove into the Sooke Basin proper because of the breeze, but the winds simply never materialized. The water was flat and inviting, and we took up its offer.
The tide was right in, as we were launching at high tide. We didn't realize that we have so little beach to launch from. So we took it in turns to launch and headed out one at a time. Today we had Jason, Richard, Paula, Bernie, and Louise paddling.


And yours truly, of course.


So our little fleet headed out into the cool but otherwise perfect paddling conditions.


Bernie, Louise and Paula set the early pace.


Richard loves his new kayak.


We left the Cove and entered the Sooke Basin. We decided to head west towards where Sooke River enters the basin. None of us had gone this way before, so it would be a new experience. With the tide changing just as we were launching, we would be paddling into the out-going current on our return, but it shouldn't be too bad.
Always remember kids -- practice safe boating.


Many people have accused Bernie of losing his marbles. Well, give him some credit -- here he is looking for them.


Here's a fishing boat tied up for the winter. You can see just how glassy smooth the water was. It was just about perfect for paddling.


We made it around the point and into the mouth of the Sooke River. There's a highway bridge that you cross over just as you enter the town. While the rest of the gang went to the bridge, I went to check out something that caught my eye.
This seagull had found a gnarled tree branch to perch on. And even though I was a fair bit offshore, it was pretty shallow here which surprised me.


The other seagulls were giving me The Evil Eye. Since I was vastly outnumbered, I thought it best that I retreat. I was barely gliding over the bottom, and this was at high tide.
This stump begged me to take its picture. So I did.


As we turned to head back, we could see all the chimney smoke trapped by thermoclines. There wasn't a hint of breeze today, which is unusual for these parts, so for the moment the smoke wasn't going anywhere.
It was a super paddle on a super Sunday.

2006.30.45 - Cooper's Cove

Totally flat water faced us as we prepared to face Cooper's Cove just east of Sooke, in the Sooke Basin. Unlike the last time we were here when we dealt with wind and waves, there was little wind and no wave action at all. We were advised by someone from the nearby kayak rental place that gale force winds were due in the afternoon, but the morning should be fine.

And it was. A large group headed out from the kayak place, and we met a couple from Sooke who were avid kayakers. They were heading out in a pair of 14' Neckys that Bernie would have died for. :)

First, we went past this wreck on the beach.

Clearly, its cargo of concrete blocks was too much for it.


There's also a nearby abandoned ship that looks to be an old Canadian naval vessel.

Be careful if you venture out to visit this vessel -- there's all sorts of metal and other stuff in the water here.


It was just the three of us today - Louise, Paula and myself.


We went east along the coast towards Roche Cove. We launched just at low tide, so there were lots of starfish on the rocks.


Another boat in trouble!


Louise dreams about winning the lottery.


Lots of green stuff on the rocks.


What a beautiful day. Flat water, sunny but not blazing, a little cloud, just perfect.


We rounded the point and headed to Roche Cove. That's when the fun began.


We headed for the bridge. There can be quite a current under the bridge and in not our brightest idea of the day, we decided to go under.

Paula got through okay, but Louise ran into trouble and got herself pinned by the current against the bridge. It was hair-raising for a moment, but Louise got herself out and through without going over. It was also a tough battle to get back out of the cove. So here's a warning: proceed into Roche Cove with caution!


After coming out of the cove, the wind had come up and the chop with it.
Here's a lesson: our little adventure in Roche Cove took only ten minutes, yet the weather conditions back in the basin were quite different when we returned.


Finally, a ship that's not abandoned!


We crossed to this small island.


Time to head back. We crossed the Sooke Basin. It got choppier and the wind was blowing against us.

We were eventually able to get our backs to the wind, and that made the last part of the crossing easier. Also, it seemed that the wind died off just as we finished. Figures.


And yes, there were geese.


No eagles in trees today, just a seagull on a post to end our trip.


My pictures are here.

2006.05.07 - Sooke Basin

Sunday dawned windy and rainy. And worse, one by one, all the regular paddlers dropped out. Oh, they claimed to have valid excuses -- Dennis is out of the country, and Bernie is dead. Or sick. I dunno, I forget.
But Louise and I were undaunted. Most would cancel their paddle plans and go shopping at this point. Not us! Bad weather and wimpy paddle buddies weren't going to stop us! Sooke Basin, here we come!

A 45 minute drive took us to Sooke, a small village on the West Coast. I used to live in Sooke, but this was before I was a paddler. The basin seems smaller than I remember it. Or maybe the tide is out.


The scenery is wonderful, and the view out of my kayak just can't be beat!

There wasn't much wildlife, except for a lone seal that came up beside my kayak.

He hung around for a while...

...and he was very friendly!

The mountains across the strait were high-peaked and snowcapped.

It was a long, long paddle. But we had thought ahead and stopped for a little picnic on a beach before heading home.