Strong SW/W winds in the Strait of Juan de Fuca have forced the relocation of this paddle from the Esquimalt to the Gordon Head shoreline where we will be well protected.

We'll launch from Telegraph Cove at the end of Telegraph Bay Road and our lunchtime destination is Cormorant Point.

To add another 2-3 nm we could first paddle SE to Ten Mile Point before paddling back, past Telegraph Cove and continuing to Cormorant Point. We'll discuss this at the beach before we launch.

The launch beach is at the end of the road, and a house-moving trailer with some I-beams and timbers is parked on the right currently.

Just angle park on the left (N side of the road) and the beach is easily accessible. There are no toilet facilities at this launch site.

The Ten Mile Point, Arbutus, Gordon Head shoreline is a lovely rocky coast, with several beaches, so if the wind rises or changes direction adversely we have several pullouts. In my experience, near-shore paddling there is fine even with strong SW/W winds, but we may feel some gusts in certain areas.

The tide falls to 1.8' in this area at 1336 and there is a fairly strong ebb current (-3.6 kts at Baynes Channel at 1016) with slack at about 2 pm.

The weather forecast is for a couple of morning showers and a high of 18C.

Always dress for the possibility of immersion and please bring a drybag containing a spare change of clothes. The drybag goes in your kayak with you, not in your car at the launch site. Please bring a lunch or snacks and sufficient beverage to keep you hydrated, as well as a thermos of something warm. Your paddle leader will introduce the plan and make sure everyone is comfortable with the requirements. Please stay off the water until the group is ready. If you have a VHF radio please bring it with you.