The next SISKA kayak trip to the Broken Group in Barkley Sound will be from Sunday September 10 to Friday 15 September 2023 – 5 nights and 4 full days paddling.

Accommodation is at Broken Islands Lodge and all of their rooms reserved are for us. The Lodge provides two good home-cooked meals per day and lunch is packed for kayaking. The Lodge is nicely furnished and has some queen rooms and some with two or more single beds. Managers Bob and Sue, and their staff, do a great job looking after us.

Each day, three different paddles, following SISKA guidelines, will be led by experienced SISKA paddle leaders. Paddles in and around the Broken Group Islands are classified as Energizer paddles. All kayakers in the area are never far removed from the open Pacific Ocean and paddles, while generally protected, include crossings of exposed channels. Conditions can change quickly and winds typically rise in the afternoon and, if so, the risks are significant. We hope to have one less-strenuous paddle each day, but all paddles are considered “Energizer”. It is therefore mandatory that participants be strong paddlers (reference checks will be done) and have recently completed a rescue clinic by either:

1. Participation in 2023 in a Rescue Clinic or Level 1 or 2 Course, with an approved Paddle Canada Instructor, or

2. Attend a Rescue Clinic that will be arranged in late August.

These mandatory conditions are for everyone’s safety and group enjoyment.

Over the four days, it is anticipated that each paddle leader will lead two paddles and assist one.

The Broken Islands Lodge cost (meals & taxes included) starts at about $325 per person per night for one person in a room, and reduces when others share the room. Prices vary per room. We are receiving a 15% group discount. Beer and wine are available for purchase at the lodge - you can pay by credit card. Remember to bring sufficient cash for tips. There is no Parks Canada fee for day paddles in the Broken Group.

The Lodge is only accessible by boat from Toquart Bay - the road work along Highway 4 is complete so there should be no delays due to construction (the Frances Barkley from Port Alberni & Ucluelet is no longer stopping at the Lodge and Sea Bear Charters from Port Alberni is no longer operating). There are two options to access the Lodge from Toquart Bay:

1. you can paddle from Secret Beach Marina in Toquart Bay in two hours, and the fee will be about $10 /day to park and $15 to launch, or

2. take the Broken Islands Lodge water taxi from Secret Beach Marina. Two water taxi trips have been arranged - we have asked for the first trip at 1400hrs, and the second at 16:00hrs. The water taxi can take 12 people with their gear per trip. The cost will be $80 per person round trip and is paid at the lodge. Parking at Secret Beach is $10/day.

To get you in the mood, an 8 min video of last years trip may be seen at: https://youtu.be/0fzpz4G7ltc

Contact Konrad Sechley to make your booking. He will send you a link that can be used to select a room and make your own reservation at the Broken Islands Lodge. A deposit of 50% will be taken at this time, and the balance will be due 7 days before arrival. You can cancel and get a full refund up to 30 days before arrival. A standby list will be maintained.

Here are several links of interest:

Broken Islands Lodge (Tina: 1-250-466-5663): https://www.brokenislandslodge.com/

Toquart Bay launch and parking rates: http://www.secretbeachcampground.com/rates/

Marine Charts: http://fishing-app.gpsnauticalcharts.com/i-boating-fishing-web-app/fishing-marine-charts-navigation.html#11.12/48.9075/-125.2730

​Konrad Sechley:

Phone 778-840-2872;

Email konrad@sechley.com

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.