Energizer Paddle - Oak Bay Marina to Discovery Island Paddle

Description

What:
A SISKA Energizer paddle from Oak Bay Marina to Discovery Island

Skill Level:
This paddle is rated as an Energizer Paddle because of its distance and open water crossings and possible current. To understand this designation better, please read SISKA's Paddle Guidelines
Paddlers taking part in this paddle are required to have PC Level 1 or equivalent experience. For information about PC Levels click here.
The total distance of this paddle is estimated to be approximately 9.10nm.

When:
Saturday, April 23rd, 2022. Meet at the launchsite by 09:30am to be on the water by 10:00am

Where:
We will launch at Oak Bay Marina. Need directions to the launchsite? Click here.

Who:
This paddle will be led by Dave Chater For more information about this paddle email Dave Chater

Details:
Our leader will introduce the Plan and make sure everyone is comfortable with the requirements and any concerns that you may have. Please stay off the water until we are all ready. The leader may choose to enlist helpers and establish communications protocol. If you have VHF radio please bring it with you.
Plan A:
Taking advantage of an ebb tide all day, we launch from the 'north' beach beside the Oak Bay Marina then go north and follow the Oak Bay shoreline past Willows Beach and onto Cattle Point. After Cattle Point, we will cross the channel to near the south tip of Jemmy Jones Island. From there, we will cross Baynes Channel to the mid point of the west shore of Chatham Island and then head south to the 'cut' between Chatham Island and Discovery Island. After entering the cut, we will go east between Chatham and Discovery Islands before heading south along the east shore of Discovery Island and around Sea Bird Point before stopping at Rudlin Bay for lunch.

After lunch, we will continue west along the south tip of Discovery Island around Commodore Point and up the west shore of Discovery Island for approx. a 1/2 nm before heading across to the Chain Islets. We will pass through the Chain Islets before making our way back to Oak Bay Marina and our launch point.

We can debrief the paddle at the nearby Oak Bay Marina coffee shop for those that are interested.

Also for note- Ocean River Sports retail store at the Oak Bay Marina is now open. 'Retail Therapy' anyone???
Plan B:
Launch from the OB Marina (same as Plan A). Majority of the paddle will stay within Oak Bay ( ie Willows Beach area) and onto Cadboro Bay past Flower Island to Cadboro Point. We can play around in the light currents in and around the light at Cadboro Point. After that- we can head south past Jemmy Jones Island and onto the north end of the Great Chain Island. From there, we can head across Mayor Channel and have lunch at a pocket beach at Gonzales Point ( just below the golf course). After lunch we can noodle along the shore on our way back to the OB Marina. Total distance approximately 6nm.

Plot:
To view a plot for this paddle click here

Registration:
To sign up for this paddle please email Dave Chater
The maximum number of paddlers for this paddle has been set to 15. There is room for 5 paddler(s).

Note:
Always dress for the possibility of immersion and please bring a drybag containing a spare change of clothes.
Please bring a lunch / snacks and sufficient beverage to keep you hydrated, as well as a themos of something warm.
All participants are expected to have read, and to comply with SISKA's Policies and Procedures
All paddlers must have submitted proof of vaccination in order to take part in this paddle.