Mainly kayaking photographs taken on the Isle of Man and beyond.


Friday 26 October 2007

Tofino, BC, Canada - kayakers' paradise.










Tofino is great. It has the perfect calm water paddles through the sheltered Clayoquot Sound. Twisting between the multitude of islands with just some current to contend with, if you time the tides right it's an effortless round trip. Alternatively head left and out to sea. The prevailing westerly winds and Pacific surf and swell build, as fewer islands protect the paddler the further west you go. Eventually, you lie exposed to everything the Pacific has to through at you, and that's allot. Add to this a maze of teeth like rocks extending far further out than you'd expect and this is full on rough sea kayaking. If you've got the gear you can make the choice. Add to this some superb surf beaches and Tofino really has everything.


But there's more. I snapped the above wildlife photos yesterday in one day ( sea lions, gray whale, bald eagle ). The scenery is stunning - the top most photograph above was taken two days ago through a pub window whilst drinking a pint of Guinness. Surely one of the best views from a pub in the world.

Finally, the people are incredibly polite, helpful and friendly. I nearly got run over two nights ago by a fella driving one of those enormous 4 x4 cars they have over here. He of course apologised and drove off. 15 minutes later he drove back and apologised again. If I have to be run over then I hope it happens during a future visit to Tofino - I'll certainly be back.





2 comments:

Danny said...

Hi John
Great blog and lovely photo's ,enjoyed looking through your post's.I spent a week in Peel in July 07, and enjoyed it so much that next year my Valley sea kayak & friend's are planing a return visit and looking forward to paddling your beautiful coastline again.I was talking to someone from adventurous exp.at the slip was this you ! Thankyou Danny Northern Ireland.. http://dannyskayakingtrips.blogspot.com/

John said...

Thanks Danny. It could have been me but it was much more likely Keirron or Joe.