Gabriola Adventure Sailing
TRADITIONAL SAILING DINGHY ADVENTURES

3-Day Dinghy Sailing Adventure

Our 3-Day tour is a great introduction to this type of small boat camping adventure. Even those with very little sailing experience before the trip will leave after 3 days and 2 nights with a strong understanding of sailing theory. Daily activities will vary depending on the groups skill level and interest, but there will be opportunities to learn about marine navigation, tides and currents, camp craft, camp cooking, basic sailing theory, and practical sailing skills. In all of our trips we try to provide as much information about natural history, wildlife and local maritime traditions as possible. People of all ages and skill levels are welcome, but we strongly recommend a prior knowledge and understanding of sailing.

COST $350 CDN / US Funds at current rate

DATES:
July 31-August 2, 2010
September 4-6, 2010

ITINERARY:
Typically each day will involve sailing for 3 – 6 hours leaving lots of time for beach combing, swimming, exploring local communities, practicing seamanship and navigation or just relaxing on the beach. There are a wide variety of beaches available for us to stop at and explore. Our groups are able to camp at several Provincial Parks, local campsites and seaside resorts. The specific route plan can be adapted along the way according to your interests and abilities. There may be an option to spend one night sleeping in an idyllic gulf island cottage. All of the islands we will be exploring have beautiful and unique features such as spectacular cliffs, sandstone rock formations, trail walks, Douglas Fir and Garry Oak ecosystems, and a wide variety of bird and marine life.

DAY 0:
All of our multi-day trips include a ‘Day 0’. Day zero is the day before the trip starts. You will meet your guides and the rest of the group, sort out any last minute details, and shop for food for the trip. The guides can help with quantities, meal ideas for camp cooking etc.

DAY 1:
Launch from Silva Bay. In the morning on a making tide, we'll sail or row through Gabriola Passage and travel along the shore of Valdes Island to one of our favorite camping areas, Blackberry Point. Several possibilities for a shore-stop exist, including “Hole-in-the-Wall” or Pirates Cove for lunch or a break before arriving at Blackberry Point.

The cliffs along the shore of Valdes are spectacular with amazing honeycomb sandstone formations, displaying an infinite variety of patterns and images. In the summer months, afternoons are usually spent poking along these ledges and diving into the ocean.

We always plan to have time after sailing to spend relaxing and beach combing.  There will also be time for those interested to learn more about navigation, weather, tides or sailing theory.

DAY 2:
With fair winds and tides, we sail down Trincomili Channel, skirting Porlier Pass and negotiating the narrow entrance into beautiful Telegraph Harbor, between Thetis and Kuper Islands for lunch at the pub.

Camping destination for the final night depends on conditions and group interests.

DAY 3:
After breakfast on the last day we will pack up camp and start sailing back to Silva Bay on Gabriola Island. Depending on weather and group interests we may be able to make the return journey on the outside of Valdes in the Strait of Georgia or we can drop a few buoys and have a race - "guides buy the winners beer".  Once returning to Silva Bay we typically meet for dinner at the Silva Bay Bar & Grill for a final meal together.

INFORMATION DOCUMENTS:
Medical Waiver  |  What to Bring  |  Meal Ideas

TOUR AVAILIBILITY
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TRIP PAYMENT
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