Surf and Camping Weekend - Clayoquot Sound

This kayak seminar is an opportunity for experienced paddlers to paddle together on the coast at Tofino.  We’ll go out to Tofino, camp together, cook some meals together, and do some paddles in conditions that may range from fun to challenging.  Because most of us have done limited kayaking around Tofino, we know less about where to paddle and where to stay.  On this weekend, there will be a significant amount of making it up as we go along.  I believe there are options to:

• Surf if the waves area good
• Coastal trips between Tofino and Uclueletl
• Protected trips in Clayoquot and Barkley sound.

Style

Everyone is welcome to join.  However, don’t expect that an experienced leader will organize a trip for you.  This is an opportunity for self-responsible paddlers to organize trips with peers within shared ability to develop skills and confidence.  Some outings may be posted as mountaineers trips and some may simply be private trips with peers.  Come with a sense of your ability and a willingness to take responsibility to make a trip within that ability happen.  We will take shared responsibility for risk management within trips and across trips. 

To support this, we will meet each evening to discuss conditions for the next day and organize into groups of shared interest and ability.  

Because conditions are highly variable, signup for this is low-commitment.  If conditions for the weekend look too rough for your comfort, you are free to cancel.  It is possible the whole event may be cancelled short notice if the forecast looks too uncomfortable.  

Pacific Rim Park

Some of our trips may be in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Long Beach area.  See the Long Beach Map for orientation.  There are fees to use the park.  

Camping & Lodging

We are staying at Surf Grove, on Cox bay.  I’m told that Cox bay has a good surf break and the campground has great bathrooms.  Surf Grove has restrictive policies.  You must pay when you reserve, there is an additional fee to lock in your site choice.  If you cancel 7 days or more in advance there is a CD$35 fee.  If under 7 days there is no refund.  It is possible to share a site, however, they are small so consider the size of your footprint.

Many of us chose to reserve now, so we are sure to have sites together.  I'm in site 10 and there is good availability near by (March 3).  

Surf Grove has small cabins and RVs to rent.  

You may choose to stay elsewhere.  For indoor lodging, Long Beach Lodge and Cox Bay Beach Resort are very close.  Green point campground is open with reduced services (and fee).

Travel

Travel time from Seattle is about 5.5 hours driving plus 2 hour ferry plus the board crossing.  I suggest reserving a spot on the Tsawassen to Duke Point ferry for the trip to Tofino.   Duke Point to Tofino is 3 hours driving.

(I have reserved 7:45am on 4/3 to arrive early in the afternoon.  I anticipate early afternoon departure on 4/7, but could extend if conditions are great.) 

General max conditions

We will cancel if

• There is a big storm coming through
• Weekend rain of 2” or more
• Coastal winds consistently over 25kt

Due to Surf Grove Policies, we will make this decision 8 days in advance on the best information we have.  Dates are fixed due to reservations. 

This activity is for everyone who wishes to come out to Tofino for the weekend, not for any specific trip.

Arrive sometime on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.  Depart Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday.  Participants may come for more or less.  Dates may shift a little for conditions.