Surf and Camping Weekend

Seminar

Surf and Camping Weekend - Clayoquot Sound

Join us for kayaking in the surf and coastal zone near the Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver's west coast.

  • Fri, Apr 4, 2025 — Mon, Apr 7, 2025
  • Seattle Sea Kayaking
  • Sea Kayaking
  • Adults
  • *Varies*, Sea Kayak III, Sea Kayak V
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 5.0 nm
  • Maximum Wind: 25 kts
  • Maximum Waves: 10 ft
  • Maximum Currents: 6 kts
  • Pace: Varies

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
  • Paddle routes north and west of Tofino
  • Paddle Barkley Sound
  • Rock garden at <somewhere>

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.  

Camping

For camping and lodging, there are many options.  

  • The leading candidate is Surf Grove, a campground that caters to surfers.  It is expensive for camping, but I expect it to have good amenities.  They require pre-payment and have restrictive a cancelation policy.  One car and two people per site.  Additions for extra fees.  One campsite for four nights comes out to $274USD.  If you want to stay inside, you can rent an RV.  An A frame cabin is $598USD.
  • The Pacific Rim Park Green Point Campground is not currently taking reservations.  I read that it had limited and fairly primitive services in winter but have not been able to find that statement again.  It may be an option if you want to avoid the cost of Surf Grove.  It seemed too primitive to me, but is an option.
  • Bella Pacifica Campground also caters to surfers, is slightly less expensive, and has similar cancellation policies.

There currently appears to be plenty of availability.  No need to reserve and commit money now.  I will continue to do research.  Look for updates here and e-mail communication about camping.

Travel

Travel time from Seattle is about 5.5 hours driving plus 2.5 hour ferry plus the board crossing.  I suggest reserving a spot on the Tsawwassen to Duke Point ferry for the trip to Tofino, and maybe the return trip as well.

General max conditions

We will cancel if

  • There is a big storm coming through
  • Weekend rain of 1.5” or more, generally speaking, subjective judgement.
  • Costal winds consistently over 25kt

Dates may shift a little for conditions.




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.

Route/Place

Clayoquot Sound



  • Wavelength Clayoquot Sound

    CHS No. 3673 - Clayoquot Sound, Tofino Inlet to Millar Channel

    CHS No. 3674 - Clayoquot Sound, Millar Channel to Estevan Point

    Green Point Campground, BC-4, Ucluelet, BC V0R 3A0, Canada
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

In addition to the ten essentials and kayak gear, dry suits or wet suits are required.  Helmets are required for all surf or rock gardening activities, or as indicated by the trip leader.  

Maps, guides, and other trip planning and navigation resources.

If you have kayak wheels, bring them!

Shuttling may be necessary so if you have them, bring straps and foam blocks to transport another boat if you have room for more than one kayak on your vehicle.

Trip Reports