Vancouver Island Fall Season

Vancouver Island 2009 Fall Season

The Author and Joe Box looking back up stream after the 2nd drop on Stotan Falls. One more slide to go before the finish. Then it is on to the play. Photo by Jakub Drnec.

Jakub Drnec running the first drop on Stotan Falls on the Puntledge river. Courtenay BC, Vancouver Island.

Well it has been a good season over on the west coast. Finally getting back into paddling after a year and a half off the river due to a broken shoulder, this fall has been pretty good. Huge flows on the puntledge. Some adventuring with a river board, taking my new Wavesport Habitat 80 down a number of runs a couple of new sections, a new river. Some waterfalls and lots of photography. All in all has been sweet.

Here you will find a number of photos showcasing a number of runs. A little write up about each will be included as well.
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Fall Time Paddling, Vancouver Island.

Two weeks ago we had a bit of rain on the Island. It was warm, so the rivers picked up with lots of water. The Puntledge was having a release due to this and it's main tributary was running as well. A number of paddlers were in the area from Victoria, the Valley, Nanaimo, Europe and NZ.

I am still not paddling at this point but hope to be next year. I went out just to do some photography. The fall colours were beautiful and the river was at a nice level.

A few of the kayakers were keen to paddle the falls on the Browns, it is an interesting 12-15ft drop with a few different lines. The right line was a bit boxed in by a tree, the far left line is shallow in a couple of places. They decided on the middle line, Gord, Gillian, and Todd, had nice lines down the middle. The others were running safety and scoping out how it went for them. Tyler then headed up to run the drop next. Unfortunately things didn't go quite as well for him.

Tyler came off the top went a bit further to the left and ended up back under the drop. Apparently there is a rock back there as well, because that messed up a couple of his roll attempts. He ended up swimming, with Gord off chasing his boat.

Tyler was throw-bagged in, and Gord had got the boat stuck on some rocks out in the middle of the river. After a half hour or so the boat and paddler were reunited and they paddled off down to the confluence with the Puntledge. From there many play waves waited. I was able to connect with them for some shots on the lovely tarp and play wave. If you come to Vancouver Island in the early summer try to connect with the Puntledge Festival when BC Hydro releases 100cms for two days.



Fall time has arrived.

Checking the Level, also good to look here.

Short hike in from the parked car.

Heading to the put in.

Gord playing on a small hole near the put in on the Browns.

Gord and Gillian paddling down the Browns.

The boys look as Gord huck's off the drop.

Gord dropping in.

Arising from the deep.

Todd smooth sailing down the middle line.

Gillian cruising down the middle of the Browns Falls.

Tyler happy to find the boat stuck and not floating off down the river somewhere.

Gord with his catch.

Getting a rope out to the rock so we can pull the boat in.

Hmmm.......

Tarp and Play, Puntledge River.

Gillian throwing ends.

Carrie surfing it up.

Such a nice spot, Gord tearing it up.

Todd enjoying his Jackson 4Fun.

Photos by Dave Prothero Photography.

Surfing at Okisolo Tidal Rapid.

Coast Mountain Expeditions Discovery Lodge is a great place to base out of for the trip. Look forward to enjoying a hot sauna after a day on the wave.

Tired Of Lines at Skook, Head a little bit further north.

Last weekend I joined up with Shayne, Carrie, and Brian for a couple of days surfing at the Okisolo tidal rapids. This little known wave is located on the east coast of Vancover Island. To get there is a bit of a mission but as the photos will show it is well worth the effort. 

Head north from Nanaimo till you hit Campbell River, from there you head to Quadra Island by the quickest ferry going. Then a forty minute drive will have you at the Discovery Lodge with your hosts Lannie and Ralph Keller. 

We spent a couple of sunny days playing at the wave. It was running around 11 knots or 19kmph. This offered us lots of time to get the OC-1, sea, surf and whitewater kayaks out on the wave. Being not able to paddle afforded me lots of time to get get out and play with my camera and managed to shoot photos from a number of different locations and different angles. 

With time in the evenings being filled with food, drink, a couple of slideshows and a sauna. All in all a great way to spend the weekend. Have a look here to find a good flow.

Enjoy the photos from this great location 

Shayne trying out his luck in a pool above the rapid. No luck there, but pick up two good sized Ling Cod that evening. 

Our handy motorboat transport. A must to get to the wave. Takes about 15mins by boat.

 Albert Keller carving it up in a sea kayak.

Carrie Smith having some fun.

With only four people surfing, equals lots of time on the wave, Albert into his 10th minute on the wave.

Carrie Smith taken her little Rad for a ride in Surfers left. 

Brian in his C-1 having a go on the wave.

Taking a close out.

Albert Keller carving down the face.

Ladies and gentleman we have lift off.

Brian and Shayne on the tandem surf session.

Vollmers blunting when the wave is near the peak.

Brian making it look easy in Esquif "Spark".

Shayne watching the shoulder come down.

All photos copyright of Dave Prothero Photography c2008.