Kayak & SUP Trip - Saysutshun (Newcastle) Island Marine Provincial Park (10 Jul 2026)

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Club trip to Saysutshun (Newcastle Island) Marine Provincial Park just of Naniamo. We have booked group site #4.

This is a joint adventure with SUP fleet. SUP fleet participants can also register here. Guest campers who are not paddlers are also welcome providing there is room.

We have a group campsite for two nights (Friday, Saturday).

Costs: Club Locarno trip fee, ferry, share of camping fee, share of parking fee at Horseshoe Bay.

For SUP: probably need some cars to travel on the ferry to carry the SUPs. But some may be able to walk on carrying camping gear and take the bus/taxi to the Saysutshun ferry.

This trip is open to all in the SUP fleet and ideal for beginner campers. The SUP fleet will plan daily morning or afternoon paddling trips to the surrounding area depending on weather conditions.

For kayakers: this is a roll-on roll-off camping trip. We will transport the kayaks to Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal (and gain experience lashing kayaks onto cars). We will roll onto the ferry, roll-off at Discovery Bay, walk the kayaks to the launching site and paddle to Saysutshun.

This trip is aimed at kayakers who are beginner campers but others are welcome to join us if there is room. Priority will be given to those who want to gain camping experience and test their skills rolling on & off BC Ferries. We'll take up to twelve kayaks (14 people assuming couples in doubles). We also need cars and drivers to transport kayaks to Horseshoe Bay.

For kayakers: the longest day will be up to 20 km of paddling depending on weather conditions and group skills. Depending on numbers, we may split into two groups for day excursions. Day trip destinations will depend on the weather:

Hudsons Rocks / Pipers Lagoon Park
Gabriola (East Coast)
Descanso Bay / Park
Nanaimo River

This is an explorer trip: paddling will be more aimed at exploring the coastline and islands.

Pre-requisite experience: Level 1 skills. Some experience paddling in wind and chop. Ability to paddle at 3-4 km/h for 4-5 hours or 15-20km (with breaks). Competent in self-rescues and assisted rescue.

We will be limited to 14 campers with kayaks, so if more apply to join we will select names based on experience or at random. There will be a trip planning meeting with all participants the week before the trip.

Transportation: we will need cars for transporting kayaks to Horseshoe Bay. We'll book as walk-on passengers (with kayaks) with BC Ferries.

Friday - ferry probably around 12:00pm ferry
Saturday - day trip
Sunday - morning trip
Return - ferry probably around 4pm

Any questions about the trip, please contact Mark at kayaking@clublocarno.com or Gay sup@clublocarno.com

We encourage all kayak campers to participate in the BC Marine Trails Coastal Caretakers program for site cleaning and reporting.

Kayak Trip - Gmbier Island from JSCA (25 Jul 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Kayak Trip to Gambier Island from JSCA. One night.

Club trip to Gambier Island with an overnight camp. There are two possible campsite options depending on conditions and group pace. Start from JSCA, so no cars or ferries are required.

Trip Plan: We will depart from JSCA and cross Burrard Inlet to Point Atkinson (Lighthouse Park). From there, we will make the crossing from Whytecliff to Snug Cove and continue north around Bowen Island. We will then complete a second crossing to Gambier Island. Depending on weather, timing, and group energy levels, we will either camp at Halkett Bay or continue north to a smaller campsite in Ramillies Channel.
This trip is intended for paddlers who are comfortable with both long-distance kayaking and overnight camping. Expect a full day of paddling (6 to 8 hours) at a steady pace, with brief rest stops and a short lunch break. Total distance is approximately 30 km each way.
Pre-requisite experience: Previous experience paddling in wind and choppy conditions. Ability to maintain a pace of 4 to 5 km/h for 6 to 8 hours. Competent in self-rescues and assisted rescues.
The group will be limited to 5 paddlers. If more people apply, participants will be selected based on experience or by random draw.
Transportation: No ferry or vehicle transportation required.

Expenses
Club Locarno trip fee + campsite fees.

Trip Leader: Bogdan Karlenko (contact on Club Locarno Slack)

We encourage all kayak campers to participate in the BC Marine Trails Coastal Caretakers program for site cleaning and reporting.

Club Locarno upcoming events

Kayak & SUP Trip - Saysutshun (Newcastle) Island Marine Provincial Park (10 Jul 2026)

Kayak Trip - Gmbier Island from JSCA (25 Jul 2026)