Date: Wednesday, September 16th , 2026
Meeting Place: Meet @ 10 AM at 2020 Cliff Avenue, Courtenay (Comox
Valley Kayaks and Canoes). Free public parking lot located behind shop.
Launch Time: Launch at 10:30 AM = “Paddles in the Water” time.
Launch from the boat ramp – for free.
Description: Paddle out to experience the estuary then head up the
Courtenay River which is the shortest navigable river in the world @ ~3 km.
The Courtenay becomes the Puntledge River which is joined by the Tsolum
River. Paddle the Puntledge River potentially exploring some narrow channels
behind Simms Park and Lewis Park before returning to the Puntledge. Then
paddle up the Tsolum to as far as you can go. The Puntledge and the Tsolum
are popular swimming locations so you may want to bring your swim suit and a
towel. Learn about the restoration recently completed by Project Watershed of
the Field Sawmill’s retaining walls on the Courtenay River.
Length of Trip: ~ 2 hours (~3-4 nm)
Rating: #1 – Easy = SISKA’s “Relaxed Paddle”
https://www.comoxvalleypaddlers.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Trip-Ratings.pdf
Coordinators:
Kathy Haigh (250) 702-4311 kathyhaighcomox@gmail.com
Jan Gemmell (250) 884-6820 jansgem@gmail.com
Max. People: No Limit – however a minimum of 3 paddlers is required.
To register for this paddle, please contact Kathy in advance.
Conditions: Some current can be expected, depending on the flow down the
Puntledge River. You will need to know how to turn your kayak in a gentle current.
Plan to potentially paddle slowly through several small channels with
vegetation and navigate back out.
Tides: High tide will allow us to explore a ways up the Tsolum River.
High @ 10:52 AM of 4.34 m; Low @ 3:52PM of 3.53 m;
High @ 8:45 PM @ 4.31 m
Notes:
Washrooms are available close to the parking area where D’s Café is located.
D’s Café could be a good lunch spot or, if you’ve packed a lunch, you can eat
along the river near where you launched.
REMINDER of the 2026 Raft Up “Wrap Up” – we are booked at
Roy’s Towne Pub (4000 Island Hwy S, Royston) for 5:30 pm