Please note that due to Co-Vid, it is mandatory to pre-register for every paddle! To attend, please notify me (hkoziol@shaw.ca) by 6 p.m. on Friday, April 30.
Destination: Treasure Hunt in the Comox Harbour
Date: Saturday, May 1, 2021
Time: Paddles in the water at 9:00 AM. Three launch sites each with different lengths of paddles are being offered. If more than 10 people are interested in the same launch, subsequent groups of up to 10 paddlers will launch at 15 minutes intervals (e.g. 9:15 AM, 9:30 AM, ..). I will put people into groups in the order that their e-mails are received.
Please let me know if you can bring a compass and a protective plastic chart cover – at least one person in each group of 10 needs to have both of these. Each group will have a designated “sub” coordinator for that paddle. The “sub” coordinator will be given the names of the participants for that group which they will check off upon arrival and make sure that everyone returns safely. Indicating you will participate will be deemed the same as acknowledging and signing the club’s “Trip Release Form” (found under Paddling Forms on our website). Paddlers will receive a confirmation e-mail from me on the day before the paddle indicating their launch location, time and designating the group’s “sub” coordinator.
Please select the appropriate Launch Site based on your desired paddling distance and the speed at which you comfortably want to paddle (casual, moderate or fast).
Length of Trip: 2 – 2.5 hours, not including the time spent on land finding a buried treasure chest and consuming your own food and drink.
Trip Ratings: All of these trips are rated “2a. Day Paddle – Intermediate” because there will be open water crossings and because of CoVid, you also need to know how to self-rescue or have someone from your “bubble” paddling near you to help you with an assisted rescue (should you happen to capsize).
Coordinators Names and Contact Information:
Helen Koziol: E-mail: hkoziol@shaw.ca; Ph#: 250 339-4636 (landline); 250 650-9643 (cell)
Tom Moffatt: tom.moffat99@gmail.com ; 250 465-1365
Wilf Craats: wcraats@shaw.ca ; 250 650-9644 (cell)
Donna Dukart: donna.dukart@gmail.com ; 250 465-1352
LAUNCH SITE #1: Comox Marina Boat Ramp
(distance paddled approximately 5 NM at a more leisurely pace of about 2.5 nm/hr)
This launch site is intended for the more casual treasure hunters and will likely require up to 2 hours of “social” paddling.
LAUNCH SITE #2: Royston (bottom of Royston Road where it crosses Marine Drive)
(distance paddled estimated at 7 NM at a more robust pace of about 3.5 NM/hr)
This launch site is intended for a slightly faster paddler and will likely require just over 2 hours of paddling.
LAUNCH SITE #3: Inside of Goose Spit (about half way to HMC Quadra):
(distance paddled estimated at 8 NM at a more robust pace of about 3.5-4 NM/hr)
This launch site is intended for paddlers who comfortably paddle quite quickly and will likely require 2.5 hours of paddling.
Other Conditions:
* If Saturday’s weather does not cooperate, this will be rescheduled for Sunday, May 2.
NOTES:
- Groups will be given an ancient chart with compass bearings and estimated paddling distances; a “treasure map” and a sealed “emergency” envelope. This envelope gives the location of the beach where the treasure is located and should ONLY be opened if you are unable to find the clues and locate this beach on your own.
- This is NOT a race! Each group will be hunting for their own buried treasure. If you notice other pods of kayakers don’t follow them – they will be following their own clues to their own buried treasure.
- Each group will require at least one compass, waterproof chart protector and something to write with and on (an HB pencil in your PFD pocket can be used to temporarily write clues onto your deck). Please bring these items if you have them. The intention is to introduce paddlers to using compass bearings.
- Clues will be located along the route that will be used to fill in the required details on your treasure map BUT you must follow the route, find the clues, land on the beach where the treasure is buried THEN use your clues to decipher the map and find the treasure.
- Pack food and water – you will “recharge” on land before heading back.
- Bring beach shoes to find clues and the buried treasure chest.
- PLEASE: bring the actual treasure chests back with you and return them to me. They will hopefully be used in future treasure hunts. Chests will only be buried under a few inches of sand – no shovels are required.
- The last leg of your journey will take you back to your launch site.
- Pirate costumes are encouraged however (“tongue in cheek”):
- live parrots must NOT be harmed
- only wear your hook if it can properly grasp your paddle
- practice your rescues beforehand with your peg leg attached
- only plastic swords will be allowed