SURFING TRIP INFORMATION:
UPDATED DAILY ITINERARY
Thursday, October 2:
8:00-8:15 am. Students arrive at Derby
Outfitting, load gear into vans, gear checks
Depart Derby for day trip to Sooke beaches/surf locations (Whiffin Spit, Jordan River…)
Camp fires, possible surfing, food, snacks, fun in Sooke while checking out the surf beaches
3:15 pm. Return to Derby. Students return home/to boarding for the night
DESCRIPTION OF THE DAY TRIP: Along with the regular goals of helping students make friends, learn new skills and see new areas of BC, this 1-day outing to Sooke is intended to help students gain a better understanding of local surfing locations and conditions. Unlike Tofino with its large sandy beaches open to the Pacific, the intent is for students to see and learn more about the local surf spots in the Juan de Fuca strait. We hope to include stops at a couple of locations, including Jordan River.
If the conditions permit, students will get to experience surfing locally with their guides. As we are moving from Tofino’s broad sandy beaches to more technical and rockier shorelines, instruction from the guides will be more hands-on and also in smaller groups.
Students will begin surfing in the “whitewash” close to shore and gradually progress to deeper water and larger waves as they develop their skills. Students wear a full 5/4mm surf wetsuit and wetsuit boots for this activity. Students may also have the opportunity to explore the beaches and have campfires. In many ways, this 1-day outing is the same as what a local surfing family or group of surfing friends from Victoria would do. (Our guides do this sort of thing regularly).
IMPORTANT NOTE: While our hope is that there will be an opportunity for students to surf, it will depend on the suitability of the conditions for our group. Students will not be required to surf if they would prefer instead to enjoy their time on the beach.
TRIP PRE-REQUISITES: Students must be able to swim 50 meters. Students unable to swim 50 meters will surf with a PFD.
GROUP EQUIPMENT: The guides will bring activity-specific equipment for the group. This will include surfboards, leashes, wetsuits and booties, and rashguards. The guides will also bring emergency response equipment (emergency communication device, first aid kit…).
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: Students should dress for the weather and bring rain coats, rain pants and warm items such as fleece layers and puffball jackets. Students will do a gear check with their guides prior to leaving Derby for Sooke. At that point the guides will outfit the students with any missing items.
Small backpack
Rainjacket/Rainpants
Warm layers/fleece
Toque/hat
Extra layer of clothing
Bathing suit/towel
Water Bottle
ELECTRONICS/PHONES: Students should not have electronics, cell phones or headphones/earbuds on the outtrip. Guides will collect all electronics/phones and return them at the end of the trip. Guides are not responsible for any damage to devices on the trip.
For photography, if a student would like to bring a dedicated camera (digital, film, or disposable), they may bring that with them during the activity.
MEALS/FOOD: Lunch and snacks will be provided. Students should bring a small backpack and a water bottle.
TRANSPORTATION: Students will be traveling to and from the activity by school bus or in a van driven by one of the instructors.
SURFING INSTRUCTOR/STUDENT RATIO: 1:4
DATES:
Tofino trip: September 28 - Sept 30
UPDATED DAILY ITINERARY: Note: This is a tentative schedule that may change due to weather, water conditions, etc.
Sept 28:
8:00 AM. Meet guides at DERBY (the OED building at 3410 Shelbourne).
Gear distribution and equipment check by guides
Depart for camping, surfing and activities in Tofino
Sept 28-30
Surfing and Camping in Tofino
Sept 30:
Early return due to anticipated high winds in Tofino/Ucluelet. The group will be returning to Victoria late afternoon on Tuesday, Sept 30. Please look for an email from Mr. Farish with details.
Pack up camp. Depart Tofino ~10:30 AM
Return to DERBY at ~4:45-5:00
Oct 1:
12:30 pm. Students arrive at Derby.
Afternoon activities with the guides (snacks, skills, movie, fun) at Derby
Prep for Oct 2 Sooke outing
3:15 pm. Return to Derby. Students return home/to boarding for the night
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRIP: On this 5-day overnight surfing and camping trip students progress through a graduated surf training regimen. They begin surfing in the “whitewash” close to shore and gradually progress to deeper water and larger waves as they develop their skills. Students wear a surf wetsuit and wetsuit boots for this activity. Students may also have the opportunity to explore the beaches and visit the towns of Tofino or Ucluelet. As an overnight camping trip, students will also develop their camp skills such as cooking over camp stoves, setting up tarps and tents.
TRIP PRE-REQUISITES: Students must be able to swim 50 meters
GROUP EQUIPMENT: The guides will bring activity-specific equipment for the group. This will include surfboards, leashes, wetsuits and booties, and rashguards. The guides will also bring emergency response equipment (emergency communication device, first aid kit…).
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: We have a wide range of clothing and equipment available to students for the trips. This includes sleeping bags, foamies, rain coats, rain pants and clothing items such as fleece layers and puffball jackets. Yes, please try to borrow gear and clothing from friends and family first, but if you get stuck, we can help. Students will do a gear check with their guides on day 1 prior to departing for Tofino. At that point the guides will outfit the students with any missing items. The following link will allow you to access the SURFING TRIP EQUIPMENT LIST.
ELECTRONICS/PHONES: Students should not have electronics, cell phones or headphones/earbuds on the outtrip. Guides will collect all electronics/phones and return them at the end of the trip. Guides are not responsible for any damage to devices on the trip.
For photography, if a student would like to bring a dedicated camera (digital, film, or disposable), they may bring that with them during the activity.
MEALS/FOOD: Students should bring a bank card/meal money to buy lunch en route to and from Tofino. Meal money will provided for boarding students. All other meals will be provided. Students will be cooking meals in camp under supervision of the guides. The group may also be visiting local restaurants for some meals during the trip.
TRANSPORTATION: Students will be traveling to and from the activity by school bus or in a van driven by one of the instructors.
TRIP SURCHARGE: There is a $350 surcharge for this trip
ACCOMMODATION: Students will be sleeping in 2-4 person tents or under tarps.
CAMPING LOCATION: Students and guides will be camping at Surf Grove Campground on Cox Beach.
STAFFING: SMUS hires outdoor guides for the travel, camping and surfing components of the trip. The guide pool on the trip has a combination of First Aid Certification, Guiding/Surfing/Surfing instruction experience, Experience working in this location with similar groups.
INSTRUCTOR/STUDENT RATIOS: 2:12
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS: This is a school-sponsored outing and school rules will apply. Participants are expected to follow the guidelines set by the instructional staff. A failure to meet these guidelines or a failure to follow school rules may result in the participant being removed from the activity at their own expense.
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT: The Leader-in charge has immediate access to: An appropriate first aid kit, Cell phone or pre-established means to communicate with the school or emergency services, Emergency Call Plan, Student Medical Information
EMERGENCY MEDICINE: Students should not be self-administering ANY medication, even if it is part of their own regular routine, without discussing it first with the guides. Students with asthma, severe allergies and medical conditions should bring a clearly labelled set of the appropriate medication and discuss the treatment plan with the guides prior to the trip.