SEA KAYAKING EXPEDITION TRIP INFORMATION
DATES: September 13-17, 2025
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRIP: This 5-day overnight sea kayaking and camping trip is designed to introduce students to sea kayaking while paddling on the ocean. During this expedition the students and sea kayak guides will paddle in relatively protected waters while they develop and refine their paddling, navigation and rescue skills. 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 25 meters
A current tetanus immunization (generally good for 10 years).
GROUP EQUIPMENT: The guides will bring activity-specific equipment for the group. This will include kayaks, paddles, PFDs, paddling jackets/pants... 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 prior to departing from Derby on Day 1. At that point the guides will outfit the students with any missing items. The following link will allow you to access the SEA KAYAKING 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: MEALS/FOOD: With the exception of lunches noted in the itinerary below, all meals will be provided. Students will be cooking meals in camp under supervision of the guides.
TRANSPORTATION: Students will be traveling by school bus or in a school van driven by one of the guides.
DAILY ITINERARY: Note: This is a tentative schedule that may change due to weather, water conditions, etc.
Sept 9: Pre-trip meeting during Community time
SEA KAYAK EXPEDITION (Gulf Islands)
Day 1
8:15 AM. Meet guides at DERBY (the OED building at 3410 Shelbourne)
Gear distribution and equipment check by guides
Students should bring a hearty bag lunch and snacks. Bag lunches will be provided for boarding students.
On-water local training day and packing session
4 pm finish at Derby. Students return home/to boarding for the night.
Day 2-5
7:30 AM. Meet guides at DERBY (the OED building at 3410 Shelbourne)
Students should bring a hearty bag lunch and snacks on day 2. Bag lunches will be provided for boarding students.
Final pack up
Depart for 4-day/3-night overnight trip in the Gulf Islands
Day 5
Pack up camp. Depart for Victoria
Return to DERBY. Pick up at ~ 2:00 PM
SEA KAYAK EXPEDITION (Clayoquot Sound)
Gear Check: Friday, Sept 12 between 3:30 - 6:00 pm or Saturday morning. The gear check usually takes about 15 minutes.
Day 1:
7:00 AM. Meet guides at DERBY (the OED building at 3410 Shelbourne)
Students should have a bank card/meal money for lunch en route to and from Tofino. Meal money will be provided for boarding students.
Gear distribution and equipment check by guides
Depart for Tofino and launch location
Day 1-5
Camping and kayaking activities in Clayoquot Sound (Vargas/Meares Island)
Day 5:
Pack up camp. Depart for Victoria.
Students should have a bank card/meal money for lunch en route to Victoria. Meal money will be provided for boarding students.
Return to DERBY. Pick up at 4:30 PM
SEA KAYAK EXPEDITION/SKILLS (Ucluelet)
Gear Check: Saturday morning before departure.
Day 1:
7:00 AM. Meet guides at DERBY (the OED building at 3410 Shelbourne)
Students should have a bank card/meal money for lunch en route to and from Ucluelet. Meal money will be provided for boarding students.
Gear distribution and equipment check by guides
Depart for Ucluelet
Day 1-5
Camping and kayaking activities in and around Ucluelet.
Day paddling trips from Ucluelet base.
Paddling skill development and West Coast exploration.
Day 5:
Pack up camp. Depart for Victoria.
Students should have a bank card/meal money for lunch en route to Victoria. Meal money will be provided for boarding students.
Return to DERBY. Pick up at 4:30 PM
ACCOMMODATION: Students will be sleeping in 2-4 person tents or under tarps.
ACTIVITY and CAMPING LOCATION: Expedition locations may include the following: Salt Spring Island, Southern Gulf Islands, Northern Gulf Islands or Tofino/Ucluelet (Clayoquot Sound, Barkley Sound). Camping locations will vary depending on the activity location, and may be at wilderness campsites or front-country campsites.
STAFFING: SMUS hires professional outdoor guides to lead the trip or a company to provide the guiding services. In some cases, guiding services and kayaking equipment are provided by a company such as SKILS
INSTRUCTOR/STUDENT RATIOS: 2:10
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.