Say Nuth Khaw Yum (Indian Arm) Kayak Trip 2024

Trip Dates: 10/12/24 –- 10/13/24

Participants: Elizabeth Chu, Rhiannon Henley, Lucy Perkins, Le Tra Mi Do, Ann-Cathrin Muller, Anabelle Parrella, Ed Riley, Simon Tsianikas, Cecily Downs, Joanne Ho, Erin Chong, Justine Ng, Lydia Dunkin, Tejas Vijay, Mateja Clifford, Elyse Truebridge, Jin Xu, John Sherk, Patric Gerard

Since arriving in Vancouver at the end of August from Edinburgh, Scotland, I have tried to go to as many VOC events/trips as possible with the hope of meeting people that share my outdoor interests. After Rock Party and a backpacking trip to Brew, this was to be my third trip with the club — three completely different activities in as many trips! Though I have spent plenty of time outdoors at home in the UK & Europe, including with the Edinburgh University Mountaineering Club (Edinburgh’s equivalent to the VOC), this was to be my first kayak overnighter.

After finding a boat partner, choosing a car group and paying for the kayak hire at the pre trip, everything was in order for a great weekend kayaking up Indian Arm and back. The plan was to start at Deep Cove on Saturday, camp at Granite Falls and retrace our steps (paddles?!) on Sunday. The forecast was predicting blue sky and minimal wind all weekend so we were in for some great views and paddling conditions!

Once everyone had arrived at Deep Cove, it was time to pack the kayaks and get on the water. I admit my anxiety rose slightly at this point as I hadn’t realised I’d have to split the contents of my rucksack into quite so many constituent parts… I only had two big dry bags and two bin bags. In the end though, I managed to fit all my contents into something vaguely waterproof and as long as we didn’t roll the kayak, I was confident all my stuff would stay dry.

After we’d launched from Deep Cove, the first point of interest was the ‘Seal Hotel’! This is a small outcrop close to Deep Cove where an abundance of seals gather/sunbathe/chill above the water.

We then continued paddling, all the while admiring the impressive real estate that lines the shores lower down the Indian Arm. After just over an hour and a half of paddling, we hauled our boats onto the beach for a break and refuel. Sushi and oreos were just some of the things being eaten for lunch!

Two hours of paddling later and we arrived at Granite Falls, a spectacular waterfall next to which we’d be camping. Understandably, the first thing some people wanted to do was rip their wetsuit off and put on some comfier clothes and go explore the waterfall and campground. However, a few of us (me included!) donned our wetsuits again and got back in the water to learn how to roll the kayak and try to get back in it while in the water. Let’s just say there were varying levels of success! This was great fun, especially since the water wasn’t as cold as expected! Elizabeth and John kindly offered up their solo kayaks for people to practice in.

We then ate dinner under John’s tarp and shared some potluck items ranging from crushed Nature Valley bars to iced-in-situ pumpkin and chai loaf! Simultaneously, plans were hatched for a sunrise paddle up to the estuary at the top of Indian Arm for the following morning. Alarms were to be set to 6:00am with a plan to be on the water by 7:00am (realistically 7:30am in the end!) Some people like complete silence when sleeping, but I for one slept well with the constant noise from the waterfall in the background.

The next morning, some of us got into drier wetsuits than others and we set off on our sunrise paddle. Paddling up in the direction of the Wigwam Inn (this place has a storied history as I found out after the trip… https://lonsdaleave.ca/history-of-wigwam-inn), we saw multiple seals and a vast number of moon jellyfish floating near the surface.

Upon return to the campsite, we packed our remaining gear and set off on our paddle back to Deep Cove.

The paddle down the Arm was largely uneventful, but we did see some things we hadn’t seen on the way up such as this waterfall and its nearby starfish population.

Some hours later, after stopping for lunch at the same beach as the previous day, we all made it safely back to Deep Cove where most of us headed to the much-hyped Honey Doughnuts.

Thanks goes to the people in the group with past kayak experience who took on the responsibility of leading a small sub group each and Lucy and Elizabeth for leading the trip!