Paddle Forward - Voyageur Canoes & Reckies Storm the Beach

We were invited to join Paddle Forward - a beach cleanup event in North Vancouver hosted by the "Reckies" - Outdoor Recreation students from Capilano University.  How could we resist a day on the water paddling a voyageur canoe in search of marine debris?  It seemed like a perfect outing for us!

Our day began at Cates Park in North Vancouver.  This beautiful seaside park offers 6 km of waterfront trails with spectacular views of Indian Arm to the north and the Burrard Inlet to the south.

Welcome sign to Cates Park

Swimming Area with view north to Indian Arm

The boat launch is open year round and well used by paddlers, power-boaters and anglers.  We were excited at the opportunity to paddle a Voyageur.  We learned that the larger canoe we were going to use for the day was called a Montreal canoe.  The canoes were graciously donated for use during the event by Ridge Wilderness.

These boats are beasts!  They can hold up to 22 people and all of their gear - a bit roomier than our sea-kayaks.  Although our boat quickly filled with garbage, we tried to remind ourselves of the earlier days when the fur traders would load their canoes with furs and goods to trade.  It is unimaginable to think of portaging these monsters!

Getting ready to launch the canoes

It was nerve racking to watch the team reverse the trailer with those huge canoes down the boat ramp.  I know for sure that I would not want to drive the truck and trailer.  However, our team, led by guides from Ridge Wilderness handled it like pros and made it look easy.  A very smooth start to our day.

Micro-biologist looks downward as the Marine biologist looks out

Safety talk and trip prep

After a brief safety talk, we donned our life jackets and loaded up the canoe.  Again, we were amazed at the size of these boats and I wondered if we had a strong enough team to paddle across the inlet.  Within a few strokes it became apparent that the boats were surprisingly maneuverable - credit to our guides of course.  We quickly crossed the inlet and were out and on the beach in search of garbage before we knew it.

All aboard

When does marine debris become habitat?

Event organizers take a bow

Garbage barge

I am saddened to say that it only take a short amount of time before we had filled the canoe with garbage.  The team was forced to decide whether to continue with garbage collection, meaning several of us would have to swim back, OR, call it a day and paddle back.  For a moment I was nervous that this dedicated and energetic group of students weren't joking and would ask us to swim.

Although we were very upset by the amount of garbage, on the bright side, it was inspiring to see that a few people, a big canoe and a little bit of time can make such a substantial difference.  As Dr. Seuss pointed out in the Lorax, "UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, It's not."

  As we celebrated during the post cleanup BBQ, we felt inspired by these "Reckies" and that they did care a lot.  We felt confident that these students would continue to advocate for the care of these waters and the amazing BC coastline.

Celebration Picnic

To the dump

Giggle of the day:

It would be impossible to load up a canoe with University students on a long weekend and not giggle.  There were countless bad garbage jokes and lots of teasing, however, my favourite was our early morning paddling lesson.  We all sat patiently in the canoe as we were taught a forward stroke, a back stroke and how to rest.  I giggled as the "resting" stroke quickly became our favourite and the one that the group mastered the quickest!

How do you do the rest stroke again?

...and here is a video of the action from the uneqivocal Cap OREC team....enjoy!

Map and Route Tips:

There is a boat launch and parking fee.

Cates Park offers a picnic shelter, concession area and washrooms.

We tested our Strava mapping tool while paddling the inlet....it appears that we must have entered the Bermuda triangle for the first section of the paddle.