The "Compass 140" by Seaward Kayaks, renowned local kayak builders from Nanaimo, is described by them as "Rough Water Ready – Beginner Friendly! With enough storage capacity for an overnight trip, yet light enough to easily carry, this is a versatile recreational kayak. The Compass 140 will turn on a dime, handle rough water and more importantly, put a smile on your face. The ergonomic cockpit with our industry leading 5-Way Adjustable Seat will fit a wide range of paddlers. The new day hatch is within easy reach, along with the optional rudder. Sharing many features with our touring kayaks, the Compass 140 also comes with safe hatches for storage, a full complement of safety lines and bungee cords on deck. Inspired by the latest in advanced hull design, Boreal Design has crafted a fast, stable kayak that tracks effortlessly and ensures a “dry ride”."
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The Lambert Channel
Between our shore and Hornby Island, the ocean is quite often as calm as a lake and ideal for kayaking! The crystal clear water around Denman and Hornby Islands was described by the famous underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau, as the second best for diving in the world!
It's an easy paddle South down the shoreline to visit Chrome Island Lighthouse where the lighthouse keeper will show you, if he has time, the First Nations petroglyphs, and you'll likely encounter curious otters and eagles fishing and nesting in the shoreline trees; or paddle over to Hornby (it takes roughly 40 minutes to reach the Hornby shore on a calm day) to visit Heron Rocks where seals swim underneath you and if you're lucky, you'll spot a pod of hunting orcas! A longer paddle North along the Denman shoreline will take you to Sandy Island Marine Park (aka Tree Island and aka Bird Island).
We only have the one kayak (so far, but we plan to add another single and a double), making it necessary to book in advance, to avoid disappointment. Check your dates on the calendar, then book using the form below that. Please note, you will be asked to affirm that you have experience of sea kayaking and are competent to take the kayak out on your own.*
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Local Kayak Rentals
If there are two of you, kayaks (and paddleboards and canoes) can be rented from
Denman Hornby Canoes and Kayaks Ltd., which is less than 5 minutes' drive down East Road. It's possible to take ours out and rent one from them, then meet on the ocean in-between. Tide Times for Denman Island
You want to try to time your launch/trip for as near to high tide as possible...
Denman Island Tides Timetable ► |
↕ On the Lambert Channel, June '22, pointing South towards Mount Arrowsmith, 3rd highest mountain on Vancouver Island
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↕ (photo. Sheryll Ford, Aug '22)
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The Weather
Your trip will depend on there being decent weather on the day. If it starts out too windy, it often dies down in the afternoon. Your booking reserves the kayak for you, but you are not obliged to use it! Depending on the tides, we may only accept one booking during the day, although a second trip may be possible in the evening.
For Your Comfort & Safety
The kayak is inspected for damage and defects after every trip, and maintained and cleaned regularly.
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Kayaking Competence & Your Safety
Even though conditions on the Lambert Channel are about as benign as the ocean gets, kayaking solo on the ocean is not to be taken lightly. Although it's unlikely, you must know how to exit a kayak if you get accidentally rolled over, e.g. by the wash of a passing boat. We do not use a splash deck so the kayak cannot be rolled upright again from underwater; however, a kayaker experienced enough to roll a kayak is also experienced enough to know how to get out of one when underwater, and probably wouldn't get rolled over in the first place! It is the inexperienced who might, and would get stuck and panic when hanging upside-down underwater, so if that's you, don't risk it. (See the waiver for details.)
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Kayaking equipment is kept in the bike shed ↕
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