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North Shore Kayaks in N. Van--What the heck?? Anyone know them?

pawsplus

Paddler
Joined
Jan 19, 2015
Messages
1,063
Location
Landlocked in Tennessee
I am trying to get hold of someone at North Shore Kayaks. Due to financial and family issues it seems unlikely that I will be able to do my planned San Juan Islands trip this summer. :( BUT I will still be visiting my mom. Due to her health issues I want to be around to actually SEE her most of the time, but I was thinking I could take a one night overnight up Indian Arm (camping at Granite Falls). North Shore Kayaks seems to be the best place to get a boat, and hopefully some camping gear as well (so I don't have to schlep it all the way from TN), but I can't get hold of them!

http://www.northshorekayaks.com/

Their form on their contact us page does not work (the kapcha isn't working so it won't submit). I get a "this call cannot be completed" message at their 604 phone numbers and a constant busy signal at their 877 number! And they don't seem to have a FaceBook page either!

Does anyone have an email addy for them? Thanks! :)
 
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@pawsplus I've never heard of North Shore Kayaks. Deep Cove kayaks is located right at the launch point and is very reputable. https://www.deepcovekayak.com/ Make sure you book in advance since they can be full booked up for rentals (especially overnight and/or more performance oriented boats).

I am not sure if Deep Cove rents much camping gear, but MEC (https://www.mec.ca/en/explore/gear-rentals) rents camping gear. Depending up on what you need/want it is worthwhile checking with both their Vancouver and North Vancouver locations.
 
If you will be in the San Juan area, perhaps, on Orcas, Body/Boat/Blade or ShearWater could rent you a boat. I think there is another outfitter near the North Shore. There are several rental outfit on the San Juan Island. A day paddle or simple overnight from Orcas to Jones Island is always nice. Don't know if they have the water turned on yet.

Parking is a challenge (without giving away too many secrets) but there are a few free slots at Deer Harbor (launch point to Jones Island. Parking at North Beach is free - crossing over to Sucia. You'll want plan first for slack currents and second for tide. Hate to carry the boat all the way down (or back up) that stony "beach".

There's another free (three days parking) launch point at a dock on Orcas near Obstruction Pass.

Lot's of options - depending upon what Island you want start from and visit. In truth, I've never had to rent a boat - I've just seen the stores.
 
As I said above, I'm not going to the San Juans anymore this summer. I can't afford the side trip. I will just go to Vancouver to visit my mom, so I am looking into Indian Arm, and North Shore Kayaks seems to be the obvious outfit for that.

Another option is Bowen Island, but that seems a lot more complicated in many ways.
 
@pawsplus I've never heard of North Shore Kayaks. Deep Cove kayaks is located right at the launch point and is very reputable. https://www.deepcovekayak.com/ Make sure you book in advance since they can be full booked up for rentals (especially overnight and/or more performance oriented boats).

I am not sure if Deep Cove rents much camping gear, but MEC (https://www.mec.ca/en/explore/gear-rentals) rents camping gear. Depending up on what you need/want it is worthwhile checking with both their Vancouver and North Vancouver locations.
Yeah, I have an email out to Deep Cove, but I am assuming they do not rent camping stuff as they do not run overnight guided trips. I know about MEC but I am going to be without a car and trying to keep this from becoming too big a production (as the whole point is to spend more time w/ my mom this year).
 
I've heard back from Deep Cove and may go with them. They do not rent equipment. Looked into MEC and honestly, it would be cheaper (by a LOT, given that I won't have a car and will need to pick the stuff up the day before and bring it back the day after--ie, 4 days total rental) to order a cheap tent and sleeping bag off Amazon ($150 total) and have it sent to my mom's place! Maybe that's what I will do. I can get my mini-Thermarest in my checked bag. :)
 
Oh, THAT North Shore :) There's a North Shore on Orcas and I think a guide service right next door to the launch area. Also, amazing how rich a language can be and yet when there's group of lslands call the San Juan Islands, someone has to name ONE Of the islands the San Juan Island.I see the "... unlikely ... " now. Hope you get some Vancouver Island water time.
 
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