WCP Spring Campout 2025

[CPS]

Tsawwassen is pretty straightforward. I usually park the car, roll up to the ticket building,leave kayak outside as I purchase a ticket, and am ushered through a little gate off to the side. The staff are super helpful, generally.

One time the gate was broken and I had to go through the building with a kayak in tow. It was pretty hectic.

The staff are generally helpful. I've never been through Swartz with a kayak. They will direct you however is most convenient and safe. Maybe there is a secret gate to let you through. There does seem to be a path right beside the primary vehicle ticket booth which connects to Dolphin Road.

 

[kayakwriter]

Checking my calendar I have an alumni event on Saturday, April 26th. So I plan to camp at Arbutus Point on Portland Island on April 23 and 24, returning home on the 25th. If any of you plan to come out early, let me know. Sad to miss the potluck.

I should be arriving on Portland late afternoon/early evening of the 25. I hope we overlap a bit!

 

[mick_allen]

Tsawwassen
One time the gate was broken and I had to go through the building with a kayak in tow. It was pretty hectic.
there's a side door that can be opened [by request?] that is fairly direct [for the kayak] thru the building.

Shwartz
It's been some time, but if one stays to the left, there is a gate that can be unlocked by the tower that gives a quick connection to the road and then over and down to the beach or dock.

 

[VIKayaker]

I'm going to try wheeling onto the ferry at Tsawwassen. I've never done it.

On the Tsawwassen side, there don't appear to be any weird gates or any other obstructions between the long-term parking lot, the foot passenger terminal, and the dock. Is that correct? If not, how do you wheel a kayak from the long-term paring lot onto the ferry at Tsawwassen?

On the Swartz Bay side, there appears to be a hellish maze of fences, gates, and moving traffic between the dock and the public beach at Barnacle Road. How do you wheel your ferry off the boat and out of the terminal at Swartz Bay?

Alex

Many years ago when I lived on the mainland and camped at Portland we would buy our tickets at the booth and the walk on via the lower car deck. Upon arrival at Swartz Bay you could cut across the parking lot and exit at Dolphin Road, the gates were unlocked. Best to call ahead to confirm though.

 

[VIKayaker]

Many years ago when I lived on the mainland and camped at Portland we would buy our tickets at the booth and the walk on via the lower car deck. Upon arrival at Swartz Bay you could cut across the parking lot and exit at Dolphin Road, the gates were unlocked. Best to call ahead to confirm though.

From

Many years ago when I lived on the mainland and camped at Portland we would buy our tickets at the booth and the walk on via the lower car deck. Upon arrival at Swartz Bay you could cut across the parking lot and exit at Dolphin Road, the gates were unlocked. Best to call ahead to confirm though.

from Philip Torrens website
Once your ferry has landed, wheel off the boat and up to the main restaurant building. Where the first leg of the red path is shown in the overhead picture, you will need to pass through a blue gate in the fencing. Ask someone at the BC ferries admin office, accessed at the south end of the restaurant building (indicated by the red arrow), to buzz you through the gate. Once through, head east on Dolphin Road, take the first left, and use the beach on the left of the public dock to launch

 

[AM]

On the Swartz Bay side, there appears to be a hellish maze of fences, gates, and moving traffic between the dock and the public beach at Barnacle Road. How do you wheel your ferry off the boat and out of the terminal at Swartz Bay?

Alex

Long ago a much younger version of me made a video to answer just this question.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Gary Jacek]

If you're returning the 25th - the day before - I might just miss touching base, so shucks.

Looking at currents, my departure from Portland will likely be well into the afternoon to avoid contrary currents. So don't give up hope of meeting, Mick.

 

[Alana]

I was also planning on heading over on the 25th. I've got the day off, so either sometime in the morning or afternoon.

 

[Gary Jacek]

I completely forgot about the SISKA AGM on April 23rd. Recalculating...

 

[kayakwriter]

Could we just a get recap of who is coming and when, so we can plan possible potluck suppers, etc.?

 

[mick_allen]

hey, I'll be there. Unlikely wed, but likely thurs. My potluck skills are marginal . . . but I've got this old blunderbuss of a dehydrator working on a few veggies, not that I'll be out there [for long enough -edited to add] to justify it.

 

[alexsidles]

I’ll be there Saturday and Sunday (26th and 27th). If the potluck is Saturday night, I can whip up a batch of vegetarian fried rice with tofu and peas.

Alex

 

[VIKayaker]

Hi all! Just got back from camping on Portland Island (Shell Beach) on Monday. BRING BUG SPRAY! I am covered in mosquito bites. And you'll need your own TP, outhouses are not stocked.

 

[VIKayaker]

Long ago a much younger version of me made a video to answer just this question.

Cheers,
Andrew

I knew I'd seen a video of this somewhere! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Alana]

I'll be there Friday afternoon.

As for the potluck, I'll make a Mexican inspired corn salad.

Are there any allergies that we should be aware of?

 

[kayakwriter]

I should be arriving Friday afternoon or early evening. For the potluck, which appears to be happening Saturday, I'll do a veggie pasta dish, which is vegetarian (though not vegan) by default. I'll have grated cheese and meat sides which can be added "downstream" for those who eat those things. I'll also work out some kind of name tag for myself, since I myself am terrible with names (though I do mostly get my own right...)

 

[Gary Jacek]

Looks like fabulous weather and little wind. Looking forward to the sunset/sunrise photos.

 

[alexsidles]

I just landed on the island, having paddled across from Swartz Bay by starlight and phosphorescence. I was expecting to find a wild kayakers’ debauch in full swing, but the only people still awake are powerboaters! Oh well, guess I’ll just have to drink these beers myself!

I’m sleeping out on the point, under the stars. I’ll move to a proper campsite once the sun comes up. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Alex

 

[alexsidles]

A great time was had by all. Four of us turned out this year: Philip, Alana, Mick, and me. We augmented our modest numbers by recruiting two kayak guides we met camping at Abutus Point, Liam and Jane. The potluck was a smashing success, featuring courses of tofu fried rice, pasta salad with sausage, and corn salad.

On Saturday, we made a day paddle over to Fulford Harbor to get ice cream and Russell Island to visit the historic Hawaiian homestead. On Sunday, Alana and I paddled back to Swartz Bay. Philip departed separately so he could do a bit of sailing. Mick stayed on Portland Island for one more day.

A few photos:

Alex

 

[Gary Jacek]

Thats great! I am glad that a few stalwart souls turned up to enjoy the sunshine and starlit skies while noshing on camp cuisine.

Sadly I could not make it out for the trip.

I was paddling the 'Classroom Sea'.

I had one last chance to visit my old high school before it is torn down. A lot of history in that old 1931 building, chock full of stained glass windows and art work. And at least for one day, also full of classmates old and young. My instructors are all gone now, but many long-forgotten memories were renewed.

So for me the WCP Spring Campout must wait for...next year...next year...