====== British Columbia, CA Surfski ======

[contributing more about this locale - [[:easy_edit|how to send info]]]

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{{:locales:canada:british_columbia:bc_orcas.jpg?direct&500x260|bc_orcas.jpg}}

Orcas photo: [[https://www.vancouverislandwhalewatch.com/killer-whales|Vancouver Island Whale Watch]]

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[[:canada|Main Canada Page]]

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With all of the **British Columbia coastline** from the mainland coast to the entire coastline of **Vancouver Island**, BC has a lot of water for **downwinding and exploration.** The more populated SW corner of BC has a number of **thriving paddling communities** and a fair number of **hard core downwind enthusiasts**, despite most paddling being done in cold water.

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===== Locales =====

  * [[:kelowna|Kelowna, BC]]
  * [[:tidalrace:inside_passage_tidal_surfing|Inside Passage Tidal Surf]]
  * **Prince Rupert Area**
      * **Haida Gwaii Island ** [[https://youtu.be/S4dorXopiPw?t=288|video]]
      * **Round Digby Island** [[https://youtu.be/B1qVjGjmHdo|video]]
      * **Skeena River ** [[https://youtu.be/Tyhh5QSWVG0|video]]
  * **Revelstoke**
      * [[https://paddlingmag.com/trips/destinations/paddling-adventures-in-revelstoke/?utm_source=Paddling+Magazine&utm_campaign=b43d49a964-ptw-2025-08-05&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-0cd6a72dfd-91587096&mc_cid=b43d49a964|5 paddling related options]] (Paddling Magazine)
  * [[:sunshine_coast|Sunshine Coast, BC]]
  * [[:vancouver|Vancouver, BC Area]]
  * [[:vancouver_island|Vancouver Island, BC]]

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**Ian Bolden downwinding in Davis Bay near Sechelt - Sunshine Coast, BC**

{{youtube>sm772oz4XCU?start=35}}

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===== BC Lakes =====

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Take your pick of many of the long, north-south lakes when the wind lines up with the lake direction north or south. Just make sure you are prepared for the most of the year cold water. The scenery will often be spectacular.

  * **Erie Lake **Salmo, BC [[https://youtu.be/4-I_wErr9ew|flatwater video]]
  * **Kalamalka Lake**
      * Kekuli Park to Kal Beach 8 km
      * Length of the Lake? Oyama to Vernon ~16 km
  * **Kootenay Lake**
      * **West Arm **
        * SW, W wind?
        * Nelson to ???
          * **Needs Research on Landings **
            * ??? Troup Beach, 5 mile Beach, 6 mile Beach, Kokanee Provincial Park (20 km)
  * **Lower Arrow Lake ** [[https://youtu.be/4xK-2MhI-ic|flatwater video]]
  * **Okanagan Lake**  - see [[:kelowna|Kelowna]]
  * **Waneta Dam Reservoir **Pend Oreille River [[https://youtu.be/HZdICC3nkcA|flatwater video]]
  * …

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===== Races =====

  * [[:races:races_canada#bc|Races in BC]]
  * …

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===== Repair =====

  * [[https://www.coastoutdoors.ca/|Coast Outdoors]] (Vancouver, BC based)
  * …

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===== Dealers =====

  * [[https://www.coastoutdoors.ca/|Coast Outdoors]] (goto resource for BC surfskiers)
  * …

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===== Rental =====

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If there are potential surfski rentals, you can find them on the specific "[[:british_columbia#locales|Locale]]" pages listed above. (and Vancouver should have some options)

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===== Resources =====

  * [[:bobputnam|Bob Putnam]] (Vancouver, Deep Cove Kayak, Coast Outdoors)
  * [[https://www.bcmarinetrails.org/bc-map|BC Marine Trails Map]] designed for sea kayakers but this launch site information may be of some use to other boaters
  * [[https://www.waterlevels.gc.ca/eng/find/region/1|Fisheries and Oceans Canada Tides]]
  * [[https://paddlebc.ca/|Paddle BC]]
  * [[https://pentictonpaddlesports.com/|Penticton Paddle Sports]]
  * [[https://paddlingmag.com/trips/destinations/kayaking-canoe-british-columbia/|10 Great Paddling Destinations in BC]]
  * …

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