SUP,Surf
Tofino Retreat (May long 2025)
S1 - windsurfing - Columbia Beach (2025 May 17)
Dumb luck. I wasn’t expecting to sail (SE doesn’t work at Pipers), then it dawned on me when I got off the ferry – maybe Columbia Beach is working. Worth a look-see. Arrived to find one mutt and the breeze freshening! This could work! By the time I rigged the 5.3/115 was getting to be a handful! Flattened the sail and got a few more rides before coming in for medium gear (4.5/93) – that was MUCH better! Got treated to a mini point break on the low tide that ran from the exposed main reef down to the house with the green roof! Sets were modest, but still averaging waist high. Some offering multiple down-the-line turns! Got one cut back that had good energy, speed, power, and rotation – personal best at CB (there may have even been a bucket)! Feeling some progression! Jumps on the way out – some with pop! Shared with two mutt and one touring Swiss kiter and a few sea lions. It was good to be back windsurfing at Columbia Beach again, for the first time! Nice surprise and a great way to start the trip! Capped the day with watching the third period and seeing the Leafs force a game seven! Then instant dinner (Whole Foods) and instant camp fire (propane) oceanside in Ukee!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S2 - wavesailing - Long Beach (2025 May 17)
Windy! Up before dawn and came pretty close to hitting a fawn (but stopped in time). Saw a grouse also greeting the day. Got rock star parking and got settled in for a day of homesteading at Incinerator Rock. On it early are 12 noon with big gear (5.3/115) and wind kept you on your toes (hammer to rolling off the back of target waves), but still managed to get more than a few decent waves! Rigged down to 4.5/92 about an hour later and the wind built, but steadied out (for Long Beach) which made catching the background south swell easy and fun! Waves were fun-sized with a few mini-bombs! Waves stated open and clean which made for lots of turns on go-anywhere wave rides! Caught one party wave with Dan (that he doesn’t remember) that impressed the two surfers in the water (chatted later in the parking lot)! They were so impressed they said it made them want to take up windsurfing!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S3 - wavesailing - South Chesterman (2025 May 18)
Big smiles! Saw whale spouting at Long Beach and the new VW Buzz (long). The crew demoing the VW van said it was “fast” – that’s unusual for a VW bus! Then off to South Chesterman for a wind/surf check. Just enough of a wave to draw two of us out (myself and Cloud Break Adrian). There is something magical about this spot – side-off wind, shape and path of the wave, and more! Wind was about 15 mph to start and built to allow some jumping! Background south swell started as imaginary friends and built to waist-high plus on the flooding tide. Waves were small but they generated some BIG smiles and a Woooo Hooooo on my first carving down-the-line ride! Two more kites joined in the fun and the wave count and smiles grew! 6 degree air temp and cool water made for cold hands but bare feet were OK. Sea had some roll that made tacking on the outside a bit wet at times (but there was enough wind to waterstart). Fun to share the stoke in such a magical spot!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S4 - SUP - South Chesterman (2025 May 19)
Storm watching in Ukee while eating my breakfast! Travel day SUP in the SE wind swell at South Chesterman. A few clean faces and some decent turns to make the session worth while! Always nice to get wet before hitting the road!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S1 - windsurfing - Columbia Beach (2025 May 17)
Dumb luck. I wasn’t expecting to sail (SE doesn’t work at Pipers), then it dawned on me when I got off the ferry – maybe Columbia Beach is working. Worth a look-see. Arrived to find one mutt and the breeze freshening! This could work! By the time I rigged the 5.3/115 was getting to be a handful! Flattened the sail and got a few more rides before coming in for medium gear (4.5/93) – that was MUCH better! Got treated to a mini point break on the low tide that ran from the exposed main reef down to the house with the green roof! Sets were modest, but still averaging waist high. Some offering multiple down-the-line turns! Got one cut back that had good energy, speed, power, and rotation – personal best at CB (there may have even been a bucket)! Feeling some progression! Jumps on the way out – some with pop! Shared with two mutt and one touring Swiss kiter and a few sea lions. It was good to be back windsurfing at Columbia Beach again, for the first time! Nice surprise and a great way to start the trip! Capped the day with watching the third period and seeing the Leafs force a game seven! Then instant dinner (Whole Foods) and instant camp fire (propane) oceanside in Ukee!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S2 - wavesailing - Long Beach (2025 May 17)
Windy! Up before dawn and came pretty close to hitting a fawn (but stopped in time). Saw a grouse also greeting the day. Got rock star parking and got settled in for a day of homesteading at Incinerator Rock. On it early are 12 noon with big gear (5.3/115) and wind kept you on your toes (hammer to rolling off the back of target waves), but still managed to get more than a few decent waves! Rigged down to 4.5/92 about an hour later and the wind built, but steadied out (for Long Beach) which made catching the background south swell easy and fun! Waves were fun-sized with a few mini-bombs! Waves stated open and clean which made for lots of turns on go-anywhere wave rides! Caught one party wave with Dan (that he doesn’t remember) that impressed the two surfers in the water (chatted later in the parking lot)! They were so impressed they said it made them want to take up windsurfing!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S3 - wavesailing - South Chesterman (2025 May 18)
Big smiles! Saw whale spouting at Long Beach and the new VW Buzz (long). The crew demoing the VW van said it was “fast” – that’s unusual for a VW bus! Then off to South Chesterman for a wind/surf check. Just enough of a wave to draw two of us out (myself and Cloud Break Adrian). There is something magical about this spot – side-off wind, shape and path of the wave, and more! Wind was about 15 mph to start and built to allow some jumping! Background south swell started as imaginary friends and built to waist-high plus on the flooding tide. Waves were small but they generated some BIG smiles and a Woooo Hooooo on my first carving down-the-line ride! Two more kites joined in the fun and the wave count and smiles grew! 6 degree air temp and cool water made for cold hands but bare feet were OK. Sea had some roll that made tacking on the outside a bit wet at times (but there was enough wind to waterstart). Fun to share the stoke in such a magical spot!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S4 - SUP - South Chesterman (2025 May 19)
Storm watching in Ukee while eating my breakfast! Travel day SUP in the SE wind swell at South Chesterman. A few clean faces and some decent turns to make the session worth while! Always nice to get wet before hitting the road!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
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C36 - Posts: 2243
- Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 8:17 pm
S1 - windsurfing - Columbia Beach (2025 May 30)
Meh. The wind was teasing (and I was beginning to think CB was the new Pipers). Should have rigged 6.1 but didn’t have enough with 5.3. Lots of sea life – large fish and seals hunting fish. It was worth a try.
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S2 - wavesailing - Long Beach (2025 May 31)
Steady. Rain overnight. Deer fawn at dawn in Ukee. Whale spout and bald eagle at Long Beach. Parking lot French Toast. Sky broke and NW flow started. Maxim giving wing lessons. Took to the water on big gear as the wind ramped up. Low tide shore pound was a little sketchy. Treated to some clean organized west swell that had set up in clean lines. Some fun rides that got a few compliments once back on the beach. Squatters set up their cooking table in my parking spot. Steady wind and decent power made this session seem special and I set the intention I was due for a solid one and it happened!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S3 - wavesailing - Long Beach (2025 May 31)
Power hour plus. Took a break for lunch and waited for the wind to ramp up so I could use smaller gear, but it didn’t. Tried the big gear again, but that was short lived as the real wind arrived! Nice to use the smaller gear fully powered! Fun charge cooking ng out with power and squeaked over a few solid breaking waves! Toward the end of my second shift outside gybes felt like hate at the Cape! Two great sessions in one day! Hot solar shower! Raven. Dinner in the park again – this time in the warm sun! Meditation on the point storm watching! Very grateful!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S4 - wavesailing - Long Beach (2025 June 1)
Bomb! West swell was tricky – didn’t look like much from the beach, but it was pumping on the rising mid-tide. Caught one bomb early on that felt logo-high! Reece was killing it on wing! Wind was light at times and prompted a couple of rejections turned swims ~ but there were still wavesailing to be had! Marty shared tales of ocean odyssey on a commercial fishing boat. Hummingbird at Long Beach and Steller’s Jay and possible bear scat at Green Point. Set up base camp at Green Point. Ozy did his best not to mark the campsite with his Maui ribs.
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S5 - SUP - Long Beach (2025 June 2)
Glass. Morning class hung around and pulled me out for a SUP session. Slack low tide and the west swell kept producing gentle giants mid-beach! Turquoise water! Clear view of the bottom like being in an aquarium! Gath visor mount created some GoPro blindness as it tilted the helmet forward ~ Caught a few bombs and one long runner to the right! Fun to paddle surf the glassy sets!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S6 - wavesailing - Long Beach (2025 June 2)
Up and over. Surf check at South Chesterman – wind, but no swell. I decided to head back to Long Beach for a look-see. Mink at Long Beach (first one I have seen out here). Light wind slough and ride. I kept willing myself up and over the west swell in the light wind! Some swims, but a few bombs! Fun for those that lingered!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S7 - road bike ride - Tofino to Radar Hill (2025 June 3)
Close calls. Mixed it up and took the new-to-m road bike for a spin from Tofino to Radar Hill. Just about got taken out by a careless driver pulling out of a driveway. By the time I stopped my left hand as leaning on his front fender. The guy was fully of excuses but never asked If I was OK. The woman cycling behind me rolled up and said, “That looked frightening! Are you OK?” I thanked her for checking on me. Second close call was with a black bear on the way home, thankfully before I stopped at the fish shop! Nice to go for spin before the wind came up!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S8 - wavesailing - Long Beach (2025 June 3)
Groove. Another surf check at South Chesterman – wind, but no swell. AJ and I decided to head back to Long Beach for a look-see. Long Beach looked inviting with cool, stable NW wind! A few kites out. Some waves to work with. Wind eased then rebounded. Mot thought this was more fun than last night. Jesse and Maxum on wings. AJ was stoked with progression with wavesailing on windsurfing gear!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
Meh. The wind was teasing (and I was beginning to think CB was the new Pipers). Should have rigged 6.1 but didn’t have enough with 5.3. Lots of sea life – large fish and seals hunting fish. It was worth a try.
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S2 - wavesailing - Long Beach (2025 May 31)
Steady. Rain overnight. Deer fawn at dawn in Ukee. Whale spout and bald eagle at Long Beach. Parking lot French Toast. Sky broke and NW flow started. Maxim giving wing lessons. Took to the water on big gear as the wind ramped up. Low tide shore pound was a little sketchy. Treated to some clean organized west swell that had set up in clean lines. Some fun rides that got a few compliments once back on the beach. Squatters set up their cooking table in my parking spot. Steady wind and decent power made this session seem special and I set the intention I was due for a solid one and it happened!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S3 - wavesailing - Long Beach (2025 May 31)
Power hour plus. Took a break for lunch and waited for the wind to ramp up so I could use smaller gear, but it didn’t. Tried the big gear again, but that was short lived as the real wind arrived! Nice to use the smaller gear fully powered! Fun charge cooking ng out with power and squeaked over a few solid breaking waves! Toward the end of my second shift outside gybes felt like hate at the Cape! Two great sessions in one day! Hot solar shower! Raven. Dinner in the park again – this time in the warm sun! Meditation on the point storm watching! Very grateful!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S4 - wavesailing - Long Beach (2025 June 1)
Bomb! West swell was tricky – didn’t look like much from the beach, but it was pumping on the rising mid-tide. Caught one bomb early on that felt logo-high! Reece was killing it on wing! Wind was light at times and prompted a couple of rejections turned swims ~ but there were still wavesailing to be had! Marty shared tales of ocean odyssey on a commercial fishing boat. Hummingbird at Long Beach and Steller’s Jay and possible bear scat at Green Point. Set up base camp at Green Point. Ozy did his best not to mark the campsite with his Maui ribs.
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S5 - SUP - Long Beach (2025 June 2)
Glass. Morning class hung around and pulled me out for a SUP session. Slack low tide and the west swell kept producing gentle giants mid-beach! Turquoise water! Clear view of the bottom like being in an aquarium! Gath visor mount created some GoPro blindness as it tilted the helmet forward ~ Caught a few bombs and one long runner to the right! Fun to paddle surf the glassy sets!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S6 - wavesailing - Long Beach (2025 June 2)
Up and over. Surf check at South Chesterman – wind, but no swell. I decided to head back to Long Beach for a look-see. Mink at Long Beach (first one I have seen out here). Light wind slough and ride. I kept willing myself up and over the west swell in the light wind! Some swims, but a few bombs! Fun for those that lingered!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S7 - road bike ride - Tofino to Radar Hill (2025 June 3)
Close calls. Mixed it up and took the new-to-m road bike for a spin from Tofino to Radar Hill. Just about got taken out by a careless driver pulling out of a driveway. By the time I stopped my left hand as leaning on his front fender. The guy was fully of excuses but never asked If I was OK. The woman cycling behind me rolled up and said, “That looked frightening! Are you OK?” I thanked her for checking on me. Second close call was with a black bear on the way home, thankfully before I stopped at the fish shop! Nice to go for spin before the wind came up!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S8 - wavesailing - Long Beach (2025 June 3)
Groove. Another surf check at South Chesterman – wind, but no swell. AJ and I decided to head back to Long Beach for a look-see. Long Beach looked inviting with cool, stable NW wind! A few kites out. Some waves to work with. Wind eased then rebounded. Mot thought this was more fun than last night. Jesse and Maxum on wings. AJ was stoked with progression with wavesailing on windsurfing gear!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
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C36 - Posts: 2243
- Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 8:17 pm
Looks like another good trip! Thanks for sharing.
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ShonanDB - Posts: 615
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 5:52 pm
S9 - SUP at Long Beach (2025 Jun 4)
Glass off. Watched game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs on my phone at the campsite while I ate an early dinner. OT had to wait for a surf check! Classic summer Long Beach evening glass off complete with high tide and long board waves! What a treat after a day of watching onshore wind stir things up. Soothes the soul to be out on the water at sunset. Icing on the cake!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S10 - road bike Radar Hill to Green Point (2025 Jun 5)
Road apple. Fog and onshore wind has me reaching for my road bike. Next along the route was Radar Hill to Green Point launched from Incinerator Rock parking lot. Morning ride through the forest allowed you to sense the rhythm of the land as you rolled up and down along the bike path. No close calls with cars or bears today making for a chill ride!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S11 - SUP at Long Beach (2025 Jun 5)
Sea. Sunet SUP session on high flooding tide. Baritone ukulele played. Seals hunting fish. Some compliments from the parking lot on waves caught. Rhythm of the sea!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S12 - SUP at Long Beach (2025 Jun 6)
Dip and rip. Deer tracks on the beach. Warm morning air felt unusual after all the cool nights. Morning session on slack high tide.
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S13 - wavesailing at Long Beach (2025 Jun 6)
High of 19. Surf check at South Chesterman before taking to the water at Long Beach. On an afternoon slack low tide. Kites launched but didn’t stay out for long. Small waves and light wind made for lot of backside rides and only a few frontside down-the-line rides.
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S14 - wavesailing at South Chesterman (2025 Jun 8)
Minis. Debated about going out but the sun, warm temps and opportunity to session South Chesterman drew me out. Mini tracer waves on ebbing mid-tide. Hit a target wave on most rides in. They were small (knee to waist-high), but most provided for three to four hits! Fun that!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S15 - wavesailing at South Chesterman (2025 Jun 9)
More. Same location, similar ebbing mid-tide, similar side-off wind direction, and similar wind speed to yesterday. More wave, more turns, more rides, and more fun than yesterday! South swell started to pump just after I took to the water! It was a bit unsettled having travelled through the large west swell, but it was easy to catch and fun to work with! One junior shortboard surfer out that was just ripping! Great session to end the trip with!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
Glass off. Watched game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs on my phone at the campsite while I ate an early dinner. OT had to wait for a surf check! Classic summer Long Beach evening glass off complete with high tide and long board waves! What a treat after a day of watching onshore wind stir things up. Soothes the soul to be out on the water at sunset. Icing on the cake!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S10 - road bike Radar Hill to Green Point (2025 Jun 5)
Road apple. Fog and onshore wind has me reaching for my road bike. Next along the route was Radar Hill to Green Point launched from Incinerator Rock parking lot. Morning ride through the forest allowed you to sense the rhythm of the land as you rolled up and down along the bike path. No close calls with cars or bears today making for a chill ride!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S11 - SUP at Long Beach (2025 Jun 5)
Sea. Sunet SUP session on high flooding tide. Baritone ukulele played. Seals hunting fish. Some compliments from the parking lot on waves caught. Rhythm of the sea!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S12 - SUP at Long Beach (2025 Jun 6)
Dip and rip. Deer tracks on the beach. Warm morning air felt unusual after all the cool nights. Morning session on slack high tide.
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S13 - wavesailing at Long Beach (2025 Jun 6)
High of 19. Surf check at South Chesterman before taking to the water at Long Beach. On an afternoon slack low tide. Kites launched but didn’t stay out for long. Small waves and light wind made for lot of backside rides and only a few frontside down-the-line rides.
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S14 - wavesailing at South Chesterman (2025 Jun 8)
Minis. Debated about going out but the sun, warm temps and opportunity to session South Chesterman drew me out. Mini tracer waves on ebbing mid-tide. Hit a target wave on most rides in. They were small (knee to waist-high), but most provided for three to four hits! Fun that!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
S15 - wavesailing at South Chesterman (2025 Jun 9)
More. Same location, similar ebbing mid-tide, similar side-off wind direction, and similar wind speed to yesterday. More wave, more turns, more rides, and more fun than yesterday! South swell started to pump just after I took to the water! It was a bit unsettled having travelled through the large west swell, but it was easy to catch and fun to work with! One junior shortboard surfer out that was just ripping! Great session to end the trip with!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
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C36 - Posts: 2243
- Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 8:17 pm
VI 1 - SUP @ Cox Bay (2025 July 25)
Golden. Surf checks at Flo (super fun and hard to leave), Wick (stirred up), Long Beach (a little dumpy), and Cox Bay (workable and second only to Flo) as I made my way north to the campsite. I decided to set up the campsite and wait for the evening glass off. Unfortunately the onshore wind kept things pretty stirred up right to dark. Enjoyed the magical last hour of daylight on the water and was treated to a golden sunset that painted the sky with colour and lit up the main windows on the Cox Bay main beach house with a golden glow! Waves were small and a mix of small period west and some background south swell on the slack low tide. Started at the north end of the bay and sampled my way south getting treated to rides along the way. Exited a Maltby pathway. Hot outdoor shower and dinner at the campsite!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 2 - SUP @ Cox Bay (2025 July 26)
Settled. Waves cleaned up overnight. Sleep in until 9 am waiting for the sun to pop out. Took to the water just as the south wind started to put some texture on the outside. Waves were similar to last night but cleaner - small and a mix of small period west and some background south swell on the slack low tide. Took a walk over to South Chesterman and saw the local surfers ripping the waves in Rosies Bay and I caught some of the south swell that was working its way into South Chesterman. Good but not great. Still a beautiful morning to be on the water!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 3 - SUP @ Cox Bay (2025 July 26)
Busy. Afternoon session to sample the slack high tide. Unfortunately mid afternoon was busy! The first few waves came pretty easy mid-beach and then I moved just a bit further out to create some separation from the crowds and the waves were too round and fat to catch. Still nice to get out for the second session of the day! Early dinner at the campsite.
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 4 - SUP @ Cox Bay (2025 July 27)
Point break. Waves were glassy but it didn’t look like much from the beach on the sack low tide with the exception of the cove at the north end of the beach. Once out on the water there were pulses of the 14 second south swell! Better yet Pettinger Point was setting up like a point break running right! And I was the only one on it! This gave me the confidence to explore and seek out the sweet spot for take-off! Sweet! Stayed out for about two hours and caught my fill of smooth open waves and some close-outs too! Walked over to Rosie Bay (larger, but lefts and a-little-closey-outie) to check out both it and South Chesterman (small sections of the south swell sweeping in, but not worth the walk). More than happy with what I got!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 5 - SUP @ Cox Bay (2025 July 27)
Waist-high. Evening session on an ebbing mid-tide with waist-high clean waves before dinner in the Great Room. A nice pre-dinner cool down session!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 6 - SUP @ Cox Bay (2025 July 28)
Stoked! Last session at Surf Grove to make it six sessions for six opportunities! Dawn patrol was busy on the point as it was the only peak working on the melting south swell. I waiting until the early birds thinned and got on it with about three others that quickly grew again to about 10. One who paddled out with me was a young surfer named Ike – he could rip this wave! It was prefect for his light weight and high skill level! He was so stoked to share it with his friend as he called out, “It a perfect point break! I have never seen a point break at Cox Bay before! I rode the first wave all the way into the beach!” I caught more than a few memorable waves too but Ike was extracting every once of energy from those waves and it was a pleasure to watch!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 7 - road bike - Green Point to Wick (2025 July 29)
Land. Road bike ride to complete the third stage of my Tour de Tofino – Green Point to Wick! Three of the four sections had bear warning signs up. Pretty sure I heard a bear snorting just after I passed the first one at Green Point. Then saw a pile of bear scat on the paved trail a little further on. Enjoyed a land-side bike ride in the forest to add into the rotation!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 8 - wavesailing @ Long Beach (2025 July 29)
Treat. First wind powered session of the trip! Wind + wave = fun! Classic afternoon NW pulse at Long Beach paired with some of the remaining south swell on a slack high-tide made for a gusty, but playful session! Most of my target waves hit, no rejections, and no washes! Felt warm even in short sleeve 2/2 wetsuit! Shaggy and then Reece both joined in on wing and covered a lot of ground (and waves)! Fun-size waves were very clean on the inside and were a pleasure to ride!
Post-session Tsunami watch upgraded to an advisory to create a bit of stress to the end of the day. Headed to higher ground at Long Beach Campground to sift through the information. Wave expected at 11:30 pm. Advisory means strong currents likely. Stay away from shore. Full evacuation only required with a warning. Predicted height of wave in Tofino was less than one foot.
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
Golden. Surf checks at Flo (super fun and hard to leave), Wick (stirred up), Long Beach (a little dumpy), and Cox Bay (workable and second only to Flo) as I made my way north to the campsite. I decided to set up the campsite and wait for the evening glass off. Unfortunately the onshore wind kept things pretty stirred up right to dark. Enjoyed the magical last hour of daylight on the water and was treated to a golden sunset that painted the sky with colour and lit up the main windows on the Cox Bay main beach house with a golden glow! Waves were small and a mix of small period west and some background south swell on the slack low tide. Started at the north end of the bay and sampled my way south getting treated to rides along the way. Exited a Maltby pathway. Hot outdoor shower and dinner at the campsite!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 2 - SUP @ Cox Bay (2025 July 26)
Settled. Waves cleaned up overnight. Sleep in until 9 am waiting for the sun to pop out. Took to the water just as the south wind started to put some texture on the outside. Waves were similar to last night but cleaner - small and a mix of small period west and some background south swell on the slack low tide. Took a walk over to South Chesterman and saw the local surfers ripping the waves in Rosies Bay and I caught some of the south swell that was working its way into South Chesterman. Good but not great. Still a beautiful morning to be on the water!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 3 - SUP @ Cox Bay (2025 July 26)
Busy. Afternoon session to sample the slack high tide. Unfortunately mid afternoon was busy! The first few waves came pretty easy mid-beach and then I moved just a bit further out to create some separation from the crowds and the waves were too round and fat to catch. Still nice to get out for the second session of the day! Early dinner at the campsite.
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 4 - SUP @ Cox Bay (2025 July 27)
Point break. Waves were glassy but it didn’t look like much from the beach on the sack low tide with the exception of the cove at the north end of the beach. Once out on the water there were pulses of the 14 second south swell! Better yet Pettinger Point was setting up like a point break running right! And I was the only one on it! This gave me the confidence to explore and seek out the sweet spot for take-off! Sweet! Stayed out for about two hours and caught my fill of smooth open waves and some close-outs too! Walked over to Rosie Bay (larger, but lefts and a-little-closey-outie) to check out both it and South Chesterman (small sections of the south swell sweeping in, but not worth the walk). More than happy with what I got!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 5 - SUP @ Cox Bay (2025 July 27)
Waist-high. Evening session on an ebbing mid-tide with waist-high clean waves before dinner in the Great Room. A nice pre-dinner cool down session!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 6 - SUP @ Cox Bay (2025 July 28)
Stoked! Last session at Surf Grove to make it six sessions for six opportunities! Dawn patrol was busy on the point as it was the only peak working on the melting south swell. I waiting until the early birds thinned and got on it with about three others that quickly grew again to about 10. One who paddled out with me was a young surfer named Ike – he could rip this wave! It was prefect for his light weight and high skill level! He was so stoked to share it with his friend as he called out, “It a perfect point break! I have never seen a point break at Cox Bay before! I rode the first wave all the way into the beach!” I caught more than a few memorable waves too but Ike was extracting every once of energy from those waves and it was a pleasure to watch!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 7 - road bike - Green Point to Wick (2025 July 29)
Land. Road bike ride to complete the third stage of my Tour de Tofino – Green Point to Wick! Three of the four sections had bear warning signs up. Pretty sure I heard a bear snorting just after I passed the first one at Green Point. Then saw a pile of bear scat on the paved trail a little further on. Enjoyed a land-side bike ride in the forest to add into the rotation!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 8 - wavesailing @ Long Beach (2025 July 29)
Treat. First wind powered session of the trip! Wind + wave = fun! Classic afternoon NW pulse at Long Beach paired with some of the remaining south swell on a slack high-tide made for a gusty, but playful session! Most of my target waves hit, no rejections, and no washes! Felt warm even in short sleeve 2/2 wetsuit! Shaggy and then Reece both joined in on wing and covered a lot of ground (and waves)! Fun-size waves were very clean on the inside and were a pleasure to ride!
Post-session Tsunami watch upgraded to an advisory to create a bit of stress to the end of the day. Headed to higher ground at Long Beach Campground to sift through the information. Wave expected at 11:30 pm. Advisory means strong currents likely. Stay away from shore. Full evacuation only required with a warning. Predicted height of wave in Tofino was less than one foot.
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C36 - Posts: 2243
- Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 8:17 pm
VI 9 - wavesailing @ Long Beach (2025 July 30)
Lighter. Similar to yesterday but smaller waves and lighter wind made for less power and drive wavesailing on the slack high tide. One jump. Both frontside and backside riding. Beachside dinner! Pitch and putt practice. Propane camp fire.
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 10 - wavesailing @ Long Beach (2025 July 31)
Brisk. The wind and waves both continued to melt away. Wind was huffing and puffing and was spooky light at times and wondering a few times if I was going to have a big swim in, but thankfully didn’t. Caught a few of the waves above Incinerator Rock (the remaining south swell). Mostly backside riding. Water was brisk after being rolled over by the NW wind the last two days. Enjoyed being out on the water in the evening light! Repeated the beachside dinner and propane camp fire.
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 11 - road bike – Wick to Ukee (2025 Aug 1)
Mountain stage. Did the four and final section of my Tour de Tofino! With the rolling hills just outside of Ukee it felt like the mountain stage!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 12 - SUP @ Cox Bay (2025 Aug 2)
Clean. After surf checks at Long Beach (dumpy), North Chesterman (small beach break), South Chesterman (pulses of south swell), and Cox Bay (playful wave) decided on Cox Bay. Sun was out and it looked like a pretty chill wave from the beach! Once out on the water the south end of the beach was catching the NW wind swell and it made for some fun ride with moderate power! Much better than it looked from the beach. The SUP was able to catch them quite far out! Rides to the left favoured but there were some rights too! Fun in the sun!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
Lighter. Similar to yesterday but smaller waves and lighter wind made for less power and drive wavesailing on the slack high tide. One jump. Both frontside and backside riding. Beachside dinner! Pitch and putt practice. Propane camp fire.
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 10 - wavesailing @ Long Beach (2025 July 31)
Brisk. The wind and waves both continued to melt away. Wind was huffing and puffing and was spooky light at times and wondering a few times if I was going to have a big swim in, but thankfully didn’t. Caught a few of the waves above Incinerator Rock (the remaining south swell). Mostly backside riding. Water was brisk after being rolled over by the NW wind the last two days. Enjoyed being out on the water in the evening light! Repeated the beachside dinner and propane camp fire.
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 11 - road bike – Wick to Ukee (2025 Aug 1)
Mountain stage. Did the four and final section of my Tour de Tofino! With the rolling hills just outside of Ukee it felt like the mountain stage!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
VI 12 - SUP @ Cox Bay (2025 Aug 2)
Clean. After surf checks at Long Beach (dumpy), North Chesterman (small beach break), South Chesterman (pulses of south swell), and Cox Bay (playful wave) decided on Cox Bay. Sun was out and it looked like a pretty chill wave from the beach! Once out on the water the south end of the beach was catching the NW wind swell and it made for some fun ride with moderate power! Much better than it looked from the beach. The SUP was able to catch them quite far out! Rides to the left favoured but there were some rights too! Fun in the sun!
Gallery to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right
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C36 - Posts: 2243
- Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 8:17 pm
S1 – Nimpkish – windsurfing (2025 Aug 24)
28 years. Up at 4 am, 7:45 am sailing. Pipers was teasing with 20 mph wind, but I kept driving for Nimpkish. Explored the new kite beach at the south end of the lake. South campsite is about 9 km in off the Highway 19 on the Zeballos Junction. Realized I had taken a wrong turn when I crossed an FSR bridge over the highway. Once you pass the turn off to the Anutz Lake camp sites the river road road was more like a overgrown gravel driveway than a road and felt like I was driving down a rabbit trail fully enclosed at the top. I was more than a little stressed on the way in. There were times when I thought this was a really bad idea (no cell service, no confirmed location, nobody knew where I was, descending into a narrower rough road with backing up as the only way out (no turning around), long walk out in the event of getting stuck or a mechanical), but I found it and Odyssey is still rolling! Even got welcome greeting from a Steller’s Jay! Arrived just before 2 pm to see the wind arrive. Big gear (5.3/115) was loaded from the start and switched to medium gear (4.5/92) rigged medium and was lit for the rest of the session! Locals said the weaker ‘fall winds’ had already started, but the conditions were pretty solid! Really fun swell pushing along the kite launch at the point! Solid wind shore to shore! Friendly crowd and chill atmosphere both on and off the water! Windsurfing gear drew a lot of attention and comments (and a few compliments on my windsurfing)! I have now sailed all three launches – Nimpkish south, Kinman Creek campground (north of the narrows), and Nimpkish main and I would rank them in that order. Waterfront campsite and sunset dinner on the beach! It has been 28 years since I was here last ~ silly me!
Gallery (to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right)
S2 – Nimpkish – windsurfing (2025 Aug 25)
Morning marine layer. Drive out of the south campsite the next morning was less stressful. I took my time picking my way out around the pot holes, avoiding the high spots like the crown of the road, and climbing the hills. Only hit once on the way out (same section as the way in). The main campsite is about 1 km from Highway 19. One rough steep hill in and out but lots of trailers seem to be able to make it in. Fall wind that the locals were warning about at Nimpkish south seemed to have shown up at Nimpkish main – punchy, twisted, unsettled wind! Got on the wind early, but stop start sailing. Took a break for lunch and second try got going and sailed up to the narrows, but never felt comfortable. Wind and swell were on the far side of the lake. Glad I sailed the two back to back. This session brought back some of the frustration and work involved in making Nimpkish main work!
Gallery (to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right)
S3 – Long Beach – SUP (2025 ug 28)
Golden hour. Beach side tailgate diner at Incinerator Rock with the whales spouting off shore! Then Ethan and I took to the water to wave SUP. Classic evening glass off on ebbing mid-tide. Clean single swell and it was south swell! Had tinies (largest south swell) to ourselves! Traded waves and traded smiles in the golden light of the sunset! Great to see Ethan drop into more than a few and get rewarded with top-to-bottom-multi-hit rides! Heartwarming session!
Gallery (to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right)
S5 - Long Beach - SUP (2025 Aug 27)
Chicken Run. South swell was sill producing on the rising high tide, but it was dumpy. Had to work to catch them, steep drop, then run to avoid getting eaten by the wall of whitewater. Followed Ethan up to the far north end of tinies and we traded some waves up there. Then we worked our way back down to mid beach catching some rides along the way. A few open faces were had! South Carolina John took to the water just before we exited and catch some nice waves!
Gallery (to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right)
S6 - Cox Bay - SUP (2025 Aug 28)
Soft point. Welcome session at Cox Bay with Ethan. South swell was wrapping in and lined up a small point break at Pettinger Point on the ebbing mid-tide! Fun that! Scored a few as did Ethan! It was better than it looked from the shore!
Gallery (to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right)
S7 Cox Bay - SUP (2025 Aug 29)
Softer. Solo morning session with some sunshine on the ebbing mid tide. Beat the crowds shown in the pictures (taken after I left the water). Tried the point break again but it was too soft and was out of position on the few that were steep enough or others scored them. Had more luck on the should and mid-beach. Great way to start the day!
Gallery (to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right)
S9 - Cox Bay - SUP (2025 Aug 31)
Lumpy. Hike to Pettinger Point. Surf check Rosie Bay and South Chesterman. Sandcastle contest. Early Dinner. Late SUP. Lumpy and bumpy west swell at 9 seconds mixed things up on the ebbing high tide! Lots of variety kept me on the outside waiting for the mini-bombs! Beautiful orange/pink sunset just after I left the water!
Gallery (to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right)
28 years. Up at 4 am, 7:45 am sailing. Pipers was teasing with 20 mph wind, but I kept driving for Nimpkish. Explored the new kite beach at the south end of the lake. South campsite is about 9 km in off the Highway 19 on the Zeballos Junction. Realized I had taken a wrong turn when I crossed an FSR bridge over the highway. Once you pass the turn off to the Anutz Lake camp sites the river road road was more like a overgrown gravel driveway than a road and felt like I was driving down a rabbit trail fully enclosed at the top. I was more than a little stressed on the way in. There were times when I thought this was a really bad idea (no cell service, no confirmed location, nobody knew where I was, descending into a narrower rough road with backing up as the only way out (no turning around), long walk out in the event of getting stuck or a mechanical), but I found it and Odyssey is still rolling! Even got welcome greeting from a Steller’s Jay! Arrived just before 2 pm to see the wind arrive. Big gear (5.3/115) was loaded from the start and switched to medium gear (4.5/92) rigged medium and was lit for the rest of the session! Locals said the weaker ‘fall winds’ had already started, but the conditions were pretty solid! Really fun swell pushing along the kite launch at the point! Solid wind shore to shore! Friendly crowd and chill atmosphere both on and off the water! Windsurfing gear drew a lot of attention and comments (and a few compliments on my windsurfing)! I have now sailed all three launches – Nimpkish south, Kinman Creek campground (north of the narrows), and Nimpkish main and I would rank them in that order. Waterfront campsite and sunset dinner on the beach! It has been 28 years since I was here last ~ silly me!
Gallery (to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right)
S2 – Nimpkish – windsurfing (2025 Aug 25)
Morning marine layer. Drive out of the south campsite the next morning was less stressful. I took my time picking my way out around the pot holes, avoiding the high spots like the crown of the road, and climbing the hills. Only hit once on the way out (same section as the way in). The main campsite is about 1 km from Highway 19. One rough steep hill in and out but lots of trailers seem to be able to make it in. Fall wind that the locals were warning about at Nimpkish south seemed to have shown up at Nimpkish main – punchy, twisted, unsettled wind! Got on the wind early, but stop start sailing. Took a break for lunch and second try got going and sailed up to the narrows, but never felt comfortable. Wind and swell were on the far side of the lake. Glad I sailed the two back to back. This session brought back some of the frustration and work involved in making Nimpkish main work!
Gallery (to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right)
S3 – Long Beach – SUP (2025 ug 28)
Golden hour. Beach side tailgate diner at Incinerator Rock with the whales spouting off shore! Then Ethan and I took to the water to wave SUP. Classic evening glass off on ebbing mid-tide. Clean single swell and it was south swell! Had tinies (largest south swell) to ourselves! Traded waves and traded smiles in the golden light of the sunset! Great to see Ethan drop into more than a few and get rewarded with top-to-bottom-multi-hit rides! Heartwarming session!
Gallery (to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right)
S5 - Long Beach - SUP (2025 Aug 27)
Chicken Run. South swell was sill producing on the rising high tide, but it was dumpy. Had to work to catch them, steep drop, then run to avoid getting eaten by the wall of whitewater. Followed Ethan up to the far north end of tinies and we traded some waves up there. Then we worked our way back down to mid beach catching some rides along the way. A few open faces were had! South Carolina John took to the water just before we exited and catch some nice waves!
Gallery (to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right)
S6 - Cox Bay - SUP (2025 Aug 28)
Soft point. Welcome session at Cox Bay with Ethan. South swell was wrapping in and lined up a small point break at Pettinger Point on the ebbing mid-tide! Fun that! Scored a few as did Ethan! It was better than it looked from the shore!
Gallery (to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right)
S7 Cox Bay - SUP (2025 Aug 29)
Softer. Solo morning session with some sunshine on the ebbing mid tide. Beat the crowds shown in the pictures (taken after I left the water). Tried the point break again but it was too soft and was out of position on the few that were steep enough or others scored them. Had more luck on the should and mid-beach. Great way to start the day!
Gallery (to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right)
S9 - Cox Bay - SUP (2025 Aug 31)
Lumpy. Hike to Pettinger Point. Surf check Rosie Bay and South Chesterman. Sandcastle contest. Early Dinner. Late SUP. Lumpy and bumpy west swell at 9 seconds mixed things up on the ebbing high tide! Lots of variety kept me on the outside waiting for the mini-bombs! Beautiful orange/pink sunset just after I left the water!
Gallery (to view as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right)
Last edited by C36 on Fri Sep 05, 2025 4:29 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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C36 - Posts: 2243
- Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 8:17 pm
How were the bugs at Nimpkish? I hear they can be a bit much. That's a long way to drive on your way to Tofino!
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Slappy - Posts: 1710
- Joined: Sat Nov 02, 2013 8:31 am
Slappy wrote:How were the bugs at Nimpkish? I hear they can be a bit much...
Not bad at all, but my guess is this late in the season is likely lighter.
Slappy wrote:...That's a long way to drive on your way to Tofino!
Yes it is. Broke it up with a sleep at Rathtreavor.
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C36 - Posts: 2243
- Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 8:17 pm