A Paddle in the Park Kayaking

Melissa,

Just wanted to let you know that we enjoyed our sunset kayak trip on June 22. What a great way to see the area and the islands! Thank you for taking us out even though the winds and tides were high on the return back to the marina. We definitely had a great workout! The rest of our trip went great! We are back in Texas…the heat is terrible. Tomorrow’s temps are to rise to 103 degrees. We wish that we were back in Sidney!

Have a great day and may your summer be enjoyable!
Liz & Mark

I am from Calgary and went on one of your Sunset Tours a month ago. I can’t wait to do it again!

 

~Andrea Parrish, Calgary, Alberta

Note: On August 23, 2009, Andrea did return to paddle another sunset tour with us. Want to see Andrea? Check out our new brochure–she is front and centre! Thanks for being an awesome actual reality model Andrea!

Our Sunset Tour with A Paddle in the Park Kayaking was the highlight of our trip to Victoria. The water was as smooth as glass, and Marsha took us in and around a number of pristine small islands where we saw seals, a bald eagle, and a river otter. It was paced perfectly for our level of kayaking.

 

~Peter Gruenbaum

 

Seattle, Washington

“I was seriously peaking the whole time…”

 

August 22, 2009

 

Coast Harbourside Hotel and Marina
146 Kingston Street
Victoria, BC V8V 1V4

Hello,

 

I wanted to share what a great experience I had with a local business and recommend them to your other guests who might want to try kayaking. I found “A Paddle in the Park Kayaking” using Google, and made contact with them by email.  Marsha replied to me right away, and even sent pictures from her paddle that day. I asked a lot of questions and she always replied to me on a timely basis.

 

I made a reservation for a tandem kayak rental, and Marsha made sure that I and my companion were experienced enough to take a kayak out on our own. She verified that we had practiced self-rescues before making the rental reservation. Otherwise she would have ensured that we were safe by taking an escorted tour (at very reasonable rates, and with a reasonable cancellation policy).

 

We were very impressed with “A Paddle in the Park’s” attention to safety. Before we set off on our paddle, Marsha set us up with a spare paddle, a paddle float, a bailing pump, a tow kit, charts, water, and even had extra high quality neoprene jackets in various sizes. Of course, she also provided spray skirts, paddles, and life vests (with whistle). All of the equipment was high quality. We were very impressed. Marsha even demonstrated to us how to use the charts with a piece of string to estimate our trip times. She discussed our planned route, and recommended safety precautions, made us aware of the ferry schedule, the protocol for crossing channels, scenic options, and even hike options where we were headed. To sum up, we felt very well cared for.

 

Our day of paddling was simply amazing. We saw seals, seal pups, Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, kingfishers dancing, cormorants, starfish, and many beautiful beaches, forests, and rock formations. It was our best kayaking experience in our entire 5 years of paddling.

 

They are a short drive to Sidney and they are located right on the edge of a gorgeous island group famous for its natural wonders, the Gulf Islands. For anyone who is slightly adventurous, taking a guided tour in this wondrous place is a life experience not to be missed. It’s not necessary to be especially fit and you can have an amazing experience on as short as a two hour tour. They also have a 2.5 hour sunset tour that sounds amazing, and they have all-day tours as well.

 

So, please recommend A Paddle in the Park Kayaking to your guests who are looking for something really special to do while they are in Victoria.

 

Sincerely,
Shamus Thornton
Vallejo, California

View Photo Album

I am a novice kayaker and was a bit nervous about my ability to handle a kayak on the open ocean. The tour provided by Marsha, our guide, was not only an adventure in seeing a number of sea creatures in their natural habitat but it was also supportive and assuring as we crossed the channel as a group. I would recommend this tour to beginners as well. It brings you up close to what the ocean and surrounding islands have to offer.

 

~ Debbie Aadland, Victoria, BC

A Paddle in the Park Kayaking was incredible! The pictures do not do it justice. ..

 

Our family arrived on a cruise boat on August 20, 2009, and were picked up at the port and brought to the kayak dock. Along the way Coleen was our tour guide pointing out all the sites in Victoria. There were 13 of us in total ranging from 5 years old to 66 years old.

 

Once we were ready to go, Melissa and Marsha gave us a very clear and concise lesson on kayaking and safety. We were in the water in no time. We did a leisurely paddle where we saw eagles, seals – including a baby seal nursing, a starfish colony, blue herons, etc. The actual rowing was as easy or as hard as you wanted it to be. We stopped on a secluded landlocked beach and had a lunch picnic. Not only was it a nice lunch and exploration, but a nice rest for some. We spend about 3 hours on the water and could have stayed out for much longer.

 

Once we returned we were shuttled back to the cruise ship by Coleen and Marsha.

 

The day was amazing! It was a break from the tourist traps, but we still were able to see the town. Being on the water and up close to the wildlife was really an experience that cannot be matched. This is not a commercialized operation where you get a cookie-cutter experience. APITPK is a class act and will personalize your experience to what you are looking for. They can adjust the trip to your needs and experience to ensure everyone enjoys themselves. We had one experienced kayaker and all novices – including 4 kids under 10. (There is little chance of flipping over so don’t worry about that.)

 

APITPK takes care of everything for you from pick-up to drop-off. They have everything ready and waiting for you from ziplock or waterproof bags for cameras to delicious oranges to complete your picnic.

 

This excursion we will remember for a long time. I recommend it to anyone who visits the area. Whether it be a romantic couple, athletic group, or a crazy family of 13.

 

THANKS AGAIN!
John R., New York, NY

Marsha took myself and my family from England on a fantastic tour. None of us had ever kayaked before, but within a few hours felt like pros. It was the highlight of my family’s holiday and a wonderful way to show them the beauty of British Columbia.

 

Thanks again Marsha.

 

Tony Borzoni

 

Tsawwassen, BC

Thanks so much for your call and the photos! Your zoom is so much better than mine… the otters only look like black dots in my photos. We had a great time and talked you up with our innkeeper when we checked out… hope the business continues to do well!

 

Kimberly Bliss

 

Oakland, California
Sept. 2009

Hi Marsha,

…Thanks for the pictures they are really good. Again, I want to thank you for a great time. Bush, Brenda and I have told tons of friends about the kayak trip we had with you and Melissa. Fun day

 

Best Regards,

 

Steve Jackson, Invermere, B.C.
September 2009

 

Marsha,

 

I’ve arrived back in Sydney Australia after my 10 day tour of South West British Columbia. I’ve arranged my photos and my friends ask me what was the highlight of my trip? I tell them the day I did the full day sea kayaking tour with you. Paddle in the Park delivered!!! From the initial booking through to the fantastic locations on the water we paddle to through to the follow up service of dropping of photos – the day after my tour. The whole experience was exactly what it should be for such tours. It was friendly (local people showing off there best natural assets), professional (clean, comfortable and quality equipment), understanding (of my experience and expectations for the day) and great value (the follow up service was unexpected and appreciated).

 

I have paddled recreationally kayaks and sea kayaks in lots of countries and on different tours from – Australia, Fiji, Cook Islands, Ketchikan (Alaska), Phuket, Turkey, Italy, Ireland, Catalina (Los Angeles), Argentina, New Zealand. In my previous life I was involved in the hospitality industry and probably have a higher expectation than most of what should make up a good service for a day tour. Paddle in the Park truly delivered a great local tour with an incredible international professionalism and quality of service I would expect from a much bigger company. Thank goodness there are local businesses doing the right things so well! It enabled me to see a side of Vancouver Island hence Canada that many others will not get to experience. That makes me feel special and my friends envious.

 

Thank you.

 

Matt Logan

Dear Marsha,

 

I just wanted to thank you for taking care of our group so well. You demonstrated outstanding customer service and attention to safety. I especially appreciate how you checked every detail before our launch and provided tips on how to maximize our enjoyment of the experience. The kayaks and other equipment were in excellent condition. I would not hesitate to book with you in the future and will be happy to refer others to A Paddle in the Park!

 

Best regards,

 

Richard Gorecki
Calgary, AB

Hi Marsha,

 

Thanks for the pictures! Out of all of the activities we did during the two weeks on Vancouver Island the sunset kayak trip was the most memorable. The wildlife viewing and the sunset were magnificent. Best of all is how you and Al made the experience feel like just friends getting together to do something you are very passionate about. We will recommend your hospitality to any of our friends and family that plan to visit the area. Great job and we hope our paths cross again.

 

Thanks again,

 

Ken and Karen (and of course we can’t leave Hilary out)

 

 

Marsha & Melissa,

 

You have already heard from Richard (aka Rico). I would like to echo his comments, and add some detail.

 

Of the 5 amigos, I probably have the most knowledge of kayaks themselves, having built three of them (skin on frame) to date. Kevin has probably logged more cockpit time. That said, I have rented boats in the Sidney area three times in the past year. You were the only person who gave any kind of safety procedure talk at the time of rental. Seriously. In addition, the two boats we rented were in perfect condition – both the boats themselves and the supporting gear. Richard and I rented a boat last year that had me sitting in 4 inches of water by the time we got to Portland Island. Duct tape to the rescue! At this time I would not consider renting with anybody else. People frequently ask me paddling questions: should anybody ask me about who I would recommend in the Victoria area, I am going to provide a single name – A Paddle in the Park. My only regret, and I hope to rectify this next year, is that the revenue we sent your way was so small. I’m already scheming for a spring trip, and a fall trip in 2010.

 

On behalf of the cinqo amigos (Ron, Rich, Dick, Kevin and Rob) – thanks.

 

Ron Larson, P.Geoph.
Sr. Staff Geophysicist
Apache Canada Limited
October 2009

We did a half day guided tour and had an incredible experience! Holly did a fabulous job as our guide.

 

Thanks for a wonderful day on the water. It was the highlight of our trip on Vancouver Island.

 

Mark & Linda

 

Clemmons, NC
June 2010

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