A Paddle in the Park Kayaking

Christopher Graham Campaign

Melissa Hailey — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:25:02 +0000

Still working on the election web site for any questions concerns e-mail Chris directly at christophergraham3@gmail.com

Use Google Calendar to book your paddles

Melissa Hailey — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 20:06:44 +0000

Google has added this little program you can now book your Kayak tour directly to the Calender any time of day. You still have to phone or e-mail for Rentals

A Paddle becomes part of a travel show for the blind

Melissa Hailey — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:15:27 +0000

Yesterday Melissa took a lady named Sophie who is blind out kayaking. She is from Paris, France and is doing a documentary for a European public broadcasting company named Arte, where she travels around the world with her faithful guide dog, Pongo, having adventures. As you can imagine the logistics with 2 camera men, a sound guy and a director, all of them in kayaks. I think it was an adventure for all. They had Melissa and Sophie mic-ed so they recorded everything they said. I paddled one of the camera guys around. We were out on the water for 5 hours. We went along a rock face where Sophie was able to pick up and feel a star fish. Pongo thought it might be tasty. She was able to feel the seaweed and there was a crab on the end she was able to hold. We were so close to the swans that she could hear them. We stopped at an island where Pongo just ran around sniffing everything. He wasn’t too pleased when he had to get back into the kayak.

I told the camera guy there were seals on the rocks. It took him a while to actually see them, they blend in so well. They really enjoyed the bald eagle.

The crew flew into Vancouver and then took the ferry over to Victoria. So far they are very impressed with Canada and of course find us very friendly and accommodating.

They are heading up island today to go through the rain forest and see (feel) the big trees and listen to the birds and just nature. They are going to a salmon hatchery where she will tag a salmon.

I don’t know if we will ever be able to see this documentary, they are going to try to send us a link, but our European friends will be able to see it.

Enjoy the pics

Yolanda

Sneak peak at some new trip ideas

Melissa Hailey — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 22:58:05 +0000

Got to love Eddy! He has proposed some wonderful new trip concepts. The concepts have yet to be approved, but as long as you don’t tell.

They both involve the new Brentwood Bay launch site. The fist one involves a paddle to the world famous Buchart Gardens as well as a front row seat in your kayak for the fireworks.

The second is a sport and culture tour. We will paddle with an eye to the first nations heritage of the island. Thr highlight will be attendance at a first nation event.

What do you think??? Got any trip idea you want to see??? Do you know we do custom trips ???

Open for Paddling

Melissa Hailey — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 06:10:38 +0000

yep we are open!!! want to get out on the water. Melissa has already been in the water earning her kayaking instructor certificate. Those wanting to practice your skills should sign up for a class.

how to find your fun

Melissa Hailey — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:11:58 +0000

Let your next fun be paddling the gulf islands around Sidney with A Paddle in the Park Kayaking! According to our customer reviews on Trip Adviser: “best paddling I’ve ever done” and “worth the drive”. We are a SHORT 30 MINUTE DRIVE from Victoria–on Highway 17 (Pat Bay), exit 28 to Sidney, then left on Resthaven, right on Harbour Road, park at Van Isle Marina.

safety talk at dock

Melissa Hailey — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:08:39 +0000

My lively group on Sunday was making the most of their kayaking experience. Their fun started at our dock with me giving a safety talk and a basic forward stroke lesson. Following our launch, we saw these seals just minutes away in Tsehum harbour. The sparkling sea, sweltering sun, and low currents made for ideal paddling conditions on July 25th. Taking a guided half day tour is a great way to spend the afternoon with a group of friends! Come out join the fun and try something new!

Surprise! “Most fun in 16 years” Bennetts from Arizona

Melissa Hailey — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:46:56 +0000

Little did Beth Bennett know what her husband, Greg, was up to in planning their holiday. I gather it was their first big trip in 16 years just for themselves, and away from from their three children. Greg kept everything secret about where they were going (Victoria) and what they were doing (lots of stuff plus kayaking!). He confided that he had saved the “best for last”… a sunset paddle. Beth had never paddled on the ocean in a kayak and when they arrived, she put on a brave face, but was evidently quite worried about this whole kayaking adventure. I put them in a double not realizing how reluctant she was. However, things turned around fast for Beth! I received this awesome testimonial from the Bennetts following our sunset paddle on July 21st:

“Hi Marsha,

Words cannot express what a joy it was to discover both you and APITPK. We had an absolutely WONDERFUL time…even Beth, who was “petrified” paddling out, and then “didn’t want to leave” paddling back in! Ha! Our time with you on the water was the highlight of our trip and one of the most wonderful moments in our 16 years of wedded bliss ! I will be recommending you to everyone I can, and I pray God’s blessings on both you and your business. Dig those oars in and keep it up, and we’ll see you next time we stumble out of the desert and into Canuck-land!

Greg & Beth
Maricopa, AZ, USA”

put it on, then take it off your “Bucket List”: gorgeous sunset paddling in Sidney

Melissa Hailey — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:55:14 +0000

Our summer has arrived and while I might complain to the manager that the heat could be cranked up a few degrees… we are having some perfect paddling evenings. We are located a 30 minute drive from Victoria and can boast that we spot wildlife and view beautiful rock formations while paddling the channels in the gulf islands close to Sidney, B.C. all ‘neath the glow of the setting sun. Come join the fun and try something different! Meet at our kayak dock at 6 PM…return at sunset.

Kingfishers Make Racket on Musclow Islet

Melissa Hailey — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 01:00:20 +0000

Kerry, Barry & Rhodora, visiting Victoria and Sidney from Louisianna and Georgia, came out for one of our fun sunset paddles. The water was as flat as glass (and after their exciting river rafting on the Chiliwack River, this probably seemed tame!) However, the slower pace of our sunset paddle in the gulf islands permitted us to see river otters, seals and several noisy kingfishers. About five kingfishers made quite the racket as we drifted by near Iroquios passage and their perches on Musclow Islet. Want to do something a little different? Try one of our sunset paddles and get spontaneous!