An Interview with John Kimantas
The Author of the Wild Coast 3 on Paddling Vancouver Island
Share the experiences of John Kimantas, author of the Wild Coast series of paddling guidebooks for British Columbia, on paddle trips to the shores of Vancouver Island
John Kimantas graciously agreed to be interviewed by Alan Sorum, Feature Writer for Boating and Sailing at Suite101. In the first half of the interview, John discusses his personal kayaking experiences and provides recommendations for paddle trips along the coasts of Vancouver Island and Southern British Columbia. The second part of the interview with Kimantas focuses on kayak gear and boating safety. John's most recent publications are the Wild Coast 3 and BC Coastal Recreation Kayaking and Small Boat Atlas.
1. As a kayaker, you have an impressive resume. Can you share a little about your background and paddling experience?
I moved to Vancouver Island about 15 years ago from southern Ontario, and while I always enjoyed hiking it’s an area where you can’t go too far without hitting a highway. When I moved to Vancouver Island I befriended a fellow who took me on a few longer treks, and I recall him pointing out my first mountain climb was in a pair of jeans with a can of Coke in my back pocket (I can’t recall, but I suspect it’s an accurate portrayal of preparedness, or lack thereof). But I learned quickly, and hiked a great deal of the island before discovering the joys of kayaking, which I began only about 10 years ago. I quickly discovered it was the ideal way to see the area, as so many beautiful locations can only be reached by kayak, or at best enjoyed by kayak. Back in the early 2000s I decided there was a lack of good guide books and so decided to start writing one. I had a dream of kayaking around Vancouver Island, and felt taking off the summer of 2003 from work would be a good investment, even if I didn’t get a book out of it. I spent 86 days in a kayak that summer, and enjoyed every minute. So when I did get the book and the publisher asked to turn it into a series I didn’t hesitate to take the opportunity to spend two more full summers in a kayak, the longest trip being the 92-day trip to the Alaskan border and back.
2. Many readers of Boating & Sailing at Suite101 are beginning paddlers. In your travels of the Vancouver Island and Southern British Columbia coasts, can you recommend an exceptional trip for a beginner?
The general rule is the greater the effort and more remote the location the greater the rewards. Most new paddlers will travel Sechelt Inlet, for instance, for the established campsite network and its reputation as a good kayaking area. But I consider nearby Jervis Inlet vastly more scenic – there really is no comparison – and far less traveled by paddle. In fact, you’re likely to be the only paddler in Jervis Inlet while Sechelt Inlet is packed. So I’m sure new kayakers will continue to flock to the established areas – the Broken Group, Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, etc., and be perfectly content, mainly because being on the water and enjoying the outdoors is reward enough. The main problem is congestion, and I continue to find it mind-boggling that many of these sites are overrun well beyond capacity in peak periods while neighbouring locations don’t have enough paddling traffic to support a campsite network.
So here’s a suggestion I have for people who want to get the best of the coast adjacent to the most popular areas:
- Instead of Sechelt Inlet, head up Jervis Inlet to legendary Princess Louisa Inlet.
- Instead of the major campsites in Desolation Sound (such as Curme Islands) head slightly north, with the mouth of Toba Inlet being an incredible destination.
- Instead of staying in Johnstone Strait in the grubby and congested sites for whale watching by launching from Telegraph Cove, circle Malcolm Island which is surrounded by beach, meaning you can camp almost anywhere, and along the killer whale migration route. Get all the sights and wildlife, better camping and avoid the crowds. Or head to the north end of Broughton Archipelago Provincial Park.
- There really is no way to avoid crowds in the Gulf Islands, but consider the outer coast along Valdes Island and Galiano Island. This is the last “frontier,” so to speak, left in a heavily traveled area. It’s more exposed coast, which has a risk, but is still genteel compared to most areas of the coast.
I could go on area-by-area, but you probably get the idea – look adjacent to the major kayaking routes, and you’ll likely find a rewarding experience.
3. A possibly unfair question, but where is your favorite spot to kayak in British Columbia?
It’s not unfair. Brooks Peninsula. There is so much wildlife, so many places to camp and such interesting scenery. This is an exceptional place.
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