Mike Gill
Vancouver Island Circumnavigation 2017
Day 1 - Kains Island to Spring Island
50 nautical miles
Off to a good start on the first day, paddling approximately 90km, with Northwest winds pushing him down the coast. Mike says he had a good day and loves sea otters!
Day 2 - Spring Island to Hesquiat Peninsula
50 nautical miles
Another big 90km day! Winds still in his favour. Mike paddled in the moonlight, he said down winding was fun but not being downwind from sea lions!
Day 3 - Hesquiat Peninsula to Tofino
35 nautical miles
Finally spoke to Mike on the phone, 25-35knots of wind and huge surf that turned him upside down for a few seconds today. He couldn't take his hands off his paddle for a moment! He was in great spirits, although some minor boat issues made for a shorter 65km day.
Day 4 - Tofino to Tsusiat falls area of the West Coast Trail
50 nautical miles
As Mike paddled off this morning, a sea lion surfaced right next to his boat, great start to what he called a "magical day". After paddling for over ten hours, leaving the famous Broken Group behind him. He took a dinner break at Pachena point, after which, he found the energy to push approximately another 20km, at the fastest speed he has logged to date. Another 90km day under his belt and well on pace! This was most likely the last day of those helpful NW winds... it is now a race to Victoria before the southeasterlies begin to blow against him.
Day 5 - West Coast Trail/Tsusiat falls area - Sooke
45 nautical miles
Light winds today as the south easterlies held off just long enough for that final push down the outer coast. Received a brief SAT phone call which was interrupted by Orcas too close for comfort! Tomorrow may possibly be a battle, with current gale & strong SE wind warnings in effect in the area. Mike plans to get to Victoria, for some much needed rest, a replenishment of supplies and of morale, with a visit from the whole family!
Day 6 - Sooke to Pearson College/Metchosin
20 nautical miles (Rest & Transition Day)
Mike battled some strong currents coming around the corner at Race Rocks, he was expanding a lot of energy getting nowhere and made the wise decision to come to shore and begin his rest and transition day early. He pulled into Pearson College, where he had recently been to coach at the annual Pacific Symposium. The staff graciously allowed him to leave his boat on the dock overnight. Then it was off to a downtown Victoria hotel for some R&R. Mike was tired, ravenously hungry but in a great laughing and talking mood. He was looking surprisingly put together for a man who just paddled the entire west coast of Vancouver Island! We heard about orcas and their calves, sea lions chasing him and forcing him to pick up the pace, as well as technical forward stroke tweaks that allowed him to improve efficiency. The whole family was put to work doing laundry, rinsing & hanging gear in the room, performing first aid on blisters & wounds, recharging electronics and basically repacking for a whole new leg of the journey.
Day 7 - Pearson College/Metchosin - Sansum Point
45 nautical miles
HE HAS ROUNDED THE SOUTHERN TIP OF THE ISLAND!!! The second leg of the journey has begun! This portion of the trip, back up to the northern tip, will be much more technical. Due to narrowed passages between the islands, which often cause stronger currents, Mike will have to strategically time his resting periods to maximize efficiency and travel with the currents. It is possible we will see him have longer breaks during the day and increase the amount of night paddling. Today, he paddled right into day 8 and into his birthday, through a portion of Sansum Narrows, stopping to camp around 2am, where he saw bioluminescence.
Day 8 - Sansum Point - Denman Island
70 nautical miles!!!
What a birthday and night! Mike paddled through the night to try to cover as much distance as possible before the forecasted NW winds on day 10. His passage through Dodd Narrows was perfectly timed at almost maximum flood, which was followed by some rest on Thetis Island, before leaving the gulf islands behind him and carrying on right through into the morning of Day 9. Decision making in the field is not easy, this long into a trip of this magnitude and with the multiple variables that don't always align in his favour. He has to factor in his physical limitations, wind & weather, currents, as well as, appropriate shore stops and formulate a plan based on the speed he estimates to travel and make a call. Day 9 will be a pivotal point in this journey, stay tuned...