Outdoor Pursuits: Launching into Spring!

12 July 2024Tedra G, Mack ‘24

As the flowers bloom and the birds chirp, what better way is there to celebrate spring than kayaking? This term, students in Outdoor Pursuits have been seen taking boats to all sorts of breathtaking places, whether that be Brentwood’s waterfront, or a river secluded deep in the wilderness.

As the days have become sunny and warm, ODP has immersed in the coolness of the water without hesitation, embracing adventure every moment of the way, along the glistening waters. A small glance into ODP’s activities would show the group being personally greeted by a plethora of seals while an eagle soars by, jumping over a half-submerged log with a kayak, playing kayak polo (a seriously underrated competitive sport), launching kayaks off a very high platform (this is called seal launching!), and paddleboarding serenely on the Finlayson Arm.

April 19 – 21, ODP hosted a grand kayaking event called CRYK Fest (Cowichan River Youth Kayak Festival), inviting paddlers from all over Vancouver Island (over seventy youth plus twenty instructors) to come together and take part in a legendary experience that no one can put into words.

Photographers were able to capture a spectacle so mesmerizing that it drew in passersby on a bridge overlooking the river to witness the baffling phenomenon: a parade of boats in every hue of the rainbow cascading downstream: a surge of colour and courage. Each kayaker was able to make it through the imposing rapids, and there was a tremendous amount of growth over the course of the weekend.

The event was run to the most excellent standards, with wholesome and incredibly delicious food that brought people lined up for seconds, a roaring bonfire encircled by those cheerfully roasting their marshmallows until golden brown, and, of course, Mr Norman’s incredible planning, which made the 10th CRYK Fest a wonderful success.

May 24 – 26, ODP will be embarking on yet another excursion worthy of applause – Gold River. True to its title, Gold River is actually remarkably gold, and those in ODP will get to see its opulence firsthand while navigating the torrents along its way. There will certainly be no shortage of excitement, teamwork, or valour on this trip.

Clearly, Outdoor Pursuits has welcomed spring in an unparalleled manner, and, with it, a journey full of unforgettable memories in the most stunning of landscapes.

Tedra G, Mack ‘24

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