Clayoquot: An Introduction to West Coast Sea Kayaking

Join Jeremy Beninger on an amazing West Coast Expedition.

This is much more than a trip, it is an introduction to the art of wilderness sea kayak tripping.

There’s something special about travelling by kayak along the wild west coast of Vancouver Island. The rhythm of life slows down, days are shaped by the tides, weather, and your world becomes a little smaller in the best possible way. You learn to travel with the landscape, settle into life at camp, and find a kind of freedom that only comes from exploring the coast under your own power.

This seven-day expedition is an opportunity to experience that way of travelling while building the skills and confidence to plan and enjoy wilderness trips of your own. Whether you’re taking your first steps into multi-day sea kayaking or looking to become a more capable and independent expedition paddler, we’ll bring the learning into every part of the adventure.

The expedition itself is the main event, but the learning begins long before we launch.

In the two months leading up to our trip, we’ll meet online twice a month for a relaxed, hands-on preparation series. Together, we’ll work through the practical skills, knowledge and decision-making that go into planning and travelling safely along the west coast. These sessions are designed to take some of the guesswork out of expedition planning, help you understand the why behind our decisions, and give you a chance to ask questions before we head into the field.

What we’ll explore together:

Session 1: Reading the Coast
Learn to make sense of marine charts, identify features of the coastline and translate what you see on paper into the landscape around you. We’ll also introduce tides and currents, exploring how to read tide tables, understand moving water and plan our days around the ocean rather than against it.

Session 2: Weather and Decision-Making

Discover how to interpret marine forecasts, recognize changing weather patterns and build a picture of the conditions we might encounter. We’ll talk about making good decisions on the water, knowing when to keep moving and when to settle in for an extra cup of tea on the beach.

Session 3: Expedition Planning

Bring the pieces together as we look at our actual expedition route. We’ll discuss daily distances, campsites, timing, alternate plans and the many small decisions that help a wilderness trip run smoothly. You’ll start to see how charts, tides, weather and group needs all influence the plan.

Session 4: Packing, Equipment and Getting Ready

What do you really need for a week on the coast? We’ll talk through equipment, clothing, food, packing systems and life at camp, helping you prepare thoughtfully without bringing the entire contents of your gear closet. We’ll make space for questions, share ideas and ensure you arrive feeling ready for the adventure ahead.

Then, we put it all into practice.
Once we’re on the coast, the learning continues. We’ll put our preparation into action, make decisions as a group and explore what it means to travel by kayak through a dynamic coastal environment. From navigating our route and responding to changing conditions to managing our boats, setting up camp and finding a comfortable rhythm on expedition, you’ll gain experience that goes well beyond the kilometers we paddle.

This isn’t about turning the trip into a classroom or ticking off a list of skills. It’s about learning naturally through shared experience, having the space to ask questions, and understanding the decisions that make a successful expedition possible.

There will be beautiful coastlines, long days on the water, sandy campsites, shared meals, plenty of stories and the simple pleasure of settling into life outdoors. Along the way, you’ll build practical skills, confidence and a deeper appreciation for what it takes to travel thoughtfully through this remarkable part of the world.

Come for the adventure. Leave with the confidence, knowledge and inspiration to plan more of your own.

Breakfast & Dinners included.