Safety is our number one priority. A recent capsize triggered our group to practice an assisted kayak rescue where the kayak partner helps the capsized person back in the boat. It can all be done in a couple of minutes, quite important when the water is colder.

Watch the video and let us know if you like to practice yourself. 

The exposed sandstone layers around Nanaimo have some pretty crazy shapes. Did you know that the sandstone is actually part of the Nanaimo Group, a geological formation are made of Late Cretacious sedimentary rocks? The most well-known are the Malaspina Galleries, the wave-shaped rocks on Gabriola Island. The First Nations people knew of this magical place for centuries and the first Europeans to see them were Spanish naval officers Dionisio and Alcala Galiano and Cayetano Valdes y Flores in 1792. The erosion patterns look like honey combs, waves and/or cannon balls stuck in the wall. The formation of these crazy erosion patterns is still under debate but I support the hypothesis it is due to salt water evaporating on the south-western sides of the rock. The erosion can be seen on sandstone in the general area of Nanaimo, from Hornby Island to the Gulf Islands and including NewCastle Island (Saysutshun). A great way to see them is by kayak! Contact us when you want to book a tour and hear more about these cool formations.  

Yesterday was an awesome evening for a paddle around Newcastle Island (Saysutshun). We joined the local Search & Rescue team and had a blast. Kayaking is a great way to get together and keep a social distance.  

We believe kayaking during the Covid-19 pandemic is possible if we take some precautions and things into consideration. Island Römer Adventures created an information document for customers including a video on how to kayak during Covid-19. Off course we will only guide a tour when we do not have Covid-19 symptoms and expect this from our customers as well. The group size will be limited to you and your extended social circle. and we will not provide food or drinks during the tour. And off course, we will maintain our social distance meaning you have to help each other getting in and out of kayaks, adjust foot paddles etc. Click the button to see the compele information.   

The Harewood Planes are amazing this time of year. A lot of wildflowers are in full bloom including Camas, Ocean Spray, Common Paint Brush, Monkey Flower and many more. Go out and explore..... 

For the first time Island Römer Adventures will showcase our activities on a travel trade show; the Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show at Canada Place in Vancouver on Saturday February 29 and Sunday March 1. Our booth number is 526 and if you order tickets online there is a $4 discount when using promo-code CLIENT20. Hope to see you there!!