1. Do I need any previous experience to
go on a WeGo Kayaking tour?
Our trips are for everyone. The majority of our customers are
first time kayakers. We do encourage some light pre-trip conditioning
to enhance your experience, but it is not required to have a great
time. We do ask that you bring a smile and the willingness to laugh
if we encounter the unexpected. Adventure travel inherently requires
an open mind.
Our Expedition Series trips may require previous kayaking experience.
Please check the trip descriptions for more details.
2. What are the age limits and can I bring
my kids?
Multi-day Expeditions
We endeavor to keep our trips open to all ages and encourage family groups.
Our experience has taught us that some of our trips are better oriented
towards youth than others. Each trip has it's own age limitations that
are determind based on the difficulty of the trip. As a general guideline,
we find that children younger than 12 can have a hard time maintaining
in the kayaks for extended periods. Please call our office to discuss the
suitability of our trips for your children.
The minimum age for our lodge based expeditions in Johnstone Strait
is 15 years.
For elderly participants
whom are unsure of the expectations, we recommend that you call
us so that we can discuss any physical limitations or other concerns
you may have.
3. Do the trips require a high level of
physical fitness?
No, our trips are designed to form an intimate bond with the surroundings;
we do not do a lot of objective based paddling. We do recommend
some light pre-trip conditioning, although it is not mandatory.
We do on occasion encounter strong winds that will require a higher
level of exertion.
4. How much do we kayak each day?
Time in the kayak varies with the ability and objectives of each
group; but we generally paddle 3 – 5 hours each day. To have
a well-rounded experience we also take time to do some hiking,
beach combing (treasure hunting), swimming. Of course some personal
leisure time is also allowed for in the schedule.
5. What is the ratio of guides to clients,
and how many will you take on a trip?
WeGo Kayaking guide to client ratio is 1:5 (1 guide per 5 clients)
and our maximum group size is 10 plus the guides. We try to keep
our group sizes down so that every person on the trip receives
ample time to ask questions and receive assistance with individual
needs. We will consider larger groups on a custom basis, please
call for more information.
Our maximum group size in our floating lodge is 6.
6. What do I need to bring and what is
included?
WeGo Kayaking provides everything that you will need for your
adventure including:
- High quality 3-season tent
- Sleeping mat
- Sleeping bag (except on our Johnstone Strait camping
trips)
- Drybags
- Paddling jacket
- All kayak related equipment, single & double fiberglass
kayaks
- Safety Equipment
- Water Taxi transportation
- Van Transportation (except on our Johnstone Strait trips)
- Fabulous meals & tasty snacks
- Guiding
- Park user fees
Transfers
We endeavor to make your trip planning as simple as possible......it is after
all, your vacation! Once you meet up with the Guides we take it from there.
Our specialty is paying particular attention to even the most subtle of
details, so your trip is memorable and fun.
Equipment
Tent, sleeping bag (except on our Johnstone Strait camping trips)
and sleeping mat are all included. This means you need only bring your
personal active/camping clothing. You will need to bring a few personal
items but don't worry, they are detailed in the information kit you
will receive when you register, or you can call and talk to one of our
friendly guides and they will be happy to answer your questions.
7. What kind of kayak will I be using and
do they turn over often?
We use a mixture of single and double fiberglass and rotomoulded
kayaks on our trips. The kayaks you will be using are chosen with
comfort and stability in mind. We rotate all of the guests around
in the kayaks so that everyone has the opportunity to try both
styles of kayak. In regard to turning over, it happens VERY infrequently
but if it does our guides are fully trained and can get clients
back into their kayak very quickly.
8. Does it rain a lot, what if the weather
gets bad?
The weather in our area is generally quite pleasant from May through
to the end of September. On the south east coast of Vancouver Island
(Gulf Islands) the temperatures typically tend to be very warm
through the months of July, August and September with infrequent
rain showers. The north and west coast of Vancouver Island tends
to have less predictable weather, even in the summer rain and fog
can roll in and stick around for few days. Your best bet is to
be prepared for all types of weather and you will remain comfortable.
Please review the gear list provided carefully and follow the recommendations.
9. What kind of food will we be eating?
Our guides take great pride in the meals they prepare and the
challenge of doing so in the great outdoors. The food is wholesome
and hearty. Our ingredients are derived fresh from island-based
produce growers and bakers whenever possible. We often gather fresh seafood to accompany
our generous meals.
10. What if I’m a vegetarian or have
other special food requirements?
No problem, we have many vegetarians and many customers with special
food requirements. All we ask is that you clearly indicate your
needs on the registration forms that we request you fill in and
send back to us. Our guides are masters at creating delicious specialty
meals.
11. Are there a lot of bugs?
Generally speaking, bugs are not a large problem. In forested
areas we may encounter some biting insects (mosquitoes) but some
bug juice usually takes care of them! In late summer bees can be
an annoyance during lunch but if you are willing to share a bit
of lunch with them they will usually leave you alone.
12.What variety of wildlife can I expect
to see on the trip?
Vancouver Island and the surrounding waters are rich with a diverse
and very abundant mixture of wildlife. Depending on the area that
you choose to adventure in, you may see Orcas, Grey whales, porpoises,
seals, sea lions, sea otters, river otters, mink, bear, deer, elk,
cougars, wolves, eagles, cormorants, pigeon guillemots and much
more. Eagle viewing is best in the early spring or the fall when
the salmon runs start.
13. What are the chances of seeing whales
and how close do we get to them?
On our tours in Johnstone Strait and Clayoquot Sound we have
very good chance of seeing whales. Johnstone Strait is home to
a very large (nearly 250) population of resident Orcas. Quite often we
see the whales several times while we are paddling in the area.
The Grey whales in Clayoquot Sound move into the area in the spring
and reside in different areas of the Sound throughout the summer
months. Regulations have been adopted to ensure that the whales
do not get harassed. The regulations state that we must stay a
minimum of 100 meters away from the whales. When we are whale viewing
we will raft the kayaks together which provides additional stability
for picture taking; often the whales will approach the group, in
which case you may get an up close and personal experience with
these amazing creatures.
14. What are the campsites/lodges like?
Our campsites are all situated in wilderness settings. Each
area that we travel in has its own geographical attributes.
Some camps are located on long stretches of sandy beach and
others are located in forested areas. Well-organized campsites
are very important to us and we make an extra effort to ensure
your comfort while at camp. Our kitchen areas are tarped to
allow for a dry/sun protected meeting area for the group. Occasionally
we do camp beside other groups but we do make every effort to
camp in private, unpopulated areas. We also choose campsites
that are near fresh water sources when available. We also carry
solar showers so you can wash up. Of course they only provide
warm water on the sunny days!! The lodges are rustic but very
comfortable. The WeGo floating lodge has comfort rooms. There is electricity at the lodge
to run the lights etc. There is not enough electricity for hair
dryers or other appliances.
15. Are there toilets and where do we wash?
Bathroom facilities are not common in wilderness areas although
some places are set up with pit toilets. The guides will discuss
bathroom procedures with the group on the first day of your adventure.
There will be one designated area chosen by the guides to ensure
your privacy while performing your daily constitution. The lodges
have bathroom facilities (outhouses or composting toilets). Washing
basins are provided at the camp area for cleaning up. There is
also the option of using fresh water streams, lakes or the ocean.
The guides will discuss protocols on this subject on day 1 as well.
16. What is the experience of the guides?
Simply put, our energetic and devoted staff members are the reason
our programs are so successful. They are the most important resource
any adventure travel company has, period! WeGo Kayaking operates
its own trips and therefore great care is taken in choosing who
will represent our company. They are chosen for their caring nature,
integrity, experience and highly developed outdoor skills. Our
professional adult Leaders are certified in Wilderness First Aid
(leaders level certification), C.P R. and S.K.G.A.B.C. or equivalent
kayak leadership training. We are very proud of our staff members;
they possess an exceptional spirit that combines humor, understanding
and the unique ability to draw people together. Every year we put
our guides through a rigorous week of pre-season in house training
to ensure that their kayaking and culinary skills are sharply honed
for the coming season.
17. Can we arrange a private or custom tour?
Absolutely! Every year the number of custom bookings increases
as people look for a unique way to spend quality time with friends
or family. As this number has increased annually we encourage you
to plan well in advance and call our office early to avoid disappointment.
Custom locations/itineraries are our specialty, give us a call
and we will be happy to arrange a special vacation for you. Please
call or email us regarding discounts for group bookings.
WeGo Kayaking is a Vancouver Island based, Canadian owned and operated company. ©WeGo Kayaking Ltd. All Rights Reserved