If you know Gambier Island you know. It is the largest of the chain of islands in the Howe sound. A beautiful yet turbulent water way at times with wind and wave to challenge the best.

Now I am not saying anything really unique in regards to my abilities, but, I did just solo circumnavigate Gambier. I feel pretty good comparatively. The distance was not the tough bit this time, it was the wind, the swell for a while. Either way it had to be done, weather be dammed. I was going to do it no matter what! It was in my mind to do it and I was going to.

I started off at 8:30am. I quartered the majority of the way to the north point of Gambier. Going by the Bird Sanctuary. Just before the point I started getting a bit of a push from some swell that was driving me there just a little faster. Made it to the backside which was sweet!! So calm and nice. I paddled on.

Then, on entering Andys Bay mother nature decided to slap me in the face with winds that were from 20-25 constant k of demoralizing wind and swell! Cleared that to then get hit with the same thing but worse in New Broughton Bay! The swell was bigger and the water was super sloppy with the rebounding water from hitting the wood barges moored there and around the island. I figured that it took me 3 hours to navigate those two bays! More than likely 20k upwinds in terrible conditions! It was tough! I just moved slowly and methodically. Constantly trying to redirect my line to the safest path through it!!

Finally coming around the south west point of Gambier had me head down and bent to it! I slowly passed West Bay, then Center Bay and Port Graves Bay. Then the deceptively long stretch to get to the end of Halket Bay.

The final push had me dig deep and keep it together as my traps were on fire! The extra work I had to do in the west bays helped tucker me out and burn those muscles something fierce!! Fortuantley I did get some gentle glides back to Lions Bay!!

7.56 hours! 48k! One power bar. 1400ml of water. Thats it!! Yup!! Wicked paddle with many great nature moments to keep me happy and entertained!! What a day and the icing on the cake seems to be to the fact that so far I have not heard of anyone else solo circumnavigating Gambier before!! Nice feather in my cap!!

Ok, whats next? I will have to ask you to wait and see!! Cheers for now while I plan my next adventure!!!