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How much previous experience do I need to join one of the trips? Back
to Questions
Our expeditions are
designed to be safe and fun for both novice and expert alike. Our guides
are qualified and experienced and will teach you all you need to know.
Whether you're a first time adventurer or have been on expeditions around
the world you'll feel at home with our complete instructional sessions and
our concern for the safety and comfort of our guests.
What's included in the
cost of the tour? Back
to Questions
All our tours include
professional guides, permits, delicious meals and top quality gear. We don't
include sleeping bags (rentals can be arranged), accommodations for before
and after the tour, transportation to and from our base or launch site.
What are your guides like? Back
to Questions
Our professional
guides have been elected for their extensive experience, outdoor skills,
back country chef abilities, reliability and outgoing personalities, just to name a
few. Our guides are devoted to making sure that you have a comfortable,
safe and enjoyable vacation.
How big are the groups? Back
to Questions
Our
average group
size is 6-10 guests on all our tours. Larger groups can be arranged. Please contact our office to discuss this.
What can I expect
the other guests to be like? Back
to Questions
Everyone is on
vacation and as such we find that the general atmosphere is festive,
friendly and involved. Our guides provide a sociable and encouraging
environment in which many lasting friendships are made.
What is the average age? Back
to Questions
Most of our guests
range in age from mid twenties to late fifties, however we have no maximum
age limit.
I'm traveling alone, is that OK? Back
to Questions
We welcome solo
paddlers can accommodate you with your own tent.
Is there an age
limit and can I bring my kids? Back
to Questions
We recommend a
minimum age of 12 years for our multi-day kayak trips as younger children
may find paddling for extended lengths of time tiring. Younger children that are very active in the outdoors with their parents are often fine depending on the trip you choose. All of our canoe tours are excellent for families with younger children. We encourage families and ask that you contact our office to
discuss what trips are suitable for your early adventurers.
As for the top
end of our age scale, we feel you are never too old to enjoy the
wilderness.
Is it safe? Back
to Questions
Yes, we
have never had a serious injury on any of our tours. Our number one
concern is the safety of our guests. Our guides are trained in Wilderness
First Aid and carry extensive First Aid kids. We carry VHF marine radios
on our tours on all ocean paddling tours. We also
have an emergency plan in place for all our tours.
Does Out For Adventure arrange custom tours? Back
to Questions
Custom tours can be
arranged for groups of 5 or more. You should make plans well in advance to
ensure that we can accommodate your group. Call our office to discuss your
vacation.
Is there a group discount? Back
to Questions
Yes,
for all multi-day tours if you are
booking for your group of five or more, you are entitled to a 5% discount
off the regular tour cost. Book for groups of 8 or more and receive a 10%
discount. Not applicable with any other discounts, custom tours and day
tours/lessons.
Do I have to be physically fit? Back
to Questions
No. You do not have
to be in top shape to join one of our trips but a good level of physical
fitness will go a long way. As our trips take place in the wilderness we
sometimes cannot avoid the wind and occasional brisk paddle. You can
expect a moderate level of paddling activity. If you have concerns about
your level of fitness or any health concerns just give us a call.
What's easier... canoeing
or kayaking? Back
to Questions
All of our trips
include paddling instruction to ensure you get a chance to learn to paddle
either a canoe or kayak properly. Each of the two have their advantages
and disadvantages. The canoe is perfect where portages are required,
therefore trips that have portages are only offered using canoes. Canoes
are also easier to get in and out of in most cases. Kayaks are better suited to the coast because they
lack the tall sides the canoe has that catches wind and have a covered
deck that sheds water. It is impossible to say one is always easier than
the other but if a person were to plan to paddle solo with no previous
experience, the kayak would be easier to move in the required direction
with less training than the canoe.
What if I want vegetarian meals... Do I have to bring my own food? Back
to Questions
No. We are very
accustomed to preparing vegetarian meals for guests as well as doing our
best to cater to
other special dietary needs and are pleased to do it. Please be sure to
indicate any dietary concerns on your trip medical form well in advance of
your trip.
What kind of meals can we
expect? Back
to Questions
Our meals have been
developed and tested for several years and have passed trippers taste
tests with flying colours. Our guides take great pride in preparing and
serving delicious, delicious meals. We serve the freshest and highest
quality foods possible. Guests quite often ask our guides for our recipes,
even saying that they eat better on our tours than at home!
What should I bring? Back
to Questions
When we receive your
trip registration we will send you a tour confirmation package that will
include a list of personal items that you should bring. We supply tents,
sleeping pads, food, guide/s, cooking equipment, dishes, group tarp,
boats, PFD's, safety equipment and virtually all you will need other than
your sleeping bag and personal gear (i.e. clothing, toiletries etc..)
Sleeping bags are available for rent for those without.
How much paddling will we
do in a day? Back
to Questions<
On average about
four to five hours a day will be what is aimed for, with stops to rest
and explore and enjoy a shore lunch. Paddling time will vary with the
groups ability, desires and the type of trip you are on. Weather or other
conditions may occasionally require more or less paddling time.
When is the best time to go? Back
to Questions
All of our dates
offer unique experiences and our dates are chosen to try to maximize the
trips potential. The tour dates have been
chosen carefully to avoid high use areas and times as much as possible. July and August are
the busiest times for any tours, while May, June, September and
October are shoulder season times.
What are the campsites like? Back
to Questions
Time spent in camp is
a large part of the wilderness experience and as such we strive for sites
that provide you with solitude and a view. All our expedition campsites are situated
in wilderness settings. Camps are set up in a well-organized manner, with
comfort in mind. The kitchen area will be protected from the sun and rain
by a tarp, creating a meeting area for the group.
Where do we wash? Back
to Questions
The guides carry
solar showers, and where freshwater is available on a sunny day you can
enjoy a warm shower. We will also provide you with a wash basin in camp.
We ask that you supply biodegradable soap products only.
What can I expect for weather? Back
to Questions
Generally, the
weather on both our tours in British Columbia and in Ontario is agreeable in
the summer months. In the Pacific Northwest you can expect average daily
temperatures of about 20 C (70F) and mostly sunny days.
In Ontario, expect to enjoy hot, sunny and sometimes humid days. However, inclement weather
is always a possibility and we
encourage you to come prepared for rainy days. Our "What to Bring list" in
your Welcome Package has complete details and suggestions geared
towards your comfort.
What are
the chances of seeing whales? (Orca Encounters) Back
to Questions
Johnstone Strait has
a high population of approximately 300 resident Orcas and we see whales a number of times on most trips.
Our success rate of whale sightings per tour is as high or higher than any company operating sea kayak trips in Johnstone Strait. We embrace and adhere all the whale watching guidelines and will never sacrifice or breach those guidelines for a better encounter. We strive to maintain the required 100 metre distance from the whales at all times.
What are the
chances of seeing wildlife?
Back
to Questions
Traditionally, early
mornings and evenings offer the best viewing times for wildlife. We have
had great success with wildlife sightings and our extensive
knowledge and experience with wildlife in our tour areas maximize your
chances for great wildlife viewing.
What about bugs? Back
to Questions
On the coast we are lucky to have very few bugs! You may find a few
mosquitoes come out just before dark depending on where you are, so it is
handy to carry a little bug repellent with you. A long sleeve shirt and
light weight pants go a long way in repelling the few bugs you may
encounter on some tours. Generally bugs are not a problem. In Ontario, we
recommend carrying an insect repellent with Deet in it. Black flies join
us in May to June and then Mosquitoes like to hang out for a bit. By
late summer, we are virtually bug free.
When do I need to be there?
Back
to Questions
We recommend that you arrive in the area the night before the tour. We
will send you a list of suggested accommodations for before and after the
tour. We ask that you make contact with our office the day before the tour
to confirm a meeting time and place. How do I get there?
Back
to Questions
Our
Getting Here page has travel details on it to help you plan your trip.
Please feel free to contact our office for our assistance if needed.
If your answers are not found in this FAQ, please email, call or write us
and we will be happy to answer. No question is trivial or silly, so feel
free to query us.
Out
For Adventure Wilderness Tours Ltd. 1-866-344-5292
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Out For
Adventure Sea Kayaking Tours