Al and Marion Schaffer have been introducing people to the world of kayaking with their kayak programs for the past 20 years, including over 25 years of guiding professionally in the outdoor field (including their winter programs at their Blanket Glacier Chalet.

(www.blanketglacierchalet.com).

Originally started as a white-water kayak school, Al and Marion now operate their Kayak Centre solely as a sea kayak company.

"Our carefully designed instructional workshops and tours offer a comprehensive learning experience as well as a fun-filled holiday. We invite you to join us this season as we operate our programs near our summer home in Barkley Sound".

Kayaking is a wonderful and gentle way to explore and experience the ocean environment. Our programs focus in on instruction and offer plenty of opportunity for travel at your own pace, building on good paddling skills and developing a good sea sense so that participants will feel confident in planning future expeditions. As a certified level 3 sea kayak guide and a trained interpretive guide, Al creates meaningful experiences and memories that will hopefully last a lifetime, as he shares his passion of the cultural and natural history of Barkley Sound. He has also guided groups along the entire west coast of Vancouver Island - up to the Alaska border along the outside passage route.

No previous paddling experience is required to enjoy any of our programs, although for our camping tours we do ask that you have spent sufficient time tent camping in backcountry settings to prepare for travel in remote wilderness areas. Our fleet of kayaks is composed of a mixture of single and double fiberglass kayaks. Specially designed youth kayaks and paddles are available in our family programs. In all our programs, our participant to instructor ratio is 5:1

For our camping programs trip participants are responsible for providing their own Food and Camping Gear. A detailed equipment list, food planning and menu guide will be sent to you upon your registration in any of our programs.

For our lodge based programs, all meals, accommodations & bedding at Sechart Lodge is provided, along with a 3 hour return ferry passage from Port Alberni.