The Wild Coast of Vancouver Island

Today I will meet my friends Carol, Andreas and Mark on a campground near China Beach right before Jordon River. At first I thought that we will meet near Port Renfrew, which was why I camped near Carmanah Point the night before. I am still paddling next to the West Coast trail and I get to know two Germans from Dresden and Dortmund on a break. I help a israeli hiker with two liter of drinking water.

Behind Port renfrew I can see the dorsal fins of a pod of Orcas. Not sure whether or not they are coming my way or not I put down my paddle, prepare my camera and wait. I never would have thought that what happens now is possible. Three Orcas are coming my way. Less than 15 feet in front of me a huge dorsal fin cuts throught the water. I can not believe what I see. This giant animal is diving throught the water right underneath me. I can clearly see this guy underneath my kayak. He comes back up behind me as if he would just say hello.

I was not scared at all, I felt way to happy. The feeling is hard to describe, you have to experience it to understand. Really experience it. I see them slowly disappearing and I can not believe what just happened. Gigantic! I truly think the word can used here. A little later I have a similar encounter with a grey whale, who seems to scratch himself near the shore. He impressively shows his pectoral fin doing that and I have to watch out so I do not hit him with the fore of my boat. It might end bad, if this 45-foot buddy shrieks and throws me around. I paddle on full of impressions. I get goosebumps every time I think about what happened to me. I am one lucky guy!
My day's leg finds no end. 30 miles are behind me and it is already 5.30 pm. Around 6.30, after I paddled back to China Beach I see three people walking on the beach. Andreas recognizes me and waves at me. I pull my boat up the beach and I am simply happy to meet friends. 36 miles were enough for one day! I just want to pitch my tent, put on dry clothes and eat a warm meal.

Everyone is happy the meeting worked out and I have to report my trip. A great night with people, who, although I met them only four weeks ago, have become close friends. It goes by way too fast. But our next meeting in Victoria is only two days away.