Thursday, August 23, 2007

Packing for Boating

A backpack or soft bag to pack belongings is useful to use on boats where space is usually limited.

To assist children, a checklist is helpful to ensure they have the clothes they need. Following is an example of gear to include either for a day trip or a longer boating vacation.

Items to include:

Two pairs of shoes - one for the boat, one for ashore
hat
toque
mitts or gloves
jogging suit
shorts
pants
warm jacket preferably with hood
short and long sleeved t-shirts
socks
sunglasses
swim suit
rain jacket and pants
rain boots
pj's, toiletries, underwear - for overnight trips

Once a list for a child's gear is established, it can be used whenever a boating trip is planned.

Monday, August 20, 2007

A Day at Sidney Spit

My sister was visiting from out of province and we treated ourselves to an afternoon at Sidney Spit. Arriving by ferry from Sidney we spent our time beach combing, relaxing, and exploring the island on the hiking trail.

Unfortunately, my sister scraped her foot. The incident sparked a conversation on the items we would have found handy to have in our pack or purse. Whether arriving by ferry or via your own vessel, here is a suggested list of "what to bring".

First Aid Kit
Band aids
Water
Sunscreen
Hat
Sweater or coat
Sunglasses
Towel
Allergy medication
Wet wipes
Snack
For children - shovel and sand castle building containers
Plastic bags to carry out your trash - no garbage containers on the island

The list applies anytime you are leaving your boat and going ashore to explore at anchorages or marinas.

Sidney Spit is a popular destination, so much so, we were unable to board the ferry we wanted back to Sidney as it was full to capacity. We waited 1 hour 45 minutes for the next ferry. This incident gave us time to further consider our "what to bring" list for our next visit to the island.

Being prepared is the key to a relaxing time on the island.