Two nights ago my friend Ian Soellner and I, left for Gabriola Island in
the Gulf Islands in a crazy attempt to score waves generated by the new
PacifiCat Ferry (the two hundred million dollar wave generator). The Gulf isn't
otherwise exposed to any other forms of swell. We'd heard stories about
people surfing its wake in various locations but just could not believe it
ourselves so we set out on our epic 24 hour quest to find the PacifiCat
wave. We had zero expectations to start so everything was up and up from
there.
After making friends with several locals at the SURF CLUB Bar (an
unlikely club to find on an otherwise surfless island)that night, we were
schooled on possible surf break locations and other entertaining island
facts that later became part of our video documentary of the whole trip.
Some how our surf quest story was also instrumental in achiveing several
free shooters from the cute female bartender there as well. (Probably just
an excuse for her to have a few shots too.)
The next morning, as luck would have it, our constant chatter with any
and every local led to us meeting the mother of one of the local surf
stars in a small corner grocery store (what are the chances?). She
introduced us to others who had property overlooking the point break and
even had us over for lunch on her farm later that day.
We got to the break just in time for the 1st session and were amazed as
at least 30 or more waves came in - 6-7 of them being definitely rideable
(chest to shoulder high)and even barrelling over heavy enough to spit out
like backdoor, Hawaii. The locals said that it gets way better at a
(different) tide so we decided we would come back after lunch for the
second session of the day.
Since Ian got to surf the morning session while I filmed, I surfed the
second session. To our amazement the wave count was even higher the
second session and the wave quality picked up too (refer to photo). We
just couldn't believe our own eyes. The wave broke left and right but at
that particular tide the left was the best and the safest. (we wanted to
avoid any barnacle induced PacifiCat scratches that may occur on the
grinding right - the locals had the warning scars!) Apparently, on a
better tide situation, the waves can reach hights that are just over head
and judging by the grinding power of the shoulder high sets we surfed,
those would be some pretty heavy waves - exact same shape as the Tahitian
killers but on a very small scale. One of the most powerful waves in that
size category that I've ever surfed!
Our tale ended with a promise to visit again for even better waves and
with a renewed stoke for surf travel adventure. (Grab a tide chart and ferry schedule and go surfing!)
