Summer was in full swing, and aboard the Pacific Swift, life slowed down to the sounds of the sea. Over ten days, the ship ventured from island to island, on a voyage filled with sandy beaches, showering under waterfalls, and sights of whales. Every moment offered a chance to connect; with the world around you, with yourself, and with the community that SALTS fostered on board.
This trip was filled with incredible adventures; both on sea and on land. Starting off with some smooth sailing, and a lot of quiet motoring, we made our way north from Victoria to Savary Island over the first two days. On the morning of day three we went to one of the beautiful sandy beaches that Savary Island is known for. With lots of goofing off, some games of capture the flag and volleyball, and some serious exploring, we went back to the boat around mid afternoon with grins on our faces glowing with red from the many sunburns.
We then ventured north to Teakerne Arm with dreams of waterfalls and lake swims. That evening we set up the notorious rope swing for a swim. It was a sight to behold, with trainees swinging, jumping off the rafters, and slacklining on the anchor line. The following morning we hiked up to Cassel lake for a swim. It was serene (albeit, definitely a chilly one). Then we took the dinghy to the base of the waterfall, and many people enjoyed a shower under the fresh water as it pounded down relentlessly, emanating a soft mist that showered faces the moment you stepped ashore.
The next day was overcast, but that didn’t stop us from swimming at Unwin Lake (a short hike from Tenedos bay where we had anchored). Then we enjoyed a serious sail as we chased the wind all the way to Hornby Island. The day came to a close with a beautiful sunset and breaching whales on the horizon, to the soundtrack of a quiet mugup on deck.
Tribune Bay on Hornby Island brought another sandy beach to explore, so we rowed (very far) to shore for some beach games and a swim in the crystal clear blue water. Jedediah Island was our next stop, so we quickly weighed anchor and were on our way. The sun went down on us shortly after settling in just off of Jededah, with the miraculous view of numerous juvenile eagles and turkey vultures enjoying a feast onshore. We had a great hike on Jedediah, although no sightings of the mythical sheep that supposedly roam free on the island.
We began to make our way across the Georgia Straight, heading back to Victoria, when we saw some whales. They were in the direction we were headed, breaching and slapping fins and tails on the surface of the water. We got closer and closer and eventually turned our engine off to avoid disturbing them. They disappeared for a while and resurfaced just off our stern, putting on a remarkable show. I have never seen a whale breach so close to me. It was beyond breathtaking. So many experiences on this trip have humbled me to the sheer power and vastness of the world around us. A poignant reminder that I think we all need every once in a while.
SALTs is an incredible organization that provides young people (ages 12-24) with the opportunity to experience the world in a way so few people do. In just 10 days, it opens your eyes to the limitless potential that lies within you, and in the world around you. As a volunteer, I was thrilled to be able to make that possible for the trainees on our ship, and capture it on camera in the process. I hope these pictures can give you just a glimpse into the empowering and eye-opening experience that SALTs has to offer.
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