The PaddlerUK magazine December 2015 issue 5 | Page 40

PADDLERUK 40

Jordan River
British Columbia, Canada

“The west coast of Canada offers some pretty diverse paddling and to narrow
down a specific spot if a pretty tough thing to do. For myself personally, I really
enjoy surfing and tend to spend most of my time during the winter at Jordan River
just down the road from my house.

http://qajaq.ca

James Manke

“If timed right, Jordan River can offer up
some big steep long rides which some
have claimed rides of up to two
minutes in length! It is an ocean point
break allowing kayakers to ride big
waves then cut out without even
getting your head wet! The river itself
pushing out heavy flows helps define
the shelf and also offers a free ride back
to the lineup.
“Flow and swell direction play a key
part in timing this magical place. Many
paddlers get skunked coming here
when forecasts read high. But when it’s
good, it’s GOOD.There are definitely
dedicated areas for crafts and surf

education is a must. Run a circuit if you
are at this super busy venue and look
out for others. If you don’t have the
skills, this is not the best break to
practice at.
“Surfers tend to stay right at the point,
SUP tend to hug surfers left and
kayakers favour deep centre jumping on
large swells which forms three defined
breaks on the big days with the first set
closing out heavy and generally two
defined breaks on smaller days which
tend to be the classic JR days.
Notoriously known for it’s big long
steep green waves… for a kayak surf
bum there’s not much better than that!”

Photos:
Rowan Gloag