Brad takes a big hit Photo: Alex Jowett

After the muesli and a little pleading and begging (for recipes) Clay decided it was best to get us out of the village to go check out some more treasures that Nootka had to offer. Back in the truck and off to the launch, we donned our arctic survival suits and loaded up the rescue boat with boards, beer and good cheer. Once we hit the open ocean Brad and I, who sat up front soon, realized that sitting in the aft is a much better idea, especially when the boat was jumping sometimes 6 and 8 ft. in the air. Prison jokes aside, we made it to the spot.

While the swell wasn't quite happening that day we were able to see the huge surf and windsurf potential this Island gem had to offer. We all knew we'd be back! After a great lunch of salmon, trail mix, beer and other goodies at, yet another, secret spot on a beach wide open enough to land a plane on, we headed back to the ewok village. Bald eagles flew around us and once again some little porpoises came to check up on us as we cruised back. I never knew not surfing could be so much fun!

As our final night, and the realization that we had to leave, crept up on us we decided it was time to party, which doesn't necessarily mean that we didn't party all week. Just that this final time Clay joined in and got us going in true lumberjacks spirit. Before I go any further let me say that beer and log tumbling contests can make people very, very wet. For some reason it was decided that one particular log that leaned out over the icy stream and emptied into the ocean would be the perfect spot to have a drunken tumbling contest. One by one each of us went out to the log and attempted forward rolls and cartwheels. Needless to say, none of us came back dry. None of us! We didn't care though because the hot sauna was already being stoked to help us sweat off some the fine Canadian beer that was coursing through of our veins!

When we finally had to leave we drove off in our Vehicles, slowly making our way back to Vancouver and Maui. Left behind in each of us were some incredible memories and even though we all went to the same place, each one of us came out with certain highlights that I'm sure are to forever remain!

Jesse kickin' Photo: Alex Jowett

From Jesse
"There were many things I didn't expect. In fact I had my doubts that we would get any conditions at all. My most memorable moment wasn't the bears, the tree house, the whales we got to surf with, the bald eagles, the old growth cedar, the wolf dens, or even the sailing!!! The memory that sticks out the most is the steelhead I caught while fly-fishing late one afternoon.

Clay, our guide, had some fly-fishing poles sitting around the tree house. Every time I asked him about the fishing I would get a subtle "its OK." I knew there was more to the story. Finally every one else was out surfing and I nagged at him until he agreed to take me. Next thing I knew we were practically running/crawling through some of the most treacherous forest I've ever been in, and let's not forget I'm a country boy from Tennessee born with a dip in my lip and a shotgun slung over my shoulder. I'm embarrassed to say, I could barely keep up.

We finally made it to the spot and I couldn't believe my eyes. I was about ten feet from the biggest fish I've ever seen in a creek. I managed to hook into one and will never forget the experience. It took 20 minutes to get the old girl in. It weighed in at a whopping 15 pounds. I left her there to catch another day. Not exactly the same thing as the bass I used to catch back in Tennessee! I think I'll dream about that afternoon for a long time. Sam was right, the entire trip was sick!!! Maybe I'll skip my annual Baja trip and go to BC instead."

From Sam
"Walking into Tatchu's Star Wars "ewok village"-like forest camp and looking off the balcony of our cedar tree house at a perfect peeling right hand point, I knew this was paradise! It was too much to take in all at once; The beautiful beach, the old growth forest, the waves, the wildlife, and the smell of cedar! In the first 10 minutes of arriving we were out there in epic conditions and it got better as the week went on. From checking out wolf dens in 800 year old cedars to breathing whale farts during one evening's surf session, it was surreal. The nature on Nootka Island is humbling, the wavesailing setups are better than world class, and eating Silvi's organic cooking changed my life. I've been making my own hack version of her Austrian Muesli ever since! I guess the saying 'the more you travel, the more you appreciate home' rings true!"

Riding the Zodiac Photo: Alex Jowett

From Brad
"After days of traveling the Vancouver Island coastline, from Victoria to Nitinat Lake, we finally found the sort of place we were looking for. Nootka, an Island within Vancouver Island - what an incredible place! We, Sam, Jesse, Alex and myself witnessed something that few people will ever see - a majestic coastline with abundant nature and tranquillity. And, on top of that it was as if you could feel the presence of history in the area. Captain Cook and his landing party circled and mapped this wondrous place and it still retains its alluring feel about it to this day."

From Alex
"I finally got the chance to do something I've wanted to do for awhile. Surf awesome waves in my own back yard, (which I now consider to cover the entire coastline of Canada, and everything in between,) and cover it in such a way that the rest of the world can see that Canada really is an amazing place full of amazing secrets, some of which we don't necessarily want the rest of the world to know, and many more which we are still discovering on a daily basis. There really isn't anything better than surfing and windsurfing with a few buddies in your own back yard. Ok, maybe one thing...having the recipe to Sylvie's supreme muesli. But, I guess a few things must remain a mystery. Oh I'm a lumberjack and I'm Ok, I sleep all night and I work all day!"

Editor's Note: To book a trip with Tatchu Adventures Surfing and Windsurfing Nootka Island please contact Clay Hunting at:

info@tatchuadventures.com
www.tatchuadventures.com
Postal address: Tatchu Adventures Inc, P.O. Box 224,
Tahsis, BC, Canada V0P-1X0
1.888.895.2011

By Alex Jowett

Jowett is a professional writer and photographer and has had numerous articles and photographs published in a variety of kiteboarding and windsurfing magazines. Check out his website at www.wickedsun.com.