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Join Coast&Kayak Magazine as writer Michel Tremblay explores the history and stark geography of the Upper Missouri River through Montana.

Coast&Kayak Magazine presents a world-exclusive preview of the new Gulf Islands Marine Trail, a new leg of the BC Marine Trail, to be officially opened Saturday, May 14 at Transfer Beach in Ladysmith.

A look at the features, launches, campsites and points of interest of the southernmost portion of the new Gulf Islands Marine Trail, part of the new BC Marine Trail. This area includes Sidney, Saanich and the surrounding waters including Saanich Inlet.

There is no doubt the Gulf Islands straddle two worlds. The rugged wilderness and unspoiled vistas that define the islands are definitely at odds with those places tamed for residential use. The outer islands share the best and worst of both. If you are looking for untrammeled shoreline and mountainous scenery, Saturna Island is the beacon, made brighter with the inclusion of much of the island into the Gulf Islands National Park reserve.

To call Saltspring Island the heart of the Gulf Islands is to acknowledge not only its domineering physical presence (capped by the highest peaks in the region), but also the cultural spirit reflected in a bustling community of arts, boutiques and bed&breakfasts.

The sandstone formations in these islands are remarkable, not just in appearance but also in history. Back in 1792 some sketches were made of one particular overhanging sandstone gallery by an artist on an expedition commanded by the Spanish explorer Galiano. The namesake Galiano Gallery on Gabriola Island, an overhanging sandstone shelf extending 90 meters / 300 feet, became famous as a result. It’s a local park today, but while the most famous it’s not alone for the dramatic sandstone rocks. Galleries, ledges and fretted “brain rock” sandstone abound throughout these islands.

The first issue of Coast&Kayak Magazine was dated May/June 1991, making this the ‘official’ 20th birthday magazine. To mark the occasion we’ve decided to give everyone a birthday gift of a free kayak with no strings attached (can’t fit a string in a magazine anyway). Our dream was a cedar kayak, but in this world of laminates and veneer we decided it would be easier if we gave you a faux cedar strip finish. So here is a complete faux cedar kayak kit.

Now we know! Here are fact-based guidelines for how close to get to seabirds, for both kayakers and boaters, as species at risk biologist Trudy Chatwin shares results of her studies into disturbances of nesting and roosting seabirds.

I love paddling in dynamic conditions and playing in wind, waves and current. And I’m lucky enough to have a small network of like-minded friends who enjoy the same sort of outings. Because we elect to paddle in “more challenging” conditions, around rocks and other immovable objects, we sometimes damage boats – and, yes, sometimes catastrophically. All this kayak carnage isn’t wholly unexpected. The rules of engagement are pretty simple: if you choose to paddle in breaking waves around rocks and reefs, it’s not so much a question of “if” you will eventually collide with something, but “when.”

If you’re looking for a bit of extra stability when stepping into your kayak, the side entry is worth a try.

In the summer months, water temperature is a key factor when trying to locate gamefish, let alone catch them. As with the anglers who pursue them in the sultry dog days of summer, fish attempt to be comfortable this time of year, and that often means finding the coolest water in a particular lake, reservoir or river system.

Seaward Kayaks introduced its own particular style of X factor a few years ago by offering the Quest X3. The X3 is the reference to a third hatch and bulkhead. Based on the success with the Quest it was only natural that Seaward extend the option to other kayaks. So enter the X3 for two other Seaward models for 2011: the Chilco and the Ascenté.