BOARD NEWS
Cape Scott Park and the Scott Islands
By David Jensen
Most of my summers are spent on a paddleboard cleaning up marine debris on the remote coastline of Northern Vancouver Island, in and around Cape Scott Park and the Scott Islands.
2024 Expedition Update
By David Jensen
I’ve just spent 32 days cleaning Cape Russell and the tricky parts of Lowrie Bay and Hansen’s Bay. It rained for two weeks so, unlike last year, water was plentiful although it did make things a little slippery!
2024 expedition plans
By David Jensen
On June 7 I leave for the North Island. I plan to spend approximately four weeks cleaning Cape Russell, north to Guise bay near Cape Scott, as weather and tide allow. My goal is to complete the headlands and pocket beaches on this coastline.
Why I do what I do
By David Jensen
You might ask, why would someone do what I do? Why would you trade carefree paddling and summer camping with friends and family for the challenges and risks of paddling 15 – 25 knot headwinds and gusts, with a two ft. chop and six ft. swell? Why would someone take risks like this to pick up plastic for weeks on end, piling and dragging bags of garbage weighing up to 150 lbs?
SEPTEMBER 17—18, 2022
Notes received from David via MapShare Garmin
Saturday, September 17: Great to be out here again after spending the last few days in Port Hardy. Flew out early this morning from Cape Scott parking lot and have been working all day on Cox Island. With the help of a Living Oceans volunteer crew; we’ve collected 16 bags of debris and many strings of floats. It was a great effort but there is so much more there to do. It is the most polluted place. It’s a real privilege to be working with such a hard working group of volunteers. I’m looking forward to us working together to get my caches removed tomorrow.
SEPTEMBER 7—11, 2022
Notes received from David via MapShare Garmin
Wednesday, September 7: I’m back where it began, at cache 1, after tackling the biggest sea I've ever paddle boarded!! What an adventure. Even some porpoises checked me out. Too bad my battery died before I got to shore. Got some good footage but Gopro 8 super glitchy.
AUGUST 28 – SEPTEMBER 4, 2022
Notes received from David via MapShare Garmin
Sunday, August 28: What a day. Got the @ kicked out of me. A proper storm, everything wet, emergency evasive action required. Good west coast welcome.
AUGUST 20 – 27, 2022
Notes received from David via MapShare Garmin
Friday, August 26: Went for a walk and estimate there is, in this 2 km stretch, as much debris as I've collected so far, or more. I’m stunned and overwhelmed by the amount. Shot some video to show you why.
AUGUST 11 – 19, 2022
Notes received from David via MapShare Garmin
Thursday, August 11: Loaded nine cargo bags and paddled them downstream 5 km on the San Josef River to south east side of San Josef Bay, left them there and went back for my gear.
2022 Packing list
By David Jensen, July 2022
As I prepare for the 2022 expedition and review my packing list, I thought you might like to see what I carry on these solo journeys. Here’s my list, with a little extra detail for those with an interest in equipment for outdoor adventures.
Dinner for One
By David Jensen, July 2022
On paddle board expeditions, I keep to a minimum what I bring from home, including the amount of food I carry. The majority of my nourishment comes from fishing and foraging. In this video, The Food Situation: Fishing, Foraging and Preserves, you will see me gathering rosehips, blueberries, ...
What is Marine Debris?
By David Jensen, July 2022
On coastal beaches, marine debris is mostly made up of cigarette filters, plastic bags and plastic water bottles. On the remote shorelines, it’s derelict fishing gear, and abandoned and wrecked vessels including their engines and their cargo....