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Nootka Island, Comox-Strathcona G, BC, Canada |
vancouver island surf |tatchy adventures |tatchu |tatcha surf |surf canada |surf |raph bruhwiler |british columbia surf |british columbia |bc |base camp
This scene-of a rocky point break beneath Vancouver Island's snow-capped peaks-provided the stage for Surfer Magazine's epic May 2011 cover, as well as for countless unreal sessions at Tatchu Adventures.
Two sets of eyes appear out of the darkness, the shaggy bodies attached to them just visible at the periphery of the campfire light. At a casual glance they appeared to be big dogs, but Raph Bruhwiler knows better. This isn't the first time wolves have visited his beachside campfire.
Tatchu Adventures, Vancouver Island: The Surf
Tatchu's position on the West Coast of Vancouver Island captures swells from a huge variety of directions, and the complete lack of locals mean visitors are treated to dozens of empty lineups. Via Tatchu's Instagram.
Not the kind of beach traffic of your average surf trip...
...and while the thrill of the boat ride might be focused on hunting down a new point break...
...there's some sideshows along the way.
Yes, you have to wear a wetsuit, but with wave:surfer ratios like these, Tatchu is looking pretty epic.
Line-drying, Tatchu-style. With overwhelming amounts of driftwood lining the coast, beach campfires are part of the daily routine.
Bruhwiler, one of Canada's top surfers, manages Canada's only wilderness surf camp, Tatchu Adventures, on Nootka Island, a remote chunk of land poking off the west coast of Vancouver Island. Its beaches, reefs and points catch swell coming from just about any direction in the north Pacific. A short walk leads to several excellent breaks, with something for every surfer. Dozens more wait a boat ride away. All are empty except for the locals, sea otters, sea lions and the grey whales and orcas.
Tatchu's Surf Camp
A veritable Ewok village makes up the surf camp: wooden boardwalks link the main lodge (where meals are served and the group hangs out) with the two treehouse rooms and other buildings. A generator cranks up power for the lights and internet, wood fuels the sauna and a hot tub and there's always a nightly beach fire. On the pebbles of Beano Beach, bears, deer, cougars and, yes-wolves-regularly pass by.
Accommodations are certainly unlike any other you'll get on a surf trip.
When you tire of fresh-caught fish and shellfish at Tatchu, imbibe in some of the other (imported) luxuries.
Tatchu's wood-fire sauna, perfect for melting away surf-stressed shoulder sores.
Fresh-grilled tuna steaks on the nightly barbeque: just another night at Tatchu.
It's as if Tatchu's architect was Stan & Jan Berenstein's son, who then took some cues from the Ewoks. Straight awesome.
Morning yoga on the deck of one of Tatchu's treehouses.
How to Get There: Just getting to Tatchu is worth the price of admission. First, by car, drive to Cougar Creek, a small marina on the west side of Vancouver Island, 45 minutes past the fishing hamlet of Gold River, British Columbia. Here Bruhwiler picks guests up for a 20 minute boat ride across Nootka Sound to the east side of Nootka Island. A 30 minute drive across the island on logging roads lands guests at Tatchu.
Price: $1185 for four days, three nights all-inclusive, including daily surf or adventure guiding.
Website: tatchuadventures.com
Availability: Trips are by demand, year round, for groups of six to 10 people. The most consistent surf rolls in from September until May. Summer is best for beginners.
All photos courtesy of Tatchu Adventures.