Tofino/Clayoquot INFORMATION:

DATES: Oct. 25-28th, 2023

DESCRIPTION OF THE TRIP: On this 4-day overnight surfing and camping trip students progress through a graduated surf training regimen. They begin surfing in the “whitewash” close to shore and gradually progress to deeper water and larger waves as they develop their skills. Students wear a surf wetsuit and wetsuit boots for this activity. As an overnight camping trip, students will also develop their camp skills such as cooking over camp stoves, setting up tarps and tents. Any time the students are in the water will be under the supervision of trained surf guides from Swell Surfing Tofino.

Curricular aims extend beyond the Outdoor Education, as students consider themes of land-use, sustainability, resource management and Indigenous governance and self-determination. Pre-trip learning will include background study on Indigenous groups and lands they historically and currently live, as well as investigating the history of conflict, and subsequent protection, of the old-growth forest in Clayoquot Sound. Students will connect with renowned Elder and carver, Joe Martin, for a guided hike through the Big Tree Trail, a newly protected forest managed by the nation. The day spent in Clayoquot will also include a visit to local carving studio and a volunteer opportunity for the students. Naturalist history will be woven into the outdoor days.

*Lenses of Curricular Inquiry: Sustainability, Resource Management, Indigenous Governance & Self-Determination

TRIP PRE-REQUISITES: Students must be able to swim 50 meters

GROUP EQUIPMENT: The guides will bring activity-specific equipment for the group. This will include surfboards, leashes, wetsuits and booties, and rash guards. The guides will also bring emergency response equipment (emergency communication device, first aid kit…).

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: We have a wide range of clothing and equipment available to students for the trips. This includes sleeping bags, foamies, rain coats, rain pants and clothing items such as fleece layers and puffball jackets. We will spend the morning on Tuesday preparing gear at the Derby Building. Students will do a gear check with their guides on this prep day prior to departing for Tofino. At that point the guides will outfit the students with any missing items. The following link will allow you to access the SURFING TRIP EQUIPMENT LIST.

MEALS/FOOD: Students should bring a card or cash to buy meals while en route to and from Tofino, as there will be stops in Port Alberni for food. Students and guides will be cooking all other meals in the campsite. The group will also visit the town of Tofino. While in town, students may want to buy snacks or other small meals.

TRANSPORTATION: Students will be traveling in a school bus.

TRIP COST: Covered with Experiential Program fee.

DAILY ITINERARY: Note: This is a tentative schedule that may change due to weather, water conditions, etc.

Oct. 25th

-Bus 8am departure from Crothall

-Visit McLean Mill National Historic Site  11am arrival 

-Arrival at Surf Grove Campground 

-Evening Beach hike

Oct. 26th

-Surf Clinic #1 with Swell Tofino Guides

-Roy Henry Vickers Gallery Visit

Oct. 27th 

-Water Taxi to Meares Island

-Clayoquot Big Tree Trail hike on Meares Island 

 Guided by Joe Martin Workshop (Elder, Carver & Friends of Clayoquot advocate)

-Carving studio tour & volunteering opportunity

Oct. 28th

-Surf Clinic #2 with Swell Tofino Guides

-Depart Tofino & Return to SMUS Crothall 5pm approx. 

ACCOMMODATION: Students will be sleeping in 2-4 person tents.

CAMPING LOCATION: Students and guides will be camping at Surf Grove Campground on Cox Beach.

STAFFING: SMUS hires outdoor guides for the travel, camping and surfing components of the trip. The guide pool on the trip has a combination of First Aid Certification, Guiding/Surfing/Surfing instruction experience, Experience working in this location with similar groups. SMUS Faculty Leads are Reagan Daly (Head of Experiential Education) and David Lynch (SMUS Indigenous Liaison).

INSTRUCTOR/STUDENT RATIOS: 2:10

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS: This is a school-sponsored outing and school rules will apply. Participants are expected to follow the guidelines set by the instructional staff. A failure to meet these guidelines or a failure to follow school rules may result in the participant being removed from the activity at their own expense. 

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT: The Leader-in charge has immediate access to: An appropriate first aid kit, Cell phone or pre-established means to communicate with the school or emergency services, Emergency Call Plan, Student Medical Information

EMERGENCY MEDICINE: Students should not be self-administering ANY medication, even if it is part of their own regular routine, without discussing it first with the guides. Students with asthma, severe allergies and medical conditions should bring a clearly labelled set of the appropriate medication and discuss the treatment plan with the guides prior to the trip