Before each trip our guides get a Batstar Guide Trip Log that contains all the emergency contact numbers for the particular area they are guiding in. It also has the tide tables for the trip on it as well. Each guide has marine charts of the area.
As outdoor professionals, our guides are constantly evaluating the weather. They use several sources of information to help make a weather forecast while leading trips. When sea kayaking, marine weather is the primary source of weather data and is listened to at least twice a day on the VHF radio. The guides integrate this information with observed conditions, barometric information, cloud cover, weather maps, tide information and local knowledge to help them plan their routes. The guides make a float plan every day with an eye to the following days. They visualize a weather map (or make one in the sand) from all the information and record their observations in the Guide Trip Log.
When listening to the marine weather, bear in mind that the forecast is for a large geographic area. Local conditions will likely vary. This is where the experience of our guides really comes into play.
Click here for Environment Canada's marine forecast.
We also consult Environment Canada's 5 day weather forecast for cities and towns. These forecasts are less important than the marine weather for sea kayaking but they help us identify weather trends.
Click here for Environment Canada's 5-day forecasts for British Columbia.
Each of our guides has the local tides for each trip written in their field log. Batstar guides use tide information as a key element in route planning and choosing camping locations on beaches.
Click here for Canada's Fisheries and Oceans tide forecasters.
This useful link from Environment Canada shows a Flash animation of satellite weather imagery.
Click here for Environment Canada's animated satellite weather map.
Before each trip we check out the weather maps and satellite images available from Environment Canada.
Click here for Environment Canada's satellite images.
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