» Summer Sports and Activities
Kayaking
Vancouver's two most popular paddling destinations are quite different from each other. The placid waters of False Creek are flanked by Yaletown's bustling cityscape to the north and clamorous Granville Island to the south, while the North Shore's nature-bound Deep Cove area is the launch point for Indian Arm, a tree-lined, finger‑shaped fjord that bends northwards for 30 kilometres (19 miles) deep into the heart of the mountains. Local kayak rental and tour operators include Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre (www.ecomarine.com) and Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak Centre (www.deepcovekayak.com).
Story Idea:
Consider an urban kayaking story covering a trek around busy False Creek. Your story could include stops at Vanier Park, Yaletown and Science World and you could pass by the construction site for the Olympic Athlete's Village as well as the city's glittering glass condo towers - the best way to view this water-fringed cityscape. You could end your paddle at Granville Island - an ideal spot for lunch - overlooking the art deco arch of the Burrard Street Bridge. Ecomarine Ocean Kayak has a rental office on the island. |
Hiking
The Lower Mainland offers a cornucopia of great hiking opportunities. Popular trekking spots include the North Shore's Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, complete with 50 kilometres (31 miles) of paved and gravel logging trails that also attract cyclists and inline skaters; Deep Cove, combining small-scale urban development with looming mountains and glassy seascapes; and the well-marked Baden-Powell Trail, which winds through 42 kilometres (26 miles) of rocky bluffs, snow-fed ravines and of course trees, trees, trees - it's the epitome of West Coast natural splendour. The city's most popular hiking route is the Grouse Grind (www.grousemountain.com), a steep 2.9 kilometre (1.8 mile) uphill trek through the forest. It can take up to two hours, but you can relax with a gondola ride back down for $5.
Mountain Biking
Not all of the trails carved through the region's rainforest are designed for hikers. Meandering mountain biking tracks have been cut on the backside of ski areas at Grouse Mountain (www.grousemountain.com) and Cypress Mountain (www.cypressmountain.com) and through the heavily forested woods of Pacific Spirit Park and the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve.
Rollerblading
The 10.5-kilometre (6.5-mile) Stanley Park seawall is dripping with rollerbladers throughout the summer months - its flat, paved path circles the entire park and offers spectacular mountain, waterfront and forest vistas with plenty of spots to stop and take a breather. More adventurous rollerbladers are often drawn to North Vancouver's Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, where the towering trees provide a spectacular backdrop for a nature-bound spin. In-line skates can be rented throughout the city, and operators include Bayshore Bicycles & Rollerblade Rentals (www.bayshorebikerentals.ca) and Spokes Bicycle Rentals (www.spokesbicyclerentals.com).
Swimming
The Vancouver Park Board (www.vancouverparks.ca) operates nine indoor pools, seven outdoor pools, and employs lifeguards throughout the summer months on the city's half dozen beaches. In the downtown core, the Vancouver Aquatic Centre features an indoor, Olympic-size pool, weight room, sauna and whirlpool. In the summer, Kitsilano Pool, off Cornwall Avenue, and the Second Beach Pool in Stanley Park offer the joys of swimming outdoors in heated pools that are safe for toddlers and adults alike.
Beaches
Among Vancouver's best summertime haunts, Kitsilano Beach is the most popular spot for catching the rays. It attracts families, locals and visitors with its wide sandy expanse and large saltwater swimming pool. English Bay Beach, at the intersection of Denman and Davie Streets is a busy stretch for sunbathers, volleyball players and resting rollerbladers. For the city's best sunset, head to Stanley Park's Third Beach, where you can pull-up a log and watch the sky turn through its end-of-day pyrotechnics.
Story Idea:
Consider a story that reviews Vancouver's beaches for visitors, assessing swimming and family-friendly-qualities as well as natural surroundings and additional facilities like the swimming pool at Kits Beach. You could also review the dining options available around the city's beaches and include comments from locals on their favourite sandy spots for adults, families, sunsets and picnics.
Trivia:
Vancouver's only nudist beach - Wreck Beach - is located by the University of British Columbia.
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Scuba
Vancouver's beauty also extends below the ocean's surface. Scuba divers plumb the frigid waters between Vancouver Island and the mainland to view spectacular marine species like wolf eels and large Pacific octopus, as well as a brilliant red coral found few other places in the world. Cates Park in Deep Cove on the North Shore and Whytecliff Park near the North Shore's Horseshoe Bay are popular diving sites.
Fishing
It's no surprise that salmon fishing is a big attraction for visiting anglers. Using the latest electronic fish finding equipment to give guests the best chance of a catch, Bites-On Salmon Charters (www.bites-on.com) offers fully-guided fishing adventures departing from downtown and heading out to English Bay, Howe Sound and the Strait of Georgia. In the spring, the company also offers a spectacular nine-hour charter through the Gulf Islands to fish for Chinook salmon. Other charter companies operating in the region include STS Guiding Services (www.guidebc.com), M&M Charters (www.mmcharter.com) and Sunwolf Outdoor Centre (www.sunwolf.net).
Boating
With its spectacular waterfront location, boating around the Vancouver region is a highly popular activity for visitors. Whether it's a sunset dinner cruise around the coastline off Stanley Park, a narrated harbour cruise around the busy waterfront, a mini-tour on a tiny ferry around False Creek or a fishing or sightseeing trek aboard a charter, the city is a marine-lovers paradise. Operators include Harbour Cruises (www.boatcruises.com), Accent Cruises (www.accentcruise.ca) and Cooper Boating (www.cooperboating.com), while local mini-ferries are run by Aquabus Ferries (www.theaquabus.com) and False Creek Ferries (www.granvilleislandferries.bc.ca).
Windsurfing And Kiteboarding
Vancouver is popular among the windsurfing fraternity and it's also a great spot to try this activity for the first time. The beaches of English Bay and Jericho are hotspots for those renting equipment and taking beginner lessons. For those who want the challenge of high-wind sailing, Squamish - an hour's drive north of the city - offers some of Canada's best windsurfing conditions. In summer, strong thermal winds blow down the valley and create ideal windsurfing conditions. The Squamish Windsports Society (www.squamishwindsurfing.org) manages the site and charges a daily user's fee.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
One of the best ways to take in the spectacular natural surroundings of Stanley Park is to hop on a gently paced horse-drawn carriage ride around its wide, tree-lined roads. Stanley Park Horse-Drawn Tours (www.stanleypark.com) offers one-hour narrated carriage tours through the park for nature-loving visitors throughout the summer.
Story Idea:
Consider a story on the area's winter resorts for summer visitors. Grouse Mountain (www.grousemountain.com), Mount Seymour (www.mountseymour.com) and Cypress Mountain (www.cypressmountain.com) are each renowned for their winter activities, but they are also great spots for summer visitors. Your story could offer a first-hand review of summer activities, ranging from alpine hikes and mountain biking to wildlife watching and lumber jack shows. |
Rock Climbing
Ringed by mountains, Vancouver is an ideal destination for rock climbers who don't want to stray too far from the city. The local mountains offer dozens of options for climbers of all levels, while a one-hour drive along the Sea-to-Sky Highway brings you one of Western Canada's most popular climbing destinations. The Squamish Chief is an experienced rock climber's dream with boundless routes to scale on its beautiful granite face. For those less experienced, group and private lessons, indoor climbing walls and guided climbing tours are available around the region.
Tennis
Vancouver has more than 180 free public tennis courts, provided by the Vancouver Park Board. The outdoor courts are open all year and are run on a first-come, first-served basis, with a 30-minute maximum time limit - but only if someone is waiting for your court. Stanley Park has 15 free courts and six that are available for an hourly rental fee. Queen Elizabeth Park has 17 free courts. At Kitsilano Beach Park, there are 10 free courts for public use. For other locations, visit the Park Board website at www.vancouverparks.ca. |
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