The Huliguns are an outrigger canoe team from Nanaimo. The outrigger is a type of canoe featuring one or more lateral support floats known as outriggers, which are fastened to one or both sides of the main hull. The Huliguns paddle in smaller canoes which employ a single outrigger on the port side. Their name is derived from the word ‘Huli’ which means ‘to capsize’ in the Polynesian language and is used world-wide in outrigger canoeing. Guns just sounded kinda cool. The team paddles with canoes from the local Canoe and Kayak Club located at the Brechin boat ramp.
The Huliguns started in 2009 and are one of the most consistent teams in Nanaimo. Their motto: ‘You can win but if your hair is not perfect, you are still a loser’ is well known by competitors. The Huliguns like to paddle around New Castle Island and Protection Island, Snake Island and off course to this location: The Five Fingers. Five Finger Island is located just outside the Hudson Rocks Ecological Reserve at a distance of approximately 5.5 km (2.9 Nm) one way from the Brechin Boat Ramp in Departure Bay.
The west side of the island offers the best spot for landing. Landing should only be attempted in small boats without a motor and which are seaworthy like kayaks or outrigger canoes. The landing area is shallow and littered with rocks. Best access point is on the west side of the island which is more sheltered and has a little beach (see additional waypoint).
This cache is for experienced paddlers only who are comfortable at paddling on the open ocean. Always check the weather forecast at http://weather.gc.ca/marine/index_e.html and tides and currents at http://www.tides.gc.ca/eng/find/zone/10 before paddling. Wear your Personal Floatation Device (PFD) and carry other mandatory safety equipment. If you don’t know what I am talking about you should not attempt searching for this cache.
Please upload your photos from this great adventure, be safe, enjoy the paddle and be sure your hair is perfect!