The shores of Southern Vancouver Island and in and around Vancouver also have their favourable routes However, all the areas mentioned, especially Georgia Strait as a whole, are also prone to fickle winds that can defy exact prediction by official forecasters. Other areas along the west coast of North America also offer potential for good winter paddling but in all cases, local knowledge is a vital safety factor. A number of the areas mentioned are prone to the development of nasty, mature seas, due to the long fetch available during sustained winter winds. Predominate northwesterly winds give way to southeasterlies in the winter, thereby creating conditions often different from summer paddling. Again, knowledge is key, and the know-how to apply that knowledge can only come through experience gained over time.
Most new paddlers do their winter paddling close to home.
They find safety in local harbours, lagoons, and sheltered bays, finding newer venues as time goes by. Paddlers ready to venture further afield must have knowledge of tide, current, and weather factors that are critical during the winter months. These things are important year-round, but closer attention must be made to the need for accuracy with tides and the additional current hazards produced. Low pressure systems and high winds can also change predicted tide heights. You should know what is going on throughout the various marine forecasting areas, and take the time to learn the different lighthouse locations and names, so that you can formulate a mental picture of what is occurring at various points nearby while listening to the continuous broadcasts.