Outdoors and Recreation

George Johnson shows off a tub racing hat from the early 1970s. The hat is fitted with ear phones and has pockets that contained a radio and batteries, so safety crews and race officials could listed to reports on the race progress. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo family keeping up 55-year tradition of tub racing

Johnson family’s old racing tub being refurbished to enter this year’s great race

 

The United Way of South Island announced that it will provide $20,000 for Take A Hike in Saanich, and for a program in Sooke which will begin this fall. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

United Way takes a hike to Sooke

Youth program receives funding for programs in Saanich and Sooke

 

North Cowichan staff are working to stop the illegal building of mountain bike trails on Mount Richards. (File photo)

North Cowichan aims to stop illegal trail building on Mount Richards

Concerns raised about damage to environment

 

Mark Pavesic reels in a small mouth bass from Elk Lake, near Victoria, BC. Kelsey Pavesic photo

Let Outdoors West be your guide to the great outdoors this summer!

Magazine shares the how-to and where-to of exploring Western Canada’s natural spaces

Mark Pavesic reels in a small mouth bass from Elk Lake, near Victoria, BC. Kelsey Pavesic photo
Tim Sangha, a member of the Nanaimo-based business partnership that has owned the Scarlet Ibis Pub and Restaurant since November 2020, presents a carving by woodcarver Rick Rotar of the Ibis business logo to Patricia Gwynne who owned and operated the Island’s most remote pub for more than 40 years. (Scarlet Ibis image)

New business partners breathe new life into Vancouver Island’s most remote pub

Scarlet Ibis Pub and Restaurant in Holberg is edge of civilization for wilderness adventurers

Tim Sangha, a member of the Nanaimo-based business partnership that has owned the Scarlet Ibis Pub and Restaurant since November 2020, presents a carving by woodcarver Rick Rotar of the Ibis business logo to Patricia Gwynne who owned and operated the Island’s most remote pub for more than 40 years. (Scarlet Ibis image)
The search for additional pickleball facilities on the Saanich Peninsula continues after the Victoria Airport Authority said no to the idea of courts in Rotary Park. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria Airport Authority grounds plans for pickleball courts in Rotary Park

Memorial Park Society considering options at Blue Heron Park in North Saanich

The search for additional pickleball facilities on the Saanich Peninsula continues after the Victoria Airport Authority said no to the idea of courts in Rotary Park. (Black Press Media file photo)
A man was airlifted to hospital with head injuries after falling from a cliff at Pipers Lagoon Park in Nanaimo on Monday, April 11. (News Bulletin file photo)

Senior airlifted to hospital after falling off cliff at Nanaimo’s Pipers Lagoon

Man fell 18 metres onto rocks, firefighters conducted rope rescue

A man was airlifted to hospital with head injuries after falling from a cliff at Pipers Lagoon Park in Nanaimo on Monday, April 11. (News Bulletin file photo)
Lorne Carnes, a member at the Canadian Pacific Lawn Bowling Club in downtown Victoria, delivers a bowl at the club. Open houses at the 11 clubs around Greater Victoria are being hosted on various weekends throughout April, welcoming newcomers. (Black Press Media file photo)

Flexibility of play, fun offered at Greater Victoria lawn bowling greens

Upcoming open houses around region designed to introduce newcomers to sport

Lorne Carnes, a member at the Canadian Pacific Lawn Bowling Club in downtown Victoria, delivers a bowl at the club. Open houses at the 11 clubs around Greater Victoria are being hosted on various weekends throughout April, welcoming newcomers. (Black Press Media file photo)
Physical forces conspire against Dustin Haracka and his ‘Batmobile’ as he tries to navigate a downhill slalom course during the first Vancouver Island University Engineering Soapbox Race on Thursday, April 7. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo engineering students come to grips with gravity at soapbox derby

VIU Engineering Club holds race day, hopes to make it an annual event

Physical forces conspire against Dustin Haracka and his ‘Batmobile’ as he tries to navigate a downhill slalom course during the first Vancouver Island University Engineering Soapbox Race on Thursday, April 7. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
A fundraiser has been created to build a mountain bike trail in honour of Matthew Jeromkin, who was 13 when he died Feb. 6. (GoFundMe/submitted photo)

Family hopes to memorialize Nanaimo boy’s life with mountain bike trail

Gofundme set up to raise money for project to honour 13-year-old

A fundraiser has been created to build a mountain bike trail in honour of Matthew Jeromkin, who was 13 when he died Feb. 6. (GoFundMe/submitted photo)
Fernie local Dave Richards with his latest carving creation - an ice bear carved from ice from Crowsnest Pass Lake. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

(Ice) bear spotted in Fernie

Local wood carver in training Dave Richards is the artist behind the ice sculpture

Fernie local Dave Richards with his latest carving creation - an ice bear carved from ice from Crowsnest Pass Lake. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Biking the trails in Revelsotke. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)

Outdoor group urges B.C. government to expand budget for recreation

Recreation Sites and Trails BC manages recreation resources on public lands

Biking the trails in Revelsotke. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)
From hunting and ice fishing to snowshoeing and hiking, this new must-read guide from Black Press Media and WestCoastTraveller.com will inspire plenty of winter pursuits.

Enjoy the great outdoors this winter with Outdoors West!

Magazine shares the how-to and where-to of exploring Western Canada’s natural spaces

From hunting and ice fishing to snowshoeing and hiking, this new must-read guide from Black Press Media and WestCoastTraveller.com will inspire plenty of winter pursuits.
Victoria resident and accessibility consultant Steve Bertrand accesses the rocky beach off Dallas Road. (Photo courtesy of City of Victoria)

New accessible amenities unveiled along Victoria’s Dallas Road waterfront

City takes action to support residents with mobility challenges

Victoria resident and accessibility consultant Steve Bertrand accesses the rocky beach off Dallas Road. (Photo courtesy of City of Victoria)
While most tubers on the Cowichan River are respectful and just looking for some fun in the water, as those shown in the photo, a riverside business owner says a minority of rowdy tubers are driving away business. (File photo)

Lake Cowichan riverside business says rowdy tubers deterring customers

Long-time customers at Greendale Riverside Cabins say they won’t return

While most tubers on the Cowichan River are respectful and just looking for some fun in the water, as those shown in the photo, a riverside business owner says a minority of rowdy tubers are driving away business. (File photo)
North Shore Rescue quickly deployed rescue teams and Talon Helicopters thanks to the preparation of an overdue camper. (NSR photo)

B.C. search and rescue team commends ‘excellent’ preparation of overdue camper

North Shore Rescue says good planning from the camper greatly aided rescue efforts

North Shore Rescue quickly deployed rescue teams and Talon Helicopters thanks to the preparation of an overdue camper. (NSR photo)
Despite already appealing to many in Sooke, RC events and activities can only be put on with a proper track, says Vancouver Island RC Racers organizer Dan Pudwell. (Contributed - Dan Pudwell)

Remote-control car racetrack eyed for Sooke

Track will be constructed on West Coast Road farmland

Despite already appealing to many in Sooke, RC events and activities can only be put on with a proper track, says Vancouver Island RC Racers organizer Dan Pudwell. (Contributed - Dan Pudwell)
Proceeds from the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s second annual online auction will support conservation initiatives around the province. BCWF photo.

Online gift, gear and getaway auction boosts BC fish and wildlife conservation

B.C. Wildlife Federation online auction supports conservation projects across the province

Proceeds from the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s second annual online auction will support conservation initiatives around the province. BCWF photo.
The Sandowner Centre for Regenerative Agriculture is running nature walks on its property every Saturday this month. (Photo courtesy of the Sandown Centre)

Sandown Centre in North Saanich hosting nature-connecting walks this month

Experts are leading the Saturday strolls to give their perspective on the property’s lands

The Sandowner Centre for Regenerative Agriculture is running nature walks on its property every Saturday this month. (Photo courtesy of the Sandown Centre)
Free yoga is back at Willows Beach Park until Aug. 31. (Black Press Media file photo)

Free yoga back at the beach in Oak Bay

Residents turn out to practise safely at Willows Beach Park on Tuesday nights

Free yoga is back at Willows Beach Park until Aug. 31. (Black Press Media file photo)