Skookumchuck Narrows
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Skookumchuck Narrows are a set of tidal rapids at the head of Sechelt Inlet on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast in Canada. At peak tidal flows, whitecaps and whirlpools form at the narrows even in calm weather, and whitewater kayakers have been known to surf the rapids. The optimal level for whitewater kayaking is between 11 and 15 knots but only on the flood tide, with the higher end creating a better wave, but with the possibility of it becoming a green wave for extended periods of time. Any paddlers going to skookumchuck must have a reliable roll, because a swim here would be long, and is reputed to have been fatal, but only to those without proper saftey equiptment (bring a lifejacket). The narrows are also the site of a provincial park.
Each day, billions of gallons of waters travel through the narrows, causing tidal currents from 1 to 17 knots, as they enter and leave the large and deep Sechelt Inlet. Because the tidal patterns keep the water moving at virtually all times in the narrows area, this attracts a plethora of interesting sea life.
The unrelated B.C. town of Skookumchuck is several hundred kilometres east in the landlocked Kootenay region of the province. Both locations take their name from Chinook jargon for "strong water."
