John Topham
@johnjtopham.bsky.social
Kayak Guide on Salt Spring Island, BC
Former science teacher
BSc, BEd
Married
I love cycling, kayaking, hiking and my awesome wife.
Just trying to live a healthy, happy life.
Former science teacher
BSc, BEd
Married
I love cycling, kayaking, hiking and my awesome wife.
Just trying to live a healthy, happy life.
After 264 commercial kayaking days over 8 seasons, I'm now retired from guiding. It's on to other adventures like hiking, cycling and personal kayak trips.
October 15, 2025 at 4:20 PM
After 264 commercial kayaking days over 8 seasons, I'm now retired from guiding. It's on to other adventures like hiking, cycling and personal kayak trips.
With my last guiding season winding down, I had the pleasure of doing 3 trips to Eleanor Point and Russell Island. It's such a joy to take people to these places.
On Monday, the light was especially good for taking photos.
I finish with 2 tours near Ganges and that's a wrap.
#kayaking
On Monday, the light was especially good for taking photos.
I finish with 2 tours near Ganges and that's a wrap.
#kayaking
October 9, 2025 at 3:41 PM
With my last guiding season winding down, I had the pleasure of doing 3 trips to Eleanor Point and Russell Island. It's such a joy to take people to these places.
On Monday, the light was especially good for taking photos.
I finish with 2 tours near Ganges and that's a wrap.
#kayaking
On Monday, the light was especially good for taking photos.
I finish with 2 tours near Ganges and that's a wrap.
#kayaking
On a recent tour to Sansum Narrows one my clients decided to film a whirlpool and got pulled into it. Near the end of the video, you can see how fast the boat is spinning.
Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island
#kayaking
Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island
#kayaking
September 9, 2025 at 3:30 PM
On a recent tour to Sansum Narrows one my clients decided to film a whirlpool and got pulled into it. Near the end of the video, you can see how fast the boat is spinning.
Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island
#kayaking
Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island
#kayaking
As my final kayak guiding season draws to a close, it's great to get in some amazing tours.
Yesterday, we paddled to Sansum Narrows, played in the currents, did some kayak sailing, paddled into a cave and saw a really cool rowboat with a sail. All this in a single tour!
#kayaking
Yesterday, we paddled to Sansum Narrows, played in the currents, did some kayak sailing, paddled into a cave and saw a really cool rowboat with a sail. All this in a single tour!
#kayaking
September 6, 2025 at 6:45 PM
As my final kayak guiding season draws to a close, it's great to get in some amazing tours.
Yesterday, we paddled to Sansum Narrows, played in the currents, did some kayak sailing, paddled into a cave and saw a really cool rowboat with a sail. All this in a single tour!
#kayaking
Yesterday, we paddled to Sansum Narrows, played in the currents, did some kayak sailing, paddled into a cave and saw a really cool rowboat with a sail. All this in a single tour!
#kayaking
Three day bike tour along the Pacific Marine Route on Vancouver Island.
Day 3b: 150km whole day
Leaving the cool coastal air of Port Renfrew to a hot inland valley
Harris Creek, Meschie Lake, following a bear down the Cowichan Valley Trail, approaching Vesuvius on the ferry
#cycletouring
Day 3b: 150km whole day
Leaving the cool coastal air of Port Renfrew to a hot inland valley
Harris Creek, Meschie Lake, following a bear down the Cowichan Valley Trail, approaching Vesuvius on the ferry
#cycletouring
September 4, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Three day bike tour along the Pacific Marine Route on Vancouver Island.
Day 3b: 150km whole day
Leaving the cool coastal air of Port Renfrew to a hot inland valley
Harris Creek, Meschie Lake, following a bear down the Cowichan Valley Trail, approaching Vesuvius on the ferry
#cycletouring
Day 3b: 150km whole day
Leaving the cool coastal air of Port Renfrew to a hot inland valley
Harris Creek, Meschie Lake, following a bear down the Cowichan Valley Trail, approaching Vesuvius on the ferry
#cycletouring
Three day bike tour, along the Pacific Marine Route on Vancouver Island.
Day 3a: 150km whole day
The first section was magical. I almost had the highway to myself from China Beach to Port Renfrew
Misty highway, one lane bridge, break near Port Renfrew, bridge near Port Renfrew
#cycletouring
Day 3a: 150km whole day
The first section was magical. I almost had the highway to myself from China Beach to Port Renfrew
Misty highway, one lane bridge, break near Port Renfrew, bridge near Port Renfrew
#cycletouring
September 4, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Three day bike tour, along the Pacific Marine Route on Vancouver Island.
Day 3a: 150km whole day
The first section was magical. I almost had the highway to myself from China Beach to Port Renfrew
Misty highway, one lane bridge, break near Port Renfrew, bridge near Port Renfrew
#cycletouring
Day 3a: 150km whole day
The first section was magical. I almost had the highway to myself from China Beach to Port Renfrew
Misty highway, one lane bridge, break near Port Renfrew, bridge near Port Renfrew
#cycletouring
Three day bike tour, starting from Ganges on Salt Spring Island then out along the Pacific Marine Route on Southern Vancouver Island.
Highlights from Day 2, short hop between campsites: 16 km
Two photos from Jordan River then China Beach
#cycletouring
Highlights from Day 2, short hop between campsites: 16 km
Two photos from Jordan River then China Beach
#cycletouring
September 4, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Three day bike tour, starting from Ganges on Salt Spring Island then out along the Pacific Marine Route on Southern Vancouver Island.
Highlights from Day 2, short hop between campsites: 16 km
Two photos from Jordan River then China Beach
#cycletouring
Highlights from Day 2, short hop between campsites: 16 km
Two photos from Jordan River then China Beach
#cycletouring
I had a lovely 3 day bike tour, starting from Ganges on Salt Spring Island then out along the Pacific Marine Route on Southern Vancouver Island.
Highlights from Day 1, 112km
Blenkinsop Lake, Matheson Lake, Sheringham Lighthouse, French Beach.
#cycletouring
Highlights from Day 1, 112km
Blenkinsop Lake, Matheson Lake, Sheringham Lighthouse, French Beach.
#cycletouring
September 4, 2025 at 4:50 PM
I had a lovely 3 day bike tour, starting from Ganges on Salt Spring Island then out along the Pacific Marine Route on Southern Vancouver Island.
Highlights from Day 1, 112km
Blenkinsop Lake, Matheson Lake, Sheringham Lighthouse, French Beach.
#cycletouring
Highlights from Day 1, 112km
Blenkinsop Lake, Matheson Lake, Sheringham Lighthouse, French Beach.
#cycletouring
It's been a busy couple of weeks with 8 kayak tours in 10 days. Now, with nothing on the calendar until next weekend, it's time to head off on the bike for 3 days. Stopping at French Beach and China Beach campgrounds.
#kayaking #cycletouring
#kayaking #cycletouring
September 1, 2025 at 2:22 AM
It's been a busy couple of weeks with 8 kayak tours in 10 days. Now, with nothing on the calendar until next weekend, it's time to head off on the bike for 3 days. Stopping at French Beach and China Beach campgrounds.
#kayaking #cycletouring
#kayaking #cycletouring
Well, this will free up some space in the panniers. New stove (top), old stove (bottom, two parts). Unfortunately, the fuel cylinders are the same size.
August 13, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Well, this will free up some space in the panniers. New stove (top), old stove (bottom, two parts). Unfortunately, the fuel cylinders are the same size.
Not sure if you folks can do anything about this but the sign in the photo is too small and too close to the bridge. It is southbound near between Nanoose and Nanaimo. The sign is on a downhill section. By the time I saw it, it was too late to avoid the bridge (had a close encounter with a semi).
August 8, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Not sure if you folks can do anything about this but the sign in the photo is too small and too close to the bridge. It is southbound near between Nanoose and Nanaimo. The sign is on a downhill section. By the time I saw it, it was too late to avoid the bridge (had a close encounter with a semi).
Bike Trip – day 2
Hike - Mount Mark via the Horne Lake Hustle (9ish km with 840m of vertical)
Hike - Mount Mark via the Horne Lake Hustle (9ish km with 840m of vertical)
August 8, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Bike Trip – day 2
Hike - Mount Mark via the Horne Lake Hustle (9ish km with 840m of vertical)
Hike - Mount Mark via the Horne Lake Hustle (9ish km with 840m of vertical)
Bike Trip -days 1 & 3 (288km over 2 days)
Highlights – back routes through Ladysmith, Nanaimo and Parksville-Qualicum, lunch stops at Rathtrevor Park, camping at Horne Lake Regional Park was incredible.
Negatives - 2 highway sections, 1 spot north of Ladysmith with the other at Nanoose.
Highlights – back routes through Ladysmith, Nanaimo and Parksville-Qualicum, lunch stops at Rathtrevor Park, camping at Horne Lake Regional Park was incredible.
Negatives - 2 highway sections, 1 spot north of Ladysmith with the other at Nanoose.
August 8, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Bike Trip -days 1 & 3 (288km over 2 days)
Highlights – back routes through Ladysmith, Nanaimo and Parksville-Qualicum, lunch stops at Rathtrevor Park, camping at Horne Lake Regional Park was incredible.
Negatives - 2 highway sections, 1 spot north of Ladysmith with the other at Nanoose.
Highlights – back routes through Ladysmith, Nanaimo and Parksville-Qualicum, lunch stops at Rathtrevor Park, camping at Horne Lake Regional Park was incredible.
Negatives - 2 highway sections, 1 spot north of Ladysmith with the other at Nanoose.
All packed for a 3 day bicycle camping trip. A little over loaded but this is just a shake down run. I'll refine the equipment on future trips. Planning on two 140 km days separated by a hiking day.
August 5, 2025 at 1:37 AM
All packed for a 3 day bicycle camping trip. A little over loaded but this is just a shake down run. I'll refine the equipment on future trips. Planning on two 140 km days separated by a hiking day.
Thanks to Fairfield Bicycle Shop for finding and installing a front rack that fit my bike, after two other shops couldn't do the job.
Honourable mention to Russ Hay's in Sidney for recommending Fairfield, when they couldn't help me.
#cycling #cycletouring #victoria #vancouverisland
Honourable mention to Russ Hay's in Sidney for recommending Fairfield, when they couldn't help me.
#cycling #cycletouring #victoria #vancouverisland
July 26, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Thanks to Fairfield Bicycle Shop for finding and installing a front rack that fit my bike, after two other shops couldn't do the job.
Honourable mention to Russ Hay's in Sidney for recommending Fairfield, when they couldn't help me.
#cycling #cycletouring #victoria #vancouverisland
Honourable mention to Russ Hay's in Sidney for recommending Fairfield, when they couldn't help me.
#cycling #cycletouring #victoria #vancouverisland
My longest single day ride: 267km with 2145m of vertical
Ganges on Salt Spring Island - Crofton – Cowichan – Port Renfrew – Sidney – Ganges
I took the camping gear just in case I didn’t make the last ferry.
It was hours of pain with a few nice views, but I made it!
#cycling #biking #cycletouring
Ganges on Salt Spring Island - Crofton – Cowichan – Port Renfrew – Sidney – Ganges
I took the camping gear just in case I didn’t make the last ferry.
It was hours of pain with a few nice views, but I made it!
#cycling #biking #cycletouring
July 21, 2025 at 5:24 PM
My longest single day ride: 267km with 2145m of vertical
Ganges on Salt Spring Island - Crofton – Cowichan – Port Renfrew – Sidney – Ganges
I took the camping gear just in case I didn’t make the last ferry.
It was hours of pain with a few nice views, but I made it!
#cycling #biking #cycletouring
Ganges on Salt Spring Island - Crofton – Cowichan – Port Renfrew – Sidney – Ganges
I took the camping gear just in case I didn’t make the last ferry.
It was hours of pain with a few nice views, but I made it!
#cycling #biking #cycletouring
Cowichan Lake Ride -Part 2
From the end of Cowichan Lake, I returned on more gravel roads, stopping at Gordon Bay. Next, back on the Cowichan Valley Trail to Duncan, returning to Crofton via Maple Bay.
Distance cycled in one day: 185km with 41km on rough gravel roads and 52 km on gravel trails.
From the end of Cowichan Lake, I returned on more gravel roads, stopping at Gordon Bay. Next, back on the Cowichan Valley Trail to Duncan, returning to Crofton via Maple Bay.
Distance cycled in one day: 185km with 41km on rough gravel roads and 52 km on gravel trails.
July 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Cowichan Lake Ride -Part 2
From the end of Cowichan Lake, I returned on more gravel roads, stopping at Gordon Bay. Next, back on the Cowichan Valley Trail to Duncan, returning to Crofton via Maple Bay.
Distance cycled in one day: 185km with 41km on rough gravel roads and 52 km on gravel trails.
From the end of Cowichan Lake, I returned on more gravel roads, stopping at Gordon Bay. Next, back on the Cowichan Valley Trail to Duncan, returning to Crofton via Maple Bay.
Distance cycled in one day: 185km with 41km on rough gravel roads and 52 km on gravel trails.
Cowichan Lake Ride -Part 1
Yesterday’s adventure was part recreational and part endurance test. Starting from Ganges, I cycled to Lake Cowichan via the Cowichan Valley Trail. From there, to the far end of Cowichan Lake on paved and gravel roads.
Yesterday’s adventure was part recreational and part endurance test. Starting from Ganges, I cycled to Lake Cowichan via the Cowichan Valley Trail. From there, to the far end of Cowichan Lake on paved and gravel roads.
July 15, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Cowichan Lake Ride -Part 1
Yesterday’s adventure was part recreational and part endurance test. Starting from Ganges, I cycled to Lake Cowichan via the Cowichan Valley Trail. From there, to the far end of Cowichan Lake on paved and gravel roads.
Yesterday’s adventure was part recreational and part endurance test. Starting from Ganges, I cycled to Lake Cowichan via the Cowichan Valley Trail. From there, to the far end of Cowichan Lake on paved and gravel roads.
July 8, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Lucy to have a job that takes me to beautiful places.
kayaksaltspring.ca
#kayaking #saltspringisland Salt Spring Island
kayaksaltspring.ca
#kayaking #saltspringisland Salt Spring Island
July 2, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Lucy to have a job that takes me to beautiful places.
kayaksaltspring.ca
#kayaking #saltspringisland Salt Spring Island
kayaksaltspring.ca
#kayaking #saltspringisland Salt Spring Island
Some photos from recent tours. In order: Comox Formation sandstone cliffs near Eleanor Point, Geoffrey Formation conglomerates near Nose Point, view of Mt Maxwell from Russell Island, kayak sailing in Long Harbour
Salt Spring Island #saltspringisland #saltspring #kayaking
Salt Spring Island #saltspringisland #saltspring #kayaking
June 27, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Some photos from recent tours. In order: Comox Formation sandstone cliffs near Eleanor Point, Geoffrey Formation conglomerates near Nose Point, view of Mt Maxwell from Russell Island, kayak sailing in Long Harbour
Salt Spring Island #saltspringisland #saltspring #kayaking
Salt Spring Island #saltspringisland #saltspring #kayaking
June 11, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Got some nice photos of Bruce Peak and Mt Maxwell, both on Salt Spring Island. These shots were taken during yesterday's tour of Eleanor Point and Russell Island.
#kayaking #saltspringisland
#kayaking #saltspringisland
June 11, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Got some nice photos of Bruce Peak and Mt Maxwell, both on Salt Spring Island. These shots were taken during yesterday's tour of Eleanor Point and Russell Island.
#kayaking #saltspringisland
#kayaking #saltspringisland
I don't know what keeps drawing me back to Bruce Peak. The eleven towers never bother me. I guess the charm comes from being the highest point on Salt Spring Island with the best views. The somewhat rugged hike from Burgoyne Bay is off the beaten path.
#hiking
#hiking
June 10, 2025 at 5:27 AM
I don't know what keeps drawing me back to Bruce Peak. The eleven towers never bother me. I guess the charm comes from being the highest point on Salt Spring Island with the best views. The somewhat rugged hike from Burgoyne Bay is off the beaten path.
#hiking
#hiking