In case you’re new here I’m writing to you from the Sunshine Coast. No, not the one in Australia! The other one, here in BC. It’s a beautiful place that hugs the coastline from Langdale/Gibsons all the way up to Powell River and beyond. Despite growing up nearby on Vancouver Island, I honestly had no idea the Sunshine Coast existed until just a few years ago when I decided to move here from Vancouver during the pandemic. It’s a real gem of a place if you enjoy hiking, breweries, exploring islands, sailing, calm forest trails and breathtaking ocean views.
This year I have yet another reason to recommend you visit this amazing place; the 2024 Stamp Rally put on by Sunshine Coast Kayaking at the Gibsons Marina. The idea is similar to that of geocaching or a scavenger hunt if you will, and was inspired by the many stamp rallies that are popular in Japan. In order to participate, it’s best to start your quest at Sunshine Coast Kayaking in Gibsons, BC. You can pick up your stamp book along with your first two stamps at the Tiki Hut in front of the Gibsons Marina.
Click on any image to make it bigger 🙂
Once you’ve gotten your stamp book you can get a head start on your stamp collecting by getting your first two from Sunshine Coast Kayaking and the Gibsons Marina. If you have your own book you’d like to use, that’s okay too in which case you can begin your journey at any of the participating business locations. This year there are 11 local businesses participating all with their own stamps for you to collect, 12 stamps total. The Rally acts as a way to encourage people who are new in town to visit and support local businesses, while accumulating a truly unique and free souvenir from their travels. It’s a win win!
Speaking of winning, if you manage to collect at least 9 of the stamps you can go back to the Tiki Hut at Sunshine Coast Kayaking to collect the mystery stamp. If you’ve made it that far, you also get to play their crane game and win a prize. You get to play until you win, but only one win per person, per stamp rally ^_^. This stamp rally will be going on for the entire summer season so don’t feel like you have to do it all in one day unless you’d like the added challenge.
Beautiful Gibsons, BC.
Lower left: image taken on Keats Island. It’s a great place to kayak to if you’re experienced.
The stamp books are by $2.00 donation which goes toward local wildlife charities. Stamp books resemble a passport and are filled with blank pages for you to use as a canvas for your stamp collecting. You don’t have to make a kayaking reservation in order to get a stamp book, but I totally recommend it. Gibsons is a gorgeous place to kayak! You have a mountainous backdrop along with Keats Island, sail boats peppered throughout and a vibrant coastline to explore.
The furthest up the coast this rally goes is Davis Bay, which you get to by first passing through Roberts Creek; a beautiful and tranquil seaside town nestled in lush forest that you’re sure to fall in love with. The rally will lead you to many great places such as this to explore and enjoy while discovering some quality local businesses. One of my favourite things to do is to watch the sunset from the Roberts Creek Pier, it is truly magnificent! On a clear day you can see cruise ships in the distance along the shared horizon of Vancouver Island across the Straight of Georgia, as well as Mt Baker.
This is my favourite stamp so far!
I feel so lucky to live here, and I hope you take a moment to experience it for yourself. The stamp shown above is from Eco-Freako, a funky little shop in the heart of Roberts Creek that sells an abundance of fair-trade local goods and art including some select items made by the owners themselves. It’s been in the current location for the past 8 years, but they’ve been in operation for 28 years total so far. Their amazing stamp was designed by the owners daughter who works in 3D animation.
Just one of 11 unique businesses here on the coast that you get to discover with your stamp book, Eco-Freako will be sure to leave you feeling welcomed and inspired.
This is the first time a stamp rally has been seen on the Sunshine Coast, but I’m sure there will be more in years to come. It’s a great way to see a broader scope of what the coast has to offer than if you were to just “wing it” with spontaneity alone. Each stamp is unique and offers a permanent way to preserve your time here, so take a moment to admire it before continuing on your quest.
I’ve given you a sneak peak here of my favourite stamp so far, but I’ve decided to keep the rest a mystery for you to find for yourselves. Good luck and happy stamp collecting!
Thoughts to Writings 