Richmond, BC Outdoor Activities

Skipper Sergei Rovensky, the mariner at the heart of Bowen Sailing Charters, and other skippers saddle up the 55-foot Valhalla for smooth, recreational jaunts through the neighbouring waters of Bowen Island. The beloved luxury yacht is one of only 250 in the Vagabond series created by English shipbuilder Ernest Chamberlain, whose handiwork was recently updated in 2011 when Captain Sergei gave the vessel a makeover. The renovation preserved the yacht's timeless sailboat elements, such as polished-brass hardware, a classic silhouette, and a porthole eye patch. The Valhalla grants charter groups the thrill of a modern-day sea adventure, sailing to the Octopus Islands and other scenic locales as passengers enjoy the ship's many amenities, such as a flat-screen television, an elegant rosewood dining table, and WiFi. The same teak wood that trims the cabin's interior makes up Valhalla's 47-foot deck, where passengers can cast salmon-seeking fishing lines or leap off into the waves for snorkeling.

The goal of whisking merrymakers off of terra firma and onto the open water for unforgettable evenings drives FantaSea Entertainment’s team to constantly create new and thrilling party plans. Throughout the year, seasoned captains pilot revellers around Vancouver’s waterways as they celebrate big-ticket occasions such as New Year’s Eve and Canada Day or commemorate smaller happenings such as the advent of the weekend or the one-week anniversary of last Friday. While entertainment lineups vary from cruise to cruise, past acts have included fire shows, sets by local comedians, black-light body-paint dances, and DJ sets.

Nimble players send shuttlecocks flying in gravity-defying volleys across Ace Badminton Centre’s 12 courts, guided by a team of highly qualified instructors. The centre’s coaching staff overloads its collective mantle with a wealth of awards and trophies, such as Ximing Yao’s1986 US Open Doubles victory, or Shawn Zhang’s 2010 British Columbia men’s championship title. Trainees and players hone their skills on the courts’ floating-floor system, replete with a triple-layered PVC buffer and high-density foam cushioning for absorbing shock—much safer than floors cushioned by subterranean lava pits. After studying under a professional badminton coach or practicing against a worthy opponent, students can join the ranks of Ace’s trophy-bearing alumni, who sport medals from junior championships at both the provincial and national level.