Skookumchuck Narrows

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Skookumchuck Narrows during a strong ebb tide

Skookumchuck Narrows forms the entrance of Sechelt Inlet on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast in Canada. Before broadening into Sechelt Inlet, all of its tidal flow together with that of Salmon Inlet and Narrow Inlet must pass through Sechelt Rapids. At peak flows, whitecaps and whirlpools form at the rapids 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 safety equipment such as a lifejacket. The narrows are also the site of a Skookumchuk Narrows Provincial Park.

Each day, billions of gallons of waters travel through the narrows, causing tidal currents at Sechelt Rapids 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 East Kootenay region of the province. Another location bearing this name, Skookumchuck Hot Springs, is on the Lillooet River east of Whistler. All locations take their name from Chinook jargon for "strong water" and the term is common in maritime jargon for any set of strong rapids, particularly those at the mouth of inlets.