By Jen Dart

It looks like there will be unseasonably warm temperatures in many places in Canada this season, but Tofino is definitely one of the best places to experience a green Christmas. While it has been known to snow here at this time of year, the chances this year are looking quite slim. You’re more likely to enjoy a little wind, maybe some rain, and definitely some beautiful beach walks.

You’ll also enjoy getting away from all the hustle and bustle to focus on times with loved ones.

Leading up to the Christmas season, the community of Tofino hosts a number of fun, festive events. Christmas craft fairs and bazaars as well as some fundraising events help us all get in the spirit of the season.

The Pacific Rim Hospice Society Radioathon took place Dec. 9th. Over $10,000 was raised for this valuable west coast organization that provides much-needed end-of-life care and assistance. If there is a loved one you’re missing during this holiday season, visit Hospice’s Remembrance Tree at the Tofino Post Office and place a tag with their name on it.

Each year, the local Food Bank on the Edge organizes a Christmas hamper program for families in need in our west coast communities. The estimated cost of the program is between $7,000 and $8,000, and it is roughly $75 to sponsor a family (if you wish to donate please send a cheque to: Food Bank on the Edge, Christmas Hamper Program, Box 1146, Ucluelet, BC V0R 3A0).

The food bank also teams up with ReMax Mid-Island Realty’s Christmas Angel Program and the BC Liquor’s Christmas Bear program to provide children’s toys along with the hampers. Simply purchase a bear at the Liquor Store (with each bear purchased, one will be donated), and contact ReMax for information on how to get a toy to a west coast child.

For your own celebration, many local restaurants will be open during the holidays (check with them and it’s a good idea to make reservations at this time of year). If you prefer to do the cooking yourself, check this month’s issue of Tofino Time magazine for Tofino chefs’ own picks for holiday feasts. Most Tofino restaurants will also be offering New Years Eve special menus (reservations definitely recommended!).

A Christmas or Boxing Day surf or hike might in order to work off all the eating and drinking. Many surf schools are offering lessons throughout the holidays.

For hikes be sure to check the tide guide before heading out as conditions can change quickly. Low tide is always the best way to avoid potentially dangerous – and wet – conditions. Rolling logs are a danger at high tide, and there may not even be a beach to walk on!

However you spend your days, the Christmas season in Tofino will be well accented by finishing the day cozily in front of the fireplace in your condo overlooking Tofino harbour.

Happy Holidays from the Shore!

Photo: Roland Tanglao

Tags: The Pacific Rim Hospice Society, The Shore Tofino, Tofino Activities, Tofino Christmas
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By Jen Dart

The first time Shore condo owners Dave and Linda Hartzell visited Tofino they flew in and couldn’t leave.

It wasn’t self-imposed, however. It was September 2001 and all air traffic was grounded due to the attacks in their native United States.

“People were so kind,” said Dave. “It impressed us so much how kind Tofino was and we still feel that way.”

Now 10 years later, the Portland couple owns a waterfront condo at the Shore building on Main St. and they couldn’t be happier about their home away from home.

The Hartzells first visited the area for its exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities. They stayed because they found not only a great community, but also the perfect property for their lifestyle.

“The Shore concept made sense to us,” says David. “We have storage for our two kayaks, surfboards, boogie boards and wetsuits.”

Linda adds that they are constantly amazed by the ever-changing view from their floor-to-ceiling window.

“There’s always something happening here,” says Linda of Tofino harbour. “It changes all the time.”

You might be treated to a 45 minute display of eagles playing, like Linda was, or manage to take “about 200” completely different pictures of the same mountain, as the Hartzells have.

Dave also calls their view “the best desktop view I’ve ever seen.”

Both Linda and Dave often bring work with them to Tofino, enabling them to stay away for longer periods of time.

“People want to be able to work from anywhere,” says Linda. “I get up early and work from 7am-12pm. I’ve already gotten five hours in and then I’ll take the afternoon off and go kayaking.”

“Nature pulls you away from your work; I get my work done so I can play.”

Dave and Linda were only the second buyers of a condo at the Shore. They’ve been a part of the project from the get-go, even visiting the building during construction.

Seeing the building coming together allowed them ample time to choose the right pieces to furnish their second home. In their one-bedroom condo, one piece is a Murphy hide-away bed for visitors.

In terms of distance to get to Tofino, the Hartzells have a distinct advantage – because Dave is a pilot, they can be door to door from Portland in less than three hours.

But even if traveling here took longer, Linda says their retreat in this area would be well worth it.

“Tofino has it all – mountains and beaches,” she says.

“For people who like the outdoors, it’s the best of everything,” adds Dave.

Tags: The Shore Tofino, tofino condo, Tofino home, tofino real estate
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By Baila Lazorus – Western Investor

Rock-bottom U.S. real estate fails to draw some recreational buyers out of B.C.

Despite a real estate market at rock bottom prices, the U.S. doesn’t always draw Canadians looking to invest in a second or vacation home, and a big reason is the better chance of appreciation in B.C. In Tofino, for instance, prices dropped only by a few percentage points since 2008, and are now, characteristically, climbing again.

View the article: Western Investor

Tags: The Shore, Tofino, tofino commercial real estate, tofino condo, tofino real estate, tofino waterfront
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By Jenna McMurray – Calgary Sun

Calgarians show wave of interest in The Shore

Despite having a healthy helping of the world-renowned Rocky Mountains, Calgarians need a little H2o in the diets. It’s becoming obvious they have a craving for for salt water, in particular, through strong interest from Albertans in The Shore, a luxury waterfront development on the west edge of Vancouver Island.

View the article: The Calgary Sun

Tags: The Shore, Tofino, tofino commercial real estate, tofino condo, tofino real estate, tofino waterfront
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By Jen Dart

Every three years in British Columbia there is a municipal election, and this year it falls on Saturday, Nov. 19.

Voters in Tofino elect six Councillors and one mayor. This is a rather large slate of candidates for a town with a full-time population of only 1,800. The original reason for this larger council was the amalgamation of the Chesterman Beach neighbourhood into the District of Tofino many years ago. Additional seats were added to council to represent the views of these “new” citizens. This larger number was never corrected, although voters did have the option to reduce the number of Councillors in a recent referendum and turned it down.

Both residents and non-resident property owners can vote in the municipal election. Non-resident property owners have to register as voters and meet several criteria including having resided in British Columbia for six months just prior to the election, and having owned a Tofino property for a minimum of six months. As a Shore condo owner, you can qualify to make your voice heard in Tofino’s election. The district recommends you visit their office prior to election day to fill out an Application to Register. You will be required to provide two pieces of identification and proof of property ownership. Visit this district webpage for more information.

There is an advance poll on Wed., Nov. 9, and voting on both election days take place in council chambers at the Municipal Hall at the corner of Campbell and Third St.

The local Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, along with the Tofino Business Association, is hosting two All Candidates meetings – on Oct. 26 from 7-9pm and Nov. 16 from 7-9pm. Both meetings take place at the Tofino Community Hall on Arnet Rd.

There are two sources for news in Tofino covering the election. The Westerly News is the local print newspaper that’s also available online. In election years past, the Westerly has posed a list of questions to candidates and their answers are published in the paper. The paper also provides coverage of All Candidates meetings.

Local resident Ralph Tielelman’s blog Tofino News is also providing coverage of the election. Ralph’s blog is more informal and readers have the opportunity to comment on his posts.

Friday, Oct. 14 at 4pm was the deadline for candidates to submit their nomination papers to run for council or mayor. For an up-to-date list of candidates, please see the District of Tofino website. At last check, there were 12 candidates for six Councillor positions and two for the mayoral post.

Council will be facing many issues during its next term, not the least of which is how to fund a secondary sewage treatment plant as the district has been mandated to do by the provincial government. Municipal politics are the closest level of access for most people, as the issues seem to most directly affect residents and property owners.

Image: Jennifer Stoddart

Tags: BC Municipal election, The Shore, Tofino, tofino events, Tofino politics
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Commercial space, a new restaurant and a recreational arena to bring new life to Tofino’s downtown core.

Tofino, BC – (October 25, 2011) – Located in the centre of Tofino’s downtown core, The Shore, a luxury waterfront real estate development, is pleased to introduce The Shore Marina & Pier to Canada’s surfing capital. Launching spring 2012, the Shore’s new marina and pier will feature a new dockside restaurant and a multi-purpose recreational facility open to the public, which will serve as both a fitness centre and a communal gathering space.

View full press release: Tofino Real Estate Development To Launch Public Marina

Tags: The Shore, Tofino, tofino commercial real estate, tofino condo, tofino real estate, tofino waterfront
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By Jenna McMurray – Edmonton Sun

It’s becoming obvious that Albertans have a craving for salt water, in particular, through strong interest in The Shore, a luxury waterfront development on the west edge of Vancouver Island.

View the article: The Edmonton Sun

Tags: The Shore, Tofino, tofino commercial real estate, tofino condo, tofino real estate, tofino waterfront
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By Jean Sorensen – The Journal of Commerce

When The Shore’s new marina opens in May 2012 on Tofino’s downtown waterfront, it will showcase how construction has the ability to reshape social dynamics.

View the article: The Journal of Commerce

Tags: The Shore, Tofino, tofino commercial real estate, tofino condo, tofino real estate, tofino waterfront
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By Jen Dart

An upcoming event recognizes and celebrates a unique culture in Tofino.

The Queen of the Peak women’s surf championships takes place Oct. 15 and 16 at local beaches.

Now in its second year, this contest is a testament to the number of talented female surfers here. This area is unique in that the number of women in the water easily matches the number of men. Some attribute this unusual phenomenon to Tofino’s relatively new surf scene; surfers have only been in the water in any number for about 15 years on the west coast.

It could also be the sandy-bottomed beaches that make this area ideal for beginners.

But Krissy Montgomery, owner of Surf Sister Surf School says it could also be the attitude of the local girls. Montgomery said there weren’t that many women surfing when she first moved to Tofino 12 years ago, but those that did were “inspirational.”

“They set the bar, they all pushed each other,” she said. “And the level of talent raised the bar.”

Montgomery’s Surf Sister, along with Shelter Restaurant, the Wickaninnish Inn and the surf brand Billabong, are the Queen of the Peak’s sponsors.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Westcoast Community Resources Society, a non-profit that assists families on the coast.

Last year’s inaugural run of the Queen of the Peak ran on one day just prior to the start of the O’Neill Coldwater Classic Association of Professional Surfers event.

There was only room for 50 surfers last year and Montgomery said the response was overwhelming, with all the spaces filling up within days.

It was clearly time to devote a whole contest to the girls, who are normally all relegated to one section in other contests.

This year the event will be separated into two days – one for the shortboard contest and one for the longboard.

There are also many associated events the week of the competition, starting with the Boogie Bash on Oct. 12 at North Chesterman beach. This is a boogie- boarding contest open to all ages, both males and females. The entry fee is $10 and all participants are automatically entered into a draw to win a 1972 Volkswagen Squareback (all surfers are also part of the draw).

A spa night and jewellery show is taking place the same evening at the Ancient Cedar Spa at the Wickaninnish Inn. The women’s surf movie Blue Crush is showing at Shelter following the spa night, with trivia and prizes.

Contestants will be treated to a wine and cheese orientation event at Surf Sister on the night before the competition, as well as a gala awards dinner at Shelter on the night of Oct. 16. The Volkswagen draw takes place at 10pm on the 16th, and the winner must be in attendance to claim the prize.

During the contest, there will be a massage tent, and babysitting and dog sitting services on the beach for surfers.

If you’d like to head to the beach to watch the competition on the 15th or 16th, check in with the Queen of the Peak’s Facebook page to find out where the action is being held (it will be either North Chesterman or Cox Bay, depending on waves conditions).

Photo: Sunny Goel

Tags: Queen of the Peak, The Shore, Tofino, tofino events, Tofino surfing
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By Jen Dart

It seems as if buildings in downtown Vancouver were more affected by the Sept. 9 earthquake off the coast of Vancouver Island than those in downtown Tofino.

When the magnitude 6.4 quake hit approximately 50 km off the coast of Port Alice (northern Vancouver Island), many residents in BC registered a distinct shaking sensation for a few seconds.

In Tofino, those who were outside on beaches and in town seemed to notice a rumbling. Not so for many who were inside the Shore building when the event occurred at 12:41pm.

Ken Thomson, the proprietor of the marine charter company Ocean Outfitters on the ground level of the Shore building (facing Main St.), was making a coffee for a customer at the coffee bar in his business when the earthquake occurred. He noticed a ripple in the drink and also felt a slight rumble. At the time, he attributed it at the time to the construction currently underway on the dock for the restaurant that’s part of the Shore project.

“I felt it a little in my legs,” said Thomson, “but not much. I was the only one that felt it – and the store was full.”

His whale watching and Hot Springs trips departed as usual, with no one the wiser to what had just transpired. It wasn’t until later when his daughter called to check on him that Thomson realized there had been an earthquake.

The quake caused high-rise buildings all over the lower mainland to sway, generating more of an impact that it did in Tofino, which was much closer to the epicentre of the quake off Port Alice. In fact, the effects were felt as far away as Kelowna and Seattle.

The Shore building, which houses both businesses and residents, is ideally designed for the BC coast – an area prone to seismic activity. The building is entirely reinforced concrete and steel constructed, and it’s wide base and low elevation make it as stable as possible. The building rises only two stories from Main St., with a third story descending towards the shoreline and dock area.

Built with concrete and heavy timber, the Shore is also designed to withstand a harsh marine environment in general.

Living with the possibility of an earthquake is a reality all over British Columbia, but especially true in coastal regions. The province and municipal governments have done much planning in this area. And because Tofino hosts many visitors, it is especially pertinent here. You may have noticed the roadside signs indicating when you have entered and exited a tsunami hazard zone. This indicates the area is below the expected elevation to which a tsunami wave would rise.

For all areas of Main St., the evacuation zone is Wickaninnish Community School on Gibson St. It is recommended that you proceed there immediately in the event of a strong earthquake and the possible generation of a tsunami. For more details of emergency preparedness and for evacuation maps, please visit the District of Tofino website.

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmakatejackson/5591442537/

Tags: earthquake preparedness, Shore construction, The Shore, Tofino, Tofino earthquake
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