Getaways that get creative juices flowing
Learn art, sailing, golf, writing and more
This spring, getaway for a weekend or mid-week workshop to unleash your creative self or learn something new. Chances are, you’ll amaze yourself by creating something from a tray of paints, learn how to sail or swing a golf club. Or maybe you need a gorgeous island getaway to kickstart a health and wellness regime. These workshops around B.C. are aimed at beginners, but all are welcome.
Wellness and Health
Salt Spring Island offers several yoga workshops and classes. “Yoga in Salt Spring,” located in the grounds of Hedgerow House B&B in Ganges offers classes three times a week. Check out more crafty classes at “Workshops on the Rock” with the Salt Spring Arts Council. www.yogainsaltspring.ca and www.ssartscouncil.com/ workshops
If you have a week to kickstart fitness and health, check out Mountain Trek at Ainsworth Hot Springs near Nelson. This all-inclusive fitness and health retreat takes hiking to the next level by utilizing Nordic Trekking Poles for a full body workout. www.mountaintrek.com
Painting
Barbara Freisz with Bear Valley Highlands near Vernon says that courage more than skill is required for plein air painting (painting outside). “People are a bit nervous at first but plein air teaches you to be a better painter,,” says Freisz. As
well, the ranch is solar powered and eco-friendly and the studio/ dining area is a Mongolian yurt. www.artworkshopsbc.com
No need to venture further than North Vancouver if you’re an acrylic painter and want to take your work to the next level. Sheree Jones supplies oils for beginner and intermediate painters at her workshops. www.shereejones.com
You don’t have to get out of town for this journey either: take a “sensory exploration” at Wild Onion Retreats, also on the North Shore. “Over a weekend we guide people by yoga and meditation to connect with their creative self,” says Kathleen Ainscough. www.wildonionretreats.com
Photography
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced photographer, learn landscape photography this spring on Vancouver Island’s beautiful West Coast, based in Victoria. “At my favourite locations I’ll teach you my shooting techniques to help you capture amazing images of the stunning coast line,” says Fototripper photographer Gavin Hardcastle. www.fototripper.com
Food and Foraging
Renown chef, author and mycologist Bill Jones holds wild food foraging workshops in April at Deerholme Farm in the Cowichan Valley. You’ll cook on Sunday what you’ve foraged Saturday. Bill says you’ll never go
hungry and that I know from experience — we even took home leftovers. www.deerholme.com
Golf
When it comes to golf, some people have that fear factor, thinking they aren’t good enough or it’s just for wealthy guys who think they are PGA pros. Like most sports, however, golf is opening its door to everyone. Predator Ridge’s “Swing like a Girl’ workshop is designed to bring more women at any level to golf, but men can join in too. “You’ll learn the game of golf and have a lot of fun with these workshops,” says A.J. Eathorne, workshop instructor and former LPGA player. www.predatorridge.com/
Boating
If you have no experience on the water, learn basic power boating over a weekend with Cooper Boating in Vancouver. Friday evening class covers parts of the boat and next day you’ll learn about docking, parts of the engine, some troubleshooting and everything required for your PCOC card, which allows you to legally operate a pleasure craft. For newbie sailors two evenings in the classroom are followed by two days on the water. Or how about five days live-aboard and learn to sail either in and around Vancouver or Sidney on Vancouver Island. www.cooperboating.com
Wine
Sign up for the Canadian wine scholar program and after two days you’ll have and excellent understanding of Canadian wine. It’s pricey but you will taste 35 benchmark wines. WSET courses, the gold standard in wine education, are also offered over a few days. Workshops are held at Landmark Technology Centre in Kelowna. www.finevintageltd.com/ wine-courses/Kelowna
Writing
Treat yourself to a writing getaway at Hollyhock on beautiful Cortes Island. Get “under the words” with award-winning author Shaena Lambert to create your own fiction or memoir while nestling in cosy quiet cabins in the forest or on the beach. Get in touch with your inner “master creator” with renowned jazz pianist Kenny Werner this May. Alternatively, you can take your creativity outside with Greenpeace founder Rex Weyler and local naturalist George Sirk, who will be exploring poetry and nature. The workshops are 3-4 nights. www.hollyhock.ca