Providence
Events and Projects
Sailing for Change
Sailing for Change brings sailors, artists, audiences and nonprofits together, using music and creativity to navigate towards a better future. Music is the heartbeat of social change, and sailing is the most sustainable way to connect communities together.
Farmer.Sailor.Chef
Join chef Kyle Green Artichoke and Captain Simon on their voyage of discovery in regenerative food systems across the Salish Sea.
Sept. 7
Soul Aboard: Paddle Up for Ocean Protection
Upcoming Events
Sept. 19-21
Hands Across the Water: Flotilla and Charter
Sept. 20
The Boom Booms: Floating Concert
Providence Presents
Soul Aboard:
Paddle Up for Ocean Protection
Kits point / Vancouver Maritime Museum
Sun, 7 Sep, 4:30pm - 7pm
Grab your paddleboard, kayak, canoe—or a cozy spot on the beach—and join us at Kits Point / Vancouver Maritime Museum for a one-of-a-kind floating concert: Soul Aboard, presented by Sailing for Change.
The Artists
Blake Jorgenson
This year’s spotlight shines on ZADA, a soul-pop artist whose captivating voice and heartfelt lyrics have been winning hearts across Canada. With her rich, emotive sound and magnetic stage presence, ZADA brings a wave of connection and joy to our evening on the water. She’ll be joined by Tommy Van Solo of the Boom Booms who will open the show with a set of funky, uplifting tunes.
Ocean Legacy
Why We Paddle & Play:
Ocean plastic pollution is one of the defining challenges of our time. By joining Soul Aboard, you’re funding real-world ocean cleanup and advocacy—turning the tide one ripple at a time.
Come for the music. Stay for the cause. Paddle for the planet.
Ticket sale support Ocean Legacy, working to clean marine plastic and protect our oceans worldwide.
Providence Presents
The Boom Booms:
Aboard Providence
Ganges, Saltspring Island
Sat, 20 Sep, 5pm - 7pm
Celebrate Saturday night on the waterfront with a free floating concert like no other. Vancouver’s hugely popular tropical folk-rock band The Boom Booms bring their irresistible mix of folk, reggae, rock, soul, funk, and pop to Ganges Harbour. Local singer-songwriter Safiya Labelle, who blends original folk songs with soulful covers, will make a special guest appearance.
The Artist
The Boom Booms are a Canadian indie funk and soul band from Vancouver, BC, formed in 2008 by childhood friends Aaron and Sean Ross. Their music fuses funk, soul, folk, reggae, Latin, and rock, drawing inspiration from artists like Bill Withers and Damian Marley, with lyrics in both English and Spanish. The band has toured internationally, released several albums, and built a reputation for upbeat, high-energy live shows. Guitarist Tom Van Deursen has lived on Salt Spring, where he played a key role in organizing the Convergence Music Festival last fall and has led bookings at Mateada through 2024/25.
Hands Across the Water
Providence and SSI Chamber of Commerce Presents
Salt Spring Island & the Orcas Island + Surrounding Islands
Sept. 19-21
From September 19–21, Salt Spring Island will welcome over 100 visiting boats and their crews from Orcas and the surrounding San Juan Islands for a weekend of connection, culture, and community. This cross-border flotilla kicks off with a symbolic mid-channel handshake, followed by a guided arrival into Ganges and a weekend full of shared celebration.
Meet the Flotilla aboard Providence
$150 CAD
From Ganges, Saltspring Island
Fri, 19 Sep, 2pm - 5pm
Charter the Providence
$160 CAD
From Ganges, Saltspring Island
Sun, 21 Sept 11am - 2pm
Meet the Flotilla aboard the Providence
$150 CAD
Fri, 19 Sep, 2pm - 5pm
Set sail from Ganges Harbour on a 3-hour cruise aboard the historic Providence, captained by Salt Spring’s own Léo Tabourel. Join this special voyage to meet the fleet of ships crossing from Orcas Island, and raft up together in Welbury Bay for a historic handshake and greeting between sailors.
This unique maritime experience combines spectacular island scenery with the thrill of a once-a-year cross-island sailing tradition.
Tickets are limited—reserve your spot for a memorable afternoon on the water!
Charter the Providence
$160 CAD
Sun, 21 Sept 21 11am - 2pm
Round-out your perfect maritime weekend by purchasing a ticket for a cruise on the Providence.
Tour the vessel, learn the ropes, or just relax and take in the breathtaking sights for a three hour cruise around the Lower Gulf Islands. The S/V Providence is the oldest working wooden boat in British Columbia.
Bring your own bottle of wine or favourite beverage of choice and enjoy a light lunch before you to head back to prepare for your crossing to the United States.