Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
8 Jun 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 4 days
Feedback
11
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Email verified
Badges (5)
Details
Description
Lee and Gayle are married and have 5 grown-up children between 30-36 years old. We have recently retired. Lee worked as a Facilities Management Coordinator and Gayle worked within Student Services at a University. Our children work as a School Teacher / Counsellor, Electrician, Wild-land Forest Fighter, Operations Management and Communications / Art Director.
Lee enjoys being the captain of our boat and riding his vintage motorcycle. Gayle is an artist and works mostly with pottery and painting. Both enjoy the outdoors and a good antique salvage hunt. We love to travel and experience other people and cultures.
We previously owned a 1912 California Craftsmen Home and loved fixing it up. Upon retirement, we purchased a beautiful marina nestled in a small bay in Pender Harbour (Madeira Park) on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. We are looking forward to giving our new home some TLC and enhancing the property. We built two cabins last year and listed them on Airbnb. Our dreams are coming to fruition , sharing this beautiful paradise, for others to enjoy. Our Marina is for annual moorage only. Many of our patrons have cabins on the nearby islands. We are currently working on our website for Headwater Marina and Cabins.
We require assistance in maintaining 2.5 acres of waterfront property. We need assistance clearing blackberry bushes, splitting and stacking firewood, building vegetable beds, cutting grass, raking leaves, pressure washing, painting and general handy person building /maintenance.
The draw would be staying on the lovely Sunshine Coast by the ocean and having a chance to go boating, fishing and to join us for our walks in the forest (that we do every day with our chocolate lab), and experience the incredible beauty of the mountains, streams, lakes, ocean and rainforests. We swim in the ocean directly off the property (summer) and there are numerous lakes to explore nearby. Madeira Park is a small community, yet it has many annual cultural events. Sechelt is a beautiful village 30 minutes away and the town of Gibsons is 60 minutes away by car.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Sustainability
Self development
Politics / Social justice
Pets
Movies & TV
Events & social
Culture
Charity work
Plant care
Photography
Performing arts
Music
History
Gardening
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Art & design
Architecture
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Winter sports
Water sports
Team sports
Sailing / Boating
Outdoor activities
Nature
Hiking
Beach
Adventure sports
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
• Gayle loves to cook, and would enjoy sharing her cooking skills.
• Gayle and Lee would love to take the work-away person boating.
• Learn grounds maintenance and gardening skills.
• Learn handyman skills.
• Enjoy an amazing community that holds many festivals throughout the year.
Help
We are looking for people who love being outdoors, enjoy gardening and physical tasks. Gardening and construction skills are an asset, but not necessary. We do ask that those who apply have a can-do, enthusiastic personality. We love to give back (meals, boat rides etc.), but we do need tasks done and would have expectations of a certain amount of production. This person must like dogs as well.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
Interested in learning Spanish, French, Italian and Norwegian.
Accommodation
Accommodations would be in a private furnished suite on the ground level of our home. The suite has two single beds (can be joined together if desired), kitchen and private bathroom. A view of the marina can be seen through the sliding door. Large screen TV with Apple controller. Great WiFi. Shared laundry on the ground floor.
What else ...
To get to Madeira Park on the Sunshine Coast, you would catch a 40 minute ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale (near Gibsons). From Langdale ferry terminal to Madeira Park there is a 60 minute drive. We can arrange pick up at the ferry terminal in Langdale (near Gibsons). We may be able to pick up in Vancouver if family are joining us, or we may be in Vancouver.
The Madeira Park village is 5 minutes away by car. It can be walked. E bikes may be available.
There is amazing hiking, kayaking, mountain biking and fishing in this area, and also really great shopping in Sechelt and Gibsons.
The scenery is stunning everywhere. You will see seals and all kinds of sea life, and maybe even a whale.
Gayle is an artist and would love to do painting or other crafts with anybody who wants to join her.
Gayle and Lee enjoy a good meal in the evening and a glass of something to celebrate their hard day's work as they look out to the marina.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Can work in the private suite. WiFi is exceptional and the suite has its own router.
Space for parking camper vans
We have one RV hook up location for power, water and septic. However, this option would only be available during the off season (Fall and Winter).
Can possibly accept pets
Dogs are welcome. Must be people/ pet friendly.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (5)
We had the pleasure of hosting Thomas from Belgium, and his time with us in British Columbia was nothing short of exceptional. Before arriving, he had already explored Quebec and the Yukon, but when he reached our home, he was faced with a… read more
Gayle and Lee are a lovely couple. Very welcoming and so kind. Lee is a funny guy, i laughed a lot with him and Gayle is a very creative / attentive person.
About the work, you are usually working with Lee but sometimes he can be busy with paperworks. Don't worry, the work is most of the time about… read more
Belen’s journey began in sunny Spain, but she soon found herself in the winter chill of New York City with her daughters. While in the city, she had a small mishap… read more
Pauline and Mo are truly an inspirational couple. In Germany, they rebuilt their sought after 4X4 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia Syncro. Taking a break from full time work, the VW Bus was shipped from Germany to Halifax, Canada, for a grand life adventure. Being… read more
Photos
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Cultural exchange:
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Communication:
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We had the pleasure of hosting Thomas from Belgium, and his time with us in British Columbia was nothing short of exceptional. Before arriving, he had already explored Quebec and the Yukon, but when he reached our home, he was faced with a… read more
Gayle and Lee are a lovely couple. Very welcoming and so kind. Lee is a funny guy, i laughed a lot with him and Gayle is a very creative / attentive person.
About the work, you are usually working with Lee but sometimes he can be busy with paperworks. Don't worry, the work is most of the time about… read more
Belen’s journey began in sunny Spain, but she soon found herself in the winter chill of New York City with her daughters. While in the city, she had a small mishap… read more
Pauline and Mo are truly an inspirational couple. In Germany, they rebuilt their sought after 4X4 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia Syncro. Taking a break from full time work, the VW Bus was shipped from Germany to Halifax, Canada, for a grand life adventure. Being… read more
From the moment we arrived they made us feel at home. We had so many… read more
Charlie Chaplin
If you could bottle up Heidi’s laugh and sell it, you would be an instant millionaire. Better yet, it is best to have the privilege to enjoy her company.
For any traveller who comes to Canada and embraces our game of hockey, with such passion and yearning to learn, they are a star in our… read more
They have a beautiful property and live in a stunning area. Lee will take you on hikes with their dog, Cyrus, in which you will… read more
"Punctuality and a great work ethic cannot be understated."
Callum would always confirm start time and expectations for the next work day. He made a good impression by always showing up on time and working hard to complete tasks. Callum has a great understanding of… read more
“Hard workers rep rewards beyond a good reputation”.
We were extremely fortunate to have Patricia and Yanick as our first work away experience. As a host, it was a very positive experience.
Patricia and Yanick hold themselves to high standards and exceeded expectations. Highly valued,… read more
