Help Catherine Build a New Home - Her Float Home is Sinking!

My dear friend Catherine King has lived in a float home in Clayoquot Sound off the coast of Tofino, where she and her late-husband Wayne created Freedom Cove 33 years ago.

Sadly, Catherine’s current float home is now sinking. The foundation is rotting beneath her, and the situation is becoming dangerous. After years of hard work and dedication, her home is no longer livable in its current condition. Catherine urgently needs to rebuild a new, safe place to live.

This unique floating island, which doubles as an living art installation, has captivated countless people from around the world. It’s a place where Catherine has built a life in harmony with nature, growing her own fruits and vegetables, striving to live in moderation.

When Catherine and Wayne created their life in Freedom Cove, they dreamed of living surrounded by nature. The construction of their house was built using salvaged materials. It was a different time – one that allowed them to live off $9,000 a year. Their modest choices allowed them to focus on art.

Whether it was dancing, painting, writing

or carving, Freedom Cove was a place that allowed their creative spirits to soar. Others took notice and before long, people were flying from Sweden, Australia and Japan to see first-hand what Catherine and Wayne were creating. They grew their skills by repairing whatever the relentless winds and choppy waters damaged – constantly tending to their floating sanctuary to keep it thriving against nature’s ever-changing forces.

All of this was put on hold when Wayne became seriously ill with cancer in 2020. For the following three years, Catherine became his full-time and primary caregiver, pouring all her energy into supporting him. This left little time or resources for maintaining their home. After Wayne died in 2023, Catherine was left to rebuild her life amid intense grief. And now, at 68, repairing her float home on her own isn’t something she can do. She needs to hire skilled help and purchase materials to rebuild.

Building a float home comes with its own set of unique challenges. It requires transporting materials across water and hiring a crew who is willing to live in Freedom Cove throughout the construction process. It’s an incredible undertaking and Catherine simply doesn’t have the funds to do it on her own. 

She plans to build her new home on a sturdy metal platform that won’t rot like the current wooden structure. This will ensure her home remains secure and livable for the rest of her days. The new house will allow her to continue growing her own food and maintaining her deep connection to the land and water that have nourished her for

decades.

For Catherine, this new home is a continuation of the life she and Wayne built together. It’s a testament to her commitment to live in balance with nature. The reason she moved to Freedom Cove is the reason that keeps her there. She hopes to continue inspiring others to live simply, sustainably, and with purpose.

Catherine’s goal is to raise $200,000 to cover the full cost of the project with her first goal of raising $35,000 to get started. These funds will go toward the construction costs for materials and labour, logistical expenses for transporting materials to and from the cove, repairs of the other buildings currently surrounding her main house and the contractor’s salary as he works on the project for the next two years.

Any salvageable wood, furniture and appliances from her current home will be repurposed and used in the construction of her new house.

Catherine has devoted her life to creating a home that embodies her commitment to living in harmony with her surroundings. Alongside Wayne, she has been featured in over 30 documentaries and profiled in numerous international magazines and newspapers. Student and teacher volunteers from the University of British Columbia's School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA) have learned from, and engaged with the project, with Freedom Cove becoming the focus of students' thesis projects.

For decades, Catherine and Wayne have welcomed visitors, offering tours that showcase their unique lifestyle. Their journey has inspired people worldwide, and with the construction of her new house,

Catherine hopes to continue sharing her legacy of alternative living for years to come.

This new home will provide her with a safe place to live while she continues to live out her dream – one that she and Wayne shared together.

I’ve witnessed Catherine’s boundless generosity up close. She has an extraordinary ability to pour herself into the people she cares about, always putting their needs ahead of her own. Whether a friend is struggling, or a friend's dog falls ill, Catherine is the first to jump into action, crafting natural remedies and offering her support without hesitation.

She’s constantly showing up in meaningful ways by sharing her wisdom, her time and her heart.

Any contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this campaign. The more people who know about it, the better chance Catherine has of reaching her goal.

Catherine’s journey has always been one of strength, but as she continues to rebuild her life after losing Wayne, she can use all the encouragement she can get. I know messages of support would mean the world to her.

Thank you for taking the time to read Catherine’s story and for considering supporting this west coast fixture. It is my hope we can help Catherine continue living the life she’s always dreamed of and continue to inspire others along the way.

With heartfelt thanks,

Ansley Simpson and team

**If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the project, please feel free to reach out. Catherine would be happy to share more about her vision for the future of Freedom Cove.