Introduction
Dear <<First Name>>,
Since our March newsletter, our lives here in South Vancouver Island, as well as those of everyone else, everywhere else in the world, have changed as the Covid19 pandemic spreads around the globe.
Many thanks to those members who contributed photos and materials to this edition! We would welcome more such practical, enjoyable and positive content from our members.
If you are familiar with something which would interest SISKA members, please consider sending a short summary article (100-150 words) for the next edition.
And, if you would like to start a regular column, please let us know! For more information, contact one of us.
Alan Campbell (SISKA president) and Tony Playfair (editor)
PS: You can find SISKA on Facebook at this link.
PPS: SISKA has a Meetup site for "impromptu" and other paddles organized by club members. For more details, go to https://www.meetup.com/SISKA-Meetup/. To join this, you have to be a club member.
PPPS: You can find the SISKA newsletter archive here: http://goo.gl/VUkafR |
|
Hoping for Better Times Ahead...
photo and idea by Fred Pishalski
But for now...
DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, ALL CLUB EVENTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
As we are all now aware, the number of people affected by the Covid-19 virus continues to rise dramatically in our communities and in most parts of the world.
In this context, we have cancelled all sponsored events until further notice:
Off-Water workshops, Spring Training 2020 workshops, On-Water courses, club paddles and other club-sponsored events and activities are now cancelled.
Full refunds will be processed for payments made to SISKA.
It is still true that kayaking and other healthy outdoor activities are personally valuable but must not pose a risk to others or the wider community.
Public health authorities recommend that those participating in such activities do so only in small groups, always respecting the need for contagion control and social/physical distancing.
We are discussing how SISKA can support you as sea kayakers in this challenging time, and we will keep you informed through emails, our Newsletter and our website online.
Meanwhile, let's all practise good personal hygiene to avoid infection and contagion, "keep our distance" from others, and do what we can to help those more vulnerable and less fortunate in our midst.
Stay healthy and safe!
|
|
Safety Tip
by Lynn Baier
It seems timely to discuss Covid 19 and kayaking since there have been many wondering about going.
Of course you have to make up your own mind, but my take is that it is about as safe an activity as you can do, taking precautions:
- Make your groups small.
- Take disinfectant wipes to wipe down the toggles that others have touched. This is much safer than carrying your kayak yourself.
- Only do paddles that are not going to carry much risk. Search and Rescue should be able to stay on the dock.
- Don’t push yourself to the point of a possible capsize, because others shouldn’t be expected to help you back in your boat.
- Please don’t go if you need assistance getting in and out of your kayak.
- Don’t paddle too close to one another and make sure you won’t need help getting things out of hatches while on the water.
- Use hand sanitizer when you get back in your car.
Wow!
It seems like a lot, but we need to be good citizens and stop this thing.
By the time this gets sent out, the approach may be even more conservative.
|
|
And don't forget, our Vancouver Island waters are cold!
by Dorothea Hoffman
U.S. NATIONAL CENTER FOR COLD WATER SAFETY REPORT - RECENT CLOSE CALLS AND FATALITIES
By Moulton Avery
Since our last report on January 30th, 11 incidents involving twenty-three people and seven fatalities have come to our attention.
As the weather warms over much of the country, water temperatures in many states remain lethally cold.
This is a particularly dangerous time of the year because paddlers who have been cooped up all winter are tempted to get out on the water.
Please help us to promote cold water safety by sharing this post.
Also visit our web site for more information:
www.coldwatersafety.org
|
|
Kayaking Videos to Keep Us Inspired!
by Alan Campbell
and Fred Pishalski
With many of us staying home these days, lists have been showing up in the media of online activity and entertainment options you can enjoy from the comfort and safety of home.
So...to keep us inspired to get back out there when we can, and enjoy daydreaming in the meantime, here are some kayaking videos I found with a little searching online.
If you have Netflix or another streaming service I'm sure you'll find more like these - let me know at alanglencampbell@gmail.com and I'll spread the word around!
BC Marine Trails - The Opportunity Awaits https://youtu.be/O2RXJH8fW80
Caring for our Trails https://youtu.be/C_bDz_mNyZU
Sea to Sky Marine Trail, Howe Sound https://youtu.be/qxtWL0JaoH4
Beau Miles – 200 km around South Africa https://youtu.be/UWnNjn1pki4
Sea Kayak around Ireland https://youtu.be/56kdWjqHdhc
Paddle to Seattle: Journey through the Inside Passage [free with Amazon Prime Video]
Ikkatsu: The Roadless Coast https://vimeo.com/52769782
Kayak to Klemtu
Hoopla – free 3-day loan through Greater Victoria Public Library
Paddle to the Ocean https://vimeo.com/66145674
And, a wonderful opportunity from Justine Curgenven at Cackle TV...a free download of This is the Sea 3!
Sea kayaking action and adventure from Antarctica Wales, Scotland, New Zealand & the Faroe Islands.
To offer some light relief for those who #stayathome - this film is temporarily FREE to download.
Please use the code 'stayathome' at http://www.cackletv.com/shop/downloads.html
Plus, for you multisport paddlers, the Banff Mountain Film Festival has just released all films for public viewing - loads of adventure videos can be seen at the URLs in this curated list
https://www.docdroid.net/lR9Mzcw/banff-movie-festival.pdf
Just highlight and click or copy/paste the various movie URLs into your browser.
Here is the post that explains how and why that has become available https://adventureblog.net/2020/03/banff-film-festival-cancels-tour-offers-movies-online-for-free.html
|
|
Paddling Photography
by Edmond Duggan
Paddling and photography go hand in hand. I've being doing both for a fair amount of years, and want to share my knowledge with the club members.
I had hoped to offer an in-person workshop on paddling photography, but the current situation doesn't allow it. I am rethinking my approach, and the best current working solution is to give a couple of pointers via the newsletter. There will be options in the future, but for right now here are a few quick tips:
- Digital cameras are fairly automated, however they don't decide what images to take. Photography is a blend of technology and artistry. Having a good understanding of the technical matters will help with the artistic side, especially in on-water situations which most cameras aren't designed for.
- Take time to sit down with your camera and its manual. The manual may seem dry and overly technical, but reading through it to understand all the features allows you to know what functions to use and what to avoid. Try each mode/option as you read about it. Knowing what each symbol means and how the camera operates is going to free you to consider the artistic side.
- Paddling photography covers a wide range of types from landscape to portraiture. Knowing what type of image you want to make allows one to study methods to make great photos. Take a look at pictures of the types of images you like and ask yourself what makes them appealing to you. Then think about how the photos were taken. Follow this up with attempting to take a similar image to compare the results. Be kind to yourself if your picture doesn't quite match the desired image. Use the opportunity to learn, and repeat the process.
I'll write more tips for the next newsletter. If you are interested in participating an in-person workshop in the future (classroom and paddle), do let me know.
 |
|
A Sad End for Takaya, Discovery Island Wolf
by Alan Campbell
Many of us who have paddled out to Discovery and Chatham Islands over the past several years have enjoyed looking and listening for the resident wolf, referred to as Staqeya or Takaya ("wolf" in Lekwungen, the language of the Songhees First Nation).
Arriving there soon after the death of Chief Robert Sam, the Songhees readily accepted Takaya's choice to live on the archipelago off Oak Bay they call T'lches, and consider part of their ancestral lands.
Cheryl Alexander, a local conservationist and photographer, studied Takaya's life on the islands and the story was featured on the CBC's The Nature of Things https://gem.cbc.ca/media/the-nature-of-things/season-59/episode-3/38e815a-011bbb402da
Takaya was released north of Port Renfrew after leaving the islands a few months ago and subsquently being tranquillized in James Bay, near downtown Victoria, by BC Conservation Officers.
Shot and killed recently by a hunter in the area north of Port Renfrew, his death has sparked sadness and outrage among the many who found his life an amazing example of adaptation by a wild creature to life in our urbanized world.
If you missed them, here are a few news accounts of his demise.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/27/canada-mourns-takaya-the-lone-sea-wolf-whose-spirit-captured-the-world-aoe?CMP=share_btn_link
|
|
The Savvy Sea Kayaking Shopper
by John Abercrombie
If you've wanted to get a neoprene cap to go under your helmet, a new tow or throw bag, a carabiner that you can snap on your paddle shaft, or some new paddling clothes, check out the Level Six website http://www.levelsix.com.
Level Six is an Ottawa company and they have a site-wide 25% off sale until April 5.
The discount code will be automatically added when you check out if you are on their mailing list; it's THANKYOUVIP25.
Mailing list subscribers get advance notice when Level Six has discounts and sales.
|
|
Tips from the trips
by Debbie Leach
Quick Dry Test.
If you are not sure your clothing will dry quickly when camping - take it out of the washer and touch your cheek. If it feels almost dry, it is good to go!
|
|
Camp Cookery
by Lynn Baier
One Pot Pasta
I found this little gem on my Facebook page. Just substitute dried basil for fresh and it would be great for camp cookery. If you really wanted to reduce the bulk you could substitute dried crushed tomatoes for the canned.
https://princesspinkygirl.com/one-pot-pasta-recipe/
 |
|
Rescue a Recipe
by Debbie Leach
Whether you are cocooning or camping this year, now is a good time to get food ready.
To "rescue" a Camp Cookery recipe from the SISKA newsletter archive...check out the Index.
ARCHIVE: http://siska.ca/members/siska-newsletter-archive
Camp Cookery Index for SISKA Newsletters
Savouries
Appetizers - Feb 2020
Bacon Apple Blue Cheese Tart - Dec 2016
Bacon Sausage Broccoli Spinach Pie (Dutch Oven) - Dec 2018
Beef Burritos for 4 - Aug 2018
Beef Stroganoff - May 2018
Breakfast Bagel - Mar 2020
Butter Chicken for 2 - Jul 2018
Camp Lasagna - Apr 2018
Camping Glory Bowls - May 2019
Cashew Curry - Mar 2017
Coconut Peanut Pasta Sauce - Jun 2018
Cornbread - Dec 2019
Corned Beef Hash - Oct 2019
Coq au Vin - Jan 2017
Curried Quinoa - Jan 2019
Ginger Beef Lettuce Wraps - Jun 2019
Gnocchi - Feb 2019
Greek Lamb Stew - Jun 2017
Harvest Pork and Apple Stew - Feb 2017
Mu Shu Pork - Aug 2017
Orzo with Lamb, Olives and Feta - Oct 2017
Shepherds Pie - Mar 2018
South African Bobotie - Dec 2018
Spicy Pork in Peanut Sauce - Nov 2017
Spinach Artichoke Appetizer - Sep 2018
Tom Kaa Gai - Oct 2018
Turkey Chili - May 2017
Ziplock Omelet in a Wrap - Nov 2016
Sweets
Apple Crumble - Feb 2018
Aussie Bites - Jan 2020
Black Forest Cake - Sep 2017
Cake - Apr 2020
Chia Pudding - Nov 2018
Cinnamon Rolls - Nov 2019
S’mores Crunchwrap - Sep 2019
Trail Bar - Apr 2017
|
|
Kayaking Q&A - Sharing your Knowledge and Expertise
by Lynn Beak
Let's start a column to share advice and best practices, on and off the water!
I am happy to collect the information and we will publish it in the next newsletter.
My first inquiry is: What is the best app for tides and currents for an Android phone?
If you have some information to share, please send your replies to Lynn Beak at lynnbeak@gmail.com
thanks!...Lynn |
|
What's in a Name? Quarantine Then and Now.
by Vic Turkington
WILLIAM HEAD QUARANTINE STATION
At present, many people entering Canada from abroad are required to self quarantine for 14 days and maybe undergo testing for the Covid-19 virus. These new regulations remind us of the quarantine practices at William Head, which took place over 120 years ago. Behind those daunting security fences lies much history and many interesting stories.
William Head was named after Rear Admiral William Parry in 1846. It opened as a quarantine station in 1893, as the successor to the one at Albert Head. Its role was to screen immigrants, including Chinese labourers arriving to work on the railroads and gold prospectors from California. Large ocean-going vessels such as the Empress of India and Empress of China dropped anchor with their passengers for inspection at William Head. In the peak year of 1927, 1,068 ships docked and were inspected.
Infectious diseases were rampant; people were checked for smallpox, cholera, typhus, leprosy and polio. Unfortunately, the Grim Reaper visited many, who remain buried on William Head. Doctors at William Head could quarantine up to 1,000 immigrants within their 106-acre facility. During World War I, 85,000 Chinese passed through William Head to serve in work battalions with the allies. Eventually, modern drugs and health practices made the station redundant. It was closed in 1959 and the site now serves as a minimum-security federal prison.
It is intriguing to reflect on the many ships and thousands of people that passed through the William Head Quarantine station so many years ago and wonder if quarantine history might repeat itself with the current Covid-19 pandemic!
|
|
SISKA Trip Advisor Directory
by Vic Turkington
[Editor's Note: This item is repeated in the earnest hope that the current pandemic will abate and we will be able to contemplate summer kayaking trips this year!]
The days are getting longer and warmer now and thoughts turn to planning summer kayak trips. There is a vast wealth of knowledge and tripping experience within SISKA members, both on coastal Vancouver Island and beyond. If you are uncertain about an area: how safe and challenging it is, best launch and campsites, highlights .etc., a number of experienced members have kindly volunteered to share their experiences, offer guidance and assist you to plan an unforgettable kayak adventure. Just contact them to get sage advice and insight for your proposed trip. HERE is a link to the list.
Extensive information on Vancouver Island is also available on the BC Marine Trails website "bcmarinetrails.org" and John Kimantis's series on Coastal Vancouver Island and other books in the SISKA library.
For folk who enjoy a bit of comfort (hot showers\ soft bed etc.) when tripping; Beth Haysom, Norm Smyth, Debbie Leach, Alan Campbell and Tony Playfair have just compiled a much appreciated website of kayak accessible accommodations in the Southern Gulf Islands, to rest weary bones or escape inclement weather: KayakFriendly
Happy planning and tripping.....
|
|
To Buy or Sell
For Sale:
Valley Gemini SP (Sports Play) Plastic Kayak - 14'10" - Orange, not Yellow as shown in the image below. $1100.
Information and Specifications - Here
A few years old but still in very good condition. Excellent rock gardening and surfing boat. The quality of the plastic is one of the highest in the business. I have the original foot pegs if desired but I installed a mini-cell full width foot brace which can be cut down to suit your leg length. Much more comfortable for paddling and makes it easier for re-enter and rolls if needed.
Contact Tony - Here
|
|
|
If you have any buy/sell items that you would like to post in the Newsletter, please send a short description and your contact info to newsletter@siska.ca.
|
|
Games and Puzzles
by Debbie Leach and Alan Campbell
To help you while away the hours indoors, once you have attended to your domestic chores of course (!), here are a couple of diversions with a kayaking/outdoor focus!
Debbie Leach, SISKA puzzle-meistress supreme, suggested that we include a former Heads or Tails game you can play at home. There is no need to get up and down, but it would be good exercise!.
So, here is the one she put together for our Christmas Party in 2014 (we have no doubt forgotten most of the answers by now!):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t2ScnUUAp-_zW2uVzBoM5JRGIB10SW3A/view?usp=sharing
And, in a nod to the crossword puzzlers in our kayaking community...here are links to a puzzle created some years ago, and another to the answer key (no peeking!):
The Puzzle: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OuU-nAbyK2CICpk87YMgS1LKTWqj00M3/view?usp=sharing
The Answers: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11Q6qRJLzmymZYx4yHi2CvdHChgmBADxk/view?usp=sharing
|
|
SISKA’s Kayak Skills Course Partners
There are some fine discounts available from our kayak skills course partners for SISKA members who sign up for their skills training programs; have a look at http://siska.ca/docs_public/SISKAsKayakSkillsCoursePartners.pdf.
Our partners are:
|
|
|
|
