February 2019 SISKA Newsletter

Introduction

Table of Contents

Membership Renewal

Upcoming SISKA Events

General Meeting - February 27 2019

Pole to Pole

SPRING FORUM – A CELEBRATION of OCEAN KAYAKING - APRIL 13, 2019

Community Events of Interest

If you are aware of an event  that should be included in the next Newsletter, please email Alan Campbell at alanglencampbell@shaw.ca.

Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 - 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Ocean Acidification - VNHS
Sunday, February 03rd, 2019 - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM - Winter Birds of Witty's - CRD
Saturday, February 09th, 2019 - 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM - Tower Point Sea Watch for Winter Birds - CRD
Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 - 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Littered with Lizards - VNHS
Friday, February 15th, 2019 - 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM - Wildlife Photographer of the Year - RBCM
Saturday, February 16th, 2019 - 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Seedy Saturday
Saturday, February 16th, 2019 - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM - Family Fun Hike - CRD
Sunday, February 17th, 2019 - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Moss Landscapes of Vancouver Island - CRD
Thursday, February 21st, 2019 - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM - Who's Hooting - CRD
Friday, February 22nd, 2019 - 6:45 PM to 9:00 PM - Camino Voie D'Arles - Robinson's
Saturday, February 23rd, 2019 - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Moss Landscapes of Vancouver Island - CRD
Sunday, February 24th, 2019 - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM - RBCM Fieldtripper - CRD
Tuesday, February 26th, 2019 - 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Shellfish Archaeology in BC - VNHS
Saturday, March 16th, 2019 - 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM - Embracing the Wild - Gardening with Native Plants - CRD
Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 - 6:45 PM to 9:00 PM - The Great Trail - Robinson's

What’s in a Name?

GONZALES BAY

Safety Tips

Being Seen at Night

The options available to add running lights to a kayak involve several factors including what type of lighting, effective colors and positioning about the kayak. There are also critical navigational requirements that affect the use and placement of lighting on watercraft.

The official status of navigation lights as they pertain to kayaks is documented in U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rule 25, Navigational Lights, which in part says: “…a sailing vessel, or one under oars, of less than 7 meters in length shall if practical exhibit red and green sidelights, and a stern light visible from at least one mile away. However …, she can have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.”

Simply put, kayaks don’t require running lights. However, a light (either fix or hand-held) is key to paddling safety during night/low-light outings.

A white light mounted on the aft deck of a kayak should be visible 360º and positioned, nor so bright, so as to affect the visibility of the paddler. There is strict protocol on the position of standard green/starboard - red/port running lights in relation to any white/full view bow or stern light. Their placement will indicate directional maneuvering and intent to other crafts and infers that the craft in view knows the Rules of the Road as well.

Other “light” factors to consider:

• Blue or red flashing lights are restricted to use by law enforcement vessels only;

• Red or white strobe lights are emergency only;

• Each paddler/passenger should have a flashlight/headlamp;

• Use full-view deck light if at anchor.

Another useful aid for being seen at night are reflective strips on your boat deck, paddle blades and PFD. Be Safe; Have Fun!

Camp Cookery

Gnocchi

Trip Reports

Cadboro Bay to Glencoe Cove - January 13, 2019

11 paddlers launched from the beach at Cadboro Bay on a bright sunny day with temperatures about to hit 9 degrees. Sailflow had predicted light winds but as we headed towards Cadboro Point and 10 Mile point we found ourselves in about 10 – 12 kts of wind coming from the north with quite a bit of chop. Once around the headlands, we followed the shoreline to reach the beach at Glencoe Cove for our lunch spot. We sat in the warm sunshine and were reluctant to leave but we had to drag ourselves back into our boats and returned along the route we came. When we got to Cadboro Point a light current was building so we had a chance to practice our current skills. Finally we headed back to the beach at Cadboro bay. A good day was had by all with a debrief sitting outside at Olive Olios.

Albert Head to Witty's Lagoon - January 20, 2019

Tips from the Trips

Make padeyes to hold down dromedaries or other shifty cargo in your cockpit or hatch.

Presentation Videos in Siska Library

BC Marine Trails News for Club Reps

• We recently received a grant to develop a Marine Code of Conduct & a Site Environmental Evaluation Program - work is in progress.
• Site maintenance of recreation sites.
• Organizing plastics clean up with other environmental groups (each group is tasked with a section of Vancouver Island coastline; we all are doing our part).
• Working cooperatively with BC Parks on an invasive species removal to protect the coastal wood fern and other indigenous species.
• Supporting First Nations’ visitor guidelines and programs.
• The continual promotion of a Site Condition Reporting (SCR) system
  • Each site on our map links to a report, which is easily and quickly filled in; paddlers can do their part by reporting on problems with sites or the accumulation of garbage or other issues.
  • Look to our next newsletters about participating in this program
• We have sent out a short SCR Powerpoint for clubs; if you didn’t receive a link or Powerpoint please get hold of us.

• Our Communications Committee works on three platforms on a near daily basis providing relevant information - click on a social media icon at the bottom of any BC Marine Trails webpage.
• Did you see our film “An Opportunity Awaits”?
• In the past year this committee has worked to ‘brand’ the BC Marine Trails; you might even have noticed we call ourselves “BC Marine Trails.”
• We are developing a new ‘Code’ to understand and respect our volunteers better.

• There are many things to report on for Trails Development from continued work on the Cape Scott Marine Trail to a new category for our map called safety stops.
• Read our public Marine Trails Safety Mandate (draft). It’s amazing when we apply the conditions of the mandate to a trail what we see and what we don’t see (such as, enough campsites or safety stops).

• We welcomed some new board members. We have a very enthusiastic team of board and committee members. You can always read about our team on the ‘About Page’ at www.bcmarinetrails.org.
• We would like to also welcome Danielle, our new Twitter and Instagram specialist. She brings a lot of experience to the table of the BC Marine Trails.
• Have you read our new strategic document (2019-2022)?

• It’s been 10 years since the BC Marine Trails incorporated. We joined with 10 paddling clubs to help promote paddling and marine trails. In 2009, many paddlers realized access to pristine beaches and coastlines was under some sort of threat. A decade later we are making headway and hopefully will be successful over the next decade creating safe and connected marine trails. Thanks to the many clubs, their executive and members, for the years of moral, financial, and volunteer support. We couldn’t do it without you. The Marine Trails is something we all can be proud of.

To Buy or Sell

SISKA’s Kayak Skills Course Partners

• Blue Dog Kayaking http://bluedogkayaking.com/

• Go Kayak http://www.gokayak.ca/

• Ocean River Sports https://oceanriver.com/

• Pacifica Paddlesports https://www.pacificapaddle.com/

• Sea Kayak Instruction & Leadership Systems https://skils.ca/