Introduction
Dear <<First Name>>,
Thanks to those members who contributed photos and materials. After enjoying a SISKA event or paddle, please consider sending a short (100-150 words) summary article; for more information, contact one of us. If you would like to start a regular column, please let us know!
Michael Jackson (SISKA president) and Ben Fast (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 |
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Same Newsletter, Different Ben
After more than three years at the helm of this newsletter, Ben van Drimmelen is handing over the paddle and moving on to other projects. But don't fear, dear reader, because the name on the Editor's boat won't change! Ben Fast is taking over the account and looks forward to bringing you your monthly dose of sea water without too many splutters or capsizes.
 I, Ben (the new one) am a newer SISKA member, having joined in January 2018 after buying my first boat in June 2017. I grew up with sea kayaks in my family, but only fully jumped in with this purchase and am eager to learn more as I go along. In my day job I work with museums and heritage tourism organizations across BC, and when out of the office I play bass in The Carlines, am a second year curler, and listen to podcasts.
A big thanks to Ben van Drimmelen for his work on this newsletter and for helping make this transition a smooth one. I look forward to sharing in the knowledge and experience of this club's membership, and probably trying one too many kayak puns along the way!
Ben Fast
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Upcoming SISKA Events
July 6 - 8 - 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, SISKA camping trip to Discovery Island (ENERGIZER)
July 8 - 9:30 am - 3:00 pm, Cooper Cove to Sooke Basin/Anderson Cove Paddle (RELAXED)
July 22 - 9:30 am - 3:00 pm, Amherst to Russell Island Paddle (ENERGIZER)
July 28 - 9:30 am - 3:00 pm. Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Butchart Gardens Fireworks Paddle (RELAXED)
Elk Lake Romps - Every Tuesday until end of July (see below)
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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.
July 7 - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, MEC Paddlefest
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SISKA members enjoyed a great day of kayak games, food, gear swaps, and community at the annual year-end picnic, June 2. A big thank you to the event organizers: Jane Jacek, Jennie Sutton, and Alan Campbell!
The picnic included a frenzy of gear swaps and purchases in the morning, with games and on-water activities in the afternoon. Over a dozen paddlers attempted the slalom course brought by Edmond (who also ran a dry-land crabbing clinic), tried new kayaks, and got their competitive juices flowing with games. A particular highlight was was the no-paddle race and the ever-popular pool noodle stealing game.
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What’s in a Name? Russell Island
- Vic Turkington
Russell Island is a small island with an interesting history, located off Salt Spring Island at the entrance to Fulford Harbour. The origin of the name is uncertain but may commemorate Lord John Russell, a British MP (~1862). It was settled by Hawaiians in the late19 century, who came to work in the fur trade; a historic Hawaiian Kanaka house still remains among an old growth apple orchard. Hawaiian descendants from the region hold a family reunion there each year to share stories and celebrate their heritage. Russell Island became part of the Gulf Island National Park Reserve in 1997 and has picnic tables, a pit-toilet and a boat dock.
It makes a great day paddle destination from the Sidney area or Moses Point to a perfect white shell beach at the southern end of the island. (imagine you were in Hawaii). A trail leads from the beach to the historic Kanaka house, where a descendant is sometimes available to give an historic tour – it's well worth a visit.
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Safety Tip - Improved Visibility
- Lynn Baier
An easy item to carry in your pfd is a large orange garbage bag. If you become separated from your kayak it can be blown up to make you more easily seen on the water.
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Elk Lakes Romps
- Dorothea Hoffman
(A group of otters is called a romp, for their often-playful nature...)
Elk Lake Romps happen at Elk Lake every Tuesday until the end of July, usually from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Romps are a time to come and play with your kayak and paddle, practice new skills, offer assistance to others, and make new friends. Dorothea will be offering coaching on various skills, but you are welcome to just enjoy the warm water.
To get to the lake, come out the Pat Bay Highway until you pass Haliburton Rd, and look for the turn lane to the left. You may park in the lower parking lot or continue to the small lot near the Rowing Club, where there is a small ramp to the lake.
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Tips from the trips
- Jennie Sutton
Wondering how to secure your GPS to your foredeck? Nimbus Kayaks has foam holders available now from dealers that carry the Nimbus line. The holders clip easily to the kayak, and if it falls off the foam floats!
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CRAB \ KAYAK SAFARI
- Vic Turkington
The day dawned sunny with a cloudless sky and light winds: ideal for a crab\kayak safari at Island View Beach. It was BC free fishing day, so no licences were required. Edmond Duggan (who ran the crabbing clinic at the picnic) brought several spare traps and showed us how to prepare them complete with salmon bait, lines and float etc. Also, he demonstrated how to assess the legal size and sex of a crab (only males are taken). After a short beach talk and equipped with new knowledge and skills, we launched with crab gear piled on the deck and paddled to the hunting grounds to set the traps.
Satisfied all was well, we set off on a relaxed shoreline paddle to Cordova Spit, where we landed on a sandy beach at very low tide.
Following a leisurely stop, we returned with great anticipation to see our luck with the crabs. Armed with gloves and a keen sense of combat we raised the traps to face the prey (their claws at the ready).
Courageously, we subdued the crabs, sized and released the females to spawn and fight another day. Finally, 23 legal size male crabs were taken into custody. Alas, on the beach, disaster struck: Dan's crabs escaped! However, after a diligent search in the seaweed by Tracy and Julie, the crabs were recaptured.
Edmond then demonstrated how to “prepare” (kill) the crabs before they were confined to the cooking pot, over a Coleman stove. Together with corn, butter, cheese, baguette and zucchini, we enjoyed a gourmet lunch of fresh crab at IVB.
So ended our crabbing safari and not overly gruelling paddle - perhaps lending new meaning to a “Relaxed Paddle” (distance covered: 2.5nm)!
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Camp Cookery
- Lynn Baier
Butter Chicken for Two
Dehydrate one can of crushed tomatoes, half a small onion, and two minced garlic cloves.
Rehydrate it all in camp and add in a block of coconut cream and a 1/4 pound of butter. Heat it to a steady simmer and add in garam masala, tandoori masala, and any other Indian spices you like. (I’m reluctant to put quantities because I find that different spices pack a different punch. Just add to suit your own taste.)
Add in a can of Costco canned chicken that has been drained; try not to stir it too much if you want to keep the chicken chunkier. Serve over rice.
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Kayak Stability
Our new SISKA librarian recently found this excellent web page on kayak stability. It does a good job of explaining the difference between primary and secondary stability as well as other factors of boat shape and how they affect the way a kayak paddles. One Ocean Kayaks - How to choose a kayak
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Kayakable Birding
| This issue, a couple of the big soaring birds. The Bald Eagle is known to most of us, but usually only when it has reached around five years of age to earn that white head. Younger bald eagles look somewhat like golden eagles, but don't be fooled. Goldens are hunters that prefer mountains; balds prefer the fish and waterfowl found near water. |
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| Bald Eagle (just a yearling) |
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The other big soarer is the Turkey Vulture. It cruises for carrion using its excellent sense of smell. It uses little energy to fly because it simply soars on updrafts. Note the distinctive black forewings and grey/silvery flight feathers.
The price to be light enough to soar is having little muscle for flapping. Being reliant on soaring means that Juan de Fuca Strait is a scary barrier to vultures in their fall migration, so they gather in packs of several hundred over Victoria and Sooke each October to try to find the big thermal lifts that will carry them up and over the water. |
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| Turkey Vulture |
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Lunch in Rudlin Bay - June 23 SISKA Paddle
- Debbie Leach
Nine SISKA members and a guest from Calgary paddled despite a strong wind warning in Haro Strait. Our route through the Chains was in manageable and clockwise around Discovery to Rudlin Bay for lunch; through The Chathams crossing to Jemmy Jones and back to Oak Bay Marina.
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Volunteer opportunities - Splash and BC Games
There are two upcoming opportunities for our club members to get involved with helping out in the community: Victoria Symphony Splash and the BC Games
Victoria Symphony Splash
The Victoria Symphony is putting on its annual Symphony Splash event this summer on August 5th.The 29th annual Victoria Symphony Splash returns to the picturesque Inner Harbour this August! This free outdoor event attracts over 40,000 people and features a full day of fun activities concluding with a fantastic performance by the Victoria Symphony from a floating barge on the water - complete with fireworks display! They couldn’t make it happen without a dedicated team of 400 volunteers and they invite you to be a part of it! Volunteer positions include Audience Relations, helping in our Family Zone, Merchandise Sales, Donations Team, Behind-the-Scenes Production and more!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Sunday August 5th | Inner Harbour Victoria
Benefits of Volunteering at Victoria Symphony Splash
• Be part of one of the largest outdoor orchestral concerts in North America and one of Vancouver Island’s signature summer events!
• Give back to your community and be part of a fantastic team!
• Support the Victoria Symphony, Vancouver Island’s largest arts organization
• Meet new and interesting people while you hear wonderful music in a spectacular setting
• Get a volunteer t-shirt and an invitation to the Volunteer after-party
• Receive a ticket voucher for a concert in the Victoria Symphony’s 2018/2019 season
Special Early Bird Prizes
• Sign up for shifts before June 16th and be entered to win 2 additional vouchers to the 2018/2019 Victoria Symphony Season!
If you’d like to join them, please fill out their volunteer application form at: http://victoriasymphony.ca/splash/. For more information, please contact the 2018 Victoria Symphony Splash Volunteer Coordinator: Taryn Craig 250.412.1983 | splash_volunteers@victoriasymphony.ca
BC Games
The BC Games are happening in the Cowichan Valley this summer (July 19-22) and the organizers are looking for volunteers. Volunteers are the driving force and heart and soul of the BC Games. Each volunteer is committed to ensure that the community comes together in a celebration of pride and that participants have an unforgettable experience. From meal preparation, to transportation, to hospitality, and sport competitions, the enthusiasm and expertise of volunteers is what makes it all happen.
For more information: Main BC Games Website:
https://www.bcgames.org/Volunteer.aspx
Volunteer Sign up here: https://www.bcgames.net/cwch2018s/VolunteerModule/register.aspx
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To Buy or Sell
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.
Almost new blue drysuit (Retail: $1499) with Kokatat Polartec Womens drysuit liner (worth >$200).
Used only once, seal are excellent.
Made of 3.2oz. Evolution, a waterproof-breathable 3-ply GORE-TEX® laminate.
Cordura®-reinforced seat and knee patches for increased durability.
Dual-adjustable over skirt with hook-and-loop compatible neoprene.
Paddling Anatomy Design with Competition Cut underarms, for maximum freedom of movement.
Left and right sleeve pockets.
Latex neck and wrist gaskets.
Metal tooth, waterproof Optiseal zippers.
Drop seat is handy for bathroom breaks.
Reflective tape for visibility.
Selling for $850
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Chesapeake 17' Kayak, custom built fiberglass and wood, $1050
Beautiful fiberglass and wood kayak, light and very fast. Perfect for athletic individuals who want to really cover the miles, whether it's for exercise, super-fast touring, or winning races. Strength without weight. While perfect for racing or working out, the Sport Tandem can still carry a good load of gear, making it ideal for multiple-day unsupported touring. 4mm-okoume plywood hulls and decks, both sheathed with fiberglass. Watertight bulkheads and hatches, deck rigging, adjustable footbraces, and a comfortable seat.
Length: 17'
Weight: 45 lbs
Beam: 24"
Payload: 325 pounds
Cockpit: 31" X 17"
Weight: 150-250 lbs.
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Werner carbon bent shaft paddle, 210 cm, $350
Exceptional paddle with fully carbon blades that is tough, super light and makes paddling a joy and effortless. This paddle is optimized for maximum flex and strength making it both durable and efficient for all of your paddling needs.
Contact (for all items):
Debra Sheets
250-507-9421
debrasheets@me.com
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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:
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