Introduction
Dear <<First Name>>,
Thanks to those members who contributed photos and materials. After enjoying a SISKA event or paddle, please consider putting fingers to keyboards and cobbling together 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 van Drimmelen (editor) |
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Upcoming Events
March 2, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm, VHF Radio Refresher Clinic with Edgar Hulatt
March 8, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm, Reel Paddling Film Festival
March 11, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Oak Bay Marina to Oak Bay shoreline to Gonzales Paddle (RELAXED)
March 22, 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm, Monthly Meeting
March 26, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm, Amherst to Portland Island Paddle (ENERGIZER)
March 30, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm, Expedition Kayaking with Russel Henry
April 4, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Food Prep for Trips with Lynn Baier, Robyn Byrne and Debbie Leach
April 9, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm, Spirit Bay to Becher Bay Paddle (RELAXED)
April 22, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm, Whiffin Spit to Cabin Point Paddle (ENERGIZER)
April 26, 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm, Monthly Meeting (AGM)
April 29, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm, Willows Beach to Intertidal shoreline paddle Paddle (RELAXED)
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What’s in a Name? Race Rocks
This is our local name series.Thanks to Vic Turkington for the monthly submissions.
A SISKA paddle last month took us past Race Rocks, named in 1842 by Hudson Bay Company officials for the 9 knot currents that channel around the island. Over the years, more than 35 ships have perished on these rocks. On the more positive side, former light house keeper, Thomas Argyle, is said to have found many gold sovereigns among the wrecks.
The 80 foot granite stone lighthouse has attractive black and white banding and flashes a white light every 10 seconds (on your charts as Fl W 10s) which can be seen for 15 miles. The fog horn sounds 3 blasts at 1 minute intervals. The lighthouse was automated in 1997 and is now managed by Pearson College staff who also operate a wildlife research station. Race Rocks is an ecological reserve (so we can't land) and a wide variety of birds and wildlife call it home, including a large colony of noisy and sometimes aggressive sea lions which can often be heard for miles. Also, resident elephant seals are giving birth at this time of the year.
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Race Rocks (Photo - Marine Eco Tours)
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Stone cairns suggest that the First Nations used Race Rocks as a burial ground around 500 AD. While Race Rocks offers us a picturesque and challenging destination, its strong currents and wind can produce dangerous rips and overfalls. Ghosts of sailors past may even lie in wait for the unwary kayaker!
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Tips from Trips
- by Debbie Leach
BRUSH UP!
A surgical brush is a multi-tool to clean your nails, scrub veggies and fruit, coax sand out of your dry-suit zipper, sweep out your tent and wipe moisture off your fly. If you didn't get one at the last SISKA Christmas party, they are at Lee Valley.
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A small and very useful multi-tool
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Gordon Brown Intermediate/Advanced clinic
- by Willi Fast
On a cold and snowy Wednesday February 8 in Cadboro Bay, ten lucky participants and two observers were treated to an exceptional instructional clinic with world renowned sea kayaking coach Gordon Brown (hailing from Scotland!).
To ward off the threatening weather system looming just off the bay, Gordon began with a group warm-up that had us all huddled closely in a circle, laughing, singing and moving together (what language were we singing anyway?). Once on the water, we began with the day’s first challenge: using only forward sweeps, count the number of strokes required to turn our kayaks 360 degrees. Initial results ranged from “low teens” to “twenty something”. To lower the stroke count, Gordon stepped us through a structured breakdown of the forward sweep, addressing all technical rudiments including paddle catch, power phase, foot pressure, body and head position and torso rotation. As each new element was incrementally introduced and practiced, each of us noticed improvement. Forward sweep practice was interrupted with an inadvertent capsize by an over-zealous participant (to remain unnamed!). Gordon calmly directed the rescue and re-entry, and the clinic continued.
The next skills addressed were turning strokes. Gordon introduced the low brace turn and the bow rudder, encouraging us to play with off-side and on-side edge turns. How can it look so easy and efficient, yet continue to be challenging? The off-shore north wind was continuing to build, and Gordon used that as an opportunity to work on stroke combinations for maneuvering in wind. We learned about kayak construction and wind-theory to assist with stroke choices for turning into and away from the wind. The final skill instruction focused on the forward stroke. Again, Gordon lead us through a clearly structured progression of rudiments that gave each of us elements for improvement.
By now, snow was starting to accumulate on our kayak decks, and it was agreed by all that we would call it a day and head back to shore. Afterwards, those participants with no worries about road conditions for return travel convened at a local coffee shop for story exchange, and presentation of thank-you appreciation gifts to Gordon. Unanimous consensus was that this was the best instruction ever received by SISKA members. In the words of one participant: “The best-ever instruction, in the worst-ever conditions.” It’s not the snow we will remember. Rather, we will carry with us the enthusiasm, humour and technical expertise that Gordon so willingly shared with us that day. Oh – and ample motivation to keep practicing. Thank you Gordon!
Thanks to Mike Jackson for SISKA facilitation, Jennie Sutton for clinic co-ordination, and attending SISKA members for perseverance!
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Lunchtime on the south side of Coal Island
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CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF COAL ISLAND
- by Elizabeth Purdon
After several weeks of cold and blustery and entirely atypical Victoria weather, 11 kayakers set off for a relaxed paddle from Amherst around Coal Island on February 12th. The day could not have been better, with blue skies and no winds.
We paddled along the shore until crossing over to Pym Island while dodging the departing BC ferry. (Ferry dodging had the potential to bring in elements of an Energizer paddle rather than a Relaxed, but all paddlers were level 2 or 3.) After paddling around both Pym and Knapp Islands, we again crossed back over to Coal and found a perfect beach for lunch along the south side of Coal with spectacular views of Mount Baker.
After lunch we went for a paddle around the Little Group and Dock Island looking at lots of birds and seals. On arrival back at Amherst there was a rolling practice at the beach, with some being more successful than others. Debrief, coffee and treats happened at The Roost Coffee shop.
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Lots of paddlers parked at the Roost!
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Oh... those pesky winds
- by Vic Turkington
We were all set for an interesting Energizer Paddle on Saturday 25 February from Weir's Beach to Whirl Bay along the exposed Metchosin rocky coastline. The currents were perfect with sunny skies and winds that looked OK on Thursday night. Alas, on Friday the winds were forecast stronger and earlier than expected - right in the middle of our paddle ! Plan A was abandoned and Plan B was not looking good either - so after some head scratching, plan C was devised.
Following some last minute emails on Friday, eight souls left from Amherst beach on Saturday morning under light winds and sunny skies for Piers Island. Always a delightful paddle to visit Ker, Coal, Pym, Knapp Islands en route to Piers Is., while dodging the BC Ferries. We stopped for a leisurely lunch on Piers at a convenient beach cabana. After dodging the Saltspring ferry at Clive Islet, the return trip across Colbourn Passage and along the lee side of Goudge and Fernie Islands was easy, in spite of the rising SE wind. We were so fortunate to have such a wonderful and picturesque paddling area among the many islands and islets of Iroquois and John's passage - truly a delight. Landfall was made safely at the launch site , followed by tall yarns at the Roost Cafe. In spite of those unpredictable pesky winds, Plan C proved to be a much safer and very pleasant substitute.
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Camp-Suited Cookery
-by Lynn Baier
(Here we share recipes that can be made deep into a multi-day kayak trip, or any recipe that makes the cooking part of a trip more enjoyable. Please submit your contributions to Lynn Baier at lbaier@telus.net.)
Cashew Curry
This is one that I have cooked by request numerous times. The ingredients will last indefinitely and no dehydrating is required.
- Dried Chinese mushrooms (very inexpensive, in the Asian food aisle of the grocery store)
- Sun dried tomatoes (They pack a lot of flavour so just three or four per person)
- Cashews
- Coconut milk
- Chicken or vegetable bouillon cubes
- Curry powder or paste
- Garlic and onions (these can be dehydrated but the extra flavour from fresh is worth it)
- Butter or oil for sautéing
- Cornstarch
- Couscous, rice, or quinoa
No less than an hour before you want to eat, rehydrate mushrooms by covering in water and bringing them to a boil. Discard the stems, as they don't rehydrate well. Let them sit until it's time to start cooking. These mushrooms give a meaty texture to the dish.
Crush or chop your garlic and onions. Cut the sun-dried tomatoes into small pieces. Slice the Chinese mushrooms into bite-size pieces once re-hydrated. (If I'm feeling lazy I just break them into pieces at home.) Sauté these ingredients until they are soft and fragrant. Add the reconstituted bouillon and the coconut milk. Depending on your room and weight considerations, you can use canned milk, dried coconut milk powder, or a brick of coconut cream.
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Kayakable Birding
- by Ben van Drimmelen
Birds are a fine feature of any kayak trip. But which is which? In each Newsletter, we’ll describe a couple of species that you are likely to see at this particular time of year.
Last May, we described the Common Merganser. Today, the other two, both with "punkish" hairstyles - very elegant....
The Hooded Merganser is, perhaps along with the Harlequin Duck, our most beautiful diving duck. Note the "hammerhead" crest, frosted brown on the female but a flashy white on the male.
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Hoodies - female and male
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The Red-breasted Merganser is much larger than the Hooded, similar in size to its cousin, the Common Merganser. The females are almost identical to the female Common. The male has that dark chest from November to May; through the summer it looks pretty much like the females. Hints for identification - note the double crest. Also, this one likes salt water more than the other two species and sometimes hunts cooperatively, forming synchronized fishing lines of maybe a dozen birds.
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Red-breasted Mergansers, often seen fishing in small groups.
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Crabbing with your kayak
- by Julie Thacker
June 10th is your opportunity to learn how to catch your own crab! Since I am not an expert, Mike Jackson has agreed to help me introduce interested people to crabbing with a kayak.
On-land training and a demonstration is will happen on June 10th at SISKA’S Beach Picnic and Kayak Fun Day.
On the water practice is scheduled for June 18th. This takes advantage of BC’s Free Fishing Weekend so you get a chance to check it out for free. The exact time and location will be set later. Successful crabbing is location and tide dependent. Location also depends on what areas Fisheries opens and we don’t know that this far in advance.
Hope to see lots of you come out to learn how to catch your own crab. Perhaps some of my buddies from last year’s Portand Island camp out, who enjoyed a crab feast with me, will participate!
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