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!
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 |
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Membership Renewal
by Dave O.
SISKA’s execcutive and program coordinators have arranged a number of exciting workshops, clinics, courses, and events for 2020 that will only be available to our membership. You can check these out by visiting the Calendar on our web site.
SISKA membeships run from January 01 to December 31. In order to provide our members with enough time to renew their membership and still receive emails about upcoming paddles and events we send those emails to all of the previous year’s members up to March 31. If you haven’t renewed you membership for 2920 yet and wish to receive email notifications and take part in SISKA events please click HERE.
If you have any questions about you membership please conact our Membership Coordinator at membership@siska.ca
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Upcoming SISKA Events
Siska Picnic - Saturday June 6th 9am-3pm
Cadboro Bay Gyro Park
Events:
- Gear swap
- On and off water events/presentations/clinics
- ( crabbing, try others kayaks, wet exits, rescues...)
**If you have a kayaking and/or camping skill you could share with members at the picnic, please email Jane (Jane.jacek@shaw.ca).
More Events
Sunday, March 01st, 2020 - 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM - Crystal Pool Indoor Kayaking - City of Victoria
Tuesday, March 03rd, 2020 - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Charts & Compass: Basic Navigation - Course One Part 1
Thursday, March 05th, 2020 - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Charts & Compass: Basic Navigation - Course Two Part 1
Saturday, March 07th, 2020 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Spirit Bay to Cabin Point Paddle
Sunday, March 08th, 2020 - 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM - Esquimalt Lagoon to Millstream Falls Paddle
Sunday, March 08th, 2020 - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - SISKA - Crystal Pool Indoor Kayaking
Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Charts & Compass: Basic Navigation - Course One Part 2
Thursday, March 12th, 2020 - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Charts & Compass: Basic Navigation - Course Two Part 2
Wednesday, March 18th, 2020 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - BCSPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC) by Diane Dakers
Thursday, March 19th, 2020 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Fleming Beach to Victoria Harbour Tour Paddle
Saturday, March 21st, 2020 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Coles Bay Paddle
Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 - 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM - Electronic Aids for Kayakers by Edgar Hulatt and Alan Campbell
Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Monthly MeetingBCSPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC), with Diane Dakers
Tuesday, March 31st, 2020 - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Kayak Fitting Clinic
Tuesday, March 31st, 2020 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Introduction to Tides and Currents Session Three Part One by Anne Graves
Saturday, April 04th, 2020 - 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Beginner Re-Entry
Saturday, April 04th, 2020 - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Beginner Paddling Strokes
Sunday, April 05th, 2020 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Fleming Beach to Victoria Waterways Loop Paddle
Sunday, April 05th, 2020 - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Beginner - Introduction to Braces
Tuesday, April 07th, 2020 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Introduction to Tides and Currents Session Three Part Two by Anne Graves
Saturday, April 11th, 2020 - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Paddlers Workshop
Sunday, April 12th, 2020 - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Advanced Paddlers Workshop - FULL
Sunday, April 12th, 2020 - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - SISKA - Crystal Pool Indoor Kayaking
Thursday, April 16th, 2020 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Telegraph Cove to Gordon Head tour Paddle
Thursday, April 16th, 2020 - 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Paddling in Rough Water - FULL
Thursday, April 16th, 2020 - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Kayak Camping and Safety Gear Clinic
Saturday, April 18th, 2020 - 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Intermediate - Towing
Saturday, April 18th, 2020 - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Intermediate - Kayak Turning Techniques
Sunday, April 19th, 2020 - 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Intermediate - Advanced Paddling Strokes - FULL
Sunday, April 19th, 2020 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Cooper Cove to Anderson Cove Paddle
Sunday, April 19th, 2020 - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Intermediate - Re-entry Exercises and Scenarios - FULL
Tuesday, April 21st, 2020 - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Food Preparation for Kayaking Trips by Lynn Baier, Debbie Leach and Elizabeth Purdon
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Paddlers Workshop
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Monthly Meeting
Thursday, April 23rd, 2020 - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Advanced Paddlers Workshop - 1 SPOT LEFT!
Saturday, April 25th, 2020 - 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Rescues Session
Sunday, April 26th, 2020 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Oak Bay Marina - Parking Lot to (Tentative)Birding Paddle to Chain Group Paddle
Sunday, April 26th, 2020 - 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Edging and Strokes Tune Up
Monday, April 27th, 2020 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Maple Bay Rowing Club to Genoa Bay Paddle
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Siska March 25th General Meeting Agenda
by Fred Pishalski
Please come join Diane Dakers at our March 25th meeting when Diane will be speaking about the BCSPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC), located in Metchosin. Wild ARC cares for injured, sick, distressed, and orphaned wildlife. Last year, the centre treated about 3,000 birds and animals from all over the South Island region. Wild ARCs goal is to rehabilitate wildlife and return recovered animals to their natural habitats. In her presentation, Diane Dakers will talk about Wild ARCs work, the people who care for the animals, and how humans can reduce their impact on wildlife and better co-exist with nature.
Diane Dakers is a writer, author, journalist and communications professional. As a print reporter, she has written newspaper articles, opinion pieces and magazine features. In her communications work, Dakers has written everything from annual reports, communications plans and business letters, to press releases, web copy and newsletters plus worked for one of Victoria's local TV stations as an on-air reporter. Diane is a Wild ARC volunteer.
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Community Events of Interest
Tuesday, March 03rd, 2020 - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Quebec and Ontario on the Great Trail - Robinsons
Thursday, March 19th, 2020 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - The Arles Route and More - Robinsons
Saturday, March 21st, 2020 - 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM - One Day Fly Tying Fundamentals with Dennis Gamboa - Robinsons
Sunday, March 29th, 2020 - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM - Intro to Ocean Kayaking - MEC
Monday, March 30th, 2020 - 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Ecology of Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales - VNHS
Sunday, April 19th, 2020 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Paddling Film Festival
Monday, April 27th, 2020 - 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Chinook Salmon Ecology in the Salish Sea - VNHS
These events are not formally supported by SISKA, but considered to be of interest to a significant number of our members.
Any member may request an event to be included in this section by sending a note to chairperson@siska.ca.
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Paddling Film Festival World Tour Returns to Victoria!
by Fred Pishalski
Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad Street – 6pm, Sunday April 19
Sponsored by South Island Sea Kayaking Association (SISKA) in association with Ocean River Sports
See the very best paddling films of the year, now showcased in more than 135 cities. Exciting and inspiring, river, lake and ocean paddling sports are on display in these curated films from around the world. Feel the adrenaline rush or bliss out in the serenity of wild places, this event has it all!
Don’t miss grabbing your seat while they are still available…
Tickets at $15 are available online now HERE
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by Fred Pishalski
Spring Forum: The BCMT’s forum is planned for April 4, 2020 in Delta, BC. The new Environmental Care Program will be introduced to the public. This is an important recreation sustainability multi-program for coastal BC. We will have two or three key speakers including John Kimantas and Carlo Acuña, Ocean Campaigner, from BC CPAWS.
This Forum is jointly organized by the Pacific International Kayak Association and the BC Marine Trails. Registration will open March 1. There is limited seating so mark this down on the calendar. Once we have fully set the agenda this page will be updated.
Location: 1720 56 St, Delta, BC V4L 2B1 in the South Delta Recreation Centre. This is also within the community of Tsawwassen. Start time is 10:30am event closes at 2:15pm
Registration is NOW OPEN. https://www.bcmarinetrails.org/news/events-and-calendar/enviro/individual-registration
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February General Meeting Summary
by Alan Campbell
The presentation at our February monthly meeting, “Whales in our Waters”, was both informative and entertaining!
The lively talk by Aaron Purdy, Coordinator, Southern Vancouver Island Cetacean Research Initiative, for the Ocean Wise Conservation Association (formerly the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre) covered key information about some of the main marine mammals that we can find around S. Vancouver Island and the threats that they face. Could you recognize the “caudal peduncle” sported by Dall’s porpoises? This is an example of how willing kayakers can become citizen scientists to identify and more accurately report marine mammal sightings, perhaps via the “WhaleReport app on your smartphone. The Orca vocalizations (different for each clan) and Humpback behaviours, artfully illustrated by the multi-talented Aaron, were particularly memorable! If you missed this presentation, you can learn more about the BC Cetacean Sightings Network and how you can help support marine mammal conservation at https://wildwhales.org/
Editor Update - As this newsletter was going to press, The Nature Of Things just showed an excellent program called "Listening To Orcas". HERE is the link to view on your computer anytime. It is also available on CBC and will probably be repeated. This is a great follow-up to Aaron's presentation.
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Spring Training Courses are Filling Up!
by Alan Campbell
5 Spring Training workshops are already full, and several others are close, so please sign up soon for those courses that will provide you with the skills practice you need to be safer on the ocean this coming season. You can see that these on-water workshops are a great way to improve your safety and enjoyment in kayaking, and terrific bargains! Our service partners are eager to work with you and have priced these special workshops accordingly! You can get your Paddle Canada Basic and Level 1 certifications with our qualified club instructors, and/or PC Level 2 and beyond with our service partners. Altogether there are over 200 course/workshop spaces available over the next few months, and about 40% have been booked so far. It looks like Spring weather is just around the corner in South Vancouver Island, and you know that sea kayaking here is world-class, so make sure you’re ready to enjoy it, and sign up now for the Spring Training courses of your choice!
Link to course information and sign up ("Click to Sign Up" column) - HERE
You can also link to these courses through the online calendar on the SISKA website, and the detailed descriptions will tell you how many spaces remain. |
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SISKA 2020 Budget Planning and Priorities Consultation
by Alan Campbell
As a volunteer-run non-profit organization, SISKA strives to meet the needs of its members, and promote safe sea kayaking by organizing paddles, courses, information sessions and educational resources, sponsoring social events and having plenty of fun along the way!
As our club has grown significantly over the past few years, members’ suggestions are invited about how to further improve the use of funds we receive from annual dues and course fees.
The following ideas were put forward for consideration at the meeting on this topic held Tuesday February 18th, and in communications following that.
We welcome any further suggestions or comments!
1. Help new members and newer paddlers feel more welcome and supported
Suggestions: organize more relaxed, short paddles for beginners; organize “new member orientation paddles”; make the first kayak re-entry pool session free for members; greet and provide name tags for everyone at monthly meetings
2. Donations
As an organization SISKA donates funds each year to: BC Marine Trail Network (BCMTN), Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) and Big Wave Dave.
Suggestion: Consider increasing these donations
[SISKA members individually donate to Santa’s Anonymous, Power to Be and Our Place.]
3. Course Expenses
SISKA courses are delivered by member volunteers, who in the process sometimes incur costs that are not fully reimbursed.
Suggestion: Fully reimburse instructors for all out-of-pocket course costs
4. Volunteer Recognition
Suggestion: Increase volunteer recognition events/activities for all those contributing their time to support club operations.
5. Equipment
Suggestion: consider acquiring a club InReach Satellite Communicator for loaning to members going on kayak camping trips
Please email Alan Campbell with your thoughts at chairperson@siska.ca |
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Tips from the trips
by Debbie Leach
Never Run Out! Keep fresh batteries for your GPS in small zipper top bags. Leave used batteries loose in the case until you can recycle them.
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An Uncertain ending for Takaya, Discovery Island Wolf
HERE is a link to a recent article on Takaya in the Globe and Mail. Hopefully we will find out where he is in the not too distant future.
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Camp Cookery
by Lynn Baier
BREAKFAST BAGEL
This is one of my all time favourite breakfasts:
Gently fry up a couple of slices of ready cooked bacon. This gives you just enough fat in the pan to grill a bagel with cheese and bacon between the sides. When it’s toasted on each side and the cheese is starting to melt, dig in and enjoy.
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Trip Reports
Albert Head to Witty's Lagoon Paddle
by Heather Jones
February 8, 2020
What a fantastic day!! I led a lovely paddle from Albert Head lagoon to Witty's Lagoon and the falls... It was a beautiful sunny day with minimal wind. Paddling around the Head was good as there was just enough wave action to add a bit of excitement without stressing our paddlers skills too much. The rock gardeners were having a good time along the shore as the rest of us paddled at a relaxed pace out a bit further. When we rounded the Head into the bay there were surfing waves which were enjoyed by our surfing members but the swell wasn't too big for those who didn't want to surf. We saw seals, sea lions, eagles and more! As we got closer to the Sitting Lady Falls we could hear that they were big before we even caught a glimpse of them!.. About 5 of our more skilled paddlers paddled closer to the falls but the waters in the basin were quite choppy so the rest of us just watched from a distance. Lunch on the sunny Witty's beach and then back into the water to paddle back to Albert Head Lagoon!.. A wonderful trip, enjoyed by all!!
Cheers! to more fun Paddles.... Heather Jones..
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Photos courtesy of Barry Clarke.
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Kayak ID Stickers
by Heather Jones
Siska has obtained identification stickers for our members to stick on their kayaks. If you lose a kayak and it's found, then you may get it back. If someone finds a kayak out on the water or washed up on a beach then the coast guard might know who is missing. These stickers will be on the library table at our next meeting.
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Safety Tip
by Lynn Baier
As kayakers, we sometimes don’t feel that we need to know all the safety options that navigational aids on the water give us, and it is true that as long as we have a few inches of water to paddle in, we are pretty safe. However, it is very important to know what the intentions of sail and power boats are. Knowing what those channel markers and flashing beacons etc. are instructing the bigger vessels to do allows us to make safe and respectful choices.
Scan down to page 77 of this useful guide.
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SISKA Trip Advisor Directory
by Vic Turkington
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.....
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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
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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.
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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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