Introduction
Dear Tony,
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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Upcoming SISKA Events
Saturday, May 01st, 2021 - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Paddlers Workshop
Saturday, May 01st, 2021 - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Advanced Currents
Sunday, May 02nd, 2021 - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Advanced Paddlers Workshop
Sunday, May 02nd, 2021 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Oak Bay Marina to Cadboro Bay Tour Paddle
Sunday, May 02nd, 2021 - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM - Advanced Currents
Thursday, May 06th, 2021 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Light Paddle - Esquimalt Gorge Park to Portage Inlet Paddle
Saturday, May 08th, 2021 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Spirit Bay to Cabin Point Paddle
Sunday, May 09th, 2021 - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - Crystal Pool Drop In May 9th
Sunday, May 09th, 2021 - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - Crystal Pool Rolling Clinic
Friday, May 14th, 2021 - 9:15 AM to 12:45 PM - Forward Paddling Development
Friday, May 14th, 2021 - 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM - Blade and Body Awareness
Saturday, May 15th, 2021 - 9:15 AM to 12:45 PM - Balancing and Bracing Skills Development
Saturday, May 15th, 2021 - 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM - Steering and Turning Skills Development
Sunday, May 16th, 2021 - 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Blending Skills
Sunday, May 16th, 2021 - 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Towing Skills
Monday, May 17th, 2021 - 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Correction Strokes and Skills
Monday, May 17th, 2021 - 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Greenland Paddling Strokes and Skills
Monday, May 17th, 2021 - 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Greenland Paddling Strokes and Skills
Thursday, May 20th, 2021 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Light Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Gordon Head Tour Paddle
Monday, May 24th, 2021 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Light Paddle - Oak Bay Marina to Oak Bay in-shore area to Willows Beach. Paddle
Saturday, May 29th, 2021 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Light Paddle - Amherst to Shoreline Exploration Paddle
Sunday, May 30th, 2021 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Light Paddle - Amherst to Shoreline Exploration Paddle
Thursday, June 03rd, 2021 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Light Paddle - Moses Point to Deep Cove Paddle
Saturday, June 05th, 2021 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Amherst to Rum Island Paddle
Thursday, June 17th, 2021 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Light Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Gordon Head Tour Paddle
Saturday, June 26th, 2021 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Light Paddle - Oak Bay Marina to Shoreline Exploration Paddle
Sunday, June 27th, 2021 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Light Paddle - Amherst to Shoreline Exploration Paddle
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Community Events of Interest
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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Siska May 26, 2021 General Meeting Agenda
by Fred Pishalski
Come join us for the last SISKA meeting, May 26th, of our 2021 spring/summer schedule. We are off until the fall when hopefully we may be once again able to meet in person.
Our presenter is the University of Victoria astronomer Karun Thanjavur who recently presented to Alpine Club of Victoria.
“As avid kayak aficionados, all of you cherish the awe-inspiring beauty of the wide-open ocean spaces during the day. At the same time, as night falls, back at camp on a beach after a great day amongst the waves, you are also privileged to enjoy the stunning beauty of the night skies, unpolluted by any light of civilization. As you lie back on the sand and take in this beauty overhead, here is a little guide to signpost the starry sky as your eyes wander through it. Since there is of course a Universe out there to explore, I will aim to at least touch up the highlights of our summer sky, and hope to motivate you to continue this celestial journey with some useful tools and public resources to take along.”
Born and raised in a small town in South India, Karun completed his education up to a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. Karuan’s life took a dramatic turn when he decided to leave his profession as an engineer in India to pursue teaching new skills to underprivileged youth in remote parts of Zambia, Africa. He later emigrated to Canada to pursue graduate studies first in Robotics, and later in Astrophysics After his PhD from U of Vic, he worked as a Resident Astronomer at CFHT in Hawaii for three years, before returning to U of Vic to accept a position as a senior lab instructor in astronomy.
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SISKA Approves Voting by Electronic Means at Annual General Meeting
by Alan Campbell
At SISKA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 28, 2021, members approved a special resolution to permit voting by electronic means. Since AGMs have been held by Zoom since the pandemic began, voting online has been legitimized by the State of Emergency declared and renewed since last March by the Province of BC. Following the pandemic, when the State of Emergency expires, SISKA requires voting by electronic means to be explicitly permitted within our Bylaws. This is now in place.
TEXT OF SPECIAL RESOLUTION TO PERMIT VOTING BY ELECTRONIC MEANS
Special Resolution to add the definition of voting by "electronic means" to the definitions and to add subsection 3.19 to the bylaws
(Current SISKA bylaws can be found from our website homepage by selecting Members, Documents, SISKA Constitution and Bylaws).
RELEVANT DEFINITIONS
"Electronic Means" means any system or combination of systems, including but not limited to mail, telephonic, electronic, radio, computer or web-based technology or communication facility, that:
- in relation to a meeting or proceeding, permits all participants to communicate with each other or otherwise participate in the proceeding contemporaneously, in a manner comparable, but not necessarily identical, to a meeting where all were present in the same location, and
- in relation to a vote, permits voters to cast a vote on the matter for determination in a manner that adequately discloses the intentions of the voters.
PART [X] - MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
Electronic Participation in General Meetings
The Board may determine, in its discretion, to hold any General Meeting in whole or in part by Electronic Means, so as to allow some or all Members to participate in the meeting remotely.
Where a General Meeting is to be conducted using Electronic Means, the Board must take reasonable steps to ensure that all participants are able to communicate and participate in the meeting adequately and, in particular, that remote participants are able to participate in a manner comparable to participants present in person, if any.
Persons participating by permitted Electronic Means are deemed to be present at the General Meeting. |
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SISKA Operations and Finances for 2020 and 2021 – Being Prudent and Ensuring Value
by Alan Campbell
During the Annual General Meeting (AGM) by Zoom on April 28th, excellent questions were raised by members about the Club’s Financial Report for 2020 and Budget Plan for 2021, in the light of current operational restrictions. Following a discussion that brought forward several points of view, the 2020 Financial Report and the 2021 Budget were accepted by the members present.
If you were unable to attend the AGM, but are interested in learning more, reports of all kinds, completed for and received at the AGM, are posted on the Club website under Members, Meeting Minutes and Reports https://siska.ca/prod/members/meeting-minutes-reports-201 . The AGM itself was recorded and is posted on the Club YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrPw21k-ICs
These pandemic-affected years are challenging for all organizations, ours included. However, thanks to our many volunteer leaders and instructors, 2020 activity levels compared favourably with those of 2019, the last normal year of operation. In fact, using Zoom for virtual meetings and off-water courses has actually increased the number of people participating in these activities! Of course, we are still very eager to return to in-person meetings and off-water events when it is deemed safe to gather again. We have also been fortunate to be able to continue with on-water activities (paddles, workshops, and courses) by doing so in smaller groups and ensuring that appropriate Covid precautions are maintained.
By last year, SISKA had accumulated a financial surplus, carried forward from previous years, which exceeded the operational reserve we need to maintain out of fiscal prudence. Consequently, in 2020 we ensured that our income and expenditures were roughly balanced, and the 2021 Budget anticipates spending somewhat more than we take in for this year only so that our ongoing reserve funds are returned to a level sufficient only for one year’s operation.
Of course, 2021 is also not a normal year, so SISKA’s Board has kept assumptions regarding operations and finances properly conservative, while continuing to provide what we believe is excellent value for members’ annual fees. For example, Crystal Pool Sessions have been doubled in frequency, even as paddler numbers permitted in the pool have been substantially decreased, and the Club subsidy has significantly increased as a result. Off-water clinics and courses continue to be provided virtually and freely to all who wish to attend. We have partnered with several professional kayak coaching companies to provide outstanding skills training as well as discounted goods and other services.
We continue to believe that joining SISKA is well worth the $40 (single) or $60 (family) annual fee that has been maintained for a number of years now, and the ongoing strength of our membership, even in these extraordinary times, indicates that there is broad agreement in this regard.
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Duncan Pennington- Lifetime Member of SISKA
by Jennie Sutton
January 20, 1926 - April 16, 2021
For many of us, Duncan was a mentor, teacher and a very reliable friend over many years. He would poke fun at you and his British sense of humour could be cutting at times. His gleeful laugh would follow after one of his antics on and off the water.....Continue reading the full article HERE
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Southern Resident Killer Whale Bulletin
by Alan Campbell
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2021 MANAGEMENT MEASURES
The Southern Resident killer whale is an icon of Canada’s pacific coast and this endangered species has an important cultural significance for Indigenous peoples and coastal communities in British Columbia. The Government of Canada has taken strong, consistent action to protect and restore its population and will continue to do so.
Building on measures taken in 2019, and 2020, the Government of Canada has introduced the suite of 2021 management measures. These measures have been put in place to address the primary threats to the Southern Resident killer whales: prey availability and accessibility, acoustic and physical disturbance, and contaminants....
Continue reading the full bulletin HERE
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What’s in a Name?
by Vic Turkington
ENTERPRISE CHANNEL
Enterprise Channel is located between Trial Island and SE Oak Bay on Vancouver Island. The channel has active currents <3kn and demands great caution from kayakers. Tide rips can occur with currents >2kn and wind against current dynamics can exacerbate standing waves. Also, eddy lines between the main currents and slower water near the shore can capsize the unwary paddler. Immersion gear and VHF\ cell phone coverage are strongly recommended. Max currents are approx.50% of those in Baynes channel (nearest secondary current station). A South cardinal navigation buoy is located east of the channel to advise shipping of safe passage south of the buoy. For the more kamikaze minded paddler, Enterprise Channel can offer a thrilling downstream ride through turbulent swirling waters with speeds up to 5-6kn (not SISKA recommended).
What's in a name: The steamer Enterprise was built in San Francisco in 1861. The 134ft., 181 ton side wheeler was fitted with 19ft diameter paddle wheels for propulsion. It was purchased the following year by the Hudson Bay Company to run passengers from Victoria to New Westminster and up the Fraser river. It became part of the Canadian Pacific Navigation Co. in 1883. Sadly, in 1888, under the command of Capt. Rudlin, it suffered a fatal collision with the larger R.P.Rithet off Cadboro Point; two passengers died. The Enterprise was beached and abandoned at Cadboro Bay and its machinery dismantled. The timbers remained visible for many years
before removal. However, the name Enterprise remains to mark one of our more active local channels and provide endless kayaking challenges.
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BC Marine Trails Corner
by Gene Gapsis
BC Marine Trails is very grateful to the members of SISKA that came out to help remove invasive plant species from Gerald Island, a lovely Gulf Island in the Winchelsea Archipelago.
Over the course of 8 days, a total of 30 volunteers, some of whom were members of paddling clubs, others independent paddlers, as well as post-grad researchers from Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI) gave their time and considerable energy to stemming the tide of English ivy and Vinca major left unchecked when the original homestead was abandoned in 1964. With the help of SISKA members, Jim Lamb, Debbie Leach, Gary Weeks, Jennie Sutton, and Delcie McLellan large plots of these relentless vines were removed, and new areas of the island opened up to remediation.  
We were lucky to get approval and complete our spring fling prior to the most recent travel restrictions, and very grateful for the amazing, summer-like weather once we got past the first few days of chilly NW winds. One never tires of the gorgeous wildflowers seen in the Gulf Islands this time of year, making spring a particularly wonderful time to visit. We will return again in the fall, hopefully with far fewer concerns and restrictions around Covid-19.
BCMT will now turn its sights on encouraging local shoreline cleanups for WOW, World Oceans Week June 1 - 8, and a west coast marine debris cleanup August 2 - 9. We also encourage you to become involved in assessing sites, thus contributing to the creation of safe and enjoyable routes along our coast. This summer, Comox Valley Paddlers will be building a new outhouse at the Penn Island North site in the Discoveries. If you would like to hear of the many ways to become involved, from IT development to shoreline cleanups to campsite improvements, contact gene@bcmarinetrails.org, or Fred Pishalski at gailmiller@shaw.ca.
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BCMT - Jim Lamb helping at Gerald Island Cleanup
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VHF Radios on the Remote West Coast
by Edgar Hulatt
There are some misconceptions regarding the use of handheld VHF radios especially in remote areas on the West Coast of Vancouver Island and the Central Coast. VHF radios are limited to line of sight and as such have a limited range. In good conditions a 5 watt radio at sea level may transmit between 5 to 10 nautical miles. VHF radios with the Digital Selective Calling, which uses Channel Ch 70, have a range of about 20% more due to a clearer signal on the digital channel. Radios with DSC capability use the GPS system to calculate your position and transmits this position in digital format on Ch 70 using VHF. A DSC radio is not a satellite communications device.
There are areas on the West Coast where your VHF or VHF/DSC transmission will not reach a coast guard station. In this case when sending a Distress Call one is reliant on another vessel picking up the Distress Call and doing a MayDay Relay broadcast on your behalf. Power vessels on the water will have a 25 watt radio and an antennae mounted as high as possible on the vessel. Their range can be from 20 to 60 nautical miles.
If you are paddling in areas on the West Coast that are not covered by a coastguard radio site it is recommended that you have the ability to send a Distress signal via satellite. Typical devises are an EPIRB, PLB, SPOT or InReach. The favoured device for kayakers appears to be the InReach, the InReach Mini is especially popular, which in addition to transmitting a Distress Call via satellite will also enable text messaging allowing you to send/receive messages, weather reports from home, and breadcrumbs to be dropped so family and friends can follow your progress.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria advises it can be as much as 12 hours to effect a rescue in a remote area from a satellite initiated distress call, though in most cases involving kayakers nearer land this response time will be much less.
In an emergency situation your best chance of a quick response is to connect with the Coastguard or a nearby vessel using your VHF radio. If you do initiate a DSC Distress call always follow it up with a voice MayDay transmission with an accurate verbal description of your position. If there is no immediate response to your VHF call initiate the Distress on your In Reach or other satellite device and, if possible, text your contact person at home to alert the Coastguard directly.
Edgar Hulatt
Marine Communications and Traffic Services Network, West Coast
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The Victoria MCTS centre remotely controls sites located in Port Hardy, Alert Bay, Discovery Mountain, Texada Island, Watts Point, Bowen Island, West Vancouver Island, Annacis Island, Mount Park, Mount Helmcken, Mount Newton, Gabriola Island and Cap Lazo.
The Prince Rupert MCTS centre remotely controls sites located in Port Alberni, Mount Ozzard, Amphritrite Point, Estevan Point, Nootka, Esperanza, Eliza Dorne, Holberg, Calvert Island, Klemtu, Mount Gil, Kitimat, Mount Hays, Digby Island, Dundas Island, Mount Dent, Naden Harbour, Hunter Point, Van Inlet, Cumshewa, Barry Inlet and Rose Inlet.
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VHF Radio Certification course ROC(M) (Zoom)
by Edgar Hulatt
For SISKA members who do not yet have their radio qualification, the Victoria Power and Sail Squadron based in Oak Bay are putting on a VHF Radio Certification course ROC(M) by Zoom.
The course will run on May 13 and May 20 (2 Thursday evenings), with the exam to follow one-on-one by arrangement for date. Cost of the course is $120.00.
Register at this link:
https://www.cps-ecp.ca/contact/squadron-locations/course-catalog/course-details/?cps-course=maritime_radio&cps-course-id=88
Then scroll down to the Victoria Squadron to register.
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Tips from the trips - Lynn's Kitchen Bag
by Lynn Baier
Click Image to view the video!
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How to fill your kitchen bag for kayak trips
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Camp Cookery
by Lynn Baier
Here is a recipe invented by Paula Ball and Lani Royce. It’s delicious either as an appetizer or a dessert.
Fruit Rollups
Make a round of fruit leather. Any puréed fruit will work.....apple cinnamon, blackberry, strawberry, and so on. Make sure that your fruit is thick enough on the dehydrator trays so that it remains pliable and not crisp- a good 1/4 inch thick. After it has dried, take your kitchen shears and cut it into wedges. I put it on silicone paper and roll it all up together. In camp, gently unroll the leather and spread it with cream cheese, and then sprinkle on chopped nuts.....walnuts or pecans are my choice. Roll them back up, and there you have it.
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Tips from the Trips
by Jennie Sutton via Debbie Leach
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SPRAY SKIRT too tight to get on and off easily? Worried you might struggle with a wet exit? Wet it down and leave it on your cockpit coaming for a week or so.
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Kayaking Klips
by Debbie Leach & Jennie Sutton
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Start with a stretch. (Like retired physio Jennie Sutton). Remember to let your head and neck relax.
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Trip Reports
April 24th paddle to D'Arcy Island
Pod 1
by Gary Weeks
We completed the 10 nm paddle in record time I am sure! Currents combined with flat calm (glass) conditions just pushed us along. We stopped at the D'Arcy Island Campground and looked back to see Pod 2 just leaving Sallas Rocks. Then we jumped back into our kayaks and perused the west side of D'Arcy to landing opportunities. Checked out the ruins from the water before spearheading across the D'Arcy Shoals and James Island Shoal arriving back at Island View. Thank You to everyone for making this trip. At least two paddlers had not been to D'Arcy Island. They can now check this trip off their bucket list. Could not go wrong on a day like today! Cheers Gary Weeks
All participants are reminded to review and adhere to SISKA expectations for COVID-19 Guidelines.These are outlined in SISKA Policy and Procedures and maintained by the Province of BC Province of BC
Pod 2
by Karen Stefanyk
Summary -
Three pods being led by Gary Weeks, Karen Stefanyk and Dorothea set off from Island View Beach and made their way to D'Arcy Island via the southern points of James and Sidney Islands.
Seas were calm and weather was overcast with light showers providing for the perfect ambiance to visit an island which has strong spiritual significance to local First Nations. Additionally, D'Arcy is also the site of a leper colony in the late 1800s where Chinese immigrants with leprosy were sent to live out their days with not nearly enough provisions, highlighting the historic role of racism in disease treatment (additional information here and here).
Pods each explored the area at their own pace allowing for an intimate enjoyable day on the water with no other paddlers in sight.
Karen
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Aerial Videos of the British Columbia and Alaska Coastlines are Available Online
by Alan Campbell
Our speaker for the April Monthly Meeting, Mary Morris, gave a fascinating presentation on her visit with the Yu’pik people of St Lawrence Island, Alaska, midway to Siberia in the Bering Sea. A Coastal Marine Ecologist with Archipelago Marine Research, Mary and her partner, John, have been recording and analyzing video of low-tide shorelines in Alaska and British Columbia for more than 20 years.
The video recordings are available for viewing online through websites maintained by public agencies in Canada and the United States and can be useful to kayakers planning expeditions in remote areas.
BC Coastline Videos
To explore videos of the BC coastline go to www.coastalandoceans.com then See More under View the Images and then Access BC ShoreZone Imagery and Mapping here or go directly to:
https://mcori.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Viewer/index.html?appid=c76377500f814914ad90149f229d4d66
You then need to zoom in on the aerial video track and click on a point to see a pop-up box with Click to Play Video, then More Info will take you to the video sequence on YouTube.
Alaska Coastline Videos
To explore videos of the Alaska coastline go to www.shorezone.org then Access ShoreZone Data and Images and then Start or go directly to:
https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/mapping/sz_js/index.html?tab=szSimple&layout=h2
When you then zoom in enough on the aerial video track you will see video points which can be selected to begin your video sequence.
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From Our Librarian
by Heather Jones
Due to Covid 19, library access is still unavailable. If you desire to borrow a gasket change kit or if you would like to try out a Greenland paddle, contact Heather at hijones6591@gmail.com
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An Unlikely Hero
by Gary Weeks
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Dan collects floats. No one asked him to. He just collects floats. Unknowingly he has started a trend and made an effort to clean up the Salish Sea. He is more than doing his part in reducing the amount of Styrofoam and plastic that is left on the beaches around us. Good for you Dan. Good for all of us in reducing pollutants and garbage on the beaches around us.
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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.
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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 https://siska.ca/docs_public/SISKAsKayakSkillsCoursePartners2020.pdf
Our partners are:
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