SISKA's October 2020 Newsletter. Upcoming events, reports and articles

October 2020 SISKA Newsletter

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

Upcoming SISKA Events
Community Events of Interest
SISKA Zooms Through AGM!
Ikea Rainbows are Us
Fall Refresher
Tips From The Trips
Paddling with Freya
What’s in a Name?
Your Paddle Length May Be Wrong!
Safety Tip
Paddle Canada Basic and Level 1 courses this Fall
New PNW Current Chart App
2021 Siska Calendar
Trip Reports
Elk Lake Rolling Practice Update
Kayak Glamping
Paddling Photography
To Buy or Sell
SISKA’s Kayak Skills Course Partners

Upcoming SISKA Events

For more details, go to the SISKA website

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.

Paddle for Health

by Jennie Sutton

The annual Paddle for Health event raising money for kids with cancer every September cannot be held with it’s usual format. Fundraising teams are welcome to register and people are also encouraged to donate online up until September 30th.

https://www.paddleforhealth.ca/events/our-event/

Any member may request an event to be included in this section by sending a note to chairperson@siska.ca.

SISKA Zooms Through AGM!

by Alan Campbell

Due to ongoing pandemic gathering restrictions, SISKA held this year's deferred Annual General Meeting by Zoom on September 23rd, and it was amazing!

More than 70 members joined in and voted through online polls to accept reports previously distributed on club finances, membership, off-water courses and paddles for 2019. Roger Botting was elected for his second 2-year term as Treasurer, and Delcie McLellan for her second 2-year term as Secretary. BJ Porter and Debbie Leach were acclaimed to replace retiring Board Directors-at-Large, Jane Jacek and Tony Copping. Although we missed the friendly chatting enjoyed before our usual face-to-face club meetings, it was fun to see everyone on-screen and greet each other across the internet! If you missed the AGM you can watch the proceedings online at 2020 AGM Video ,under the General Interest tab at Presentation Videos on our website.

Ikea Rainbows are Us

by Beth Haysom

Wow, thanks for your generosity. Through the IKEA rainbow bags fundraiser we sold 33 bags and raised $390 for the local agencies that SISKA supports. (Usually Power to Be and Santa’s Anonymous)

And the good news is that there are a few more of these beautiful rainbow bags still available. If you’d like one, please email Deb Leach: debbieleach52@gmail.com

Cost $5 a bag, or however much you’d like to donate.

Fall Refresher

Save the Date - Saturday October 17

by Debbie Leach

SISKA will be offering 2 hour paddle and practice sessions to refresh your Forward Stroke, Edging and Bracing and Re-Entry skills.
Paddles will be posted on the SISKA website when details are finalized.
Thanks to our members who are Paddle Canada Instructors for volunteering their time to offer these (free) sessions. Please SHOW UP if you sign up.

Tips From The Trips

1. Kayakin’ Klips

by Debbie Leach

Alan Campbell shows off his gravel deck tent entrance
https://youtu.be/bfhzMU7OE
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2. Use Your Noodle

Insert PVC pipe in dense foam pool noodle tubes to use for rolling your kayak to the water and back again.

Paddling with Freya

by Elizabeth Purdon

The "Paddling with Freya" presentation by Elizabeth Purdon was the highlight of SISKA's first monthly meeting by Zoom, held right after our AGM with 70 members online! Freya Hoffmeister is a living kayaking legend whose incredible paddling adventures and accomplishments have kept many of us glued to her blog for years. Elizabeth joined Freya for several weeks' paddling in the Sea of Cortes, Baja Mexico, as part of her multi-year circumnavigation of North America. If you missed this terrific presentation you can watch it online at Paddling with Freya , under General Interest, Presentation Videos on our website.

What’s in a Name?

by Vic Turkington

CATTLE POINT

Cattle Point lies just north of Oak Bay marina and gets its name as the drop off point for cattle for Uplands farm (1860-1910), which comprised much of the local area at the time (1100 acres). Cattle and other livestock were shipped to the bay by steamer where they were unloaded and waded or swam to shore to the parking lot exists today.
The present circular scenic driveway was constructed in 1961. A very serviceable concrete launch ramp exists at both the north and south ends of the point, together with ample parking and an outhouse. Cattle Pt. therefore provides two convenient launch points for kayakers (with a very short carry), en route to Chatam and Discovery Islands or nearby Willows beach or Tod Is. The crossing to Strongtides Is.is only 1.5nm but requires careful timing due to strong currents and standing waves in Baynes channel.
The shoreline north of Cattle Pt. towards Cadboro Bay provides ample rock gardening, bird watching and views of upper end residences.
The area is a favourite to explore tidal pools at low tide and also for star gazing at night, as it is well shielded from city lights. (Originally, Cattle Point area was considered undesirable for farming due to the uneven rocky terrain and was given to the municipality of Oak Bay in lieu of taxes.)

Your Paddle Length May Be Wrong!

by Dorothea Hoffman

Interesting article on paddles - HERE

Safety Tip

by Lynn Baier

I confess that I don’t always practice what I preach and found that I had to frown at myself for not having a compass when the fog rolled in. I confess that if I have to wash it up later and it’s not essential, it doesn’t come on a day paddle. Sure enough, we paddled on a Wednesday a while back, when all I could see was the paddler beside me and a mystery island in front of me. Not good. I have remedied this by attaching a simple hand-held compass to my pfd, which I never paddle without. A deck compass would absolutely be better, but because I pop back and forth between kayaks, this should solve the problem. A handy gps would also be a better idea. Now if only I could do something about this aging eyesight........

Paddle Canada Basic and Level 1 courses this Fall

by Alan Campbell

Some Club members have asked if SISKA instructors could lead Paddle Canada Basic and Level 1 courses this Fall.
Willi Fast, SISKA Director and Acting On Water Coordinator, would like to gauge the level of member interest in such courses so a very short questionnaire has been created to that end.
Please take a moment to complete this brief survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCSRGRR
Thanks!

New PNW Current Chart App

by Debbie Leach

A new Pacific Northwest Current Chart App is now available for Apple and Android devices. It's basically the Current Atlas on your phone/ipad. No books needed anymore! All info HERE.

Editor Note - I emailed the author suggesting currents of different values should have a different color, just like wind apps use different colors for wind speeds. We shall see what the author does!

2021 Siska Calendar

by Fred Pishalski

Fred Pishalski will be putting together a kayaking themed calendar for 2021. Like the previous three years of calendars, the profits will be donated to charity. Please send a few of your favorite kayaking photos to Fred at gailmiller@shaw.ca for consideration for the calendar. If you have a recommendation for a charity you would like to see receive the donation, please also forward that to Fred. The charity last year was Power To Be which is a non-profit organization that creates access to nature for youth, families, and adults living with cognitive, physical, financial, and social barriers. The cost of the calendar will be determined by the cost of printing, last year they were sold for $20 each. A notice will come out in November about how to order. Thank you in advance for taking time to look through your kayaking pictures, which many of us have, and sending a few on.

Trip Reports

Relaxed Paddle – Brentwood Bay to McKenzie Bight
September 8, 2020

by Dave Chater

On a somewhat sunny ( the sunlight was screened by heavy wildfire smoke from the US) Tuesday morning, 9 paddlers left Brentwood Bay for a Relaxed Paddle past Willis Point to McKenzie Bight in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park. We added a tour of Tod Inlet as part of the original paddle plan. Total distance was approximately 7.5 nautical miles. The paddle was led by me and Tim Frick as a co-leader for our group.

Despite the heavy layer of wildfire smoke covering most of the region, at the water level we were somewhat unscathed. The winds were very calm and the temperatures warm which made for a delightful and relaxing paddle. Tod Inlet did not disappoint as the water was like glass in the inlet, quiet and peaceful.

The paddle along the shoreline of Willis Point and Gowlland Tod Provincial Park is interesting as you transition from some attractive waterfront homes perched on the rocky slopes of the Willis Point/ Partridge Hills to the lush greenery of the provincial park.

Our lunch stop was at McKenzie Bight which provides a small pocket and somewhat rocky beach that provides lovely vistas of the Saanich Inlet and the summit of the Malahat on the far shore. A perfect rest spot for our group.

After tucking away our kayaks and gear and with a quick clothing change, our paddle ended with a visit to the Brentwood Bay Inn for some “libations” on the sun-drenched ( the wildfire smoke had dissipated by then) outdoor patio with views out over the Bay and into Tod Inlet.

All-in-all a relaxing day to be on the water.

Dave Chater, Trip Leader

Elk Lake Rolling Practice Update

by BJ Porter

The Elk Lake sessions have not been as popular as I had hoped so I am back in salt water on Monday mornings. I think there is still potential for anyone who wants to take up the torch... sword? cudgel? There has been a lot of interest expressed verbally, and some folk have been away and might return to it. Let me know - bjporter108@gmail.com

Kayak Glamping

by Jennie Sutton

Kayak “glamping” is not for everyone, but I can assure you that it can become addictive! Having had a second hip replacement in early March, this body was not about to start climbing in and out of a tent as usual this summer. The solution became apparent while my friends headed off on a 12 day kayak camping trip to North Brooks. My first “glamping” trip was to Mayne Island with my sister and two girlfriends. The second trip was solo, staying on the south end of Saltspring Island. The third trip was to Flynn’s Cove Cabins in Nuchatlitz on our NW coast of Vancouver Island with my sister and two girlfriends. That trip was linked in with the Cowichan Bay Kayak Club crowd as there was a spare 2 bedroom cabin available.

Mayne Island trip

I found the accommodation on Beth Haysom’s website she developed for SISKA members on kayak friendly accommodation in the Southern Gulf islands. https://www.kayakfriendly.com/welcome.html This link is also listed on the club website.

The Blue Vista Resort is situated on Bennett Bay and has a number of self-contained basic cabins placed in a semi-circle, making it easy for socially distancing. There were ocean glimpses across the street but no beach launch. We had a 2 bedroom cabin and the first night we enjoyed very good food sitting out on the deck at the Bennett Bay Bistro (a short walk).After that we cooked for ourselves, using the stove and the outdoor BBQ.

Launch sites:-

1.The only nearby easy launching beach on Bennett Bay is a short 5 minute drive away. The dead-end access road is very close to the sandy beach and one can park roadside safely.

2.Gallagher Road on the West side of the island has an easy access gravel beach and parking at the dead end.

3.There is also a beach next to the ferry terminal. One would need to park up the hill away from the ferry traffic.

4. We also noticed a boat launch to the left of Bennett Bay but did not explore that access or parking.

Paddles:-

1.We launched at Bennett Bay and over 14n. miles circumnavigated Mayne Island via Active Pass, timing our passage with the current predictions! The Georgia Strait side of the Gulf Islands are mainly solid, sloping rock, so possible to land in an emergency.The north and east sides of Mayne Island only has a few beaches.

2. Launching at the bottom of Gallagher Road, we paddled counter-clockwise, had a fun scoot through Boat Pass (again timing it with currents!) and explored the Belle Chain Islets. Anniversary Islet, the largest of the group, used to be a camping spot but there is only below high tide access now. We managed to land along the rocky shoreline to sit and have our lunch, watching the Oyster Catchers and seals with pups nearby. There were very pretty sandstone formations on the east side of the islets…We timed our return with the currents again…a 13n. mile paddle.

3. Another possible shorter version of #2 paddle would be to launch at the boat launch at the bottom of Steward Road off of Horton Bay Road (#4 above).

Other activities:-

1. Japanese Garden is well worth a visit. It is quite large and is in a lovely setting. It is next to Dinner park which has public toilets, picnic tables and disc golf…

2. Bakery and coffee shop! No need to say more…delicious foods!

3. Other shops- most shops were open, limiting numbers and encouraging mask wearing while indoors. Think of dropping some cash to support local businesses…

4. Walks/hikes:-

a. Georgina Point Heritage Park and Lighthouse is worth visiting. You are at the Georgia Strait entrance to Active Pass, so lots of boat activity to watch!

b. St. John Point is a nice walk out to the point with vistas.

c. Mt. Parke Park is a short, hilly hike with vistas.

Paddling Photography

by Edmund Duggan

There are a variety of camera types one can use in paddling photography. My primary one for paddling is a point and shoot adventure camera which is advertised as waterproof, crushproof and coldproof. I take these claims with a grain of salt, as nothing is indestructible when you use enough force. Ideally, there are two things that one should consider for any type of camera you use - waterproofness and security.

While my camera is waterproof by design, it does have its limits. I aways ensure all the hatches are sealed before launching; sometimes one forgets to close the battery (or worse forgets the battery in the charger) or the cover to the port for the cable. The manufacturer suggest seal replacement every so often, but I've not worn them out on either camera I've owned so I've not bothered. When the seals go, I'll just upgrade to a newer one as most likely the battery will also be near its end of life. This reason was why my first waterproof camera was retired.

For those using a cell phone, there are waterproofed designs available, companies that will waterproof a cell, or cases that allow submersion. These options require some further investment, but provide a solution. Consider a case that either has a strap or a point to attach one. For cells, a question becomes the value and use of the phone beyond a couple of paddling pictures. If you can easily live without a cell or the data on it then occasionally using it on the water is reasonable. If your work or life makes the phone essential, consider a secondary older one as one to take out on the water.

Some older film cameras were waterproof by design, but these have basically disappeared from the modern market. Top-end SLRs had special underwater casings, but the bulk of a camera inside a case makes them a little more impractical for regular use.

The second concept is security for the camera, so dropping it doesn't mean having the camera on the bottom and you on the surface. While gear is replaceable and sometimes recoverable, the images taken might not be. You need to have some method of keeping the camera with you and/or the boat.

For my waterproof camera, I have it attached to my PFD via a strap and cheap carabiner, and stored in my PFD pocket. I never unclip it on the water at all. It's handy anytime I want to take a picture, but attached to me if that I have an "out-of-boat" experience so I don't end up losing it. A day hatch is a fine storage location, but realize that you'll have to get it out to make an image which can take some time. Do have a strap that keeps it connected to the boat but allows the hatch to seal watertight.

Some cameras have accessory floating straps, I've never used one because while the camera may now float, it does have the ability to float away from me. In rough water (whitewater/surf) the floatation might not work as expected, items don't float on the surface in aerated water. Also, having to go collecting extra/non-essential gear after a rescue is a pain and in a real emergency is an extremely low priority.

The cheap carabiner is intentional along with the original thin strap; never use a bulletproof/breakproof system with heavy duty cords and clips. At some point in extreme situations one will want the strap to break if caught up on something, rather than hindering one from completing a rescue.

In the next article I'll cover shooting techniques that I use to get a great photo. Following that I intend to run a online clinic to talk about image processing/editing, an important step in digital photography that can improve the picture dramatically. More clinic details later.

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.

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: