Introduction
Dear <<First Name>>,
Thanks again to the members who contributed photos and materials. We were faced with a shortage of articles about SISKA events or paddles for this issue, so please consider submitting a short (100-150 words) summary article; for more information, contact one of us. And if you would like to start a regular column, please let us know!
You can find SISKA on Facebook at this link. SISKA also has a Meetup site for "impromptu" and other paddles organized by club members. (To join this, you have to be a club member.) For more details, go to https://www.meetup.com/SISKA-Meetup/.
Michael Jackson (SISKA president) and Ben van Drimmelen (editor) |
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Upcoming Events
September 02, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm, Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Butchart Gardens Fireworks back-up Paddle (RELAXED)
September 09, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm, Paddle for Health (RELAXED)
September 09, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm, Spirit Bay to Whirl Bay Paddle (ENERGIZER)
September 15, 6:00 pm until September 17, 1:00 pm Grand Opening Salish Sea Marine Trail (at Newcastle Island) See details below.
September 24, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm Spirit Bay to Becher Bay Paddle (ENERGIZER)
September 27, 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm, Monthly Meeting, "Shipwrecks Along the BC & Arctic Coast” by Gwil Roberts
October 08, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm, Cadboro Bay to Chatham/Discovery Islands Paddle (ENERGIZER)
October 21, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm, Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to McKenzie Bight Paddle (RELAXED)
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Upcoming courses and Pool sessions
Our on-water courses and clinics coordinator, Michael Egilson, has managed to get some pool practice time for us again this fall. The dates we have booked are October 15th, November 19th and December 17th. October 15th will likely feature a rescues clinic.
We had plans to offer a Paddle Canada Level 1 course in late September, but the plans have fallen through. If you would like to take a Paddle Canada course through SISKA, please contact Michael Egilson.
Michael has also obtained the Crystal Pool's drop in dates. You have to contact them directly to book time on these dates: Oct 1, Nov 5, Dec 3, Jan 7, Feb 4 or Mar 4.
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What’s in a Name?
- Vic Turkington
TELEGRAPH COVE & TEN MILE POINT
As you might guess, Telegraph Cove, just north of Cadboro Bay, was so named when the first telegraph cable was brought to Victoria from San Juan Island in 1866. The Cove was originally called Telegraph Bay and the road that leads to it is still named "Telegraph Bay Road". A dynamite factory was built in Telegraph Cove in the early 1880's but was later moved to James Island.
Telegraph Cove provides a popular and easily accessible pebble beach for launching kayak trips north to Cormorant Point and south to Ten Mile Point and Chatham Island.
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Maynard (Smuggler's) Cove is a popular launch site for Chatham Island via Cadboro Point in the 10 Mile Point area
Photo - Engel & Völkers, Victoria
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Ten Mile Point is actually a residential district but the rocky shoreline promontory (the most easterly point of Vancouver Island) provides us with an interesting paddling area full of sea life. It is also a good starting point to cross Baynes Channel en route to Chatham and Discovery Islans. It was so named due to it's location 10 nautical miles from CFB Esquimalt Harbour. The rocky promontory houses a white navigation buoy with a green top and a quick flashing green light (chart symbol QG). The islets are designated a marine ecological reserve.A nearby cove, off McAnally Avenue, is named "Smuggler's Cove" due to its use during the prohibition years as a boat launching and landing beach for rum-runners travelling back and forth to the US.
Strong currents can swirl around Ten Mile Point, especially at mid tides, providing death-defying challenges for the most adventurous of paddlers.
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TIPS FOR TRIPS
- Debbie Leach
IT’S IN THE BAG
IKEA bags make carrying gear so much easier.
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Buoys in the Gorge
If you paddle in the Gorge, the folks at the Gorge Waterway Initiative ask that you take a moment to clear off any eelgrass that has become caught on the reef balls just downstream of the Craigflower Bridge. (Morley Eldrige is our club rep with the Waterway Initiative.)
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Salish Sea Marine Trails Grand Opening
This is a reminder about BC Marine Trail's Grand Opening of the Salish Sea Trail on Nanaimo's Newcastle Island Sept 15th-17th. Detailed information can be found at: HTTPS://www.bcmarinetrails.org/news/salish-sea-marine-trail-grand-opening-events.
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Our September meeting - Shipwrecks
Gwil Roberts will present a talk to the club on shipwrecks, with an overview of the technology used to find shipwrecks and a selection of wrecks that have recently been found on the BC coast and in the Arctic.
Every year the Canadian Hydrographic Service deploys survey vessels to map and chart larges areas of Canada's oceans. Using a variety of ships and technologies, CHS hydrographers capture thousands of square kilometres of seafloor data that are used to produce navigation charts and are shared with other agencies and the public. During these voyages, CHS occasionally uncovers significant wrecks, some lying undiscovered for hundreds of years.
Join us for a quick voyage into the technology and discovery of coastal shipwrecks.
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A Startling Seal Attack
- Alan Campbell
Bryan Anscombe, Alan Campbell, Debbie Leach and John Minkley set out from Telegraph Cove for Chatham/Discovery on August 10 in search of whales and the wolf.
Along Discovery Island, a seal approached Debbie’s kayak, grabbed its rudder and gave the boat a solid shake, then swam ahead and grabbed a bundle tucked on the back deck of John’s kayak, pulling it into the water. Alan paddled over, picked up the bundle and put it on his sprayskirt when the seal pulled itself right up on the back deck.
Feeling the seal behind him, Alan edged to compensate and leaned forward for a big forward stroke when the seal bit, shredding the drysuit and grazing Alan’s shoulder. Following through with the paddle stroke, Alan apparently whacked the seal in its open mouth, leaving a 1/4" tooth hole in the paddle blade. At that point, the seal had had enough, slipped backward into the water and was gone.
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Very unusual behaviour for a seal, so why did it happen? There were no seal pups or even other seals in the immediate area. Was the silver metal rudder mistaken for a salmon? Was that red bundle on deck mistaken for a fish? Orcas were feeding around the Chain Islets Wednesday and Thursday, so maybe some seals had become more animated and aggressive? No obvious reason, but the driver of the Marine Mammal Response Network inflatable mentioned that there had been other reports of aggressive seals in the area.
It could clearly have been much worse if there had been capsizes or more serious injuries from these attacks; as it was, Alan required a precautionary shot of antibiotic. All in all, a very good reason for us all to stay proficient at bracing, edging and, potentially, rescues.
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Not always just curious.
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Portland Island Campout 2017
- Debbie Leach
Missing ferries, having fun and sharing food sums up our August 11-13 weekend. Willi Fast and Debbie Leach were co-leaders with nine other SISKA members. Being on the water at Amherst in Sidney by 1000 Friday meant we had first dibs at the Arbutus Point campsites, though we shared the space with 3 families from Victoria.
We shared appetizers and some ‘icebreaker’ activities to get to know each other better. Saturday, while two went fishing, the rest set off for Russell Island. While four explored there, five of us paddled up Fulford Harbour to seek a bus to the market in Ganges. We had a quick lunch, as the forecast was for SW 15-25 in the afternoon. As we landed back at camp, a fisheries boat suggested that we stay off the water because of the strong wind warning - two kayakers had already been rescued nearby. Willi took our mind off the wind with a nautical quiz and relay race with prizes that campers can use.
Fortunately, we had cell service and apps to supplement the Environment Canada forecasts. We made a good choice to set out at 0845 on Sunday and made the 5.5 NM back in less than 2 hours.
While Portland is a great location for camping, keeping out of the way of ferries to and from Vancouver, Saltspring and the Gulf Islands can be challenging. We had a couple of short on-water waits for ferries to pass and calculated the best windows of opportunity to cross.
There was also some hiking. Friday afternoon a group hiked the north loop of the island and Saturday, the south loop. The blackberries on Russell Island were a treat, as was the blue sky on Saturday and the return of Mt. Baker after the forest fire haze cleared.
At our check-in, we learned that campers enjoyed paddling safely, being together, sharing gear and grub ideas as well as having choices about what to do. They want more and longer campouts and to keep including games (perhaps a knot tying challenge?).
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The Cast: Barry Copeland, Alex Bryker, Willi Fast, Debbie Leach, Roger Botting, Bart Cunningham, Anne Graves, Jenny Bryker, Kathy Bleiker, Denise Taylor, Steve Parker.
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The eclipsed sun at totality showing prominences
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Four SISKA members meet in Idaho for totality
Though not a kayaking trip, four of us (Mike and Monica Jackson, Deborah Etsten and Roger Botting) went to Arco, Idaho, to see the total eclipse of the sun on August 21st. We had perfect weather and the crowds were nonexistent! Above and below are two photos taken by Roger showing solar prominences and the “diamond ring”. After totality, we gathered at a local eatery to celebrate. The area around Arco is neat because of the nearby Craters of the Moon National Monument.
Totality is a magical, albeit brief, event. If you ever get another chance to see one, take it. Victoria viewers saw about 90% of the sun covered by the moon, but the difference between a partial eclipse and totality is literally “night and day”!
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The eclipse with the diamond ring effect - seen at second and third contacts
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Camp Cookery
Black Forest Cake
- Lynn Baier
OK, maybe not the full traditional black forest cake, but it is close, reminding you of chocolate biscotti.
I use my recipe for black bean chocolate cake (below) as a base, so start with pureeing a can of drained and rinsed black beans, 3 eggs, 1/3 cup of oil and 2 tsp of vanilla extract in a food processor for a minute or two until smooth.
Then combine 1 1/4 cups sugar, 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder and 1 1/2 tsp baking powder in a bowl, add the bean mixture and stir. Pour that into a greased 9-inch baking pan and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Let it cool and then get it ready for the trip by cutting it into 3/4 inch strips and dehydrating them, .
A few hours before you want to eat, start re-hydrating about a cup of dried cherries in water or cherry juice and a half a cup of kirsch. To assemble, put half of the cake slices in a frying pan. Cover with the cherries and half the liquid, then the rest of the cake and juice. Let it all absorb for at least an hour, then top with either whipped cream, if you can keep it cold enough, or a rich sweet yogurt (I like Costco Honey Greek). Enjoy!
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Black Forest Cake - roughing it on a kayak trip
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Kayakable Birding
OK, enough of the seabirds featured in recent editions, Let's look at some of the birds that are in the bushes along the shore as we launch and at our lunch stops - some sparrows.
The Song Sparrow is likely the most commonly-seen streak-bellied sparrow. It likes low shrubs and grassy areas. The grey breast has reddish-brown streaks converging on a central chest spot. The song eloquently explains its name - distinctive and complex, usually starting with two short notes followed by a variable series of trills and clear notes.
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Song Sparrow
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The Savannah Sparrow prefers bare ground and grassy or weedy areas rather than brush. It has a light yellowish wash on the face, fine streaks on the flanks and a dark mustache. The song is quite quiet and unimpressive.
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Savannah Sparrow
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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.
- FOR SALE: 1995 Feathercraft K1 Expedition. Teal deck colour, c/w 4-piece paddle, sea sock, spray skirt, repair kit and 3 spare inflatable sponson tubes. Deck a bit faded but otherwise in good condition. Maddoggy55@gmail.com, +1 520 241 2954 (sms)
- FOR SALE: Yakima roof rack, with 4 locks and a spare roof bar (noodle wrapping free). Was used on a 2001 Subaru Forester. Maddoggy55@gmail.com, +1 520 241 2954 (sms)
- FOR SALE: Replacement skin for Klepper AE II Classic 520, grey hypalon hull with red canvas deck, near new, with Klepper spray cover, black canvas. ben@barristers4bears.com, 250 598 0570.
- FOR SALE: Current Design Solstice fibreglass GTS built in 2000. Purchased near-new in 2001 from ORS (from their rental fleet) and used for annual kayak camping trips. Well looked after, with straps added for paddle float self-rescues, keel strip put on by Blackline, new rudder cables 2 years ago. Cockpit cover and skirt included. Asking $2000.00. Jennie Sutton, 250-592-6434 or jls50@shaw.ca
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