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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Zebellos/Nuchatlitz Trip Spaces Available, Act Today!
Two spaces are available for the cabin based Nuchatlitz kayak trip September 4,5 and 6. This is with a group of mostly SISKA paddlers, staying at Flynn’s Cove, a small wilderness resort on Nootka Island. One would need to travel to Zeballos on September 3 and travel to the resort by either paddling or water taxi. Day trips from the resort will be organized. As this is last minute, the cost is reduced to $100 per person for the three nights. For further information, contact Elizabeth at elizpurdon@gmail.com
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September Meeting Agenda
by Fred Pishalski
Pre-Meeting - Share Your Paddling Adventure
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If you went on a paddle trip this summer and would like to share your story with club members, this is your opportunity to do so. Our Sept 25th meeting will start early at 6:00pm so that folks can share a bit of their adventure with others. As we have done previously, we will set up tables that you can use, around the meeting room and you are invited to bring charts, photos, laptops or other things to help illustrate your trip. The door to the meeting room will be open for paddlers wishing to share at 5:30pm so that you can set up. The rest of the club members are invited to join us starting at 6:00pm. Thanks to everyone assisting with this.
Main Meeting
We've invited Transport Canada's Victoria Harbour Master, Mariah McCooey, to make a brief presentation about Harbour safety, as well as answer any questions you may have about Harbour safety and operations. Mariah was born and raised in Victoria and has been the Harbour Master for four years, and she was previously a navigation officer in the Canadian Coast Guard. She has a Masters in Maritime Management and an undergrad degree in Nautical Science, and graduated from the Coast Guards Officer Training Program in Nova Scotia in 2011. Please come and join us for our first meeting of the fall SISKA session.
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Upcoming Events
Friday, August 30th - Sept 1, 2019 - 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Classic Boat Festival - MMBC
Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 - 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Climate and Biodiversity Emergency
Sunday, September 15th, 2019 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Spirit Bay to Cabin Point Paddle
Monday, September 16th, 2019 - 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM - Ocean Myths and Realities: From Folklore to Facts - UVic
Wednesday, September 18th, 2019 - 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM - Live-Streamed Beach Field Trip - UVic
Wednesday, September 18th, 2019 - 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Ship2Shore - Live Connection to Ocean Networks Canada Expedition - UVic
Saturday, September 21st, 2019 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Telegraph Cove to Margaret Bay Paddle
Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 - 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM - 10,000 km Pelagic Trip - VNHS
Monday, September 30th, 2019 - 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Whales in our Waters - VNHS
Saturday, October 05th, 2019 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Mackenzie Bight Paddle
Tuesday, October 08th, 2019 - 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Early Naturalists - VNHS
Saturday, October 19th, 2019 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Amherst to Tsehum Harbour Paddle
Sunday, October 20th, 2019 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Island View Beach to D'Arcy Island Paddle
Monday, October 28th, 2019 - 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Deep-Sea Discoveries - VNHS
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Community Events of Interest
See above list
If you are aware of an event that should be included in the next Newsletter, please email Alan Campbell at alanglencampbell@shaw.ca.
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What’s in a Name?
by Vic Turkington
MOSES POINT
Moses Point was named after Daniel Moses (1832-1910); born in Wales. He moved to California in 1855. An adventurer, Daniel and his brother walked to Idaho and back in search of gold. He later settled in Victoria and became an early farmer in North Saanich. His farm apparently included this point and much of Deep Cove. Much of his land was later sold to the BC Electric Railway Co., however, Moses Point still retains his name.
Moses Point lies at the end of Moses Point Road in North Saanich. A 100 meter trail and some steps lead to a rocky shell and gravel beach at lower tides. (Launching is difficult when the tide exceeds 10 feet.)
(ref. tidal port: Fulford Hbr., sec. port: Patricia Bay or http://kayaking.westcoastdave.ca. - launch sites).
Kayakers usually use wheels to access the launch beach.
The beach faces north and overlooks the green top navigation marker on top of Wain Rock (FlG).
Kayakers can cross Satellite Channel (1nm) to reach SaltSpring Island; veering right towards Isabella Island (ecological reserve) en route to Russell Island or alternatively, paddle left to Musgrave Landing and Sansum Narrows.
Moses Point therefore provides us with a useful launch site at the north west end of the Saanich Peninsula.
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C Ur GPS. Attach a small magnifier so you can see the fine print.
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Safety Tips
by Barry Copeland via Lynn Baier
Lots of good information about navigating safely in this Government of Canada pdf document.
CLICK HERE
The publications for the
entire BC coast can also be purchased at Trotac.
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Camp Cookery
by Lynn Baier
I came across this recipe on Facebook. I think it would be great for camp cooking.
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Trip Reports
Energizer Paddle to Portland Island - July 27
by Dave Chater
Fourteen paddlers headed out Saturday July 27 for a planned 9.35nm Energizer Paddle to Portland Island. Trip leader Dave Chater suggested in his “beach talk” that we may extend the paddle for a longer distance depending on weather/sea conditions and the group’s willingness.
The “paddle gods” were with us and provided a beautiful sunny day, not too hot and with minimal winds and almost no current. Yeah!
We deviated from the paddle plan and took the route through the Shell Group, just off the Sidney waterfront, and around the east end of Coal Island and then along the north shoreline of Coal Island. This route provided a very interesting and varied shoreline and avoided the busy summer boat traffic in St John Passage.
Our next paddle plan deviation was to not to stop at Shell Beach on Portland Island and instead head up the west shoreline of the island to Arbutus Point for lunch. Our lunch spot was essentially empty with no campers or other day users- which was a pleasant surprise given we were here on a weekend in the middle of summer. Another yeah!
Deviation number 3, the group decided that based on such beautiful conditions, a circumnavigation of Portland Island was in order. After lunch we headed out around Arbutus Point and down the east side of the island before heading back to Knapp and Pym Islands and then past Canoe Cove Marina and Curteis Point before reaching our launch point at Amherst. Our total distance was 13.25nm. Only a 4nm (approx.) deviation from our original paddle plan. Our group was unanimous though that it was a great paddle overall and all glad we “deviated” several times to round out this Energizer Paddle on such a nice summer day.
Debrief ( including a cold beer!!!) was a The Roost ( where else if on the peninsula!).
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Paddle Canada Level 2 Sea Kayaking Certification Course Upcoming
Opportunity for SISKA members:
Are you wanting to continue your skill development? Are you wanting to feel more confident and safer in a variety of conditions? Have you wondered about becoming a SISKA paddle leader? For these and other reasons:
Paddle Canada Level 2 Sea Kayaking certification for SISKA members only.
2 Weekends: Oct. 5. 6 and Oct. 19, 20. (Camping option to be discussed and agreed upon by the registered group.)
Instructors: Michael Egilson and Jo Nicolson
Cost: $400
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Ocean River Upcoming Training
Brian Henry at Ocean River plans to have Gordon Brown do some coaching to offer to SISKA.
Also, James Manke plans to do a Greenland session. An incentive to SISKA is in the making for these courses! Stay tuned!
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Siska Policies and Procedures - How boring is that?!
by Alan Campbell
Most of us check our phones for something more interesting if “policies and procedures” (P&P) come up for discussion, but, since some of the issues they cover are important for us all, I thought I’d highlight one in each monthly newsletter.
The past few months have been mostly warm and ideal for summer paddling, and I hope, like myself, you have enjoyed getting out on the water in your kayak. But, do you know what is needed to ensure we stay safe out there?
WHAT DO KAYAKERS NEED TO TAKE WITH THEM?
For club-organized paddles, we have a SISKA P&P, “Minimum Necessary Equipment for All Paddlers”, with a section entitled “Individual Gear and Boat and Safety Equipment” to make this clear: http://siska.ca/docs_private/SISKA_Policies_Procedures_2019.pdf
Here’s a short checklist of basic items we should always go over before we launch:
[there are other things to take as well, but this is a good start!]
- Paddle and spare
- Sea-worthy kayak with flotation etc., perimeter deck lines and grab-loops at the ends
- PFD, throw-line, pump/bailer, sound signaling device (eg. whistle), and lights if visibility is poor
- Spray-skirt where applicable
- Dry bag with spare dry clothes
- Appropriate cold-water immersion gear – wet/dry suit, or insulated clothing if conditions permit
- Adequate food/water for the trip
When the air temperature hits 30+C we are all a little tempted to jump in our kayaks in shorts and a T-shirt to be more comfortable. However, should we do so and then capsize, we would quickly be reminded that summer sea water temperatures in this area average only 10-13C! Cold-shock and hypothermia may set in quickly for those without suitable immersion gear.
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To Buy or Sell
1) For Rent: 2 bdrm ground level waterfront suite on Portage Inlet, next to the new Gorge Waterways ramp in View Royal (across from Shoreline middle school). Kayak and RV storage, parking, greenhouse, dock. One dog or indoor cat okay. Herons, river otters, eagles...all in your own back yard!
Available Oct 1, $1800 includes everything (negotiable in exchange for garden work so I can kayak more).
Contact Marika for more details
marika726@gmail.com
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2) Wanted gently used - only driven to church on Sundays - stable ocean-going kayak for newbie (very inexperienced) kayaker.
In the Victoria or SGI areas preferred.
Thank you.
Paul Stone 250-661-9449
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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