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Siska January 2026 Newsletter

Introduction

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, newsletter@siska.ca . If you would like to start a regular column, please let us know!

Jane Jacek (SISKA president) and Tony Playfair (editor)

Convenient Links

SISKA on Facebook

Siska's Youtube Channel

Siska's Newsletter Archive - Mailchimp or Siska Newsletters Website

List of all stewardship fees

Rocky Point Demolition Blasting Notices

SISKA Partners- Join Mailing Lists

by Jane Jacek

To receive regular emails and newsletters from our kayak partners, in which you will read about courses/clinics they are offering and possible club member discounts, please follow this link.

Upcoming SISKA Events

Saturday, January 03rd, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Albert Head to Wittys Lagoon Paddle
Sunday, January 04th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Oak Bay Marina to Gonzales Beach Paddle
Saturday, January 10th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Mackenzie Bight Paddle
Sunday, January 11th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Margaret Bay Paddle
Sunday, January 11th, 2026 - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - Re-entry clinic
Sunday, January 11th, 2026 - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - Open Pool Session
Saturday, January 17th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Pedder Bay to Whirl Bay Paddle
Saturday, January 17th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Albert Head to Wittys Lagoon Paddle
Sunday, January 18th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Discovery Island Paddle
Sunday, January 18th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Agate Lane to Margaret Bay Paddle
Saturday, January 24th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Spirit Bay to Movie Set Beach Paddle
Sunday, January 25th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Cooper Cove to Anderson Cove via Roche Cove Paddle
Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Injury Prevention for Kayakers
Wednesday, January 28th, 2026 - 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM - Monthly Meeting
Saturday, January 31st, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Oak Bay Marina to Discovery Island Paddle
Sunday, February 01st, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM - Energizer Paddle - Oak Bay Marina to Gonzales Beach via Trial Island Paddle
Sunday, February 01st, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Cadboro Bay to Uplands Exploration Paddle
Saturday, February 07th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Mackenzie Bight Paddle
Saturday, February 14th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Fleming Beach to Esquimalt Harbour/Cole Island/Portage Park Paddle
Saturday, February 14th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Spectacle Falls Paddle
Sunday, February 15th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Discovery Island Paddle
Saturday, February 21st, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Amherst to Tsehum Harbour Tour Paddle
Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Monthly Meeting
Saturday, February 28th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Spirit Bay to Cabin Point Paddle

Upcoming NON-Siska Events

by Fred Pishalski / Sam Cutcliffe

Best Coast / BCMT Speaker: Respectful First Nations Visitation
by Norm Marcy

Jan 15, 2026 7pm

Every adventure along the BC coast passes through the territory of one or more First Nations. Join BC Marine Trails & Best Coast Outfitters to explore how BCMT works with Nations to secure concurrence for campsites, close sites where needed, and support Nation led stewardship fees and visitor guidelines. You’ll leave with practical tools and trip planning tips to ensure your paddling respects Indigenous management and supports Indigenous stewardship on the water.

More Information

Siska Suggestion - Because of very limited space at Best Coast store, and that Norm will be our speaker at our March 18th meeting, please consider passing on the Jan 15th event so that non-SISKA members can attend and please show up for the SISKA event on March 18th.

Membership Renewal

by DaveO

We hope every one had a good year paddling and taking part in the events and clinics SISKA offered in 2025. There already some great paddles and clinics planned for 2026 but to take part you will need to renew your membership.

The executive has approved a small increase in our membership fees for 2026, $45 for singles and $70 for family. This is the first increase in fees since 2011.

You can renew your membership starting January 01 by clicking here or pointing you browser at https://siska.ca/prod/membership-information/check-registration-criteria-3

If you have any questions about your membership please contact membership@siska.ca

Siska January Monthly Meeting Agenda

by Fred Pishalski

Kayaking from Petersburg Alaska to Port Hardy BC
with Alan Campbell and Rob Zacharias

Wednesday January 28, 2026

In the summer of 2024 long time SISKA members and old friends, Alan Campbell and Rob Zacharias kayaked from Petersburg, Alaska to Port Hardy BC. This completed a trifecta of epic coastal expeditions that had begun a decade earlier with their Paddling to Victoria-Juneau trip as part of the legendary “Paddle Fanatics” story.

Rob and Alan have been friends for a long time, both coming from a previous men’s group “Merry Men of Sherlock”. Some of the men from this group have been paddling together since the late 1980s.

This journey from the middle of Southeast Alaska to the top of Vancouver Island took Alan and Rob through some amazing places and tested their paddling and camping skills. The trip had its share of ups and downs with every wind swell, weather, sea and shore condition experienced at some point over the several weeks it took. The presentation will trace their route, highlight some of their memorial incidents and celebrate the great sport of sea kayaking our gorgeous ocean shores.

Monthly Meeting Location

by Jane Jacek

The location is the Unitarian Universalist Community of Victoria, formerly known as First Unitarian Church of Victoria. Address: 5575 West Saanich Road Victoria, BC

Map

Looking for the Club's Loaner Greenland Paddle

by Heather Jones

Hello Siska members. The Siska loaner Greenland paddle has been missing for quite a while from our Library. Somehow it wasn't signed out so I don't know who borrowed it. If you have the Greenland paddle, please let me know and we can make arrangements to put it back in the library for anyone to try.

You can email me at: hijones6591@gmail.com

Christmas Party Lunch - Nov. 29, 2025

by Delcie McLellan

Another memorable Christmas lunch was held at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club with 88 members attending and 2 guests, Jamie and Kim Dawson from Ocean River Sports. There was even a short wait list of 4 members wishing to attend. We enjoyed a lovely buffet lunch, many prizes donated by our very generous retailers and of course Heads & Tails was back. The game, developed by Deb Leach, was challenging, educational and fun and this year led by Alan Campbell as Deb was kayaking in the Baja. Dorothea Hoffman received a Lifetime Membership to Siska presented by the President, Jane Jacek. We ended the event with everyone joining in the Christmas songs led by guitarists, Jim Lamb, Simon Williams and singers Jewel Spooner and Alan Campbell (Siska’s Sea Shanty). Lynn Baier, our MC, did a spectacular job. Thanks to the Elf committee for volunteering and their support to make the event a success.

Heads and Tails

Table with many prizes

Our MC, Lynn Baier

Buffet lunch

Siska’s President, Jane, and her husband, Gary

Norm and Mike

Our musicians

SISKA Gives Thanks

by Jane Jacek

A big thank you to the following companies that graciously donated prizes to our annual Christmas Party:

BestCoast Outfitters https://www.bestcoastoutfitters.com/

Blackline Marine https://www.blacklinemarine.com/services/kayak-repair-and-refit/

Broken Islands Lodge https://www.brokenislandslodge.com/

Crosscurrents Kayak https://crosscurrentskayak.ca/

Go Kayak https://gokayak.ca/

Grove Outdoors https://grove-outdoors.com/

Ocean River Sports https://shop.oceanriver.com/

Pacifica Paddle Sports https://www.pacificapaddle.com/

Roll With It Kayaking https://rollwithitkayaking.com/

SKILS https://skils.ca/

Wild Coast Publishing https://www.wildcoast.ca/

The Ocean River Paddling Symposium

by Jane Jacek / Ocean River

Book Now

News Releases January 2026

by Pat Hill

Welcome/Volunteer Table

News Release #1

Calling all members! If you are attending SISKA’s January meeting please make your way to the Welcome/Volunteer Table and identify yourself to Gail Miller. Gail would like to greet you and make sure you have a name tag. She also has a list of volunteer activities should you wish to expand your participation. Regardless, she will be able to answer any questions you might have or direct you to the responsible person.

News Release #2

Volunteers Needed! We have two new volunteer positions that need filling. Our new monthly meeting venue has a strict policy regarding use of chairs and cleanup after our meetings.
Anyone interested in these volunteer positions please contact Pat Hill at director2@siska.ca.

We are looking for:

Meeting Set-up Co-ordinator

Description:

  • arrive early to SISKA monthly meeting venue and stay after the end of the meeting
  • oversee distribution and arrangement of approximately 63 hall chairs for each meeting
  • oversee returning of hall chairs to stacked positions at the end of each meeting

Time Commitment:

  • approximately one hour per month from September to June; 1/2 hour prior to start of meeting and 1/2 hour at the end of the meeting

Skills Deemed an Asset:

  • punctuality and good organizational skills
  • a strong back

Custodian

Description:

  • at the conclusion of each SISKA monthly meeting, ensure venue floor swept
  • ensure that hall doors are closed and locked

Time Commitment:

  • approximately 30 minutes per meeting from September to June

Skills Deemed an Asset:

  • neatness
  • no issues with dust or breathing issues

News Release #3

Planning Meeting for KayakFest

Anyone interested in being involved in the Spring KayakFest which is tentatively slated for May 2026 is invited to attend a meeting on Monday, January 5 at 2:00 pm. We will be discussing KayakFest participants and looking for volunteers to assist at multiple levels. For more information and direction to the meeting location please contact: Pat Hill at director2@siska.ca

Customize Your Kayaking - John M

by Alan Campbell / John Minkley

John M has customized his kayak in more ways than one. Here is his latest modification. Click image to view video.

Summary of Wind Models - Kayak Ontario Facebook Feed

by Craig Thomson / Kayak Ontario

Link

Off Water Clinics Update for 2026

by Rod Stiebel

We have had a couple of well attended clinics so far at Pearkes Rec Center, with more to come.

We have the following in the works:

  • Injury Prevention for Paddlers, January 27, by Jennie Sutton, our resident registered (but retired) physiotherapist
  • Planning a Day Paddle, put on by Jo Nicolson, not yet scheduled, but should be in February.
  • Kayak Repairs and More, February 28 at Blackline in Sidney, SOLD OUT (another scheduled, see below)
  • Kayak Repairs and More, April 18 at Blackline in Sidney. This will sell out fast, watch for the launch soon
  • Tides and Currents, Understanding Them, March 13, by SKILS. This will be a dynamic clinic, and a bargain at $35
  • Navigation by Chart and Compass, March 20 and 27 by SKILS, This is a 2 night clinic, and a bargain at $70

The 2 SKILS clinics are at Pearkes, and as mentioned, clinics like this can cost over $80, so a real bargain. These will be launched in January to ensure we give folks lots of time, but we do expect to sell out quickly, so act accordingly.

As always, if anyone knows of a clinic they would like, or one they could offer, feel free to contact the Off Water team at the emails listed in the Contacts section of the SISKA website.

Tips From The Trips

by Debbie Leach

CHECK! Start 2026 off with your personalized checklist for a day trip. This may help you remember the VHF, spray skirt, lunch bag or shore shoes that may have been left at home in the past.

Camp Cookery

by Lynn Baier

Happy New Year!

In the November newsletter I shared my camp kitchen kit. Thanks to Greg R for some research on the use of a diffuser on a stove attached to the fuel canister. Apparently it can overheat the fuel with a risk of explosion. I doubt there’s more risk than putting a pot on top, but do take note.

KOREAN BEEF

This one will definitely be going into the rotation. I’m usually overly optimistic about how many trips I will be getting in and still have lots of dehydrated ingredients, so I experiment. I took dehydrated shredded beef and rehydrated it with Bulgogi sauce and boiling water for about half an hour. I rehydrated, then stir fried, mushrooms and Red Barn Kale Crunch salad in sesame oil. I served the vegetables and Bulgogi beef over three minute noodles. It was full of flavour and a definite winner. In hindsight I think glass noodles would have been a better choice, and rice would work well too. I might also try dehydrating the beef in the Bulgogi sauce to keep the weight down. I hope you like it!

Safety Item

by Sybil Seitzinger

Whistles

How far does your whistle’s sound carry? Most of us keep a whistle clipped to our PFD—but how well do you know its real-world range? Next time you’re on the water with others, do a quick test to find out how far your whistle can be heard. Try it in both upwind and downwind conditions; the difference can be surprising. It’s valuable information should you ever need to signal for help.

You can also test how the whistle performs when it’s taking on water—a realistic scenario if you’re in the water with waves breaking over you. When choosing a whistle, look for a pealess design, high volume (advertised as up to 1 mile – really?? – see what your test indicates), easy airflow, bright color, buoyancy, and secure attachment. According to several reviews, the Storm Safety Whistle and Fox 40 series (Classic, Sonic Blast) consistently rank among the best. The Storm is often highlighted for sheer loudness, while the Fox 40 models are praised for clear, directional sound. Very important – don’t forget to carry and have your marine radio on!

What does “pealess” mean? A pealess whistle has no internal moving parts (“pea”). Instead, sound is created by a precisely shaped air chamber and a sharp edge called a fipple, producing a loud, high-pitched, reliable signal even when wet.

BC Marine Trails News

December Newsletter

Partners Multi Day Trip Offerings and Discounts 2026

by Jane Jacek

Are you thinking about kayak tripping in 2026?

Then check out the attached document, to read about the trip offerings and discounts from the following partner tour companies

  • Bestcoast Outfitters
  • Crosscurrents Kayaks
  • Hello Nature Adventure Tours
  • Ocean River Sports partnering with Footprint BC
  • Paddle West Kayaking
  • Wildcoast Adventures
  • Wild Root Journeys

Kayak Accommodation Partner - Sea Otter Lodge

by Jane Jacek

Discover Sea Otter Lodge – A Remote Paddler’s Paradise

Venture as far west as you can go to Sea Otter Lodge, a hand-crafted coastal retreat nestled on a private 7-acre island in the Kyuquot archipelago on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This unique adventure outpost offers unmatched access to pristine wilderness, where the crowds are few and nature reigns supreme.

Sea Otter Lodge welcomes all SISKA paddlers with a 10% discount on custom lodge rentals. Comfortably accommodating 10–12 guests, the lodge combines luxury with a deep respect for the wild, making it the perfect base for your next paddling adventure.

Bring your own kayak or choose from our fleet of rental kayaks, paddle boards, or fishing kayaks outfitted with Bixpy electric motors and Yak Attack accessories. Whether you're launching from our easy-access beach or using our moorage docks designed for kayak launching, we’ve made it convenient for every paddler. Guided fishing experiences are also available, along with optional catered meals, fish processing, and guided wilderness adventures.

Learn more or book your trip: https://www.seaotterlodgebc.com

Skip & Susan Plensky
https://www.seaotterlodgebc.com
Kyuquot, BC
Lodge: 250-332-5377

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.

Our partners are: