SISKA's January 2022 Newsletter. Upcoming events, reports and articles

January 2022 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 it's own Youtube Channel HERE

PPPS: You can find the SISKA newsletter archive here: http://goo.gl/VUkafR

Upcoming SISKA Events

For more details, go to the SISKA website

Community Events of Interest

Thursday, January 06th, 2022 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Nanaimo Paddlers January 5, 2022 Meeting: Paddling Nanaimo Harbours

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.

Hoping for a Happy New Year in 2022!

by Alan Campbell

This time last year we expected the Covid pandemic would be brought under control in 2021 so we could safely resume our normal activities once again. Remember that?
Unfortunately, we are now experiencing higher Covid case numbers than ever due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant, whose ultimate effect on BC’s people and health services is not yet fully known. Most eligible people are vaccinated and at less risk of serious illness, but since vaccines are not yet sufficiently available worldwide the virus continues to spread and mutate, with tragic results.
Since we have passed the Winter Solstice our days are gradually lengthening once again, and, despite our current deep freeze, we will have noticeably more daylight and warmer temperatures in the weeks and months ahead.
It’s a great time to become inspired about paddling, for most of us once warmer weather returns, and to plan for future kayak outings both nearby and further away.
SISKA’s day paddles, on-water and off-water clinics, and Spring Training programs are excellent ways to ensure you’re prepared to really enjoy kayaking in our gorgeous ocean waters.
Spending time exercising outdoors is beneficial in many ways, and sea kayaking tops the list for many of us as our preferred recreational activity.
So, let’s stay safe from Covid, keep on paddling, and have a Happy New Year in 2022!

January 27, 2022 Monthly Meeting

by Fred Pishalski

The Cape Scott Marine Trail

SISKA is planning a January meeting however, as of the publishing of our January 2022 newsletter, we do not know if it is going to be in-person or by Zoom. This is obviously because of the rapidly changing Covid protocols. If we are able to have an in-person meeting, we will hold a gear swap ahead of the start of the meeting. Clearly, we can’t do that if using Zoom. Our members will be notified, closer to the meeting date via email and a posting on our website, of the meeting’s set-up.

By tracking the number of people who have attended either our in-person or Zoom meetings, we know that SISKA members love to hear kayaking stories by our own members.

Over the past few years, a number of groups of SISKA adherents have kayaked the route around the Northern part of Vancouver Island. Rather than have a single report about the Cape Scott Marine Trail, we are going to try something a little different. A member or two from a few of these groups of paddlers will share a portion of their group’s story. Each group will speak about certain geographic section of the trip and describe their experience. They have been asked to do this with photos, charts and/or video images.

The route extends from Fort Rupert/Port Hardy around the top of Vancouver Island, through Cape Scott Provincial Park, and back to Coal Harbour via Quatsino Sound. It is approximately 96nm or 180kms.The trail heads into some of the most dramatic wilderness areas on the British Columbia coastline.

The Cape Scott Marine Trail is a paddle route developed by the BC Marine Trails which is a non-profit organization whose vision is: “The entire BC coastline linked through marine routes and land sites for safe and sustainable water based public recreation.”

Topic: SISKA January Zoom Meeting (if not in-person)
Time: Jan 26, 2022 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88102116811?pwd=MVZveU1xaUxvOXllWnRzMEpLS1FCQT09

Meeting ID: 881 0211 6811
Passcode: 116744

Spring Training 2022

by Alan Campbell

Latest Update HERE!

Covid Update

by Alan Campbell

Vaccination Required Jan 1/22 for All In-Person SISKA Events

88% of eligible people in BC (age 5+) have now been vaccinated once, 83% have had two shots, and booster shots are now underway. Unfortunately, Omicron, the latest Covid-19 variant is much more transmissible and is causing case numbers to soar once again. The advice from our Public Health authorities is for everyone eligible for vaccine doses to get them as soon as possible.

To better protect all those attending any SISKA event, confirmation of vaccination status is required as of January 1, 2022 for members participating in indoor or outdoor SISKA events including courses, paddles, or other in-person group gatherings.
Many thanks to the almost 70% of our members who have confirmed their vaccination status so far. Once this has been done, members only need to identify themselves to organizers to participate in club events.
If you have not done so as yet,
(1) upload your BC Vaccine Card to the SISKA website Click Here, or
(2) email an image of it to standardsandsafety@siska.ca

Thank you for helping us keep everyone safer while participating in SISKA activities!

NOTE: In addition to confirming your vaccination status, you should only attend SISKA events if you can answer NO to each of these questions: In the past 14 days, have you:
1. experienced any symptoms related to COVID-19?
2. travelled outside Canada, and did not qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption?
3. had contact with anyone travelling outside Canada who did not qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption, or who has tested positive for COVID-19, or experienced symptoms related to COVID-19?
Review requirements to qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller
We strongly encourage all SISKA members to become fully vaccinated as soon as possible to protect yourselves, fellow paddlers, friends, families, and communities.

SISKA - Invitation to Join Nanaimo Paddlers Zoom Meeting - Jan 5, 2022 at 7pm

by Alan Campbell

Ron Everard of Nanaimo Paddlers forwarded the following invitation to SISKA members

Paddling Nanaimos Harbours

Launching usually from Brechin Boat ramp or from Kin Hut, most of us have paddled Nanaimoâs harbours many, many times. But who travelled and lived in and around these waters before us? Have you wondered about the history of Newcastle Island? What can we learn about the colourful, ribald history of Departure Bay? Why is it called Gallows Point? Whatâs the significance of the tall post in the channel festooned with all those colourful brassieres?

Attend this lively, informative presentation by local historian, Lynne Bowen, and learn more about the local waters we paddle and have all your questions answered.

Lynne Bowen is the author of seven books: Boss Whistle, The Coal Miners of Vancouver Island Remember; Three Dollar Dreams; Muddling Through, The Remarkable Story of the Barr Colonists, Those Lake People, Stories of Cowichan Lake, Robert Dunsmuir, Laird of the Mines, Whoever Gives Us Bread, The Story of Italians in British Columbia and Those Island People. Among the awards her books have won are the Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize, the Lieutenant Governors Prize for Writing British Columbia History and the F.G. Bressani Literary Prize. Her other writing includes video scripts, magazine articles and the column Those Island People for the Times Colonist in Victoria. She was the Rogers Communications CoChair of Creative Non Fiction Writing at the University of British Columbia for fourteen years from 1992 to 2006.

This meeting takes place online, using the Zoom video conferencing platform.

Nanaimo Paddlers January Meeting
Jan 5, 2022 07:00 PM Pacific Time

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87894653186?pwd=MmJuSzJOczVzMHVqWDhsakdpdDY2dz09

Meeting ID 878 9465 3186
Passcode 452225

Trip Advisors Directory

by Vic Turkington

The days are getting longer and we're now into 2022. Naturally, thoughts arise to plan a possible summer kayak\camping trip. Fortunately, we have a vast wealth of knowledge and tripping experience within SISKA members, both on coastal Vancouver Island and beyond. If you were thinking about a kayak trip this year but wondered about safety, difficulty, best launch, campsites, highlights, how to get there etc. - you've got lots of help. A number of experienced members have generously volunteered to share their time, experiences, offer guidance and generally assist you to plan an unforgettable kayak adventure in 2022.
Thanks to Dave 0 and Alan C., their contact info.is posted on the SISKA website. Just log in to get sage advice for your proposed trip: ie Members/Documents/Resource Info/ SISKA TRIP ADVISORS Directory and drop them a line.
Extensive information on Vancouver Island is also available on the BC Marine Trails website "bcmarinetrails.org" and John Kimantis's series of books on Coastal Vancouver Island.

Happy planning and tripping 2022...

SISKA's Outdoor Christmas Party was a Blast!

by Jennie Sutton

High wind forecasts cancelled the paddle, but two kayaks came dressed for the occasion anyway.....continue reading full article HERE.