Siska Newsletters

Kayaking Victoria BC

Siska December 2025 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, December 06th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Discovery Island Paddle
Saturday, December 06th, 2025 - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - Open Pool Session
Sunday, December 07th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Oak Bay Marina to Gonzales Paddle
Saturday, December 13th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Margaret Bay Paddle
Sunday, December 14th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Whiffin Spit to Cabin Point Paddle
Saturday, December 20th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Cadboro Bay to Willows Beach Paddle
Sunday, December 21st, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Island View Beach to James Island circumnavigation Paddle
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
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
Wednesday, January 28th, 2026 - 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM - Monthly Meeting

Upcoming NON-Siska Events

by Jane Jacek

Grinch On The Gorge

2026 Women's Weekends

Broken Islands Lodge
Free kayak rental and water taxi with room booking, which includes all meals.

Siska December General Meeting Agenda

by Fred Pishalski

No meeting in December. See you in January!

New 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

2026 Membership Registration Info

by Jane Jacek

Please note, membership registration for 2026 will be available beginning January 1st. The 2026 yearly membership prices are as follows:

Individual $45

Family $70

Gary Allen - SISKA Founder

by Jane Jacek

Passed Away November 10, 2025

Sadly we have lost another founder of SISKA.

Gary Allen, whom many of you know and love, bid farewell to this world on November 10th at 5pm.
Gary's partner Glynis has posted a lovely tribute on Gary's FB page. We'll miss you Gary. Your kindness, friendship and skilled leadership. Our hearts go out to Glynis and all of Gary's family.

Message from the Treasurer

by Heather Thompson

SISKA has transitioned away from using PayPal, and all payments are now to be made via e-transfer from your financial institution. To assist in keeping track of finances, I have set up 4 separate email addresses, specifically for Membership payments, OnWater events (including pool sessions), OffWater Clinics, and the Christmas Party.

Please follow the instructions you receive when registering for an event or renewing your membership, and send your e-transfer payment to the proper email address. You will likely end up with multiple SISKA email addresses (up to 4) in the Contact List of your financial institution.

Thank you,
Heather Thompson
SISKA Treasurer

2025 Tillicum Narrows Current Data Available Now Online

by Alan Campbell

CHS has published official current tables for Tillicum Narrows and the 2025 data is available through VCKC at the link below

https://www.vckc.ca/Tides-Currents

For 2026 and onward this data will be included in the annual CHS Tide/Current Tables Vol 5 online publication.

Cheers,
Alan

How Do I Confirm I Am On A SISKA Paddle?

by Gary Jacek

If you are not getting SISKA email in response to your trip requests, it may be landing in your spam folder.

So how can you confirm you are on a SISKA paddle?

Well, it is surprisingly easy.

Just log on to the SISKA web site at https://www.siska.ca

Once you have signed on using your userid and password, hover your mouse over the Members tab.

Then click on List My Clinics & Paddles. If you are on the manifest for a clinic and/or a paddle, it will appear here.

And you will soon be able to see if you are on the manifest, or on the waitlist, or if your request has been submitted but not yet examined by the trip leader.

Tips From The Trips

by Debbie Leach

HAPPY BEACHCOMBER CHRISTMAS. Why not turn your beach glass into unique ornaments?

Camp Cookery

by Lynn Baier

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

I thought I would try one of this brand and wasn’t disappointed.

It comes with three parts. There is a spice mix which I added to my dehydrated shredded chicken (for two), which I rehydrated by covering it with boiled water and letting it sit for half an hour. I pan fried the packet of ginger and garlic paste in a bit of oil, then added in the chicken mixture. Finally I mixed in the jerk sauce. I was feeling a bit lazy so served it on a bun but it would have been better over rice. I will definitely buy it again. It was on the edge of my tolerance for hot spice but was very tasty.

Safety Item

by Sybil Seitzinger

Identification Label: "If Found" Sticker

An often-overlooked but important kayak safety practice is attaching an "If Found" identification sticker to your kayak. Properly labeling your boat helps the Coast Guard, Search and Rescue (SAR), or other emergency responders quickly determine whether an unattended kayak signals a real emergency. If your kayak is found adrift and you are safe on shore, an unlabeled boat can trigger unnecessary search operations—pulling vital resources away from people who truly need help.

Identification is also useful if your kayak is washed away by a sudden wave or strong wind while you’re camping or exploring a beach. (You might also consider putting a sticker on your paddle or other equipment).

While the Coast Guard and many local marine stores no longer supply "If Found" stickers, it’s easy to make your own and adhering it to the inside of your kayak:

No matter which option you choose, be sure to include:

BC Marine Trails News

November Newsletter

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: