Siska Newsletters

Kayaking Victoria BC

Siska May 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, May 02nd, 2026 - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Intro to Greenland Strokes
Sunday, May 03rd, 2026 - 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Greenland Paddle 2: Edging and Turning
Sunday, May 03rd, 2026 - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM - Rolling Euro-style
Sunday, May 03rd, 2026 - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM - Rolling: Greenland style
Friday, May 08th, 2026 - 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM - Currents at Tillicum Bridge
Saturday, May 09th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Moses Point to Russell Island Paddle
Saturday, May 09th, 2026 - 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Refining Strokes and Towing
Sunday, May 10th, 2026 - 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Greenland Paddle 3: Paddling with Stability:
Sunday, May 10th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Relaxed Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Margaret Bay NEW MEMBERS Paddle
Sunday, May 10th, 2026 - 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Wet Exits and Re-entries
Sunday, May 10th, 2026 - 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Intermediate Rolling - Reverse Sweep
Monday, May 11th, 2026 - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Edging and Bracing (The Grey Zone)
Monday, May 11th, 2026 - 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Beginner and Intermediate Re-Entries:
Friday, May 15th, 2026 - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Intermediate Rolling - Storm Roll
Friday, May 15th, 2026 - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Intermediate Rolling - Storm Roll
Saturday, May 16th, 2026 - 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - Intro to Rock Gardening - Port Renfrew
Saturday, May 16th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Willows Beach to Intertidal Exploration Paddle
Sunday, May 17th, 2026 - 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Rolling for Beginners
Saturday, May 23rd, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Energizer Paddle - Oak Bay Marina to Discovery Island
Sunday, May 24th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Relaxed Paddle - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Mackenzie Bight Paddle
Sunday, May 24th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Energizer Paddle - Cedar to Gabriola Passage and Flat Top Islands Paddle
Wednesday, May 27th, 2026 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Monthly Meeting
Saturday, May 30th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Energizer Paddle - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Spectacle Falls Paddle
Saturday, June 06th, 2026 - 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM - Kayakfest and Gear Swap
Saturday, June 06th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Energizer Paddle - Spirit Bay to Cabin Point Paddle
Saturday, June 06th, 2026 - 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Light Paddle - Cadboro Bay to Caddy Bay Tour Paddle
Monday, June 15th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Port Browning on Pender Island Multi-day Camping Paddle
Saturday, June 20th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Margaret Bay
Sunday, June 21st, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Oak Bay Marina to Ten Mile Point NEW MEMBERS
Saturday, June 27th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Energizer Paddle - Fleming Beach to Portage Park
Sunday, June 28th, 2026 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Mackenzie Bight

SISKA KayakFest 2026

by Rod Stiebel

Saturday June 6, 2026

This is the main SISKA event before the summer paddling season kicks in to top gear. All are welcome, not just members, so invite your non SISKA friends. Drop by for an hour, or bring your lunch and make a day of it. Besides the famous Gear Swap, we will have a few different kayaks to demo, and our regular demos and info sessions, land and water based clinics, plus a relaxed afternoon paddle. You MUST register for these clinics at president@siska.ca to Jane, for any of these FREE clinics or the paddle.

Coffee and snacks will be offered at the SISKA Welcome Tent, where you can get more info and directions from our KayakFest Ambassadors. A great opportunity to see what is new, meet a bunch of other members, and maybe even get a few new members to join. The main idea is a fun, relaxed event. So save the date, and we will see you there!

Information

Siska May Monthly Meeting Agenda

by Fred Pishalski

Wednesday May 27, 2026 - 7:00pm

with Jacques Sirois NWP

Topic - NEARBY NATURE IN AND NEAR, THE VICTORIA HARBOUR MIGRATORY BIRD SANCTUARY

Tonight's meeting is co-sponsored along with Ocean River Sports.

When SISKA asked Jacques if he would be our May speaker he mentioned that Ocean River had asked if he would do a talk for them. In conversation with Jacques and Jamie Dawson from OR, it was decided to do a joint presentation.

Ocean River, a locally owned business, has been a cornerstone of the Victoria paddling community for over 40 years. Ocean River offers guided tours, professional instruction, clinics, rentals, and a full retail shop stocked with quality gear. They don’t just sell the lifestyle — they live it.

Ocean River has been a valued SISKA supporter for years.

Naturalist, birdwatcher and kayaker, Jacques has been promoting the revitalization of historic Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary (est.1923) for two decades. He will talk about recent, sightings of birds and mammals as well as various restoration projects and events.

He is a partner of the Greater Victoria NatureHood (GVNH), an initiative promoted by Nature Canada* with a particular interest in the future of three regional, historic Migratory Bird Sanctuaries and “Nature in the City”.

GVNH is also promoting the creation of a UNESCO Biosphere Region in B.C.’s Capital Region.

* originally known as the Audubon Society of Canada.

Jacques, a volunteer warden at the Trial Islands Ecological Preserve, has counted 150 California sea lions, five Steller sea lions and 300 harbour seals on a kayak trip around the rocky shores. “We haven’t seen anything like this for over 25 years.”

Jacques is an influential Canadian ornithologist and conservationist, best known for his work restoring the Migratory Bird Sanctuary and promoting urban nature initiatives in Greater Victoria.

On top of all that, Jacques has been involved with habitat restoration and removal of invasive species. He has led volunteer-driven clearing of non-native plants such as English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and daphne at key locations including the McNeill Bay bluff and Kitty Islet shoreline. The cleared areas were replanted with indigenous species such as Garry oaks, Pacific crabapple, Saskatoons, and Oregon grape to restore habitat for migratory birds.

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

Volunteers Appreciation

by Jane Jacek

Secretary: Thank you to Lisa Lasagna for her dedication and commitment to SISKA over the past 4 years.

Instructor Coordinator: Thank you to Michael Egilson for his time and commitment to SISKA.

Welcome to Elizabeth Purdon who is our new Secretary and Instructor Coordinator.

Looking Back

by Gary Jacek

As we move into another year of SISKA paddling, let’s take a look at where we paddled way back in 2008.

We’ve come a long way. All due to the volunteers that make SISKA great.

Tips From The Trips

by Debbie Leach

TP=Trip Planning. Tissues in a ziplock take up less space than a roll. As LB says “Do the math!” to meet your needs out there.

Camp Cookery

by Lynn Baier

Paddlers Start Your Dehydrators

It’s that time of year to get all prepped to go to where the wilderness calls you. I do mostly "ingredients" dehydrating, with some "complete meals" dehydrating. Either way is great. Remember to do onions and garlic outside or in the garage. They can permeate the walls I swear. Here’s a recipe for seeded crackers to whet your appetite.

Safety Item

by Sybil Seitzinger

Who Tows? Not the Trip Leader

In reviewing trip reports from the past 12 months, the most frequently noted safety comment involved a tired paddler that needed a tow. At the recent SISKA Trip Leaders meeting, several important points were discussed that all SISKA members should keep in mind regarding towing.

If you plan to join a SISKA paddle and are unsure of your ability (e.g. injury, not feeling well, weather/water conditions) to complete the full journey and may need a tow, it is your responsibility to let the trip leader know during the pre-paddle beach briefing. The leader will then ask if any participant is willing to volunteer as a potential tow. If no one is available, the trip leader reserves the right to exclude you from that paddle. It is not the responsibility of the trip leader to tow participants. In fact, trip leaders should avoid taking on towing duties, as their role is to manage the group and overall safety.

As we all know, conditions can change quickly. Fatigue, injury, or worsening weather and water conditions may mean that even strong paddlers require assistance. As soon as you suspect that you might need a tow, let the trip leader know so that they can identify someone to tow you if needed.

If you have not received towing training (included in PC2), you should not attempt to tow another paddler. A loose tow line presents a serious entanglement hazard, and an improperly configured tow (for example, a line that is too short in following seas) can cause the towed kayak to surf into the towing kayak. Other hazards also exist.

Paddlers who have been trained in towing are encouraged to practice regularly in both calm and rough conditions, using a range of techniques (contact, in-line, multi-person, etc.). Understanding your own capabilities—and being prepared to assist others—can make a critical difference.

There are several helpful videos available online that cover basics; here are a few to get started:

In-line and contact towing, as well as towing a swimmer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp9L7W8THyc

Practical tips (and good music), including multi-person towing for impaired paddlers: https://tinyurl.com/y5kdyvn6

Contact towing, including proper carabiner attachment (bottom-up) to prevent accidental release: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OhowpFVDe8

BC Marine Trails News

April Newsletter

SISKA's Kayak Lodge Partner Offerings

by Jane Jacek

Want to explore the West coast of Vancouver Island by kayak and stay in top notch accommodation?

The following lodges are offering discounts to SISKA members. Members can view full details of the current offerings by logging in to our website clicking on Members, then Documents. Then go to Resource Info and click on SISKA Kayak Lodge Partner Offerings.

Sea Otter Lodge

Sea Otter Lodge is a secluded private island retreat in Kyuquot on the Wild West Coast of Vancouver Island perfect for groups ranging in size from 2-12 people. Come & discover British Columbia's most untouched wild coastal region.

Kagoagh Resort and Fishing Lodge

Welcome to Kagoagh Resort and Fishing Lodge, a unique coastal retreat just a 20 minute boat ride from Coal Harbour on the rugged northwest coast of Vancouver Island. It features eight spacious guest rooms. Come and discover this remarkable and remote part of the coast.

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: