Siska January 2024 Newsletter
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Table Of Contents
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
PS: SISKA on Facebook
PPS: Siska’s Youtube Channel
PPPS: Siska’s Newsletter Archive - Mailchimp or Siska Newsletters Backup
PPPPS: Rocky Point Demolition Blasting Notices
Upcoming SISKA Events
Saturday, January 06th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to McKenzie Bight Paddle
Saturday, January 06th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM - Currents Clinic
Sunday, January 07th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Esquimalt Lagoon to Millstream Falls Paddle
Saturday, January 13th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Oak Bay Marina to Gonzales Beach Paddle
Sunday, January 14th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Albert Head to Witty’s Lagoon and Sitting Lady Falls Paddle
Thursday, January 18th, 2024 - 9:15 AM to 11:30 AM - Tour of JRCC CFB Esquimalt
Saturday, January 20th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Margaret Bay Paddle
Sunday, January 21st, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Esquimalt Lagoon to Millstream Falls Paddle
Sunday, January 21st, 2024 - 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Kayaker Social
Sunday, January 21st, 2024 - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - Pool Session
Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Monthly Meeting
Saturday, January 27th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Albert Head to Witty’s Lagoon and Sitting Lady Falls Paddle
Sunday, January 28th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Discovery Island Paddle
Sunday, February 04th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Energizer Paddle - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Spectacle Falls/Mackenzie Bight
Saturday, February 10th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Albert Head to Witty’s Lagoon and Sitting Lady Falls Paddle
Saturday, February 24th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Spirit Bay to Movie Set Beach Paddle
Sunday, February 25th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Cadboro Bay to Uplands and possibly Willows
Upcoming NonSISKA Events
Siska January General Meeting Agenda
by Fred Pishalski
SISKA Monthly Meeting Wednesday, January 24, 2024 @ 7pm
Our meetings start at 7:00pm however, folks that have gear they wish to sell/swap are invited to show up at 6:00pm to set up, doors open for everyone at 6:30pm.
Please join us to hear Scott Macdonald and the story of the Race to Alaska done by kayak
This summer Scott Macdonald successfully kayaked the 2023 Race to Alaska (R2AK), a 1200km race from Port Townsend, Washington to Ketchikan, Alaska in 19 days. The race was also used as a platform to fundraise for KidSport Victoria, raising over $11,000 towards sports enrollment grants for families in need. Scott will talk about the process from idea to preparation and the race, all which came together over the last two years.
Scott Macdonald is a local Victoria resident and certified Level 4 Paddle Canada who took up kayaking in 2020. He works at the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics research centre in Saanich as an Optical Engineer.
Kayaker Social
by Jane Jacek
SAVE THE DATE
Date: Sunday January 21st
Time: 2pm-4pm
Location: Fernwood Inn
1302 Gladstone Ave, Victoria
Come mingle
Purchase a beverage and/or some food from the menu
Make January more enjoyable by coming out and socializing with your fellow kayakers. Bring along your friends, whether they are SISKA members or not.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Please email me if you wish us to save you a seat. Email president@siska.ca
Jane
Winter Cold Water Workshops
by Jane Jacek / Edmond Duggan
Information or click image for pdf
Warm Paddle in January
by Gary Jacek
SISKA schedules our Relaxed and Energizer paddles every month of the year.
But if you shy away from cold season paddling, why not take advantage of our monthly Pool Nights. Meet new friends. Get wet. Stay warm.
The next one is coming up on January 21st.
POOL PRACTICE SESSIONS AND WORKSHOPS
by BJ Porter
Crystal Pool was closed from November 20th 2023 to January 1st 2024 for extended annual maintenance. During the remainder of the 2024 season, pool practice sessions will be offered just once a month, due to fewer paddlers having registered in the fall of 2023. The pool is booked for the following dates:
- January 21
- February 18
- March 10
Save those dates, and if you haven’t signed up for a practice session yet, give it a try. It’s great fun!
VOLUNTEER JOB FAIR AT FEBRUARY MONTHLY MEETING
by BJ Porter
A club such as ours lives and dies by the quality and enthusiasm of its members and their willingness to step up and make things happen. We really need you!
The Executive is initiating a new model, with a Volunteer Coordinator (position not yet filled, but BJ Porter is Acting Volunteer Coordinator) and a Volunteer Team of people who have agreed to be called on occasionally.
Before the February monthly meeting there will be a Mini Job Fair to highlight volunteer positions that need filling. Members of the Executive will be there, as will some of the Volunteer Coordinators and others with information of what volunteering will entail, or with whom you will be working when you take on volunteering responsibilities.
SOCK DRIVE FOR OUR PLACE, JANUARY MONTHLY MEETING
by BJ Porter
The Christmas season of giving may be over, but people dealing with homelessness here in Victoria still have to endure a lot of wet, cold weather before the arrival of spring. At the January meeting, I will be collecting socks and underwear to be donated to Our Place. Please be generous.
BJ Porter, Vice-President
From Your Librarian
by Heather Jones
In case you haven’t noticed…The Siska Library has generously been gifted a large number of lightly used books and DVD’s from Glynis and Gary Allen as well as a few books from other Siska members. The library is available from 6:30-7pm just prior to the start of our monthly Siska meetings.
Cheers!…Your Librarian
Heather Jones
SISKA’s Kayak Skills Course Partners
by Jane Jacek
In order to help promote safe sea kayaking, several commercial kayak companies provide training and trips at a discount for all paid-up SISKA members. Registration and payment for these opportunities will take place directly with the company involved and be subject to their normal customer policies.
Training Discount Offers - Detailed
A brief description of the discounts are listed below by provider in alphabetical order.
BestCoast Outfitters
Bestcoast Outfitters are happy to offer a 15% discount to SISKA members on select training courses.
Blue Dog Kayaking
Blue Dog Kayaking is delighted to support SISKA during 2024 with the following:
* 10% discount to ALL club members on Expeditions and courses
* 10% discount to ALL club members on paddling gear, dry suits, PFDs, & Paddles
Crosscurrents Kayak
Crosscurrents Kayak is pleased to offer SISKA members a 10% discount on regular course fees for the following 2024 programs:
* Paddle Canada Skills courses (Basic, Level 1, Level 2)
* Women on Water (WoW) sessions
* Spring Skill-Building Series
Dancing With The Sea
Paulo Ouellette at Dancing with the Sea has a few courses set up with a 33% discount for SISKA members
Go Kayak
Go Kayak has several courses at discount for SISKA members.
Plus, if any advertised courses are booked at more than 75% of their max, Go Kayak will be able to offer a discount of 15% for members.
Ocean River Sports
Ocean River Sports is pleased to continue to offer a 10% discount to SISKA members on all courses and rentals in 2024.
In addition, members are eligible for a 10% discount on many items for sale in the Ocean River store at Oak Bay Marina. (Does not apply to kayaks, electronics or paddles.)
Pacifica Paddle Sports
We offer a 10% discount for SISKA members on our regularly scheduled rescue lessons.
SKILS
SKILS provides a 15% discount when a group of 3 SISKA paddlers book for a specific eligible program. This booking must be the same program with the same dates
Camp Cookery
by Lynn Baier
Here is a great breakfast I found on backpackingchef.com. I hope you like it.
Safety Item
by Lynn Baier
FOG
Have you ever been caught in it? It’s really quite intimidating and disorienting. Even when you leave the beach pretty much assured that it’s lifting, it rolls back in. Take a reading before you go, factoring in the possibility of currents that may sweep you. Aim off.
I’m not the best at remembering all my kit, so I now have an orienteering compass attached to my pfd. I also have a strobe light and a laser flare attached.
Keep together. It is much more reassuring to be able to see your paddling buddies.
If you have to do a crossing, handrail the shoreline to make the shortest route. And alert other boaters on channel 16 to a securite. Many of the power boaters have advanced navigational equipment allowing them to move much more quickly than we can.
The best advice if you have to do a crossing of any significant distance is “don’t”.
Thanks to Jennie Sutton for this wonderful shot of the Olympic Mountains…somewhere back there.
Tips From The Trips
by Debbie Leach
WANT DRY HANDS?
Fit “fisherman grade” rubber gloves with latex gaskets. The same process as for a drysuit. Idea and warning from MT that removing the “jig” through the wrist opening can be tricky.
How to do it gallery
Cheers,
Debbie
Multi-Day Guided Trips for 2024
by Debbie Leach
If you want to safely explore our coast and leave the planning to the pros, consider going on a guided trip.
Blue Dog Kayaking offers a 10% discount. Use the promo code SISKA 24
Hello Nature Adventure Tours offers a 10% discount. Use promo code SISKA
Ocean River Sports offers a 10% discount on multi-day tours.
Paddle West Kayaking offers a 10% discount and can arrange a custom trip for 4 or more.
SKILS offers a 15 % discount for groups of 3 or more.
Spirit of the West Adventures offers a 5% discount and deals for “last minute locals” if you contact info@kayakingtours.com
West Coast Expeditions offers groups of 4 or more a 5% discount.
Wild Coast Adventures offers a 5% discount.
Wild Root Journeys offers a 15% discount on trips in June and September in the Broken Islands and God’s Pocket.
Cheers,
Debbie
BC Marine Trails News
December Newsletter
To Buy or Sell
For Sale:
Wanted To Buy:
Lost and Found
by Jane Jacek
Found:
1-piece of a 2-piece paddle (Werner) was found December 19th at Coles Bay.
If this belongs to you, or you know someone who lost one please contact me president@siska.ca
Thanks,
Jane
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:
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