Siska March 2025 Newsletter

Introduction
Upcoming SISKA Events
Siska March 26th General Meeting Agenda
Level 2 Course Coming In April
SAVE THE DATE! SISKA KayakFest 2025
West Coast Paddler Spring Campout
Maptattoo GPS Unit Review
VHF Radio Restricted Operators Certificate
Tips From The Trips
Camp Cookery
From your Librarian
BC Marine Trails News
New Map
SISKA’s Kayak Skills Course Partners

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 Website

PPPPS: Rocky Point Demolition Blasting Notices

Upcoming SISKA Events

Siska March 26th General Meeting Agenda

by Fred Pishalski

Carnivores of Coastal BC Presentation
by Helen Davis and Richard Weir

Join professional biologists and seasoned kayakers Richard Weir and Helen Davis as they share insights on coastal carnivores, drawing from over 35 years of experience at Artemis Wildlife Consultants. In this engaging talk, they’ll share intriguing insights about the wildlife kayakers are likely to encounter along BC’s shores, offer tips on distinguishing between species, and explain why these animals are drawn to the beaches. Is it a mink, a river otter, or a sea otter? How can you tell? And how close is too close when encountering terrestrial wildlife while paddling? Learn about their ecology, behaviours, and the risks their populations face in a changing environment. For more information, please have a look at their consulting firm found at: https://www.artemiswildlife.com/

Have you ever paddled along BC’s coastline and spotted small, mysterious creatures darting across the intertidal zone, leaving you wondering, “What was that?” Or perhaps you’ve seen larger, more familiar animals—like bears—scouring the shorelines for food and wondered where they live and what they do when they’re not foraging? Many of these shoreline dwellers are carnivores, a diverse group that includes not only bears but also dogs, cats, and weasels. These animals lead fascinating lives in the coastal forests and waters of British Columbia.

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.

We are pleased to meet in-person in the Garth Homer Centre’s spacious auditorium, 813 Darwin Ave, Saanich.

PLEASE NOTE: In keeping with the latest BC public health guidance on Covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses currently circulating in the community, face coverings are not required for indoor meetings and events like this.

Members are welcome to wear a mask if they wish to do so. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available at the rear of the auditorium near the refreshment counter.

For those who are feeling unwell, uncomfortable with indoor meetings or otherwise unable to attend, the presentation will be posted to our YouTube channel following the event.

So Where is the Garth Homer Centre?

831 Darwin Avenue, off Saanich Road, near Saanich Municipal Hall.

Parking is available beside the building once you pull into the entrance off Darwin Avenue.

It is very close to the Lochside Trail which crosses Darwin Avenue close to nearby Saanich City Hall. The nearest bus stop is at Saanich City Hall on Blanshard Street.

Map location: https://bit.ly/35JtONn

Where to park: https://photos.app.goo.gl/97ksKWVnuruKao7d6

Level 2 Course Coming In April

by Ali Morham

Jo Nicholson and Ali Morham are offering a Level 2 Paddle Canada Sea Kayak course for Members from Apr 17-21st. If you are interested in the course please contact Jo at freya1333@hotmail.com or Ali Alimorham@gmail.com by by March 15th.

Cheers
Ali Morham

SAVE THE DATE! SISKA KayakFest 2025

by Rod Stiebel

Save the date! Saturday June 7, 2025 is our first KayakFest at Cadboro Gyro park. It is just as it sounds, a kayak based festival. It is FREE and open to the public. We will have a few clinics, a few demos, and other displays and more, all on kayaking. This is a beach based event. We also hope to have a few partner vendors, plus BCMTN and KFL, (Kayak Friendly Lodging). More details are still being worked out…Stay tuned! P.S. If you have any ideas or just want to volunteer that day, please contact Off Water Clinics, Rod Stiebel at rodnak@telus.net We cannot make this event a success unless you want it to!

West Coast Paddler Spring Campout

by Gary Jacek

After a long hiatus, the West Coast Paddler Spring Campout will return on the last weekend of April 2025.

While this is not a SISKA event, it does offer a chance for experienced SISKA paddle/campers to:

dust off their camping gear after a long winter
meet like-minded paddlers from all around the Salish Sea
join in on a Saturday night potluck meal, story telling and other adventures (Phillip, the polar bear morsel tells a great story)
explore the trails and shores of Portland Island, Russell Island, Fulford Harbour…
note there is no fresh water supply on Portland Island. Only composting toilets and a few picnic tables
Gulf Islands National Park backcountry fees and rules apply
this is a “group of friends” event. You are responsible for your own weather/navigation/safety on this outing
participants are encouraged to join https://www.westcoastpaddler.com
then access the Forums>Paddle Talk>General Paddling Discussions (WCP Spring Campout 2025) topic
Post your interest on WCP to make it easier to connect with other paddlers who are attending

Where: Arbutus Point campsite, Portland Island

When: April 25-27 2025 (you are welcome to come early and/or stay late)

Why: Build the broader community in our wonderful paddling area

The people of West Coast Paddler hope to see you there.

Maptattoo GPS Unit Review

by Morley Eldridge

Morley’s Review

VHF Radio Restricted Operators Certificate

by Rod Stiebel

Off Water Clinic coordinators have been asked a few times in the last while about VHF radio courses.The Victoria Power and Sail Squadron now offers this course on-line at your own pace, to take any time. It is the government certification you need to operate a VHF radio. We do also offer over the winter a non-certified “Refresher Course” that anyone can take. The last one was in November, but we plan to do more next winter. We do not offer a certification course. The Victoria Power Squadron exam is given via zoom. For all the details, go to the link provided below. Note it is an On-Line course, and the cost is $125. Looking at other places, In-Person courses were considerably more money. The course is easy enough to do on-line. If there is a group, you may be able to contact the power sqaudron and enquire about in person training.

https://www.victoriasquadron.ca/courses/elective-courses/maritime-radio.html

Tips From The Trips

by Debbie Leach

SPRAY your Skirt (and cockpit cover) with silicone water repellent. This helps keep splashes and rain from getting through.

Camp Cookery

by Lynn Baier

Dehydrating Tomatoes

For those of you wanting to get into dehydrating, Chef Glen offers some great tips to get you started.

https://www.backpackingchef.com/dehydrating-tomatoes.html

From your Librarian

by Heather Jones

I am sorting out which library books aren’t being borrowed or are out of date. Keep an eye out for the “Free” Table beside the library where you can help yourself to a book or two! There will be a Free sign on the free books table.

I would also appreciate it if you could return any books which are due at the next meeting! You can borrow books for up to 2 months. Please remember to sign the books back in.

See you at the next meeting!