Siska Newsletters

Kayaking Victoria BC

Siska November 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, November 08th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Fleming Beach to Esquimalt Harbour Paddle
Saturday, November 15th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Whiffin Spit to Cabin Point Paddle
Sunday, November 16th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Spectacle Falls Paddle
Friday, November 21st, 2025 - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Using Your VHF Radio
Wednesday, November 26th, 2025 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Monthly Meeting
Saturday, November 29th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Mackenzie Bight Multi-day Glamping Paddle
Saturday, November 29th, 2025 - 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Christmas Party Lunch
Sunday, November 30th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Amherst to Portland Island Paddle
Saturday, December 06th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Energizer Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Discovery Island
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 3:00 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Margaret Bay
Sunday, December 14th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Energizer Paddle - Whiffin Spit to Cabin Point
Saturday, December 20th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 4:00 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

Siska Christmas Lunch 2025

by Delcie McLellan

Saturday, November 29th

That time of year is fast approaching!

Once again the club will be hosting the very popular annual Christmas Party lunch at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club on Beach Drive.

Mark the date in your calendar as seating sells quickly!

Come along and enjoy a wonderful buffet meal, have chances to win one of the many great door draw prizes donated by our local retailers, take on the challenge of the fun game of Heads or Tails, and most importantly socialize with friends as the Christmas season begins.

The delicious buffet lunch, with vegetarian options, will include tea, coffee and desserts. The chef will cater for gluten-free as well as other special diets. There will be a pay as you go bar.

The event will be from 12 noon until 3:00pm.

Bookings will open in early November and all club members will receive an invitation to register and pay.

Upcoming NON-Siska Events

by Jane Jacek

Surfrider Foundation - Beach Cleanups 2025

November 9th: Songhees Beach Park
December 14th: Lime Bay, Catherine St, Victoria

Beach cleanups are a fun and exciting way of getting volunteers and community members out to local beaches and participating in a meaningful activity

https://vancouverisland.surfrider.ca/events

Online VHF Course

Have you been thinking about taking a course on marine radio - VHF certification? Check out the online course offering below.

https://jerichobeachkayak.com/kayak-lessons/online-vhf-radio-course/

Siska November 26th General Meeting Agenda

by Fred Pishalski

Starts at 7:00pm at Unitarian Universalist Community Of Victoria Building: 5575 West Saanich Road, Saanich * see below

Baja California as a Winter Kayaking Destination

with Eduardo Rivas of San Carlos Kayaks - Baja California - Sur Mexico

Baja Kayak Tours | San Carlos Kayaks, Sea Kayaking Baja California Sur Mexico

Carlos will share with us:

Eduardo Rivas was born and raised in the small fishing town of Puerto San Carlos, on the shores of Magdalena Bay in Baja California Sur. He studied at university in La Paz and became a sea kayaker in the early 2000s while working in Loreto for a guiding company based on Gabriola Island, BC. Around the same time, he trained as a NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) kayaking and hiking instructor, working for the school in Baja and Alaska, and guiding on Vancouver Island with Gabriola Cycle & Kayak.

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.

Recall Notice on Werner Paddles

by Jane Jacek

Recall notice on Werner Paddles (Stealth and Covert models) from the Government of Canada.

The recalled kayak paddles can break during use, posing a drowning hazard.

More Information

Interested in Volunteering?

by Pat Hill

Calling all new members and anyone interested in volunteering. New Member? Experienced member wanting to get more involved with Siska and meet other members?  At the next SISKA general meeting come talk to us at the table set up to welcome new members, provide information about the club and volunteer opportunities.  We'd love to talk to you.  Look for smiling faces and this poster:

Tony Copping Official Obituary

by Jane Jacek

https://www.mccallgardens.com/obituaries/tony-anthony-kerr-copping/

A Celebration of Tony’s Life will be held on Wednesday, November 5 at 2:00pm in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria. In lieu of cards or flowers, please consider making a donation in Tony’s memory to The Victoria Hospitals Foundation and/or The Nature Trust of British Columbia.

Paddles - Cancellations and Waitlist

by Jane Jacek

One of the reasons people join our club is to participate in the paddles we offer.

We have noticed that a number of members are signing up for a paddle and then as the date gets closer they are dropping out. For example, there have been a couple of paddles with up to 18 people registered with two paddle leaders and then by the day of the paddle there were only 9 paddlers. We understand when illness or family matters require people to drop out. But otherwise, please be mindful when registering, as others might really want to go on the paddle.

I have also heard from members that they see a paddle is full with a waitlist and think they will not get on the paddle. Please always add your name to the waitlist, as we are now frequently adding a second paddle leader to allow for a larger group. Or members are bowing out of a paddle and so the leader is contacting those on the waitlist.

Thank you for your understanding,
Jane (President)

Off Water Clinics Preview

by Rod Stiebel

We started off the season with our regular clinics for "Wind and Weather” in October and "VHF Radios for Kayakers” on November 21 (there is still a few spots left). We do have more offerings for the months of January and February, so stay tuned. We also have some dynamic clinics being put on by SKILS, also at the Pearkes Rec. Center, one is "Tides and Currents", on Friday March 13 and the other, which will be in 2 night sessions on "Navigation Basics using Chart and Compass" on Friday March 20, and 27th. Both of these have been sorely missing from our offerings. As most know, we offer these regular SISKA volunteer run clinics at a $15 fee for the night. The SKILS offerings will be $35 per evening, so the 2 night Navigation clinic will be $70 total. This is indeed a great bargain, and space will be limited to 16 members, with a minimum of 8 to proceed for each night. So, stay tuned, as we will announce these in the new year.

VHF Radio Check

by Gary Jacek

If you are one of the VHF Radio-carrying SISKA members, quite often as you get on the water you will hear something like:

and so on.

What you may not know is that Bob, Sue, Steve and James (whether they know it, or not) are all requesting a signal report.

A signal report provides the relative strength and audibility of your signal.

Unless someone responds to Bob, Sue, Steve and James, these paddlers will have no idea if:

These are all safety issues since you cannot make an effective call for help with a compromised radio.

Next time you are getting on the water with a group, try this instead:

And at this point, Kayaker Bill will paddle up to one of the others to ask, “Didn’t you hear me on your radio?”

Nope! And now Bill knows he has a problem.

And that is the value of a Radio Check.

Have a safe and pleasant paddling day.

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

Tips From The Trips

by Debbie Leach

Neoprene Niceties. Turn your suit inside out and open zippers. Wash in a tub of cool or tepid water with neoprene cleaner, baby shampoo or Woolite. Hang on a wide hanger to dry and store flat.(No washer, dryer or sunlight)

Camp Cookery - Kitchen Kit

by Lynn Baier

What’s in your kitchen kit? Part of the fun for me is to make my kitchen items lightweight and efficient. I have an expedition set that I use when there are potential long days paddling, and all I want to do is add boiling water and rehydrate meals. Then I have add ins for shorter trips that provide more room in the hatches for actually cooking meals.

Here’s my kit for two:

...and deconstructed

And for feeding more people or real cooking:

I love new ideas, so please feel free to share.

Safety Item - Rescue Knives

by Sybil Seitzinger and Tim Frick

Sharp Choices for Sea Kayakers

A rescue knife is an essential safety tool for sea kayakers. It’s designed to quickly free paddlers or gear from tangled ropes, fishing lines, or other snags that can occur during rescues or recoveries.

A good rescue knife will have a sharp, serrated edge that cuts effectively through rope and webbing. It will also feature a sheath that attaches securely to a rescue PFD, ensuring the knife is always accessible when needed. Most are made from rust-resistant stainless steel and have a textured, non-slip handle for a secure grip in wet conditions.

For knives mounted on a PFD, most paddlers recommend a fixed-blade model. Fixed blades are quick to deploy and safer in emergencies since they don’t require opening or folding. Folding knives, on the other hand, are more compact and easier to stow — handy if your PFD is already crowded with gear.

When choosing a blade, look for a serrated edge (either full or partial) to cut rope and vegetation quickly. A straight edge is useful for finer tasks like slicing or trimming. Because rescues often happen in rough water, a fixed, partially serrated blade is typically the most effective.

Fixed-blade knives come in three main designs:

Tim advises that the first two options are the safest and most practical. Double-edged blades can be hazardous in waves or current since the unused edge may contact you or your equipment. A half-and-half blade with a dull back side offers the best balance of safety and versatility.

While multi-tools such as a Swiss Army knife are handy for general tasks—cutting food, opening cans, or field repairs—they’re not a substitute for a dedicated rescue knife when safety and speed matter.

Editor Note - If you want to splurge I would research Spyderco SALT series knives. They use H2 steel that does not rust in saltwater. I've had a serrated one for years and never wash it and it's as good as new but the screws holding the handle to the steel have rusted. Can't have it all I guess. Maybe the current ones are even better?

BC Marine Trails News

October Newsletter

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: