Siska November 2026 Newsletter

November 1, 2026

Introduction
Convenient Links
SISKA Partners- Join Mailing Lists
Upcoming SISKA Events
Siska November 25th Monthly Meeting Agenda
Monthly Meeting Location
Siska Christmas Lunch
Club Discounts with Champion Adventures & Coaching
Guided Kayak Tours in British Columbia vs Self-Guided Kayak Trips
Tips From The Trips
Camp Cookery
Safety Item - Carrying a Heavy Kayak
BC Marine Trails News
SISKA's Kayak Lodge Partner Offerings
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

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

Siska November 25th Monthly Meeting Agenda

by Fred Pishalski

Kayaking Goletas Channel & Vansittart Island

with Fred Pishalski and the Catfish Crew

Fred has been SISKA’s Meeting Coordinator for a long time and is passing the job on. In his final role, he has selected one his own productions, the paddling journey of the Catfish Crew as they kayaked Goletas Channel & Vansittart Island with a side trip up the Marble River. Fred has been kayaking since the 1980s and has paddled all over Vancouver Island, the central coast, Haida Gwaii and in numerous other countries. The Catfish Crew started as a men’s group and morphed into a bunch of kayakers when one of the them bought a Brian Henry (Ocean River) first protype kayak and the rest is history.

Gliding through Goletas Channel area by kayak offers one of the most scenic paddling experiences on the East coast of Vancouver Island. Sheltered waters, rocky shorelines, and a scattering of small islands create a constantly changing landscape where paddlers can explore quiet coves, kelp beds, and narrow passages. The islands throughout the channel provide excellent opportunities to stop and set up camp, watch for seals hauled out on the rocks, or observe bald eagles soaring overhead. At low tide, colorful marine life becomes visible along the shoreline, while the surrounding forested hills and distant mountain views add to the area's rugged beauty. Whether on a calm morning or beneath the golden light of an evening paddle, the islands offer an unforgettable combination of adventure, wildlife, and coastal scenery.

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

Siska Christmas Lunch

by Delcie McLellan

Saturday December 5th 2026

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.

Bookings will open in mid November and all club members will receive an invitation to register and pay. 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 11:45 am until 3:00pm.

More details including pricing will follow at a later time.

Club Discounts with Champion Adventures & Coaching

by Jane Jacek

Hiya Clubs,

I just wanted to reintroduce myself. Many of you know me as an owner of Blue Dog Kayaking, going forward Blue Dog Kayaking will no longer be operating, Blue dog Retail will continue operation. For more information on this please read out press release here: https://bluedogkayaking.com/

Champion Adventures & Coaching will offer a continued full calendar as well as Gearlab products and some local paddling goods.

Information on programming: https://www.championadventurecoaching.com/

Information on store: https://www.championadventurecoaching.com/store

For all clubs for the first year I will only be able to offer a 5% discount on programming and products. Next summer I will take a look and re-evaluate if I can increase that to 10%.

On another note, I have introduced a training scholarship and subsidy to try and make paddling more accessible for people. In that I am also looking for donations whether it be time (rating applications), monetary or gear related. I have this dream of clubs having a bit more access to gear so paddlers who don't have their own have a place they can get it. Similar to a library card. Here is a bit of information. Applications for 2027 have just closed yesterday, and I am looking for two more volunteers to go through some applications.

https://www.championadventurecoaching.com/training-scholarship

Amber Champion
705 888 1051
Visit Champion Adventures & Coaching
Paddle Canada Level 3 Instructor Trainer / NCCP Kayak Coach/
SUP Instructor Trainer/ Multi-day instructor/Surf Instructor

Guided Kayak Tours in British Columbia vs Self-Guided Kayak Trips

by Marika Stephenson

Guided Kayak Tours in British Columbia vs Self-Guided Kayak Trips: How to Choose the Right Adventure

I found this blog post by Silke at Wild Root Journeys to be very informative! It ties in with my SISKA "members only guided trip to Clayoquot Sound", for those who are trying to decide if guided adventures are right for them. The advantages of course of having a private guided expedition are clear.

Siska Members Only Clayoquot Trip Info

Tips From The Trips

by Debbie Leach

Don’t kick the bucket! Use it to rinse sand or mud off your boots before they go in your vehicle or home.

Camp Cookery

by Lynn Baier

Buckwheat and Lentil Stew

Thanks to Mike Teachman for this share of his "go to" dinner to take tripping.

Safety Item - Carrying a Heavy Kayak

by Sybil Seitzinger with input from Gary Jacek and Lynn Baier

Carrying a Heavy Kayak? Try Carry Straps!

Last month, we discussed how to carry your kayak safely to and from the water. This month, we follow up with some practical tips on using carry straps for heavy kayaks, including two homemade designs from SISKA members Gary Jacek and Lynn Baier.

BC Marine Trails News

October Newsletter

Hi Cross club,

I wanted to reach out to keep you in the loop with two upcoming events at BCMT: a Q&A webinar on Nov 3rd, and our Annual General Meeting on Nov 28th. Please add to upcoming newsletters if there is room. AGM would be priority for us if there is only room for one :) See below for blurbs and graphics that may be useful.

Please let us know if you are able to include this information in upcoming communications, so we can roughly track reach!

Nov 28: BCMT Annual General Meeting

Mark your calendars! BC Marine Trails' Annual General Meeting will take place on November 28th, at 10am, on Zoom. At the AGM, BCMT will hold elections, share updates, discuss what’s ahead, and talk about how you can get involved.

Following the AGM, hear from Saya Masso, Lands Manager for the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation in Clayoquot Sound. Saya’s presentation will cover the intersection of recreation and Indigenous rights on the coast.

RSVP to the AGM today!

BCMT is also seeking board member nominations in advance of the AGM. Learn more about the opportunity here.

Nov 3: BCMT 'Ask Us Anything' Webinar

Looking to learn more about BC Marine Trails? Now is your chance!

On November 3rd, at 7pm on Zoom, join BCMT staff and Board Chair Karina for an open Q&A about how the organization works and the projects they're advancing across the coast. Topics will include processes for First Nations engagement, mapping, and environmental stewardship, plus answering your questions about working with members, partners, and coastal communities.

This webinar will also be an opportunity to share your ideas and perspectives as BCMT begins updating their next strategic plan.

What should BCMT focus on next? RSVP here.

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.