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
PPPS: Siska’s Newsletter Archive - Mailchimp or Siska Newsletters Backup
PPPPS: Rocky Point Demolition Blasting Notices
Saturday, December 07th, 2024 - 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - Light Paddle - Cadboro Bay to Presidents Paddle of Caddie Bay Paddle
Saturday, December 07th, 2024 - 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Christmas Luncheon
Sunday, December 08th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Spectacle Falls Paddle
Saturday, January 11th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Fleming Beach to Millstream Falls Paddle
Sunday, January 12th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Albert Head to Whitty’s Lagoon/Sitting Lady Falls Paddle
Saturday, January 18th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Fleming Beach to Harbour Loop Counterclockwise Paddle
Saturday, January 25th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Margaret Bay
Sunday, January 26th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Energizer Paddle - Oak Bay Marina - Parking Lot to Discovery Island
by Fred Pishalski
No meeting in December, only the Christmas Party.
by Fred Pishalski
The 2025 Kayaking Calendars are being printed as you read this note. Almost all the photos are from our members this past year. The cost this year will be $20 each. They make great Christmas gifts for kayaking friends and family. The first batch will be here hopefully by the end of the 1st week in December.
If you are interested in purchasing one or more please email me at gailmiller@shaw.ca plus do an e-transfer for $20 each. I will send out instructions of where to pick them up upon receipt of your order and payment. Out of town orders add $5 more for shipping. Deadline for ordering is Dec 10, 2024.
by Raj Persram
Have you had any eyes set on getting a composite Greenland kayak? Roll With It Kayaking is coordinating with Best Coast Outfitters to bring a shipment of Zegul kayaks, including the Greenland models to Victoria but we need an order of eight more to make a shipment (of ten).
View the Greenland types here: https://zegulkayaks.com/global_zegul/kayak/kayaks-by-activity/greenland. An old but still relevant video on the layout can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hPXkmHNFR8. Pricing for a shipment is listed below, and note that these are manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) before tax and shipping.
Please contact Best Coast Outfitters if you wish to order one of kayaks listed below. Note the Greenland comes in two sizes and three colours. There are eight spots left to make a full shipment.
by Jane Jacek / JF Marleau
SKILS is thrilled to announce the 2025 Advanced Expeditions! These expeditions are for intermediate and advanced paddlers only. These expeditions we have been offering for over 20 years are unique and not offered by other outfitters. As usual, we would love to have SISKA members join us for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
When it comes to advanced paddling expeditions, ours stand out in every way! Here’s what makes them exceptional:
1. The People: Our expeditions are open only to well-screened intermediate and advanced paddlers, ensuring that each group is well-prepared for these rewarding challenges. We go where others rarely venture, exploring remote and difficult-to-access areas that require experience and skill. Don’t expect to encounter many other paddlers—our routes are as unique as they are challenging!
2. The Guides: Our expert guides bring world-class certifications, vast experience, and unmatched expertise to every expedition. They are among the best in the industry, with the knowledge and skills needed to support an unforgettable experience.
3. The Location: Each expedition takes place in breathtaking, remote areas teeming with wildlife. We carefully select locations that showcase the most spectacular landscapes.
4. The Food: Even on multi-week expeditions with no resupply stops, we serve gourmet meals! Wild-harvested foods are a staple, and we offer experiences like kayak fishing to add fresh flavors to our meals. The food will blow your mind!
5. The Unique Experience: No other outfitter in Canada offers this level of variety and depth for intermediate and advanced paddlers. We’re proud to provide an adventure that is unparalleled in scope, challenge, and reward. Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning for another epic adventure, we look forward to paddling with you!
by Gary Jacek
Let me draw your attention to a valuable online resource, in our own back yard.
Based in Vancouver, Westcoastpaddler may be found at https://www.westcoastpaddler.com/community/ and offers forums for many topics that are vital to sea kayakers.
Buy or sell, find a trip partner, ask about repairing gear, plan your meals. The list goes on.
It is free to join and serves up decades of advice from seasoned kayakers, guides, coaches and boat designers. All without the advertising deadweight, trolls and other hazards of Facebook.
All Westcoastpaddler content is keyword searchable. (Even for the un-joined). So if you are for example, curious about paddling in Nuchatlitz, trip reports and advice are a click away. If you want to post a question or comment, then you must join.
Westcoastpaddler is worth exploring and joining.
SISKA Tour of the JRCC
by Lynn Baier
I can’t say enough good things about our tour of the JOINT RESCUE COORDINATION CENTRE at CFB Esquimalt. We were efficiently checked in and shuttled to the centre where we were capably informed by Sargent Eric Dunn, who is a very experienced rescuer, medic, and now instructor/coordinator with the Air Force side of things. He explained the hierarchy and functions of the various components of a rescue team, including volunteer organizations, Coast Guard, and the military. We were then taken next door to the Navy and Coast Guard side of operations. Picture a large room full of numerous screens, phones, and communications. There were numerous red ‘goal lights’ around the room. They happened to activate while we were there and the situation turned to all business (lives could be at stake). There were also half a dozen knowledgeable people who conveyed some great information, and answered our numerous questions cheerfully. Finally, big thanks to Rod Steibel for driving in to get us all set and ready to go. I highly recommend you take in the opportunity to do the tour if you can.
by Rod Stiebel (Off Water Coordinator)
So, the other night, a bunch of us were chatting about the club, and found out some amazing facts. Stuff to be proud of.
As of this month, we have 422 members, the largest paddling club in Canada. Even bigger than SKABC, based out of Vancouver.We are also the envy of many other clubs. Some of that is due to how we operate as a club, driven by a bunch of dedicated volunteers.
What makes our club so special are the paddles! We had over 80 scheduled this past year, including two different RAFTUPs with Comox Valley Paddlers and Nanaimo Paddlers. Both clubs enjoyed their visits tremendously.
We also have a stellar safety record, which affords us competitive insurance rates, keeping membership fees low and competitive.
We have some sharp folks running this club. We offer pool sessions, not something every club can do (So far we are lucky but that may change with the future of Crystal Pool being in question). We offer courses for Paddle Canada certification, and many other on water courses to improve your skill on the water. Over the winter there are a number of Off Water Clinics at a super cheap price on topics as varied as Wind and Weather for Kayaking, VHF Refresher clinics, How to Plan a Day Paddle, and more.
Our members also enjoy great discounts at local retailers. Many are eager to partner with us, as we drive business to them via monthly newsletters, and steady stream of informative emails.
There is much to brag about, but the main cog in this wheel is our volunteers, the fuel to the engine of SISKA. So, if you love this club as much as I do, think about donating a bit of your time to volunteer. It does not have to be a long term thing, it can be just saying you would help out for the picnic set up, or the Beachside Clinics, in charge of coffee or whatever, or any other thing the club may have going. Not all volunteers have to have a specific skill set, just enthusiasm, and a couple of hours of your time.
If you feel you have time to offer, please send a message to the Acting Volunteer Coordinator, BJ Porter (vicepresident@siska.ca) and tell her what you would like to do, any specific skills you may have to offer, or just that you are ready to be an extra body to set up a tent, brew some coffee, or whatever. I can personally attest it is fun, and honestly quite fulfilling, and good for the soul! Personally, I have made many new friends in the club, learned a whole lot about kayaking that I already thought I knew, staying fit, and in general am a better person because of it!
by Rod Stiebel
The Off Water Clinics Committee want to try and put on a Spring Extravaganza!
Here is what we have planned, if we can get folks to buy in.
A FREE, come one, come all event, similar to a picnic, but not. The main thrust would be to have a bunch of clinics/events that folks could wander in and out of at their leisure. We are thinking a duration of about an hour on a variety of topics, (see list below). The theme is to have fun. Most of the clinics would be more info-tainment, versus serious course driven topics, more suited to a classroom environment, but still informative with tips and factoids for a better paddling experience. The main theme will be “beachside”.
We have a few dates to work from, all are Saturdays. As May is a heavy paddling month for many, we are looking at April 12,19 or 26th, or June 7 or 14th.
We hope for some, if not all, of the following topics:
The idea is a casual format, to have fun, stop for lunch (you bring yourself), then possibly wander around to one or more clinics that you missed in the AM. There will be coffee and some light snacks as usual to get us all going.
We have the ideas, and tons of enthusiasm, but we are missing volunteers, which without them, we have no event. That said, there are many members that have much to share, you do not have to be an expert! If you think you have something to share, either any of the above, or something we missed that you think would be of interest and help to your fellow paddlers, please pipe in. We cannot do it without healthy interest from membership. We also always need a few folks on the day, for coffee service, tent set up and general stuff to make the event a success.
So, bottom line, we want to hear from you! If you can let us know what you may want to do a clinic on, or what you would like to see, and also what date(s) work for you, or if you just want to volunteer for the day as a helper. We will then try and build a consensus on that and move forward. You can contact the Off Water Committee at offwaterclinics@siska.ca
We hope to hear from some different folks who may not have had the opportunity to volunteer in the past. All members have something to offer, and we are all better because of it.
Thank you in advance, from the Off Water Committee.
by Jane Jacek
We’re excited to invite SISKA members to another BCO Guest Speaker Event. Join us on December 12th at 7pm for this presentation with Nathan Slater as he shares stories from his epic 1200km canoe journey down the Teslin and Yukon Rivers.
This free event will take place at our store, located at 865 Yates Street, Victoria. To confirm attendance, we kindly ask that members RSVP by sending an email to sales@bestcoastoutfitters.com. Info here.
Warm regards,
Ali Torabidavan
Communications Assistant
+1 250-590-4625
commassist@bestcoastoutfitters.com
https://www.bestcoastoutfitters.com
865 Yates St, Victoria BC V8W 1M1
by BJ Porter, Vice President, SISKA (with contributions from Norman Marcy BCMT First Nations Engagement Committee)
The Chatham and Discovery Islands, located just a kilometre across Baynes Channel from Oak Bay and even closer to Saanich’s Ten Mile Point, are a magical and cherished destination for kayakers. These stunning islands, characterized by wind-swept trees and a unique native ecosystem (despite the challenges posed by Himalayan Black Berry, Scotch broom and English ivy invasions), are renowned for their clear waters, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking coastal landscapes.
The islands are teeming with life; seals and seabirds are especially abundant, while other flora and fauna include sea lions, mink, mussels, clams, rock crabs, mushrooms, and native and wild blackberries. Paddlers are drawn to this region to experience its natural beauty, but with this privilege comes a responsibility to protect the area’s ecosystems and respect its cultural significance.
First, a little background…
The indigenous name for the islands is Tl’ches, meaning ‘one island’ in Lekwungen, the language of the Songhees-Coast Salish people who have inhabited the area for thousands of years. The islands are among the last remaining parts of the Songhees’ homeland that remain largely unchanged since the early 1800s. The Chathams and parts of Discovery Island are a significant portion of the very small part of the First Nations territories that are still in their control.
The islands received their current names in 1846, in honour of two ships, the HMS Chatham and the HMS Discovery, on which explorer Captain George Vancouver sailed the BC coastline between 1792 and 1794.
These islands are part of the Songhees Indian Reserve lands and were never ceded nor handed over in the Douglas Treaties of the 1850s. Historically Chatham, Discovery, Willows Beach, Cadboro Gyro Park, Gonzales Bay and Uplands were home to both summer and winter villages, including burial sites. However, modern development now overlays most of these historic sites.
Early in the 1862 Pacific Northwest smallpox epidemic (which began in Victoria) some of the Songhees people quarantined themselves by abandoning their villages and relocating to Discovery Island. Other Indigenous peoples, many of whom were already infected, sought refuge with the Songhees, but were rebuffed. Due to their isolation, and the vaccination efforts of Hudson’s Bay Company physician Dr. John Helmcken the Songhees were among the few First Nations to survive the epidemic with relatively few deaths.
In 1886, a lighthouse was built on Discovery Island at Sea Bird Point and operated for 110 years before being automated in 1996. The island also hosted several homes for lighthouse keepers, a helicopter pad, a diesel-powered generator station, and a well, water reservoir, boathouse, and dock.
Songhees First Nations Rights and Title and Management
The Songhees practiced farming, which altered the local ecology. Sheep remained on the islands until a cull in the 1970s. The Chatham Island community continued until 1957, when the island’s well ran dry.
Today, several issues concern the Songhees First Nation. All lands apart from Discovery Island Provincial Park, in the Archipelago are either Songhees Indian Reserve, which is private with no public access, or Ecological Reserve which also has no access without a Permit.
Beach fires… After storms, the beaches often accumulate wood, which, combined with dry conditions in the summer, can create a fire hazard that poses a threat to adjacent forests and culturally important sites. Beach erosion is also a growing concern, as parts of the islands that were once dry land are now submerged.
Lagoon areas of Chatham Island have been identified as sensitive and significant to the Songhees First Nation, who have asked that visitation be restricted. These areas have been both harvesting and cultural bathing sites. The Songhees request does not create a prohibition but respecting Songhees concerns is respectful and contributes to the kayaking community efforts in citizen based reconciliation and responsible recreation. Ecological restoration studies, plans and efforts have been pursued by Songhees and other allied parties for some time.
All areas of the islands except for Discovery Island Marine Provincial Park are designated as Indian Reserve lands, which are private lands held in common by the First Nation and its members. Boat landing is prohibited even below the high tide line. Signs indicating this restriction have been posted since about 2015.
Non-Indigenous harvesters are not permitted to collect food or any other materials from anywhere on the islands, including from Provincial Park land. This includes harvesting fruit, plants, wildlife, or any items of cultural significance. Violators may face hefty fines. Seventy metres of airspace are under federal jurisdiction but Transport Canada permits the Songhees Nation to use drones for surveillance purposes.
Discovery Island Provincial Park
The Park in Rudlin Bay is the only land that is open to the public. Designated as a provincial park in 1972, the 61-hectare Discovery Island Marine Provincial Park was once the home of Captain E.G. Beaumont, who bequeathed it to British Columbia (except for a small portion of land now in private hands) after living there with his wife for nearly half a century.
There remains one, individually owned, private land parcel adjacent to the light house site. As part of ongoing treaty and reconciliation efforts, the park will become ‘Public’ Treaty Settlement Land with continuing general use for recreation, including camping. SISKA, VCKC (Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club) and BC Marine Trails have signed letters supporting the move.
The Park is presently open year-round, though fees are collected and services provided only between May 1st and September 30th. The park features gravel beaches, several walking and hiking trails, and beautiful woodlands of fir and arbutus trees. Visitors can hike up Pandora Hill for sweeping views of the surrounding region and the Olympic Mountains.
Bring your own water, as potable water is not available in the park. Due to the lack of firefighting equipment on the island, campfires are not allowed. Bring a portable stove for cooking. Stay on designated trails to protect sensitive meadows and ecosystems, and camp only in designated areas. Domestic animals are not allowed in the park.
Wildlife and Organisms
Kayaks are minimally invasive but the Fisheries and Oceans Canada guidelines state that water craft must keep 200 metres away from all orca (killer) whales in Pacific waters, and 200 metres for whale, dolphin and porpoise species with calves or in a resting position. Avoid approaching closer than 100 metres to marine and coastal wildlife including seals, sea lions, sea otters, coastal wolves, and bears.
If basking seals go into the water at your approach or if you flush birds from their resting places, you are too close. Such disturbances affect the individual animal’s energy balance and threaten their survival.
Try not to crush invertebrates underfoot or under the hull of your kayak. They have their own little lives to live undisturbed too.
Rockfish Conservation Areas
The entire archipelago, including Discovery Island, is part of the Rockfish Conservation Areas designated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Area 19, Chart 3462). Recreational fishers may not fish for any species by spearfishing, or groundfish by angling, salmon by trolling, jigging or mooching, octopus by angling, or squid by jigging.
And nearby…
Oak Bay Islands Ecological Reserve
The Oak Bay Islands Ecological Reserve is a collection of islands, including Great Chain Islands, Jemmy Jones Island, Ten Mile Point, and Alpha Island east of Chatham. This ecological reserve was established to protect vulnerable seabird nesting sites, rare wildflowers, and marine habitats. The reserve is closed to the public to ensure the protection of its sensitive ecosystems.
Conclusion
It is essential that the high volume of paddlers in the waters around Chatham and Discovery Islands do not damage one of the most pristine and ecologically sensitive regions of British Columbia.
Please practice mindfulness of the Songhees’ aboriginal rights, the area’s fragile ecosystems, and the regulations in place to protect both. By following responsible paddling practices, we can help ensure that this magnificent place remains superb, intact and accessible.
by Jane Jacek
(Donate link is below progress discussion)
Help us ensure 2025 is even better - Donate here!
by Debbie Leach
DO THE TWIST. Twisting the webbing tie down strap results in less vibration and noise at highway speeds.
by Lynn Baier
Rum Balls
Now for something festive…. Here’s my recipe for rum balls. Who’s to say they have to be just for Christmas? They pack a lot of flavour into a tiny package that also travels well. As with all my recipes, I fiddle around with ingredients.
RUM BALLS
Combine the melted chocolate, sour cream, rum, melted butter and almond paste. Mix well and set aside.
In a separate bowl, combine crushed wafers and the rest of the ingredients except for the chocolate shot. Mix it thoroughly. Add chocolate and sour cream mixture, needing with hands until blended and soft. Chill until firm enough to be rolled into balls, but still soft enough to pick up chocolate shot. Form tablespoons of the mixture into balls, rolling in chocolate shot, nuts, or sprinkles, and place on wax paper line trays in the fridge to harden overnight. Put the rum balls in containers and refrigerate. They need two weeks to mature, but if you are going to keep them For more than four weeks, freeze them and take out of the fridge a few hours before serving, to soften and bring out the flavor.
Makes 9 to 10 dozen
Merry Christmas and happiness in the kitchen to all.
by Alison Keighan
Float plans and Getting Found
Cross your fingers that Search & Rescue will never need to try to find you, but you can make their job much easier if you do the following:
Leave a complete float plan with a responsible person. Paddling.com has a fillable form that you can share with your contacts. Here’s the link: https://paddling.com/paddle/float-plan
Your safe return is worth the effort.
by Fred Pishalski / Sam Cutcliffe
BC Marine Trail’s AGM (via zoom) was held November 30, 2024. Paul Grey after many years as the president of the organization is stepping down. His dedication, expertise and many years of hard work has made this outstanding organization what it is today. Karina Younk a board member is stepping into the role as president. Paul will continue to work with the organization.
The Ray Pillman Service award for outstanding contributions to the BC Marine Trails mission was awarded to Fred Pishalski for his volunteer service. Fred accepted the award saying he was representing all the many volunteers that help run BCMTs. A plaque with his photo goes along with the award.
David Norwell, author of a Complex Coast, led an excellent inter-active audience presentation focusing on why we kayak. A different type of presentation that was well received.
Hi Cross Club!
I’m excited to share a blurb and some graphic options for you to help support our holiday fundraising campaign. We’d greatly appreciate it if you could share this with your membership through newsletters, Facebook groups, or other platforms.
You’ll find the blurb below and several graphic options for you to choose from. The link to our holiday donation page can be found here. As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need anything further. Thank you for your continued support!
As we wrap up an extraordinary year, BC Marine Trails invites you to join our holiday fundraising campaign to continue our critical work on the BC coast. Your contributions have already achieved so much in 2024, from adding 155 new sites to our map, to installing new infrastructure, collaborating to remove over 4,000 lbs of marine debris, and beginning development of a brand new map. Donations directly fund coastal stewardship, sustainable trail development, and meaningful collaborations to preserve our beautiful shores for generations to come.
This season, consider giving the gift of impact by donating in honour of a loved one — BC Marine Trails will send a personalized donation certificate to include under the tree. Plus, donations are tax deductible — give before December 31 and save this tax season! Let’s work together to make 2025 another year of incredible progress!
Sam Cutcliffe
Communications & Stewardship Coordinator
BC Marine Trails
by Jane Jacek
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:
