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 Website
PPPPS: Rocky Point Demolition Blasting Notices
Saturday, February 01st, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Discovery Island Paddle
Saturday, February 08th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Mackenzie Bight via Willis Point Paddle
Sunday, February 09th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Fleming Beach to Millstream Falls Paddle
Sunday, February 09th, 2025 - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - Rolling Clinic
Sunday, February 09th, 2025 - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - Open Pool Clinic
Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Margaret Bay Paddle
Sunday, February 23rd, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Amherst to Portland Island Paddle
Saturday, March 08th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Spectacle Falls Paddle
Sunday, March 09th, 2025 - 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Island View Beach to James Island Counterclockwise Paddle
Saturday, March 22nd, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Amherst to Rum Island Paddle
Sunday, March 23rd, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Spirit Bay to Cabin Point Paddle
by Jane Jacek
Beach Cleanups 2025 - Surfrider Foundation Canada
by Fred Pishalski
Baja Kayak Trip Compilation
by Elizabeth Purdon
Elizabeth Purdon is a retired family physician from Victoria and a confirmed Baja addict having been on fourteen kayak trips there! Some were with her husband Bob or with a local outfitter. One of these outings was accompanying Freya Hoffmeister for a few weeks as part of Freya’s journey to circumnavigate the continent.
Elizabeth has Paddle Canada Level 4 Skills and Level 2 Instruction and is a kayak instructor with the South Island Sea Kayak Association.
During her presentation she will review when, where, why and how to go on a kayak trip in Baja. Elizabeth has created an information sheet which outlines: outfitting companies, driving or flying to the Baja, shuttle services, accommodations, and a couple of useful resource books all helpful if interested in kayaking the Baja.
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 meet at the Garth Homer Centre, 831 Darwin Avenue, off Saanich Road, near Saanich Municipal Hall.
We are pleased to meet in-person in the Garth Homer Centre’s spacious auditorium, 813 Darwin Ave, Victoria.
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
by Jane Jacek
Marine Education and Research Society
by Jane Jacek
Thought this maybe of interest: Looking for feedback from the community on potential locations and uses for a public, multi-use dock.
Opportunity to Provide Feedback
Township of Esquimalt Dock Survey and Open House
The Township of Esquimalt is looking for feedback from the community on potential locations and uses for a public, multi-use dock. Information is available online at the Esquimalt Public Dock Project website.
A survey is open until February 10, 2025.
by Jennie Sutton
Given at the Annual Christmas Party
Many of us know David or at least know of him! His kayaking “career” started some time after he retired from politics. In the early 1990’s he started paddling his brother Malcolm around Victoria. They both paddled at times with Dave Spittlehouse who used to organize paddles for a small, informal group. David soon bought a Current Designs Libra and he and Malcolm did many day trips year round.
Historically, SISKA was formed in 2008 and David joined in 2010 He started paddling with the Wednesday group soon after that. At that time he paddled a “Vintage” Pisces.
The first Christmas Parties were held at 6 Mile Pub from 2008 through 2013, and as the club membership grew, the club started looking for a larger venue. One fateful day while carpooling with David in early 2014, he suggested the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, where he had been a member for many years. We immediately drove there and that was the start of this venue being the location for our annual Christmas Party.
David was a regular kayaker and he even bought a plastic Zephyr to be able to follow some of us while rock gardening! His last kayak camping trip was in 2016 to Dionisio and Blackberry Point.
He also enthusiastically went on a number of organized “Glamping trips:- Discovery Lodge on Quadra Island and Kagoagh Fishing Lodge near Quatsino on our west coast. He also went 4 times to the Broken Islands Lodge with SISKA. This area held special significance for him as he was instrumental in the formation of the Pacific Rim National Park.
This is the 10th year with David sponsoring SISKA at this lovely venue.
Please join me in thanking David!
by Jane Jacek
It’s been a while since ORS has done a heavy calendar of instruction for the spring/summer. This year we have planned out our whole summer with clinics galore. The only thing missing is some current clinics, and Greenland instruction which will be scheduled soon. We are offering all instruction out of our Oak Bay location where you will have free parking, a cafe, classroom, gear shop, bathrooms with hot showers!, and a shop for all your needs. It is an inspiring dynamic area to paddle and often you will see SISKA members taking advantage of it. So, what better place to learn in than the area you will return to time and time again. Also, if you want to demo a kayak or gear during any of the clinics we can arrange for that too.
Courses & Calendar
https://shop.oceanriver.com/pages/kayak-courses
James Manke will be working with Ocean River this summer. He is running a few clinics for Greenland paddling instruction out of our Oak Bay location. Paddle Strokes, Rolling, and Kayak Outfitting are to note. https://mankekayak.com/
One we are very excited for is a new program that we are excited for. Russell Henry is running an Advanced Sea Kayaking to Whitewater Bridging course up in Gold River. This course is designed for advanced sea kayakers that are looking to expand their paddling onto the river! Already being paddlers means you have your strokes, braces, roll, and other various kayaking skills dialed. This will allow us to be able to leave the majority of that behind and focus mainly on getting you up to speed on whitewater and river skills. Things like river hydrology, scouting rapids, swimming in whitewater, and paddling up to class 3 rapids are all in the plans for this awesome weekend.
We are offering a SISKA discount of 20% off on all of our on water clinics. These will have to be booked through our Adventure@oceanriver.com email to qualify. We are running this promotion until the end of February. Giving the SISKA members over a month to plan their progression plans through our clinics. This does not include the courses run by our partners.
Take a browse of our courses and please reach out with any questions.
by Rod Stiebel
This course is put on by Go Kayak, with both Yves Aquin and Patti Stevens. This is “chart and compass” course for navigation over 2 sessions.
Note that it will not cover any electronic navigation, that is a separate course. Two options are offered this time.
The first session will be a classroom setting at night during the week, then the On Water session would be the following Saturday.
The second offering is both sections of the course done the same day, off water in AM, then on water in PM. See dates below.
The classroom session is at their place in Victoria, and the On Water sessions will be at a suitable local launch site.
Classroom session will be 3 plus hours, and will include, (once registered) access in advance to on-line material to be used on the course.
The earlier you register, the longer you will have to go over the material before the first night.
On Water session will be around 3- 4 hours (location TBD).
The minimum is 4 registrants, with a maximum of 8 per session.
Course dates are:
Classroom session: Wednesday Feb 19. Following On Water Session Saturday February 22
Also: Sunday February 23. This is a “One Day” course, with AM and PM sessions all on same day.
See PDF for further details and costs.
Once you have registered, you will be sent a link for the On Line material.
Send your request to register at info@gokayak.ca and put SISKA Chart and Compass Course in subject line. They will then send you back more info for payment and more.
by Jane Jacek
It is time to order your new custom kayak.
NDK Kayaks are made in the UK and imported to Canada
At Blue Dog Kayaking we are thrilled to announce delivery options tailored specifically for our valued customers across Canada & North West US. For paddlers in Western Canada and NW US, we have a delivery scheduled to Vancouver Island, BC.
While our friends at Pagaie Quebec are excited to offer custom orders & delivery for paddlers located in Eastern Canada.
This is a fantastic opportunity to design and build your dream kayak. Choose from 3 different lay-ups, fixed or standard bulkheads & unlimited color and design combinations plus many other options.
by Jane Jacek
Paddle the northernmost leg of the famed Inside Passage in Alaska from Haines to Juneau. Dates: May 6-10, 2025
https://seakexpeditions.com/tour/womens-multi-day-kayak-trip-amber-champion/
by Debbie Leach
HOLY SPRAYSKIRT? Flex tape or patches may be the answer. Roughen the skirt surface slightly with 120 grit sandpaper and clean with isopropyl alcohol before taping for a stronger bond.
by Lynn Baier
Peanut Butter Noodles
I have shared a similar recipe to this before. Peanut butter is a gem when you are out for an extended time, and needing some good fat calories. It doesn’t get much simpler than this, and I am a real fan. I like to add a bit of Thai spice to kick it up a notch. Enjoy!
by Sybil Seitzinger
Winter Paddling Tips
Many of us enjoy paddling in the winter, and for some of you, it may be your first time venturing out in the cold. Cold weather and frigid waters require some extra precautions to ensure safety. Here is an excellent article that covers a wide range of important considerations for cold water paddling. Whether you’re a seasoned winter paddler or just starting out, it’s definitely worth a read—you might discover some helpful tips or new techniques to improve your experience. (This article was featured in our 2023 newsletter, but it’s so valuable that we felt it was worth sharing again.)
And for those of you that missed Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht’s (aka Professor Popsicle) excellent presentation on cold water immersion at the SISKA meeting last fall, here’s a link to his upcoming virtual workshop taking place on Feb. 4th and 6th.
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:
