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, 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 Witty’s Lagoon/Sitting Lady Falls Paddle
Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Injury Prevention for Kayakers
Saturday, January 18th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Fleming Beach to Harbour Loop Counterclockwise Paddle
Sunday, January 19th, 2025 - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - RESCHEDULED - Pool Clinic - Forward Finishing Roll
Saturday, January 25th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Margaret Bay Paddle
Sunday, January 26th, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Oak Bay Marina - Parking Lot to Discovery Island Paddle
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
Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Margaret Bay
Sunday, February 23rd, 2025 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Amherst to Portland Island Paddle
by Fred Pishalski
Paddle trip to Alaska by Nathan Slater
In the summer of 2023, Nathan Slater and Sanesh Iyer paddled a pair of sea kayaks from Victoria to Yakutat, AK. The trip covered 1935 Nautical Miles over 140 days.
Nathan Slater
Nathan hails from North Vancouver, completed a Certificate of Wilderness Leadership from Capilano University in 2015 and has been working as an outdoor educator ever since. Since becoming an L3 sea kayak guide in 2019, he has been looking for new ways to challenge himself and has begun teaching Kayak skills and working in more remote environments. When he’s not working, Nathan is an avid road cyclist, canoeist, backcountry skier, and an amateur film photographer. Nathan is also a BCMT’s board member.
Nathan is the owner of A Little Paddle, as he calls it “your ultimate source for all things sea kayaking”. The company offers coaching, 1-on-1 support, training to improve your expedition skills, gear, books, reviews plus tours and courses. Please check out the web site. https://www.alittlepaddle.ca/
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.
by Dave O
Well it’s the New Year and that means it’s time for memberships to be renewed. Renewing is a simple process; just point your browser at New Or Renew Membership and enter your email address. The renewal form will open with most of the information already filled out. Simply update any out of date info and click on submit.
by Jennie Sutton
by Jane Jacek
Held December 7th at RVYC
Thanks again to the SISKA Elves for organizing another fabulous luncheon!
David Anderson was presented with a SISKA Lifetime Membership.
Buffet lunch, tasty as always.
Members’ enjoying their lunch and socializing.
Heads and Tails Game.
Alex B, entertained the members.
Ian H. and Jim L. on guitar, along with the Elves, led the members in a kayak themed rendition of The 12 Days of Christmas.
The Siska Elves.
by Jane Jacek
Jennifer Sutton is retiring from her role as Chief Elf. The following poem is our way of saying thank you for all that she has done.
Ode to Jennie, our Chief Elf
Jennie, our Chief Elf, we want you to know
Through seasons of paddling, you’ve helped us all grow.
For years at RVYC you’ve juggled balls in the air
Your attention to detail is hard to compare.
For SISKA’s Christmas you’ve steered us with cheer
Through tides of adventure and kayaking gear.
Your elf hat stood tall, your smile even taller
You’ve made every party feel a bit more stellar.
Now its the buffet and prizes galore
But there’s one thing today we cannot ignore
You’re hanging up your hat, and its bittersweet
The end of an era that Delcie may try to repeat.
So here’s to your legacy, your wisdom, your fun
Your paddling spirit that rivals the sun
Though you are retiring, your splash will endure
In the waves of SISKA’s adventures for sure.
Raise a glass, cheer aloud, let the laughter begin
For Jennie, our Chief Elf, let’s toast to your win!
by Jane Jacek
A big thank you to the following companies that graciously donated prizes to our annual Christmas Party:
BestCoast Outfitters
Blackline Marine
Blue Dog Kayaking
Broken Islands Lodge
Go Kayak
Ocean River Sports
SKILS
Wild Coast Publishing
by Jane Jacek
Kayak Skills Courses and Clinics
Multi-Day Trips
In order to help promote safe sea kayaking, several commercial kayak companies provide training and trips at a discount for all paid-up SISKA members. Registration and payment for these opportunities will take place directly with the company involved and be subject to their normal customer policies.
For all paid-up SISKA members as of December 21st, you received two emails related to the above.
The first titled “SISKA Skills Partners 2025 Training Discounts” included an attachment that outlined Kayak Skills Courses and Clinics Discounts.
The second titled “Partners 2025 Multi-Day Trip Discounts for SISKA Members” included Multi-DayTrip Discounts.
SISKA members can also view this detailed info by logging in to the SISKA website, then:
Kayak Skills Courses and Clinics Discounts can be found under menu item “Members” then select “2025 Partners Offerings Details”.
Multi-DayTrip Discounts can be found under menu item “Members , Documents, Resource Info” , then select “SISKA Partner Multi-Day Trips”.
by John Abercrombie
I’ve been dealing with a battery terminal corrosion issue on my Icom VHF radio.
Pascal Smyth, a paddler participant at the WestCoastPaddler forum posted this info from IcomUK:
https://icomuk.co.uk/News_Article/2/368/
The recommendation to use dielectric silicone grease was new to me, as it isn’t mentioned in any of the manuals for my radios.
Cheers John
by Debbie Leach
Pamper yourself. Heat extra water in the morning to treat yourself to a warm wash.
by Lynn Baier
Happy New Year to you all! Here’s my 11th hour lazy submission to start off the new year.
Find the little spaces between your dehydrated meals in your food bags/bear vaults to add in some “cup of soups”. They are a welcome cup of something hot on a rainy day and when you just need a little pick me up, or when a meal you counted on didn’t quite work out.
by Alison Keighan
Distress Flares
Whether or not to carry marine distress flares is a hotly debated topic in the kayaking community. A blog post from Ocean River Sports does a good job of discussing the benefits and limitations of flares. Additionally, the disposal of expired flares can pose a challenge. In the past, CanBoat (formerly the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons) conducted collection events. Unfortunately, they have discontinued this service due to cancelled funding. But locally, Pacific Coast Liferaft will still accept expired pyrotechnics for a fee to ensure their proper and safe disposal.
Editor Note: Trotac also takes expired flares once a year, I believe it’s in April. Worth a phone call - (250) 386-2341
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:
