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
Wednesday, February 28th, 2024 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Monthly Meeting
Saturday, March 09th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Discovery Island Paddle
Saturday, March 23rd, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Fleming Beach to Fisgard Lighthouse Paddle
Sunday, March 24th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Spirit Bay to Cabin Point Paddle
Saturday, April 06th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Fleming Beach to Victoria Harbour Loop Paddle
Sunday, April 07th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Spirit Bay to NEW MEMBERS Movie Set Beach Paddle
Saturday, April 13th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Spectacle Falls Paddle
Sunday, April 14th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Mackenzie Bight
Saturday, April 20th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Discovery Island Paddle
Sunday, April 21st, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Island View Beach to DArcy Island Paddle
Saturday, April 27th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Cadboro Bay to BIRDING Uplands Foreshore
by Fred Pishalski
March 27 - “From Victoria to the Yukon on two Wheels”
Follow four SISKA paddlers (Alan Campbell, Deb Leach, Bob Purdon & John Minkley) who pedaled to the Yukon in 2019. One car, three ferries, open roads, dramatic landscapes, colourful characters, unique lodgings and tourist attractions.
Come join us to see their auspicious meeting at the welcome to Whitehorse sign. Find out how they convinced themselves they could manage rides over 130 kms with elevation gains of over 1500 meters. Understand why the gods favoured them with sun, no bugs and no traffic. Learn if they really did enjoy the hot pools in the Nass Valley….and more.
by Ali Morham / Elizabeth Purdon
Watch for Prep or Review Level 2 Paddle Canada Sanctioned Clinics by Ali Morham and Elizabeth Purdon at the end of March beginning of April. These 2-3 hour clinics maybe on the topics of currents, towing, rescues, Navigation and strokes. Dates to be decided.
by Debbie Leach
May 7-9 RAFT UP in Nanaimo
Interested in joining Nanaimo Paddlers for Raft Up from May 7-9?
1. Contact Debbie Leach to secure your spot and e-transfer $20 which will be returned when you Raft Up in Nanaimo. Email: debbieleach52@gmail.com
2. Contact Dave Peters, President of Nanaimo Paddlers, to choose your Relaxed/Energizer Paddles. Email: petersd208@gmail.com
If you would like a place to stay - likely Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday nights -
3. Contact Anita Stewart who can arrange “Bed and Breakfast” billets.
Email: Adk46stewart@fmail.com
Nanaimo Paddlers will host a potluck for us one evening. You can coordinate other dinner plans with your host. Most likely you will bring your own lunches and snacks.
May31-June 2 RAFT UP in Victoria
We expect ~10 Nanaimo Paddlers to come down to kayak with us.
If you could billet a paddler or two from Nanaimo (Thursday May 30, Friday May 31 and Saturday June 1) please contact Lesley McCallum
Email: canadianlesley@gmail.com
(Note - you can choose if and how many meals you provide along with lodging. We expect paddlers will provide their own lunches and snacks.)
SISKA will host a potluck on Friday May 31 which all members are welcome to attend.
Cheers, Debbie
by Jane Jacek
Women’s Weekends 2024
by Jane Jacek
Broken Islands Lodge is offering a deal for women to come for the weekend! May 10 - 12; May 24 - 26, 2024.
Book a room, which includes meals, and the kayak rental and water taxi service between the Lodge and Secret Beach Marina are free.
They will have staff leading a hike on Saturday and optional evening campfires, yard games and inside activities will be available.
You can email Tina at booking.brokenislands@gmail.com for further info and booking, or bookings can be made using the following links.
Booking links:
by Roger Graves / Jennie Sutton
Search and Rescue actually prefers being contacted directly by cell phone rather than having the Coast Guard relay info to them.
He gave me the number #SAR (#737).
The Canadian Coast Guard cell phone number is *16.
by Alan Campbell
Blackline Marine, Canoe Cove – Sat Feb 24, 2024
by Jane Jacek
Roll with it Kayaking acknowledges being situated on unceded Coast Salish Territories.
Raj is a SISKA member and one of our instructors.
Contact - info@rollwithitkayaking.com
by Debbie Leach
Blackline Marine Tips
CHECK. Blackline Marine has tips for your Kayak Check and Preventive Maintenance.
by Debbie Leach
by Jane Jacek / Sam Cutcliffe
Support BC Marine Trails by participating in this year’s 50⁄50 draw and get the chance to win big!
Your purchase helps fund tent platform construction, site maintenance and trail development, First Nations engagement, stewardship, and public education.
Buy your tickets now at https://bcmt.rafflenexus.com — $10 for one, or $25 for three! The draw date is April 30th, 2024.
BC Marine Trails is a volunteer-led charitable organization working on behalf of paddlers and small boat users to secure access for recreation along the unparalleled BC coastline. Find out more at https://www.bcmarinetrails.org/
by Lynn Baier
Campers, start your dehydrators. I love the planning and preparation for a big kayak trip and my dehydrator sees a lot of use. Some things, however are tricky to do. I recommend a trip to Bulk Barn to cruise the aisles to see what’s there to work with. I recently found whole powdered milk and powdered cheese, but there are so many possibilities. Some of the health food stores also offer a lot of different ingredients to work with.
by Lynn Baier
How many of you are certain that you have adequate perimeter lines on your kayak? It was recently pointed out that this is a concern with some of you. Perimeter lines should allow you to pick up your kayak with them, so no bungee cords as a rescue tool. Also they should be loose enough to easily slip a hand under for a rescuer. You will find them even more functional if tubing is put over them. Stay safe out there and expect the unexpected.
For Sale:
Wanted To Buy:
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:
