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
Monday, October 28th, 2024 - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Wind and Weather Planning for Kayakers
Saturday, November 02nd, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Spirit Bay to Cabin Point Paddle
Sunday, November 03rd, 2024 - 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Discovery Island - FULL waitlist being taken Paddle
Thursday, November 07th, 2024 - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM - VHF Radio Refresher for Kayakers
Thursday, November 14th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM - Tour of JRCC CFB Esquimalt
Saturday, November 16th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Oak Bay Marina to Gonzales Beach via Trial Island Paddle
Saturday, November 16th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Cadboro Bay to Oak Bay Marina Paddle
Sunday, November 17th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Telegraph Cove to Willows Beach Paddle
Sunday, November 17th, 2024 - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - Pool Clinic - Forward Finishing Roll
Sunday, November 17th, 2024 - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - Open Pool Session
Wednesday, November 27th, 2024 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Monthly Meeting
Saturday, November 30th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Energizer Paddle - Pedder Bay to Whirl Bay Paddle
Saturday, December 07th, 2024 - 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM - Relaxed Paddle - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Mackenzie Bight 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
by Jane Jacek
Join the Township of Esquimalt, the Stewardship Centre for BC, World Fisheries Trust and the Gorge Waterway Action Society for a Community Planting Party on November 2nd (11:00am-2:00pm) at the Esquimalt Gorge Park Green Shores Demonstration Project site . See attached poster for Community Planting Party details.
Hope to see you there!
Jen
Jennifer Tyler M.Sc. | Harbours & Watersheds Coordinator Environmental Protection | Capital Regional District
Victoria | British Columbia
T: 250.360.3065 | E: jtyler@crd.bc.ca
by Fred Pishalski
Ecological Restoration on Trial Island
by Matt Fairbarns botanist and the Chair of The Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team
The Trial Islands are a group of islands located off the south-eastern tip of Vancouver Island off Victoria, part of the municipality of Oak Bay. Trial Island is home to the Trial Islands Lighthouse which is operated by the Canadian Coast Guard, and continues to be staffed by two full-time lightkeepers. The current lighthouse was erected in 1970 to replace the original lighthouse that was constructed in 1906. The islands form the Trial Islands Ecological Reserve and entry outside designated zones is prohibited. It is likely that these islands were so named after the practise of sailing refitted British naval ships from the Esquimalt Royal Navy Dockyard to these islands and back as a trial run before heading into open seas. The island is home to the Trial Islands Lighthouse and four large radio antennas.
The Trial Islands have one of the greatest concentration of endangered species in all of Canada. Matt was originally attracted to the islands in 2003 because they provided a relatively protected area for him to conduct his study of demographic trends in a handful of endangered plant species. At the end of each field day he would take a break to clear invasive plants before paddling home. Twenty-one years later that little venture into Scotch Broom removal has become a monster of a project, with funding from the federal government and the Castilleja Conservation Society and considerable volunteer support, particularly from University of Victoria students. Matt continues to pilot new methods of controlling invasive species and has started to consider how future conservation efforts should factor in climate change.
Matt Fairbarns is an “aging” botanist and the Chair of The Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team. His professional work centres on the biology and conservation of rare plant species in the Pacific Northwest. He also volunteers his time managing a number of ecosystem restoration projects in the Victoria area including on the Trial Islands, Griffin Island and Alpha Islet.
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
RSVP to: sales@bestcoastoutfitters.com
3rd Annual SISKA Easy Peasy Campout 2024
by BJ Porter
Wallace Island, September 27, 28, 29
The Easy Peasy Campout (aka The Wallace Island Campout) is (so far) an annual two night camping trip to Conover Cove on Wallace Island. It is designed (but not exclusively) for people who want to explore kayak camping without extreme challenges or discomfort. The paddles generally (but not exclusively) conform to Relaxed Paddle criteria. There is an optional hike the length of the island on a flat and (not exclusively) level trail.
Nine kayak campers took part in this three-day, two overnight kayak camping excursion: Kathy, Teresa, Mark, Alix, Michael, guest paddler Laura, Lorne, BJ and Marika.
We dodged a weather bullet, undertaking the campout later in the month than other years and having experienced three days of rain prior to launching. We had no rain, some high overcast clouds and ended on a high note of gorgeous calm sunny conditions Sunday.
Camping at the usual Conover Cove site we had it pretty much to ourselves except for two small kayaking parties that joined us on the last night.
Salt Spring was very busy due to the annual Apple Festival but despite our fears there was no problem getting on the ferries both outbound and inbound. We just did the crossing on the first day and took our time setting up camp. Kitchen boss Michael Hayden did a stellar job of set up and all weekend, setting a high bar by offering bacon and eggs Saturday morning! We enjoyed the usual short walk and views at the south end of Wallace. (On the last morning a few stalwarts rose to watch the sunrise and got from lovely photos from that vantage point.)
Conditions (as forecast) exceeded the advertised Relaxed Paddle criteria on Saturday but we were not deterred and some paddlers pushed their limits admirably with nobody coming to grief. We stayed on the lee side of the Secretary Islands to avoid whitecaps. A choppy launch from Mowgli after lunch, involving being pushed towards a rocky outcrop while hurriedly doing up one’s skirt, made for some adrenalin. Plan A of all crossing to Jackscrew was postponed until the following day.
As usual the museum quality totems and sculptures on Jackscrew were a highlight of the trip, of which I never tire. We observed a fellow we presumed to be the artist walking on the beach.
Some lively games of crib and more sober (and not so sober) chess matches enlivened the early evening hours before alas, the campers’ early bedtime impulse chased us into our tents.
The year “2024” was added to our Easy Peasy Campout sign in the cabin at Conover Bay where boaters of all kinds leave their mementos. I sincerely hope that SISKA will offer this much appreciated paddle again next year so we can proudly add yet another year.
Photos courtesy of Marika and Teresa.
Kayaking Turkey
by Norm Smyth
Three SISKA kayakers participated in a guided kayaking tour of Turkey’s Turquoise coast from 1 to 8 June 2024. It was a wonderful experience which we will share in detail at a SISKA presentation next April. This article is a brief summary….
Hornby Island
by Norm Smyth
Ten Salish Salties travelled to Sea Breeze Resort on Hornby Island on Sunday 15 Sept 2024 for a five day adventure kayaking counter clockwise around this 18 nm Island. We took three days to do it with one day off. As this is “shoulder” season, there were only two restaurants available to us – Fords Cove and The Breeze. Both were good…..
by Rod Stiebel
We are just getting started this fall, with a few offerings in the form of clinics, by members, and trying to get more from our valued retail partners, for courses, when it is best suited. We are also trying to do more tours of kayak related facilities and organizations.
ROC-M VHF Radio Course
We have had a number of folks enquire how to get their Radio Operators Certificate. The best and easiest way is through the Victoria Power Squadron. And now, you can do the whole course On-Line, at your own pace and the exam is via Zoom. See below for more info and the link to their website.
Victoria Power and Sail Squadron Self study/pace course. Cost: $125.00 Register on-line, do it at your own pace Go to their website for more information and to register: https://www.victoriasquadron.ca/courses/elective-courses/maritime-radio.html
That said, you don’t need the certification to take the VHF Radio Refresher Clinic put on by Edgar Hulatt, a valued SISKA member, avid kayaker and sailor. It is on Nov 7, there may be spots still available. Go to the SISKA calendar, and have a look.
First Aid Courses
One local source for First Aid courses is Alert First Aid, but there are a few, including St John’s Ambulance. Alert does offer a good variety of courses, including a few different levels of standard First Aid and CPR, and also Wilderness and Marine type first aid courses. You can check out their offerings here:
https://www.alertfirstaid.com/first-aid-course.php
Tour of JRCC (Joint Rescue Coordination Center) CFB Esquimalt
Sold out in 1 day…There were only 10 spots, and this is a popular tour. We will try and set up another tour after January, but they are a busy place, so it may not happen…stay tuned!
Chart and Compass Navigation (by Go Kayak)
This is 2 part course, with an evening of chart work, and a morning of on water application. There is one spot left as of writing this for Nov 20 and 24. Contact them at info@gokayak.ca with SISKA Chart and Compass in the subject line. They will probably offer this course again in the Spring.
Already under our belt is the ever popular Wind and Weather for Kayakers Clinic, put on by Alan Campbell, on Oct 28, it sold out fast also. If there is interest, we may try and convince Alan to do a Spring clinic.
We also had the opportunity to have Dakini Tidal Wilds, with Amanda Swinimer do a Seaweed Tour in James Bay in late August, which was also well attended. We may ask her to again offer this, if interest is there, but not until the Spring, when the seaweed is in better bloom. See her website here for more info: https://www.dakinitidalwilds.com/
Keep your eyes peeled for more Off Water Clinics being offered. We have a few more for January and February, and we thank the small group of regular Facilitators who step up every year to help us out. We all know who they are. Thank You! That said, we need more to offer! So we are always looking for Facilitators to put on a clinic on any kayak related topic they may have some deeper knowledge in. You don’t have to be an “expert”. We are also always looking for input from the membership, so we can continue to hone our offerings. Send any feedback, suggestions or offers to do a clinic to us at offwaterclinics@siska.ca
by Tamara Plush
We’re thrilled that our film “The Nutchatlitz 5” has been selected to be included in the 2024 Waterwalker Film Festival, launching November 1 for host packages and December 1 for individual viewing access. The Waterwalker Film Festival—begun by the legendary Bill Mason in 1987—is Canada’s longest-running Paddling Film Festival; and is now run by Paddle Canada.
Tamara, Julie, Johanna, Lesley and Darrell
by Debbie Leach
GRAB AND GO. A large carabiner keeps your bag handles together and makes carrying easier.
by Lynn Baier
ORANGE PISTACHIO COUSCOUS
This month’s recipe is modified from a Thrifty’s Kitchen Recipe that I found when doing a bit of cupboard cleaning. It would make a lovely side dish, but I doubled the pistachios to give it enough protein to make it a complete meal. We really enjoyed it, but next time I think I’ll add some Moroccan type spice to it. I might also try some finely chopped sun dried tomatoes. These numbers will provide three or four generous dinner servings.
Put one single size orange juice and enough water to make 3 cups in a saucepan.
Add 3 teaspoons of vegetable or chicken bouillon powder, garlic powder to make the equivalent of one crushed garlic clove, and one tablespoon of olive oil. Bring it to a boil.
Add in:
Bring it back to a boil, then remove from the heat and let it sit for five minutes.
Fluff it up and enjoy
by Sybil Seitzinger
Warm-up Stretches
As the Weather Cools, Don’t Forget Warm-up Stretches
As the weather cools, muscles tend to tighten, making it even more important to do some gentle stretching before and after a day of kayaking. These stretches will help loosen up muscles, improve flexibility, and avoid injury.
There are plenty of short videos available online. Here are two great options, each with a 5-minute routine—perfect for fitting in before hitting the water:
Classical Stretches Watch here
A few New Moves Watch here
Although these videos are made by whitewater kayakers, the muscles we use in sea kayaking are similar.
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:
