[Admin S. Jensen]

Hi there, the AGM is a week away and we still need volunteers for two key positions –  Trips and Communications Officers. Both are Executive roles (the club Executive meets monthly over Zoom).

The Trips Officer facilitates planning of club paddles over the season.  The Communications Officer puts together the monthly e-newsletter and sends occasional reminders for club events.

Our club thrives thanks to volunteer efforts. Join the team! Reply to this post or contact nominationcommittee@skabc.org to find out more.

[Former Member]

Hi Danielle, I live in Sechelt in Tuwanek right on Sechelt Inlet. There’s also Libby who lives in Roberts Creek who has been part of the club for years as well. If you want to put together a group please let me know traceypham88@gmail.com

[Nick Heath]

I served as a volunteer for 22 years in a land/water search and rescue team that practiced on a regular basis. I’ve seen quite a few practice sessions that were all too realistic. One definitely learns from such sessions, but  at an excessive level of risk.

Recall the 2012 tragedy at Skookumchuck

https://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-province/20120605/281479273475409

– a routine training trip to show new RMSAR volunteers how to go through the rapids at high flow and perform a rescue – which resulted in 2 deaths. And yes… Coast Guard were in attendance….

 

[Vincent Law]

Thanks for organizing, Nick,

Unfortunately I’ll be out of town at the end of October and I can do any of the November dates.

 

[Richard Cordner]

Please put me on your backup list. I need a few days to confirm my availability with work before I can commit for certain but this is something I want to assist with, if I can free the day(s) up.

Being a part of projects like this brings a lot of personal pride and connection. I encourage others to experience it!

[Nick Heath]

Updated 2022 11 05

Using a different approach trail that BC Parks staff had checked only yesterday and determined that it does not cross private land, Steve and 2 helpers hiked to the site today and moved and re-stacked the lumber, blocks and similar. Thks everyone!

Updated 2022 11 02

Today BC Parks staff with the barge service moved the tent platform materials to Apodaca but not all up the trail to the actual site – distance approx 100-200 m. uphill.
We are seeking helpers to perform this task on Saturday 5 Nov with an alternative day on Sunday 6 Nov if the weather on Sat is too bad.

Trip leader will be Steve Best, SKABC’s Howe Sound Steward.
This will be in a group of experienced, well-equipped kayakers, wearing full thermal protection, paddling together both ways. Typical distance from launch to take-out is 2.8 NM one way. The day trip is weather-dependent.

Construction Phase
No dates set yet but delays until Spring 2023 are foreseen for logistical reasons.

Updated 2022 10 29

More delays!

The BC Parks landing craft is now out of service, so construction work is not scheduled to  start until Wed 16 – Sat 19 Nov. Meanwhile, the materials might be moved to the site by barge on one day next week, between Wed 2 and Sat 5 Nov.  For this task, BC Parks are not requesting our assistance, but this could change.

(In my view, it would be advantageous to move all the heavy materials from the foreshore up the bank on the same day that the barge makes its delivery but BC Parks are currently contemplating a separate day for this, to minimize barge time.)

I’ll post again if I hear anything further. /Nick

Updated 2022 10 22

Members might recall that in 2021 SKABC received a $5000 Park Enhancement Fund grant to build 4 tent platforms at Apodaca Park on Bowen Island.  We bought materials and delivered them to BC Parks last winter. Since then, we’ve been patiently waiting for the ‘go ahead’.

Gareth Wheatley, Snr Park Ranger at BC Parks called  with good news. They (3 rangers) plan to move materials to Apodaca Park (Bowen I) soon and build the 4 platforms and a composting toilet there.

As planned, they will rely on our help – They need 2 or 3 volunteer helpers for approx 3 days. The same volunteers need not participate each day – a rotation is ok although the Park Ranger will stay overnight on site and our volunteers could do likewise to minimize transport time.

Tentative dates:

Wed 2 Nov
Thu 3 Nov
Fri 4 Nov
Sat 5 Nov if needed

depending on weather/barge availability.

Day-long shifts – no overnight stay required unless you want to. Start/end times likely 08:30/17:30 at dock – Caulfeild or Horseshoe Bay or maybe Eagle Hbr/Fisherman’s Cv.

Plan: Day 1: load up trailer in N Vancouver work yard, unload & reload onto barge at Horseshoe Bay/Sunset Marina.  Volunteers travel to Apodaca on BC Parks boat. Barge unloaded by hoist. Materials hand-carried up trail to site on upper bench.

Day 2+ : Volunteers travel to Apodaca on BC Parks boat or water taxi. Lay out platform sites. Grub surface vegetation. Place concrete block footings on surface. Level & fasten support beams.

Day 3+ : Volunteers travel to Apodaca on BC Parks boat or other boat. Screw on decking. Clean up site.

Some volunteers are hoping to paddle their kayaks instead of using larger boats for transport.

Please let me know of your availability with dates asap. If you are not able to help, there’s no need to reply – but thank you for considering!

No building skills need for Day 1 – just strong backs & legs! Other days should be less strenuous.  OK to come for just one day …or more – either will be helpful!  I have 17 names so far and that will likely be more than enough, but I’m keen on having a strong reserve list in case of need.

Rain or shine. Bring a lunch, gloves, boots, PFD. Tools provided. Limited crew capacity.

I’m looking forward to putting together a great team, but my leg is still injured, so I might not be able to do much myself!

Pl reply if available to:

treasurer2_at_skabc.org         (where @ replaces _at_)

Nick Heath

[Nick Heath]

 

 

Thks, Catherine!

Pl sign this everyone – v worthwhile and so easy to do!

[Devi Desabhatla]

Hi

I too am not aware of any groups.

I live close to the Langdale ferrry terminal and paddle Thornborough Channel.. west of Gambier Island ,launching from Port Mellon.Easy access to water.. One can back car right up to waters edge.

Another of my haunts is Sechelt Inlet, launch from Porpoise Bay, excellent parking.c Paddle up to Piper Point or Nine Mile Point usually and sometimes beyond.

I am not a cold weather paddler!! I generally paddle April to October mid.

I use a Current Designs Solstice GTS. Give me a shout sometime.

Cheers

Devi

 

 

[Quirine Schuyff]

Signed! Thank you for initiating this.

[Susan Servos-Sept]

Hi, Danielle I am the paddler that John refers to above. I do not know of any official paddle groups here on the SSCoast (used to be one long ago). I wish there was one. I am always keen to go for a paddle. Give me a shout if you would like to go out. I will go any season as long as it is not too windy or cold. I use a Necky Solander.

[John McIntyre]

Daniele

You should contact Susie Servos-Sept.  She is one of our paddling trip buddies. I am sure she would love to have another paddler buddy on the Sunshine Coast.  Her email is: Susan Servos-Sept <susan.servossept@yahoo.ca

John McIntyre

[Nick Heath]

Halfmoon Bay is a super paddling location – congratulations!

Several years ago there was a small club on the Sunshine Coast that was an affiliate of SKABC but eventually it folded up. I’ve not heard of any other sea paddling clubs there, although there are likely outdoor clubs that combine a variety of formats.

SKABC continues to have several active, loyal members who are Sunshine Coast residents. More of the same would be great!

[Former Member]

Hi there!

I just moved to Halfmoon Bay on the Sunshine Coast and am looking for people to paddle with. Does anyone know of a group that goes out on a regular basis? I’m willing to drive a ways to meet the group.

Thanks in advance!

Daniele

[Kapila Jayaweera]

Still have few spots available for Harrison River paddle if anyone interested. Please follow the club trip site for registration details.

Note:- I made a mistake on my previous posting indicating Oct 20th instead 22nd.

Thank You,

Kapila

[Kapila Jayaweera]

Sorry It is October 22nd. not 20th.

My bad.

Kapila

 

[Author]

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