[Limor Friedman]

Happy paddling season everyone.

Alert Bay  on Cormorant Island (a 45 minutes ferry from port McNeill)  is hosting every year a recreational race – “Alert Bay 360”. While last year the race canceled, it is back this summer- Always on Sunday-BC long weekend (August 2) .

The Island has one of the biggest first nations’ culture center, some hikes and local artists to explore.

This is a 10 km race around Cormorant Island – all crafts are welcome. There were about 130 paddlers 2 years ago and the last kayaker made it in 2:30 hours. No worries,  you can always break this record  as well 🙂

Registration and more info at the link below:

https://www.alertbay360.com/register.html

 

[Nick Heath]

Thks Meridy,

It looks like there will be at least 3 of us to help. It is a short walk – maybe 1 km? We’ll travel by commercial water taxi, so there is no need to bring any water safety gear. Thks for calling. I’m looking forward to this. /nick

[Meridy Black]

Hello Nick,

I would be interested in participating at the Conservancy work day at Gambier island. This will be my first time volunteering with this group.  Do you happen to know  the hiking distance from the boat drop-off to the work site itself? It might influence footwear choice. Do we bring our own PFD’s?

I will call you later today.

Meridy Black

 

 

 

[Maureen Benzon]

We are very excited to offer the in-person trip leader course again. Registration has opened but we are allowing only 6 participants. Join Maureen and Andrew for a full and adventurous 3 day weekend in the gulf Islands. The course is designed to get you thinking and problem-solving things that inexperienced participants might do on a trip. We start with a 3 hour workshop where you will be challenged to solve a potential issue before we even get on the water

https://www.skabc.org/events-2/trip-leader-course-may-7-evening-may-22-24-gulf-islands/

To decide if this course is actually for you, rest assured that you are not obliged to lead a trip until you are ready. The course is just as relevant if you wish to know how to be a useful participant.

[Nick Heath]

I volunteered Sat 11 April to join the Gambier Island Conservancy group for an invasive plant bash near Brigade Bay in the Long Bay Wetlands Nature Reserve. This will be my first outing with this group, so there are some uncertainties. The usual culprits are on the list, blackberry, holly etc.

They will provide water taxi transport from/from Horseshoe Bay, leaving 09:15 am and returning approx 4:00 pm. They are offering lunch, so you might only need to bring a  water bottle and a pack. Sturdy clothing, gloves & rain gear needed. They have tools or bring your favourites.

They have room for a couple more volunteers. If you wish to join us for the day, pl contact me. Nick  at

Six zero four 417 3447 or nheath at sfu.ca

We might be able to carpool to help with parking.

[Nancy More]

For Sale:  Women’s Neoprene Farmer Jane 3 mm Wetsuit $60

MEC size 13/14, great condition.   I can’t seem to attach a photo here, but I can send one by email if desired.

Contact: njmore57@gmail.com

[Anonymous]

Never done it. Let me know.

[Kelly Robertson]

Hi Will

Courses generally run only once per year, plus I don’t think we have the demand this year.  Some years courses fill up right away and others not so much.

[Will Cullen]

Hi Kelly,

Will the navigation course be running again later in the summer or fall..?

Cheers,

Will

[Maureen Benzon]

The Perimeter line work shop is this Saturday and there are still a couple of spaces available.

Is it time to exchange that old black perimeter line with some flashy reflective line, add safety handles and replace the shock cord.

Bring a clean boat and as a bonus we will provide 303 to protect the fibreglass from the sun. It is so much easier to apply when the deck lines are off.

Registration closes Wednesday

[Kelly Robertson]

The deadline for registration is coming up quickly for the following courses:

• Perimeter Line Workshops March 21 – deadline March 18
• Navigation April 18-19 – deadline March 18
• Weather April 24-26 – deadline March 22

For Navigation and Weather we have the group campsite booked at beautiful Montague Harbour with a large shelter that has running water and a wood stove.

Spaces are available for the Knots & Tarps course on the morning of Saturday March 28 at Cates Park – deadline March 26

The Trip Leader Course in the southern Gulf Islands has just been added and registration is now open.

Many other courses available with more to come.  See the Course Schedule under the Training tab for details.

Questions?  Email training2@skabc.org

[Brenda Hardie]

I am signed up for this full course but have a snowboarding injury that means I won’t be able to attend. I can’t get a refund but they offered to let me transfer to someone else.

if you would like my spot (the course is full) let me know. I would appreciate some recovery of my fees.  Here are the details from their website

Womens’ Tidal Currents
Three days of focused skill development in one of BC’s best tidal playgrounds.
Surge Narrows is where moving water comes alive — clean eddylines, predictable features, and endless opportunities to build real competence. Women’s Tidal Currents is designed for paddlers with strong foundational skills who want to refine technique, sharpen decision-making, and gain confidence operating in tidal environments.

Over three intensive days, you’ll work with experienced female instructors to explore ferrying, eddy turns, S-turns, bracing in current, hazard awareness, group movement, and reading the water with purpose. Instruction is supportive, technical, and grounded in real experience — no pressure, no fluff, just solid skills built progressively.

This course is ideal for women who already feel comfortable in basic currents, light to moderate winds, and short backcountry trips, and who are ready to push their abilities in a controlled, positive environment. Expect hands-on learning, lots of time on the water, and a strong focus on efficiency, safety, and judgment.

If you’re looking to build confidence in dynamic water and expand what’s possible in your paddling, this course is where it happens.

 

Upcoming Courses
April 7-9, 2026
Surge Narrows, BC
$550 CAD  Prices do not include applicable taxes.

 

 

[Kapila Jayaweera]

Eagle Harbor to Sandy Cove trip on March 21st have two spots still available.

Please check trip website for more information.

 

[Limor Friedman]

This coming Saturday, March 14, we’ll be paddling from Cates Park to the Twin Islands.

There are still a few spots available, register now on the trip page to join us!

 

[Quirine Schuyff]

I love that idea too Peter. Will try that. I think I’ll still use a patch to make it a bit stronger as I do tend to need to pull on them as I fit them into my neoprene paddling shoes.

Thanks!

[Author]

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