[Nick Heath]

Please be aware of some underlying factors here.

1) Within BC, there is a strong lobby for motorized trail use – ATV, dirt bike, 4×4, ORV and to a lesser extent snowmobile. Various of these groups now have access to the approx. $250,000 p.a. to be spent (most likely exclusively) on motorized used trails, derived from the ORV Trail Fund revenue from licence fees. No similar source is available for non-motorized trails. Some trails targeted for ‘improvement,’ including some sections of BCs new rail trails and parts of the Trans Canada Trail (Great Trail) are currently maintained by volunteers and others for cycling/hiking use only.

2) If a trail is supported for “transportation”, please distinguish between “active transportation” and mechanized transportation – the motorized lobby wants use of some walking/cycling trails to get around their area on ATVs etc that are not allow on the roads (although they can surely travel fast enough!).

3) Please treat with caution terms such as “all users”, “diverse users’ needs” -these could include sectors of the public who wish to roar through alpine meadows on dirt bikes…

4) Although SKABC had input to the Trails Strategy at public meetings about 8 years ago, we did not really succeed in getting proper acknowledgement of water trails, so here is another opportunity to correct that.

5) Vision statement
May I suggest something along these lines ? :
Trails on water as well as on land should be acknowledged in the vision.
Trails should neither permit nor encourage motorized use.

6) To the question:Please name one trail or trail network within British Columbia that you think is world class and explain why:

I took the opportunity to blow BCMT’s horn slightly:

Gulf lslands Marine Trail is quite easy, v accessible for paddlers of all ability, relatively safe, yet gives access to beautiful and diverse places with excellent camping or fixed-roof accommodation in a near-unique, relatively natural environment.

You might disagree, and I am by no means trying to put words into anyone’s mouth.

However, this is important stuff and so please spread the word and get others (club members, family etc ) to complete this tedious questionnaire. You can be sure that other groups are getting as many as possible to do so, but their interests are likely different from ours.

The questionnaire is horribly long and quite vague in parts. Just please watch out for  numerous weasel words that  allow it to be interpreted very differently by different people.

Due date is end of February.

[Lynn Malbeuf]

Standard Horizon HX280S parts available for FREE.  If anyone has this radio and would like all of the charging apparatus, please email. I have the Charger cradle; DC cable with cigarette lighter plug, DC cable and the extra alkaline battery case.

Lynn

[Mike Gilbert]

I will be presenting a VHF-DSC (M) Radio Certification course on Saturday, March 7th and Saturday, March 28th.  Each will be a one day course beginning at 9:00 AM and ending at 4:00 PM.  They will be held in Richmond.

With successful completion of the course you will receive your Restricted Radio Operator’s Certificate which is required by law to operate and use a VHF Radio.  This certificate is good for life.

A maximum of 10 students per course.

Price: $145.00.

Price covers:  the material (manual); exams; mail costs; processing fees; and a full day with me.

If you are interested and / or would like to register, please get hold of me at: mgilbert1600@gmail.com

[Mike Gilbert]

Hi everyone.

This is a “once in a lifetime” trip to sea kayak through the beautiful Stockholm Archipelago with me, Mike Gilbert, this August 2nd – 8th.  I will be guiding alongside my good friend, Fabio Tosto (who lives in Sweden) leading a group of 8 enthusiastic paddlers showing them the islands and islets, life within the archipelago and providing some great campsites along with some specially chosen overnight accommodation on some of the islands themselves.

Before putting this out to the general public this trip is being offered to sea kayak clubs within BC that I have worked with in the past.  As of March 1st, when I return from teaching in New Zealand, any remaining spaces will be made available to the general public (of sea kayaker!).

If you are interested in learning more please copy and paste the link that takes you to the info sheet which explains the trip, the route and should answer most of your questions.  I am available to be contacted should you have any inquiries or would like to register for this exciting trip.  Once again, there will only be a maximum of 8 people able to join us for this tour.  Would love to have some SKABC paddlers included.

Info Sheet Link:  http://bckayakcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Stockholm-Archipelago-Info-Sheet.pdf

Cheers,  Mike

 

[Bruce Pickwell]

Wanted Boreal Desiigns Alvik Kevlar

Contact bruce.pickwell@telus.net

[Former Member]

Another up-vote for this post. Please make the time to take the survey. It will take about 30 minutes if you do it thoughtfully.

While there is no guarantee the province will USE the information wisely, there is also NO reason to squander this opportunity to give them reasons to pay attention to paddlers. Our trails are on water, but it is incredibly important to preserve road access to launch/landing sites and water access to sites for safe stops and camping — all of which are land.

[Mark Stoakes]

Thanks for highlighting this survey. Definitely worth responding too – although make sure you set aside the time to do it as it’s pretty comprehensive.  High on my list is a strategy about maintaining water access points.

[Yekaterina Yushmanova]

The Province is updating its trails strategy and is currently looking for feedback.

There are no specific questions regarding marine trails, but there is an opportunity to fold in water use as a part of the questionnaire response. I think it is important that everyone who uses land and water trails to considers providing input.

Here is a link to the document and the survey: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/trailsstrategyreview/

The survey will be available until the end of February.

[Former Member]

I got a late start, but got on the water at Deep Cove today.

[Former Member]

Yes, that’s tomorrow. This is super short notice, but winds are forecast light tomorrow (5 kts or less) for Indian Arm. High Tide is 8:21 AM and 5:46 PM, so not favorable going out or back, but currents in Indian Arm aren’t strong anyhow.

If no one available to come along, my alternate is Whytecliff Park to Halkett Bay. Winds north side of Bowen are forecast light, but rise as you move towards the south side facing the open Strait.

[Former Member]

Show of hands folks, those of you who are shooting video with action cameras (GoPro, DJI, etc.)?

I’d be willing to explore video as suggested by Randy. However, video is tricky compared to stills photography. It’s mostly due to the fact that pre-production and post-production are much more fiddly and time-consuming — this is even taking into account all the new gadgets that put broadcast video quality tools into the hands of normal people.

I’ve seen Mike’s videos. Like many of my other video producing friends, he makes this complex process look very easy. There are tips and tricks that can be shared for sure. I think people need to understand up front that video versus stills is like rock-gardening versus a summer day trip on a lake.

All of that said, I have 2x GoPro Hero 3+ (one of which tumbled in the surf on the South Brooks for almost a year). I think creating compelling video is a deeply satisfying challenge and worth all the techy fiddling. Game on for anyone who wants to learn more.

[Former Member]

I think we need to try to match the amazing videos that Mike McHolm seems to be able to assemble effortlessly.

How about we schedule a trip focussed on kayak photography, capture footage from all manner of “platforms” (aka different cameras, positions, and technologies), edit a story from it, AND THEN hold a show-and-tell like you envision?  This way people can see which tools produced which footage and to what end.  Those on the trip can see the gear in action, and of course be the actors.

I can’t say it will be easy or successful on the first go, but we’ll have to give it a try.

[Former Member]

I think we need to try to match the amazing videos that Mike McHolm seems to be able to assemble effortlessly.

How about we schedule a trip focussed on kayak photography, capture footage from all manner of “platforms” (aka different cameras, positions, and technologies), edit a story from it, AND THEN hold a show-and-tell like you envision?  This way people can see which tools produced which footage and to what end.  Those on the trip can see the gear in action, and of course be the actors.

I can’t say it will be easy or successful on the first go, but we’ll have to give it a try.

[Former Member]

Follow-up – First paddle of the year! I paddled from Stewart Farm down to Blackie Spit and Crescent Beach. The wind cleared away the clouds and it turned into a beautiful, though bitter day. I was bundled up well in my dry suit, along with one those chemical powder heat packets tucked under my toque. My fingers and toes stayed toasty, as my body wasn’t having to work so hard keeping my head warm.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="573"] Blackie Spit / Crescent Beach[/caption]

[Former Member]

Well said Randy. People care about what they have experienced. Photos and video help do that for our remaining wild places.

Would really enjoy having you along for the ride. It would be fun to have a show and tell kind of workshop with a station each for Point & Shoot cameras, Mirrorless cameras and lenses, Action cameras, and one for Drones.

[Author]

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