[Will Cullen]

Hi Folks,

I am very much an ‘in-person’ learner and I see that Simply Sailing is, in April, offering a Basic Coastal Navigation Classroom Courses (for Certification Sail Canada Basic Coastal Navigation Standard).

I am wondering if this would be a good course to take as a kayaker..?

Thanks in advance.

[Yekaterina Yushmanova]

Hi Andrea, unfortunately I will be out of town. Sorry to miss such a great event.

[Maureen Benzon]

This workshop has been posted, Registration will open on 2nd Feb at 9.00 am.

Parking is limited, so we have split the workshop into 2 sessions, morning and afternoon.

Materials will be provided and tools will be available

[Bob Maher]

Orange Canoe is a new company in New Westminster, that make their own Dry Suits, that are “Made in Canada (Fabrique au Canada)”. They also Repair Dry Suits from all the other manufactures.

Just wanted to let you know that they have their New Website up and running.

[Maureen Benzon]

At 18’ long and 22” wide this is a sleek, fast touring kayak
New reflective perimeter lines with grab handles, and new bungy chord
New silicon seal to ensure dry hatches
Upgraded to “gas pedal” rudder system
New neoprene hatch covers
New Brookes spray skirt

For photos see

https://vancouver.craigslist.org/nvn/boa/d/north-vancouver-necky-tahsis/7910164867.html

 

[Nancy More]

in New Brunswick, dulse is collected and traditionally dried on the beach in the sun, but can be done in ovens.   It is a local speciality and available commercially, but most locals make their own.

Home

 

 

[Nick Heath]

Thank you participants!  The trip was completed as planned (more or less!) and the previously incomplete trail brushing was finished with gusto.  Finding the vandalized signs was, however, unsuccessful, but we don’t even know (we only suspect) that the signs are lying somewhere there in the bushes. No matter, I’ll re-make the ones we lost. Anyone willing to help? It is a bit fiddly, but I’m hoping this time to use a laser etcher/printer for the lettering. If you know of one I could use, pl let me know. I’ll start by asking at my local library and rec centre.

[Klaus Boedker]

Great podcast 🎉

I listened to most of the episodes on a recent drive down to Seattle. I especially enjoyed the one with Chessy Knight. Keep ’em coming 🎙️

[Nick Heath]

That Club used to be and started out as an affiliate club of SKABC. It’s good that they have flourished for several years now as an independent club!

[Klaus Boedker]

At our January 5 members’ meeting, we were joined by a visitor from the Cowichan Kayak & Canoe Club. She shared that SKABC members are always welcome to drop in if they happen to be in the area during one of their monthly in-person meetings.

Find more information on their website (https://cowichankayakandcanoe.wordpress.com/welcome-to-the-cowichan-kayak-canoe-club-2/) and Meetup page (https://www.meetup.com/cowichan-kayak-club/).

[Quirine Schuyff]

A reminder to send in your nomination(s) soon please! By Jan 9th. 

Nominations are open for the Silver Paddle and Orca Awards.
The Silver Paddle Award is given by the club exec to show our appreciation for a member’s awesome contributions to SKABC over the years. We’re also asking for nominations for the Orca Award. This award is a way of saying thanks to someone who’s made a big impact not only on SKABC but also on the sea kayaking community.
Here are the nomination guidelines: We want to recognize unique individuals each year, someone who hasn’t won before! You can find a list of past recipients below.

The awards will be presented in early 2026.
To submit your last minute nominations, email Quirine at: president2@skabc.org 

Here’s a little history about the Silver Paddle and Orca Awards:
The Silver Paddle Award winners were chosen by the club exec to recognize and say a huge thank you for a member’s volunteer efforts over the years!
Orca Award:
2003 Orca Award: Harald Riffel, President, Instructor
2004 Orca Award: Ray Pillman, Sport BC, Club Executive
2005 Orca Award: Rick Davies, Instructor, President
2006 Orca Award: Tony Clayton, Trip Leader, Club Executive
2007 Orca Award: Cindy Dopson, President, Newsletter
2018 Orca Award: Nick Heath: Conservation, Treasurer, Club Executive
2021 Orca Award: Steve Best: Howe Sound Site Steward, Club Executive
2024 Orca Award: George Prevost: Club President, Instructor

Silver Paddle Award
2008: Gayla Shulhan, George Prevost, Kallie Cunningham, and Peter Kearney.
2009: Bob Maher and Maureen Benzon
2013: Richard Jensen and Susan Jensen.
2014: Karin Hartner, Nick Heath, and Rob Leeson.
2015: Mick Allen, Shirley Brunke, and Simone Avram.
2017: Roy Smyth, Inge Zegel, Bruce Pickwell, and Randy Chatterjee..
2018: Graham Lorimer, Bob Salo, Steve Best, and Chantal Ethier.
2019: Sue Johnson and Calvin Sam.
2021: Philip Kubik.
2023: Kevin Hall and Quirine Schuyff
2024: Kevin Amos

[Admin S. Jensen]

Hi Kevin, I dehydrate kelp and cut it in little strips to add to ramen.

[Esmeralda Cabral]

Happy New Year, all! Our first club meeting of the year happens Monday, Jan. 5 (tomorrow!) at 7:30pm on Zoom. Our featured speaker will be kayaking instructor, guide, teacher and coach, Mike Gilbert. Plan to join us!

The zoom link is below. If you misplace this message, the link is also available on the homepage of the SKABC website.

The meeting is open to the public. Everyone is welcome.

Topic: January 5 club meeting
Time: Jan 5, 2026 07:30 PM Vancouver
Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87251903641

Meeting ID: 872 5190 3641

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One tap mobile
+12042727920,,87251903641# Canada
+14388097799,,87251903641# Canada

[Kevin Amos]

I was listening to Limor’s Podcast today with JF

He mentioned seaweed chips. I went to Gemini for information which is pretty good. However getting feed back from members would be great. I am curious about trying it on a trip. Anyone got experience. Some tips or trips would be great.

Thanks

PS Checkout Limor’s podcast & suscibe for more listening content

[Nick Heath]

SKABC have offered and Parks Canada have accepted our offer to do a weekend of volunteer work to control Scotch Broom at James Bay Prevost I 29-31 May 2026.
Parks Canada staff will supervise for one day. Volunteers will camp on site. Access will be by kayak from Village Bay or Long Harbour ferry terminals. Our group will be small, limited to approx. 6.
SKABC had offered to assist at Portland I in 2024 but Parks Canada were reluctant to accept, citing their resource limitations.

Clipping Scotch Broom  is fairly easy and simple, but its spread has been massive and it is fully established on the Gulf Islands and on S and Central Vancouver I., so control rather than elimination is the sensible goal. In the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, there are worse infestations at Portland I, Tumbo I, Saturna I, Sidney I and  parts of the Pender Is etc., but this little area in the orchard at Prevost I is limited in size and the Broom encroaches on the  campsite, so is a suitable target for SKABC’s volunteers.

Several groups like Broombusters of Qualicum (see their videos) specialize in attacking Broom.

The trip might be cancelled if too many bird nests are detected by Parks staff in the Broom bushes a week or so beforehand.

Save the date!

[Author]

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