[Roberto Dominguez]

PIKA is organizing a currents course with Deep Cove Kayak at Skookumchuck Narrows and there are still some spots available.

I attended the course last year (with PCL2) and had a lot of fun… although I spent a bit of time in the water 😉 I am rolling now (yay!) and will be attending again (with PCL2.5).

The course is three days, the currents speed increasing each day, so you gradually gain confidence.

Here’s the info:

• Monday April 27 10:30am meet on Egmont Dock (allows you to take the morning ferry from Horseshoe Bay)
• Course finishes April 29th 6pm on the dock at Egmont.
• Course cost $750 plus GST plus accommodation and ferry. (Camping is $25 per person per night)

If interested, contact Mike Gill at school@deepcovekayak.com

 

[Mike Gilbert]

Good morning.  I was asked what the pre-requisites are in order to register and take the L2 Instructor course I am offering.  I am not sure of the numbers but having a club member as a Level 2 Instructor can only make the club stronger and more self reliant.  Once again, if you have any questions let me know.  The course is 4 days;  March 21 – 24 and we will be home based on Portland Island.
L2 Pre-requisites:
Minimum 18 years old.

Certified at Level 3 Skills and Level 1 Instructor.

Has teaching experience as a Level 1 Instructor and has taught 2 L1 courses as the lead instructor.

 

 

[Nancy More]

Great condition Brooks neoprene spray skirt.  It came with a boat that I bought a few years ago, but was clearly the wrong size.  $75.  Current price new $149.

Size ML, fits cockpit combing of up to 33 by 19 inch outside diameter.  Adjustable tunnel size.

Respond via the forum or to njmore57@gmail.com

[Quirine Schuyff]

What are the pre-requisites?

I don’t think I can make this one but others might wonder this also.

[Mike Gilbert]

Hi everyone.

A couple of notes if I may.

I have a Level 2 Skills Instructor course taking place March 21 – 24 on Portland Island.  I have two signed up and need at least one more should you be interested.  Any club member gets a 25% discount off the regular cost of the course.  If interested just contact me.  Need to know by Feb. 27

I am extremely excited about the in-person club meeting happening March 2nd.  Hope to see you there.

and I see there will be a knots and tarps presentation later in March.  If you are planning any overnights this summer I should think this is a “must go to” session.  I love this kind of info.

[Yekaterina Yushmanova]

Folks, I just saw that BCMT is hosting a workshop on using OceanConnect app/website for trip planning: https://www.bcmarinetrails.org/oceanconnect-planning-workshop/?utm_source=convertkit&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=%E2%9D%A4%EF%B8%8F%20February%20Newsletter%20-%2020794843

I discovered OceanConnect about a year ago and has become my favourite app for short term high resolution weather forecasts and detailed currents info. It is free, available as an app and desktop, and uses government data and models for forecasts. The weather model is HRDPS updated every 6 hours. The service also has all the live data from weather stations and buoys. HRDPS model is now available on Windy too, but you have to have the paid version for six hour updates, free version updates only every 12 hours. I find this weather model is much better at accounting for topography and is particularly useful for paddling in the Metro Vancouver area and in the Salish Sea. Long story short, if you are member of BCMT, the workshop will add a new tool to your trip planning toolbox!

Katya

[Quirine Schuyff]

I think I might be interested too Nick! I believe it would work if I came from Vancouver and picked you up ?

Here is a promo video for it:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmRh4dxinR0&t=81s

 

 

[Cynthia Kennedy]

Join the 2026 BC Marine Trails 50/50 raffle for a chance to win while supporting coastal stewardship and recreation access! Last year’s winner took home $3,850!
Your ticket purchase helps fund trails development, First Nations engagement, stewardship initiatives, map development, and public education.
Get your tickets now at bcmt.rafflenexus.com — $10 for one, or $20 for three! Draw date is March 15th.

 

[Nick Heath]

Sounds v worthwhile. I’m interested. I can carpool from Coquitlam.

Any takers?

[Nicholas Heath]

I’ve posted a new-to-SKABC VHF Radio Function Clinic to be held 14 March 2026 (morning session) at Barnet Marine Park, Burnaby. This is a dry land clinic to review members’ VHF hand-held radios – performance, features and settings and it arises from members’ requests to get more practice with their radios and test their capabilities.

Would someone with more knowledge than I have care to assist me? Would another member have access to any communications test equipment such as the device that measures the efficiency of an antenna? All I have by way of meters is the common multimeter for voltage, impedance etc.

Mostly, I intend to make simple short transmissions and close-proximity confirmation that the messages we send are being received clearly on other nearby radio(s). However, if i had a remote assistant, I could perform test transmissions over longer, more realistic distances, using both DSC calling and by pre-establishing suitable working channels (and thereby avoiding clogging Ch 16). Realistically, a remote assistant might live on the N Shore or in Vancouver and be in line-of-sight VHF range of a handheld radio at Barnet Marine Park transmitting at only 5W of power.

Your ideas/suggestions will be welcomed!

[Cynthia Kennedy]

Please share with your club
Thanks,
Cheryl Waye, Nanaimo Paddlers

Date is March 4, 7 pm
Zoom link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83773738446?pwd=jdbRbJ0CDwb6KvDi3sbocVljRHM85D.

Waters Less Travelled: The Northwest Territories by Kayak and Canoe

Our March General Meeting features a presentation by Hannah Goodings of Jackpine Paddling, NWT. This meeting is open to guests; so feel free to invite others to attend this meeting by Zoom.
The Northwest Territories offers some of North America’s most remote and pristine wilderness paddling experiences. This presentation will cover the diverse paddling regions across the Northwest Territories- from legendary tundra rivers that cross into the Arctic Circle to the vast waters and towering cliffs of Great Slave Lake. There is a dream paddling route for everyone. Join Jackpine Paddle guide Hannah Goodings as she shares what makes paddling in Canada’s North unique and a must-have on every paddler’s bucket list.
Hannah is an experienced canoe and sea kayak guide and instructor with Jackpine Paddle in Yellowknife, NWT. She spends summers guiding expeditions on remote waterways across the north and winters in Whitehorse, Yukon as Jackpine Paddle’s Marketing Director.

 

 

[Maureen Benzon]

We printed ID decals last year and they have been distributed among members to hand out to fellow members. If you have a stash not yet distributed, please let me know how many so we know if we need to print more, or if we still have plenty in reserve.

Thanks, Maureen

reply to safety2@skabc.org

[Kevin Amos]

Dear Paddling Club & Team Members,
Spring is around the corner – and that means GEAR UP FOR SPRING is back at Western Canoeing & Kayaking!
This exclusive members-only promotion is your chance to get fully outfitted for the upcoming paddling season with special pricing, big savings, and a chance to win a $100 WCK Gift Card.
When & Where In-store only -WCK 1717 Salton Rd Abbotsford March 2 – March 31, 2026
Available to CLUB & TEAM MEMBERS ONLY
Member-Only Deals Bring your Gear Up coupon and save on select gear:
● 15% OFF ALL GEAR (some restrictions apply—see fine print)
● Wood Dragon Boat Paddles (Grey Owl) — $65
● Carbon Dragon Boat Paddles (Blackwater) — $249
● All Blackwater SUPs — 50% OFF (others as marked)
● Norse Kayaks — 15% OFF (in-stock only) –
● Clipper Canoes & Blackwater Kayaks — 10% OFF (in-stock only)
Bonus! Every coupon used also enters you into a draw to win a $100 WCK Gift Card. The Fine Print (aka the important stuff)
● Coupon required for discount and draw entry
● Items must be paid in full and picked up by March 31, 2026
● Discounts apply to retail pricing only and cannot be combined with other promotions
(including free shipping)
● No discounts on: Thule, Zaveral (ZRE), Bixby, ePropulsion, trailers, big canoes,
electronics, special orders, or online purchases
● In-store shopping only
Your coupon is below — don’t forget to bring it!
See you in the shop,
The Western Canoeing & Kayaking Team

 

Click on the links below to access your coupons: ● For Mobile: Save the coupon on your phone

https://westerncanoekayak.com/content/WCK-Gear-Up-Coupon-2026-print-me.pdf

 

 

[Quirine Schuyff]

Good to hear Darlene! Too bad we can’t carpool as we are so close! Hopefully we will get a few more on board!

[Maureen Benzon]

This very much depends upon the trip and the trip leader and the make and style of the kayk

Generally, less than 16′ is a bit small for an ocean kayak, but we have some 15′ that are very adequate. You MUST have sealed hatches or a secure form of bouyancy, and a smaller kayak may battle to keep up with the longer boats. A skeg or rudder is a good idea. 17′ with sealed hatches front and back would be considered a good ocean kayak for overnight trips.

Let’s take this off line. Feel free to phone me 778-71271035

[Author]

Replies