[Martin Feuchtwanger]

FYI, the Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show is at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Sat-Sun, 4-5 March 2017.

outdooradventureshow.ca/vancouver

Apparently, one “zone” is called Paddlers’ Paradise.

You can even volunteer by contacting Kathy via navyrum@telus.net

[Nick Heath]

Last few days of Boat Show special pricing at Steveston Marine Vancouver, Langley, or Steveston).  Good opportunity while it lasts!

Nick

[Nick Heath]

I’ve spoken to Eric and have volunteered the use of my old skiff.  I’d be happy if some other SKABC members would join me.  I’m  more nervous about any non-kayaking volunteers aboard being unprepared clothing-wise and/or feeling scared when bobbing along through a few waves.  It sounds like this will be Vancouver or N Shore and likely early morning, starting at first light, for a just few hours.

Nick

[Nick Heath]

Hi Peter,

I concur with Tony’s comments, although it is only 1 NM from the point to the N tip of Wallace I so that means either waiting for the right moment when the wind is light or sucking it up for just 20 min. or so! (kidding, sort of…one must always be safety conscious!!)

Sailing in this area, I would expect generally light NW winds in Aug – the usual sailors’ frustration – slow progress upwind or downwind and going across the channel (to get max boat speed on a beam reach)  doesn’t get you anywhere much.  Still, it might be honking from the NW with the right warm weather system sucking hot air up out of the interiors of Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho etc.

I don’t know the launch at Southey Pt and can’t think why one would choose to start there.  I think, since you are vehicle based you should find a good shore-side parking spot first – might be harder than the paddling! Hudson should work ok.  Walker Hook likely has no long term parking option.

I’ll put in a plug for being completely car free – although the launch at Wellbury Bay is a pain,  it is definitely do-able (I’ve done it) and there are other possibilities near other ferry terminals. The islanders will love you for leaving your car at Tsawwassen ( although you don’t really save any $ after paying for parking). however dining at various restaurants around the island, shopping in Ganges etc all become logistical challenges.

Keep on watching the best kayak trip channel of all, Peter, at

Home

Best,

Nick Heath

 

[Peter Tutak]

Tony-

Thanks very much !! That’s great to know. Not having launched from SaltSpring, I wasn’t sure what to expect at Southey, and the tip on Hudson is excellent. I will probably be parking at one of the local BandBs, since I’ll be staying at one before and after the paddle. Those northerlies are what I was curious about, since I’ve encountered them before in this area, going from Galliano to Wallace, and it wasn’t too pleasant. August is generally a clear month – maybe I need to plan for earlier, like July…

Regards,

Peter

[Tony Clayton]

Peter,

Launching at Southey Point is not the easiest and is only marginally better at a similar spot at the road end just to the west. A better launch site is near Hudson Pt. to the south on the east shore. Parking is very limited at all three locations.

The tidal currents are not pronounced in that portion of Trincomali Channel but if the weather is clear and hot beware of strong northerly winds. Early morning and late evening offer the best conditions for crossing if the high pressure system creating these conditions is apparent.

I hope that this helps.

Tony Clayton.

[Peter Tutak]

I’m thinking about a 2 or 3 nighter this August on Wallace Island, launching from

Southey Point on Salt Spring. Are there any special considerations to bear in mind for this route, either in terms of launch ease/difficulty, tides, or currents/weather in Trincomali Channel ?

Thanks ever so much !

Peter

 

[Bob Maher]

Bob Maher, Home number 604-531-5588  or Email  at   bob_maher@telus.net

[Nick Heath]

The Fairview Bay overnight trip has hit some gnarly snags and so has been cut back to a day paddle, instead. General location Alouette and Pitt Rivers. Meet 09:00. B1/2 Please contact Nick Heath  <membership1@skabc.org>  if you are coming. Thermal protection,  lunch necessary. Wheels perhaps useful. We might do a shuttle, so a non-paddling driver would be an asset, but not necessary. Car pooling encouraged.

[Admin]

On Wednesday, March 8, The Metro Vancouver Homeless Count will take a snapshot of homelessness throughout our region. For the first time, this year’s count will assess ‘Liveaboard’ homelessness.

Teams of volunteers in marked powerboats will travel the waterways of our regions to search out, meet and interview ‘Liveaboards’ and complete a survey questionnaire. More details are below.

Eric Schwartz, a former SKABC member and the Homeless Count Waterways Survey Coordinator for 2017, is reaching out to our club and other Boating groups in Metro Vancouver asking for volunteers to conduct the survey.

To become a volunteer or to receive more information, please contact Eric at C.604.724.7589 or by email at schwartz.eric.lewis@gmail.com

Details:

If you would like to volunteer for the Waterways Survey, you must be:
● 19 years of age or older
● available Wednesday, March 8 for a four­hour shift
● can attend a 2­hour evening training session in mid­February
● have excellent on­water experience
● are comfortable traveling in small open powerboats, wearing a survival suit
or own a drysuit and non­inflatable PFD
● can handle early Spring weather and water conditions
● are up to the challenge of searching out, meeting and interviewing the Liveaboard population

The Metro Vancouver Homeless Count provides critical information on our region’s homeless population. Service providers, planners, community groups, health authorities, municipalities, and funders use information from the Homeless Counts to assist in policy development, planning, and prioritizing programs and services to address the needs of people who are homeless.

To volunteer or with further questions, contact Eric at C.604.724.7589 or by email at schwartz.eric.lewis@gmail.com

[Karin Hartner]

Hi everyone

Our trip to Haida Gwaii, heretofore thought full has had some dropouts. With the arrangements made so far, we have room for up to 4 on the transport into the Gwaii Ha’anas National Park reserve. We have a short window of time before we cancel some of the reservations.

We’ve also reserved spaces for the group in the National Park Reserve and there is a Parks orientation (mandatory) in Vancouver in March. It can be done in Haida Gwaii on any day before the trip as well. Park fees are free this year.

Paddling dates are Aug 4-14. Overnight B&B accommodations have been arranged for Aug 3 and Aug 14.

Check out the Moresby Explorers website for more information before you decide…..

If you want to discuss this trip, contact Karin Hartner   karinhartner@gmail.com or call me at 604-803-5215 for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accommodations

[Reed Clarke]

If you plan on visiting a national park this summer, check out the free Discovery Passes they are handing out at Parks Canada. They are doing this as part of Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations in 2017.

Here’s a CBC story on this: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/parks-canada-free-discovery-passes-website-1.2752894

As the story points out, this is not a time limited offer.

That’s a good thing. The section of the Parks Canada website where you order a pass has crashed and burned, due to the heavy demand.

[Rose Sirois]

Three tix for sale ($20.00 per, the original cost) for tonight’s sold-out screening of the BMFF @ Centennial Theatre, 2300 Lonsdale, North Vancouver.  Doors open @ 630pm, show starts @ 730pm, open seating.

Rose

siroisrose@gmail.com or

604-368-7052

[Reed Clarke]

There have been some changes in our dates and itinerary as we’ve worked through everyone’s schedules.

February 6-9, we are doing the Wild South extension. We’ll be paddling inflatable kayaks down the Moho River, visiting several villages along the way.

February 9-15, we are doing the Paradise Islands paddle, lodge to lodge sea kayaking in the Southwater Caye Marine Reserve. Along with the kayaking, kayak sailing and snorkeling, we’ll be visiting the Smithsonian Institute at Carrie Bow Caye.

For more details on these trips, have a look at the Island Expeditions website. (www.islandexpeditions.com)

There is plenty of room for additional paddlers. You’re welcome to join us in shaking off the winter blues!

If you are thinking about joining this trip, it’s best to get in soon. As time goes by, lodging and airplane bookings become the limiting factor.

Saludos Cordiales, Reed

[Barry Dutour]

The stands have a new home.

Barry

[Author]

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