[Gaila Eddie]

Sounds fantastic to me, more options, more adaptability (sliding).  It would also be great to have mid-week options for those of us who work schedule is variable and have week days off.

[Maureen Benzon]

Thanks to those who jumped in and emailed me. We will have a meeting in January to set up a schedule.

What I would really like is to schedule a day paddle every weekend from May to September – 5 months of summer = 20 weeks. Venue and distance would depend upon the individual leader, but most should  be “all levels” (B2 – must be comfortable with a wet exit and re-entry and able to paddle for 2 to 3 hours). If we have multiple paddles out of the same venue, it does not matter. If a paddle has to be cancelled (or slid) it would not impact the schedule.

Please give this some thought. There are many members with lots of experience and knowledge to share with newer members. Social paddles are the best way to connect with other paddlers, and find your true tripping buddies.

[Reed Clarke]

Couple of thoughts here. Hey, it’s a miserable, wet day. I’ve been out once, which was more than enough. So, I may as well hunker down over the keyboard.

Sliding. Nope, not suggesting taking kayaks to a water theme park. Talking about sliding outings from one day to the next or week to week. Karin has done it with the Harrison River trip. Why not make this more of an option?

We only have a certain number of day-outings available. The weather isn’t always going to cooperate. So, if the leader is willing, why not move weathered-out day trips to another day and post a notice in the forums? This may lose a few participants who aren’t available on the new date, but it could gain a few who are.

One night stands. Saturday night fever. Camps with a big glittering globe hanging from the tree and a light show? No, I’m talking about weekend camps. By my count, it looks like we did exactly one of those this year. Is this because no one wants to boogie on Saturday nights? I can’t believe all the working poor in the club would rather sit inside watching Star Trek re-runs than getting out for a camp under the stars.

Alouette Lake, Pitt Lake, Indian Arm, Howe Sound, Sechelt Inlet, lower Jervis Inlet and the Gulf Islands, all have weekend camping opportunities. And, again, if the weather isn’t cooperating on the designated weekend, slide it over to the next one. Seems to me, there should be any number of people wanting to do this kind of outing as a stepping stone to bigger trips.

Okay, that’s my rainy-day two bits worth.

[Reed Clarke]

Okay. Just got back from a local walk here in Burnaby. Faced the elements bundled from top to bottom. Was lucky to get out when the rain eased off. It is now torrential. There were strong gusts of wind, bringing down copious volumes of leaves and branches, some quite large. Memo to self; bring helmet next time. My trail was more puddle than path. And, worst of all, I had my manhood crushed by some freakazoid poncing about in shorts and t-shirt.

Would I really want to leave all this behind? Would I really want to go away somewhere warm and fuzzy, missing out on all kinds of cold, wet, gloomy winter days here in the Lower Mainland?

Um ya, I probably would, actually.

Belize sounds nice. Let’s do this!

[Michelle Stefani]

I’m interested in going for one week over spring break.  Dates being the second week, which is from March 19th to March 26th, 2017. More interested in day paddles utilizing their tent site base camps.  Possible water taxi to another area for half of the week. I plan to be in Cancun the week before this March 11th to 19th.

[Rose Sirois]

The 2015-16 year (for SKABC: November-December) is quickly coming to a close.  As we approach the November 1, Tuesday meeting at which time the AGM will be held, this year’s current executive is reaching out to YOU, to consider taking on a volunteer role in the Club.

People volunteer for a variety of reasons. You may want to gain experience, acquire new skills, or meet new people and expand your network of contacts. Others want to give back to their community using their skills,  or promote a worthwhile activity. Kayaking is a worthwhile activity – otherwise why would we be here?!

The benefits are numerous.  If you want a good vibe from making a difference, enjoy connecting with others and have a few hours you can dedicate to the sport and to building community, consider volunteering with SKABC.

All the club executive positions are open for any member of the club to stand for nomination.  In particular, the club needs:

•  a person with accounting skills or who isn’t afraid of numbers (Treasurer);
• a person who is organized / likes organization and can help others be organized (Secretary);
• a person who loves the sport and would like to see more people kayaking (Membership)
• individuals who are passionate about preserving / protecting the environment in which we paddle (Conservation);
• individuals who are attracted to stimulating ideas and activities and are ready to engage with the broader community (Programs)
• individuals who are ready to spearhead initiatives that make the Club a richer association of people, activities and ideas (President / Vice-President)

These are but a few of the many important roles we seek to fill for the 2016-17 year.  Please consider volunteering with SKABC.  Any member of the current executive would be happy to answer your questions and share with you the benefits we’ve received in volunteering for SKABC.

https://www.skabc.org/about-skabc-placeholder/contact-us/

[Rose Sirois]

I was contemplating Belize for my winter get-away trip – I had both diving and kayaking in mind.  So I would pursue diving on my own (unless there are other divers in the group) and would be delighted to join a SKABC adventure.   Jan/Feb would be my preferred months.  – Rose Sirois

[Rob Leeson]

A great and “appetizing” presentation at the Tues meeting by Island Expeditions.With all that sand and sun let’s get a group together and create a custom trip! Simone had a group of 8 and thoroughly enjoyed her custom trip which she HIGHLY recommends and suggests Feb March are the best times giving “reasonable “ airfares.

Cheers Rob Leeson

[Karin Hartner]

See the trips list for more information.

Dur to the weather forecast, I decided to postpone the Saturday Harrison River paddle. Hopefully we will see better weather on the 29th.

If you want to join us contact    karinhartner@gmail.com

[Maureen Benzon]

I agree wholeheartedly with Randy’s final remark in the previous post. We need more trips.

While I will not be part of the Belize crew, I would like to take this opportunity (I am an opportunist) and ask anyone that would be willing to coordinate or lead a day or weekend trip next year to contact me. We need just 6 to 8 people and could meet at a convenient pub and put together a program for next year and make Bruce’s life a little easier.

If you would like to find out more about volunteering, let Sue know you will be at the volunteer dinner and chat to other members there.

Please contact Bruce directly about longer trips.

[Emily Glasbey]

Thanks for the replies everyone!  We decided to launch from Mayne, however in the end my bf hurt his shoulder so we took the car to Saltspring instead.  We managed some short paddles in the rain.  It was stunning.  Some amazing sandstone rock formations.

[Emily Glasbey]

Hi Randy, This sounds very interesting to me, having never done a tropical trip.  I’d love to escape around January/February/March.  My vote would be for self-guided, camping, low cost, 7-10 days.  Probably makes sense to meet to discuss once a group of interested people is established.  Cheers, Em.

[Randy Chatterjee]

It was suggested to me by more than one SKABC member after October’s inspirational presentation that a coordinated group from our ranks might want to plan a trip down to Belize with Island Expeditions this winter.  So, I’d like to begin that discussion.

Timing?  The season is November to roughly April, with the peak in February and March (both due to the coldest rainy weather here and the driest conditions there).  When might people want, or be able, to go? It seems a “week” (9-10 days) might be the core of a trip with some going earlier or staying longer to do side trips on the mainland.

Type of trip?  Guided, semi-guided, loose and dispersed or with a commitment by at least some to stay together, more distance or more snorkeling?   All these are details to hash out or become the grist for a hybrid trip with some time together an the advantage of coordinating/sharing some aspects of the logistics.

One other advantage of getting a group together is cost.  We might be able arrange a group discount, or at least share some common costs, such as water taxis.

And finally there is the advantage of going with others you already know and might actually want to spend more time with, both down here and back here in BC afterwards.

Ideas, thoughts, plans?  Just post them here in reply to this.  No commitment is interpreted from a response, and no doubt only a tiny percentage of those interested will be able to make a finally agreed week for a consensus program.  The discussion alone might also inspire individual trips.

This year SKABC has to organize MORE TRIPS.  Why not Belize?

[Barry Dutour]

Current Designs Infinity kayak 17’9″x22″ approx. 50 lbs. Great skeg boat. Fore, aft and day hatches. Very good condition. Will fit a larger paddler. This was my backup boat so it didn’t get used much. $2,000.

[Roy Smyth]

Sent to SKABC by Egon Speneder.

egonspen@hotmail.com

(I am sending this to most Kayaking Outfits I can find on the Lower Mainland)

Last Sunday (Oct. 2nd) I was driving over the Abbotsford Bridge into Mission when I saw an interesting item on the Highway about a 100 yards before the Mission turnoff. I stopped my car quite a ways from there because it was impossible to stop on the Bridge and I walked back and picked up this neoprene “Brooks” made (what I thought at first was a diver’s suit) KAYAKING SPRAY SKIRT.

Anyway, if anyone of your members complains about losing an item on the Abbotsford Bridge then please have them contact me. I have it here at home in Mission.

 

[Author]

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