[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

—

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!

[Kapila Jayaweera]

Congratulations Limor. I listen to both of your podcast and they were amazing. Love the way your guest speaker Spencer Jones explaining about surfing at Skook.

Chessy’s rolling tips were great. Very encouraging for someone like Chessy telling that rolling should have been thought early stage of kayaking similar to what Inuit people do.

Looking forward to your next podcast.
Love your beautifully design logo. Keep up the good work.

[Limor Friedman]

Hello paddlers.

I am excited to share with you my podcast Beyond the Eddyline! Its about kayaking  and how paddlers develop their skills to a level of confidence beyond our comfort zone.

There are 2 episodes out there – the first one is about riding the largest wave in the works- skookumchuck narrows with Spencer Jones . The second with Chessy |Knight- exploring how proper boat fitting, thoughtful paddle choice, and Greenland rolling techniques can transform your experience in dynamic water.

There will be a new episode every Friday as long as the stories flood in 🙂

Your feedback and suggestions are always appreciated.

 

[Quirine Schuyff]

I received this email from Western Canoe & Kayak.

I wanted to personally invite SKABC to an event we’re assisting with featuring speaker/author/adventurer/paddler –Story Teller James Raffan.  The show is called The Accidental Canadian.  This will be the first time the show has been done west of Ontario.
If you can share this info with your web or newsletter people, that would be great.  Actually please share with any group you see fit!
Tickets to this show would make a fun Christmas gift or – if we’re too late for a Christmas newsletter – maybe Valentines 🙂

The show is in Fort Langley at the Chief Sepass Theatre (Langley Fine Arts School)

Saturday March 28th

Tickets available at Western Canoeing & Kayaking or online.  You can also get them at the door (please bring cash).

The show: The Accidental Canadian

The show title was derived from the simple toss of a coin by his British parents when they were indecisive about which country they would immigrate to after WWII – S. Africa or Canada.  James and his 3 sisters would be ‘Accidental Canadians’.

James Raffan is a cultural geographer, canoeist and writer who has produced more than 20 books including many best sellers.  He has been recognized with nominations and awards including the Queens Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals and Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal for his foundational work in bringing the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough Ontario onto the national stage.

The Accidental Canadian is filled with ‘flashy visuals, whimsical stories, and original songs performed live. It’s a two hour presentation providing laughter, joy, tears, and an unprecedented sense of Canadian pride. His message to Canadians “Stand strong and together to protect the wild places and the integrity of the people he bore witness to, through his lifetime of travel and scribing”.

[Kapila Jayaweera]

This kayak is now sold.

[Andrea Kovits]

SAVE THE DATE!

To all our dedicated SKABC Volunteers:

We appreciate all that you so generously share with the club, including your time, your expertise, and your passion for the sport.

In your honour, SKABC is hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Brunch on Saturday, January 31st.

Please join your fellow volunteers from 11 am to 1 pm at Float 30 Restaurant, located in the Reed Point Marina off the Barnett Hwy.

If you have volunteered in any capacity in 2025, you are invited to attend.

Stay tuned for more information under Events on our website.

Sign up starts January 1st, but in the meantime, don’t miss out.

Mark your calendars today!

[Esmeralda Cabral]

A few of us are planning a holiday paddle in False Creek on Saturday evening, Dec.13. Decorate your boat with lights and tinsel and come for a paddle. Meet at Vanier Park Boat Launch at 5 pm. We will paddle to Science World and back, then head to a local pub for eats.
This is not an official club trip, just an informal paddle. We will go rain or shine.
Saturday, Dec. 13th, 5 pm, Vanier Park Boat Launch

[Jim Govett]

Hi Kapila, is it possible to take a look at your kayak?  I am interested in it.

[Author]

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