[Nick Heath]

Several  SKABC members will be taking an 08;30 ferry to Nanaimo (on foot or bicycle) for the AGM and fall forum Please feel free to join us. You don’t have to be an individual BCMTNA member (you just ca’t vote if not). Free lunch! Exciting developments in the long-term quest for the Holy Grail!

bonus – This year we’re quitting early to catch the 3:00 pm return ferry, so we can also attend our own volunteer appreciation dinner in W Van..  Whoo hoo!

[Brian Pegg]

Hi Randy –

Yes I am also keen to do some warm weather paddling when I get sick of skiing….

Feb / March would be cool.  I would probably be more attracted to self-guided for cost reasons.

Snorkeling / fishing can take precedence over making miles

 

[Former Member]

See the posting in the Trip List for more details.

We have changed the paddle to Saturday when the weather is better.

Want to join? Contact Michelle V. at mich_broek@hotmail.com or 604-522-3585. Please include your most recent rescue practice date and skill level. Thanks.

[Former Member]

Hi Randy,

Fantastic idea, and I was planning on going as a winter active vacay. It would be great to connect and do some of that with club members. I thought if part of the trip was guided, it would provide a lot of information, about the history, people, culture etc, that a self-guided could not.

I am thinking February is good.  I am overdue for a vacation and would like to go sooner than later.

Yippee!

Gaila

[Former Member]

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!

[Former Member]

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.

[Former Member]

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.

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

[Former Member]

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

[Former Member]

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.

[Former Member]

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.

[Author]

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