[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.

[Former Member]

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.

[Former Member]

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?

[Former Member]

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.

[Former Member]

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.

 

[Lorraine Sharpsteen]

I have a single kayak to loan. All I ask is for help in loading/unloading onto my car and carpool to the event. The kayak is fully equipped but you need your own life jacket.

[Nick Heath]

I launched there. It is the bay (WellburyBay?) directly opposite the ferry dock across the isthmus. The concrete ramps/stairs negotiated with wheels and hand carry was a bit awkward. Need boats mostly unloaded first.  Not much beach below – likely none at high water so time your launch and retrieve times accordingly. Otherwise, super convenient for a car-free tour! Start here and end, say, at Village Bay, Nanaimo or Sidney.  There are other nearby launches, too as shown on the BCMTNA web map, but I’ve not used them. Despite some shortcomings I’d definitely use this one again.

[Mick Allen]

Here is some discussion and a few photos:

http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/community/viewtopic.php?p=66364#p66364

I didn’t realize the photos weren’t on the marine trails [http://www.bcmarinetrails.org] map: a few more have been added now.

 

 

[Author]

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