[Former Member]

Join us for an adventure you don’t want to miss!!!  A cancelled course (Navigation) has left us a group reservation–without a group–at Montague Harbour Marine Park on Galiano Island next Saturday night (April 16th).

Galiano Island is the second largest and one of the most sought after destinations for kayakers in the Southern Gulf Islands.  It’s an attractive getaway location where we’ll enjoy spectacular views, sandy beaches, access to islets, islands and the rich wildlife.  With some luck we’ll see some eagles, double-crested cormorants and their unique nests, seals, sea lions, otters – and if we’re particularly lucky, some whales (fingers crossed) and much more.

The trip wouldn’t be complete without a feast on Saturday night and again on Sunday morning.  Randy will delight our palates with an array of delicious food; a wonderful salmon dinner on the grill.  Paddlers are asked to kindly contribute a side dish for dinner.  Then the feast continues the next morning with pigs-in-a-blanket, made-to-order omelettes, French toast, grapefruit, espresso and other goodies.  (And yes, you will be hand-grinding your own coffee beans on the spot.)

As we make our way to the Island, we’d like to have a huddle somewhere on the ferry to discuss our plans for the weekend.  We want to make sure that everyone gets as much out of the weekend as possible.  Some of us are keen to practice rescues, exits and rolls; it’ll a great opportunity to practice and learn (for those who are less familiar with these).  We want to reach a consensus prior to setting up camp so that we can maximize our time on the water.

Apparently the group campsite is a nice flat, covered surface up on a hill close to the water with a great view.  There is a sink for washing up, toilets and a fire pit. Saturday night could be a bit chilly so bring some warm clothes and let’s hang out by a nice cozy fire.

We will leave the Tsawwassen ferry terminal at 8:35am on Saturday, April 16^th and will leave from Sturdies Bay at 5:05pm on Sunday, April 17^th.  The cost for this trip consist of splitting the expense of the ferry and $10 per person for the campsite, depending on carpooling arrangements – overall cost could be as low as $75 to $95 per person excluding gas which would be at the discretion of the drivers. For more information please don’t hesitate to contact Chantal at chantalethier@msn.com or Randy at rchat@me.com

Info about camping gear and kayak rental:

For those of you who might be lacking in the camping gear department, Randy has kindly volunteered some of his gear – first come first serve.   If you don’t own a kayak, you can rent one right in Montague Harbour.  After a brief search I found that Galiano Kayaks seems to offer one of the best deals for 2-day rentals ($100 for singles and $145 for doubles), they can be reached at 250.539.2442. Please note that you are responsible to make arrangements for the rental of your kayak.  You are also responsible to ensure you have the camping gear you require for your comfort.  At this time of year and depending on the weather conditions, you may need a wet or dry suit; wet suits are available for rental at Deep Cove at a cost of $40 for 2 days.  If you choose not to bring along a wet or dry suit, please be sure to bring additional clothing just in case. Lastly, you are asked to contribute a side dish to the dinner on Saturday night and bring your lunch for Sunday as well as snacks and beverages for the weekend.

[Hugh Davies]

Thanks everyone for your feedback!

[Former Member]

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I would be interested, Contact me at zoran.bogdanovic@gmail.com

I would be interested, Contact me at zoran.bogdanovic@gmail.com

[Sandra Waddle]

I am a beginner paddler. If I am buying a wet suite, which one should I get? Can I use a farmer jane? Or do I need sleeves?

Or is a dry suite just so much better??

Thank you!!

[Sandra Waddle]

Anja, Who is doing the radio course? Sandra

[Former Member]

Jonathan,

That sounds great.  Any chance it could be before June 18th?

Luke

[Former Member]

Hi, all.  Anyone interested in a several-day trip to the Sechart Lodge in Barkley Sound in June?  We could plan around a weekend for those with work schedules.

I think most members have heard of the Sechart Lodge, but if not google the Lodge and/or Lady Rose Marine Services.  Basically, the Lodge provides access to the fabulous Broken Islands, but instead of camping we get comfy beds and meals made for us.  Slacker kayaking at its best!

Access to the Lodge is via a coastal freighter, the Frances Barkley  from Port Alberni, or by driving to a beach in the Ucluelet area and paddling across to the Lodge.  Note if you go via the Frances Barkley you’ll need to arrive in Port Alberni the night prior.

If you’re interested please reply and we can start putting a group together.  Maybe the Lodge will even give us a discount!

Jonathan Stewart

 

[Former Member]

Great idea! I do not have set work hours and can usually commit with one day’s notice.

Cheers, Michelle V. (mich_broek@hotmail.com)

 

[Karin Hartner]

I have an old Standard Horizon (pre GPS) waterproof–definitely so as I’ve dumped with it unprotected in my PFD several times. It has been of great service as I’ve had to speak with Coast Guard and others on numerous occasions. It has the rechargeable and the extra battery pack with the AA’s (a must-have).

Both Standard Horizon and ICOM brands appear to be comparable.

Check what MEC has–they will meet everyone else’s price–and also check the Marine stores. Steveston has a selection and as Nick mentioned-numerous locations. As Bruce said at the meeting Radios are affordable these days. I believe any kayaker who paddles out of mobile phone range needs a radio (and a watertight case for their phone-it’s useless in the hatch).

I’ll be purchasing a new radio this season as I want one with the GPS feature as I don’t carry an actual GPS. Makes it easier to have Coast Guard locate you if you or someone in your party needs a ride.

Karin Hartner

[Former Member]

Nicks comments are excellent.  I managed to get six or seven years out of my last Standard Horizon radio with DTS and it is stored unprotected in my PFD pocket.   The radio is fully soaked during every paddle and seems to stand up fine with a mild rinse at the end of the paddle.   This radio floats which is a great feature.

[Former Member]

I had bought the cheaper version thinking why need another GPS. ..since I already have one.  Then I found out that the more expensive model has a special red emergency button you can press. ..once you registered the unit in your name ….that will then send the distress signal with GPS coordinates automatically when pressed.

[Nick Heath]

Tough questions for this format, Hugh.  Each paddler has his biases.

Good names St/Horizon, ICOM, Humminbird etc

Cost depends on what features you want. Some features are frills, in my view.

Where to buy – locally Steveston Marine at 3 locations esp if offered on sale.

Must have waterproof rating

must accept regular AA batteries as well as having NiMh not NiCd battery pack. This usually means having 2 battery trays. Also must have Weather Wx channels but I think this is standard, 3 yr warranty

Nice to have – battery strength indicator, dual watch, channel lock

Not needed but not bad either Dig Selective Calling, GPS, tri channel watch, scan, floating

5W vs 6W not material

battery life – specs tell some of the story but unbiased reviews are better. Want good standby (receive mode) life. Adding features reduces battery life.  Turn off gizmos for decent battery life – usually one day, maybe two.  Turn off radio for extended trip or have some means of charging or use many, many AA batteries Can be rechargeables, but they have shorter battery life.

I would normally use a radio bag and not rely on the waterproof rating which depends fully on the radio being regularly rinsed with fresh water (you could carry an extra few litres of water just to rinse your radio I suppose!)

See quite fancy S/H HX 870 $285 on sale at Steveston but probably comes without AA battery tray. Too many features in my view, so look downwards from there. Should get a nice one around $150.

Most are sold to boaters who leave them in on board chargers 90& of time and use them just for shore trips in the tender. Hence battery life has been sacrificed to compact size, convenience somewhat, to suit that market.

I can’t comment on various ways to charge your NiMh batteries on long er trips – i suspect the wall wart chargers make the whole process too inefficient to contemplate so it is nice if the radio is chargeable directly from say a 9 -12 V DC source.  Some are.

 

[Former Member]

I work Shift Work…so would love to paddle on my weekdays off too.

.

[Former Member]

I bought the Standart Horizion HX 870 from MEC.  Found it on sale last year at Steve stone marine and MEC price matched.  It’s GPS enabled.  It has a rechargeable battery as well as ability to power with 5 AAA batteries…which might come in handy on long trips.

 

Taking the radio course April 26th with the port moody power squadron.  You can also buy material online and then arrange to take test with one of the squadrons.

Cheers

 

Anja

[Nick Heath]

For those planning Gwaii Haanas trip this year, here is an opportunity to get the mandatory 1 hr talk from Parks Canada at a local site rather than hanging about for a scheduled offering in Sandspit or Skidegate, when you will likely  have better things to do…

“GWAII HAANAS ORIENTATION
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Fort Langley National Historic Site Theatre

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If you plan on heading north this summer, you may want to take advantage of a FREE Parks Canada orientation session for Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site.  The orientation takes place in the theatre at Fort Langley National Historic Site at 2pm on Sunday April 10.

This one-hour orientation session is mandatory before you can visit Gwaii Haanas. (Normally presented in Skidegate, completing the orientation now will allow you to enter the area by boat, directly from the mainland coast / Vancouver Island after you have made your reservations, thus making passage to the area far more convenient.) – applies to sailors only

The orientation reviews current safety information and traveler protocols. It discusses appropriate conduct while visiting Gwaii Haanas to ensure that the area, as well as the experience of other visitors, is protected. It is also an opportunity for visitors to ask questions about their upcoming trip and ensure that they have the information that they need.  It is a legal requirement for all visitors to attend the orientation annually.

If you will be completing the registration process at this orientation, please come prepared to complete a registration form.

More information about visiting Gwaii Haanas can be found here.

Even if you are just thinking about going to Gwaii Haanas this year or would like to learn more, please come and find out what’s involved in visiting this part of the world. No reservations are required.”

 

[Author]

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