[Kevin Amos]

Dear Paddling Club & Team Members,
GEAR UP FOR SPRING is back at Western Canoeing & Kayaking!
This promo is available to CLUB & TEAM MEMBERS ONLY.
This is for in store sales only from March 1st through March 31st, 2025.
Now is the perfect time to “gear up” for the upcoming paddling season with exclusive discounts and the chance to win a $100 WCK Gift Card.
Save Big on select items with your Gear Up coupon.
● SAVE 15% ON ALL GEAR
● ALL GREY OWL WOOD DRAGON BOAT PADDLES – $65
● ALLSUPsONSALE-SAVEUPTO50%
● NORSE Kayaks – 15% off
● CLIPPER Canoes – check for big savings on factory blemished models
The Fine Print: Coupon required for discount and draw entry. All items must be paid in full and picked up prior to March 31st. Discounts are taken off the retail price and cannot be combined with other promotions or sale pricing. No discounts are available on trailers, big canoes, Old Town Sportsman ePDL kayaks, Hobie pedal drive boats and boards, electronics, special orders, or online orders.
IN STORE SHOPPING ONLY.

[Kevin Amos]

Dear Paddling Club & Team Members,
GEAR UP FOR SPRING is back at Western Canoeing & Kayaking!
This promo is available to CLUB & TEAM MEMBERS ONLY.
This is for in store sales only from March 1st through March 31st, 2025.
Now is the perfect time to “gear up” for the upcoming paddling season with exclusive discounts and the chance to win a $100 WCK Gift Card.
Save Big on select items with your Gear Up coupon.
● SAVE 15% ON ALL GEAR
● ALL GREY OWL WOOD DRAGON BOAT PADDLES – $65
● ALLSUPsONSALE-SAVEUPTO50%
● NORSE Kayaks – 15% off
● CLIPPER Canoes – check for big savings on factory blemished models
The Fine Print: Coupon required for discount and draw entry. All items must be paid in full and picked up prior to March 31st. Discounts are taken off the retail price and cannot be combined with other promotions or sale pricing. No discounts are available on trailers, big canoes, Old Town Sportsman ePDL kayaks, Hobie pedal drive boats and boards, electronics, special orders, or online orders.
IN STORE SHOPPING ONLY.

[Don Froese]

Thule style universal roof rack with 2 sets of J- Hooks for carrying kayaks. This rack clamps onto the roof rail and fits most vehicles with factory raised rails. Bars are 48-inch long Thule style square bars. $100.

[Nick Heath]

I’m interested in Option 2 or 3. Preferably I’d also go a little further into Nuchatlitz such as to Mary Basin or Tongue Pt. As you know, I’m not an advanced paddler, so will understand if you and others have more ambitious plans. The Trips Committee no longer wish me to lead SKABC trips, so my scheduled trip to Hotham Sd at that same time will likely be cancelled unless someone else offers to lead it.

[Calvin Sam]

As you may have seen the post by Kevin Amos from February 10th for the Western Canoe & Kayak Paddle Expo on Sunday May 4th 

Once again, Western Canoe & Kayak has invited SKABC to be an exhibitor at their Paddle Expo

Volunteer roles include:

·      Co-leader to assist in organizing SKABC involvement
·      Event set up and takedown
·      Promote SKABC to potential new members
·      Trip planning Demo
·      How to pack a kayak for multi-day trip Demo
·      Promote Howe Sound Sites
·      Etc. (suggestions are welcome)

If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to me by Feb 26th, 2025

Your support is invaluable in making SKABC contributions to the Paddle Fest a memorable experience for everyone.

I want to remind those of the generous support (donations) that Western Canoe & Kayak has provided to SKABC over the years. Let’s give back!

For any questions or further details, feel free to reach out me. We appreciate your time and effort in helping us participate in an amazing event!

Calvin Sam
Calvin.sam@me.com
604.561.7629

[Darlene Brown]

I’m interested in joining!  No time constraints. Intermediate, hopefully with “stretchability”.

[Cynthia Kennedy]

I’m interested in the trip to Nutchatliz. Nuchatliz has been on my bucket list.

I have not researched the different itineraries listed, so I am open to all.

Are your dates set to go 28 June (Sat) to 7 July ( Monday)? I am currently free from 27 June-6 July. I have an obligation on Monday 7, July, but I will explore if that can be changed. I will know by 21 February if I can have the 7 of July off.  See you on the water.

[Kapila Jayaweera]

George and I are planning on organizing a trip to the West Coast of Vancouver Island between June 28th to July 7th. We are looking to see if anyone is interested in joining us? This trip is more suitable for advance level paddlers however intermediate paddlers wanting to push themselves to the next level could take this opportunity. This area could have strong winds, swells and surf conditions where paddlers should be able to handle various dynamic conditions.
Participant must have done self and assisted rescues as well as assisting someone to get back into their kayak within the past 12 months. If anyone wanting to join could not perform rescues during the past 12 months for some reason, please let us know so that we can evaluate their capability.

Please refer to trip classification page for 3C requirements.
https://www.skabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Trip-Class.pdf
Tentative Trip Itinerary:-
Option 1: Fair Harbour to Zeballos:
June 28 –  drive to Fair Harbour – shuttle vehicle
June 29 –  paddle to Rugged Point
June 30 –  paddle to Grassy Islet or Gregoire Point
July 1 –  paddle to Yellow Bluff
July 2 –  paddle to Catala Island
July 3 –  paddle to Rosa Island or somewhere in Nuchatlitz Inlet
July 4 –  paddle toward Zeballos and camp somewhere in Esperanza inlet
July 5  –  weather day
July 6 –  paddle in to Zeballos and do shuttle
July 7 –  drive to ferry and home

Option 2: Zeballos toward Rugged Point and back:
June 28 – drive to Zeballos/camp
June 29 – drive to Little Espanosa launch site and paddle to campsite in Esperanza inlet
June 30– paddle to Catala Island
July 1 – paddle to Yellow Bluff
July 2 – paddle to Gregoire Point, Grassy Islet or Rugged Point
July 3 – paddle back to Yellow bluff
July 4 – paddle back toward Zeballos and camp in Esperanza inlet
July 5 – weather day
July 6 – paddle to Little Espanosa, land and camp (Zeballos?)
July 7 – drive to ferry and home

Option 3: Zeballos to Tachu Point and then into Nuchatlitz Inlet
July 6 – drive to Zeballos/camp
June 29 – drive to Little Espinosa launch and paddle to campsite in Esperanza inlet
June 30 – paddle to Catala Island
July 1 – paddle to Yellow Bluff
July 2 – paddle to Rosa Island
July 3 – paddle into Nuchatlitz Inlet and back
July 5 – weather day
July 6 – paddle to Little Espaiosa and land
July 7 – drive to ferry and home

Total distance is approximately 50-60NM depending on the route.
Please let us know if anyone is interested. Contact information can be found on the SKABC member list page.
Thank you
Kapila

 

[Oron Frenkel]

Does anyone have experience doing this and able to provide some concrete tips on specific traps to use, line setup, non-bear attracting bait for multi-day trips, etc. greatly appreciated!

I have set traps from bigger boats and would love to downsize my setup for kayak-friendly rig to try out!

[John Drent]

Do you need a kayak for the summer but need  something more flexible than the local day rentals?

I have a Necky arluk 3 which I can rent on a long term basis.  The arluk 3 was the top selling boat back when they were in production. It’s an older boat in fair condition and everything works. This would be considered a straight line boat good for day trips or tripping. Tracks well, has decent speed, turns reasonably well but is definitely not a surfing/ boulder garden type boat. It would fit a person of medium to  small build. Storage is plenty adequate for a week long trip, and a relatively low profile makes it efficient in wind.

I’m not interested in daily rentals but, but if you need a boat for a  number of weeks or months,  this will give you a chance to try out a kayak for way less than a daily rate.

If you are a complete beginner,  I’d like to see you commit to some training courses. SKABC and PIKA both offer a lot of courses at great prices.

If interested, please email me at jtrdrent@telus.net to discuss and see some photos.

Cheers

John

 

[Cynthia Materi]

There is something about this flag thing that bothers me. It seems very American. Canadians have always tended to be proud but reserved. People can fly flags, but I would like to suggest an additional action. Seems to me one of our biggest problems is that we ship our raw materials out to be manufactured somewhere else and then buy them back. How about everyone letting their politicians know that we would like them to invest in local manufacturing.

[Mark Stoakes]

Have you looked at the Atlantis kayaks – along with Nimbus – one of the few local builders left. Titan (rudder) and Spartan (skeg) kevlar versions are a manageable weight. He also offers a lower cockpit version for smaller paddlers.  We have both at Club Locarno if you want to take a look. Mark

[Mike McHolm]

I was going to say that you can get a free CDN flag from the Government of Canada, which you can, but the website says the waiting list “exceeds 100 years” lol. Honestly, why don’t they just say they don’t give out flags anymore? Who can wait 100 years?!

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/infrastructure-buildings/parliamentary-precinct/discover/peace-tower/flags/request.html

[Randy Chatterjee]

Great suggestion, Bob!

Buy two and hang one off the trailing end of your boat when transporting it.  As long as you follow the rule below (<6′), you comply with the law, but it is standard practice to fly a red or orange pendant or flag (and the Canadian flag certainly fits the bill) when your kayak projects more than about 1.2m or 4 feet from the rear of your car.

“Front and Rear Overhang
A vehicle’s load must not project more than 1m (3′ 3″) ahead of the front bumper, 1.85m (6′) behind the back of the vehicle or 4.5m (14′ 9″) behind the center of the last axle.”

from: https://www.drivesmartbc.ca/miscellaneous/how-wide-how-long-how-high

[Bob Maher]

Hi,

This coming Saturday, February 15th is Flag Day in Canada. Only 2% of homes in the past have flown our Canadian Flags. We are asking all of you if you would be Loud & Proud and support Canada by hanging a Canadian flag where you live, work or play. Talking about Playing, “Canadian Tire” sells an assortment of flags and also have Canadian Flag Stickers we can put on our Kayaks .

So please, let us all support Canada through these really Rough & Tough times.

[Author]

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