[Philip Kubik]

For detailed information about surfing at Surge Narrows, see:

http://www.alyak.ca/SurgeNarrows/SurgeNarrowsInfo.html

I have surfed there a number of times and will let you know if I plan to go again.

[Don Froese]

Is anyone interested in a Surge Narrows trip? I have never been out there so not familiar with the logistics of this area.  Timing flexible but sometime in October/November would be ideal.

[George Prevost]

I agree that an inReach is a good solution.  If you’re going to buy one, I just saw an article saying that there is a new model that allows you to send voice messages and photos, if that’s something you think you might want to do.  I don’t see it on the Garmin website yet, though.  Another option is a Garmin Montana 700i GPS, which is what I have.  It’s an excellent, very waterproof GPS with a large, clear touchscreen and also includes inReach capability.

[Richard Magill]

Hi Henry,

 

Yes it’s still available.  A few bites, but nothing firm yet.  236.586.5309.

[Henry Wilsenack]

Following… And interested if available. \Henry

[Nick Heath]

Hi Bob,

I have long carried a Personal Locator Beacon on my PFD. This provides emergency SOS service more or less anywhere, satellite-based with no monthly fee. The downside is a fairly hefty price of about $400+ and a requirement for the manufacturer to the change battery after 5-7 years.

These are required for crew members on many, perhaps most organized ocean sailing events, after numerous tragedies in which individuals have gone overboard but were never located despite adequate buoyancy and thermal protection. I am surprised that so few paddlers use them.

PLBs don’t perform the variety of functions that the inReach has, but if what you want is a basic locator beacon that is always with you, they make sense. You can also carry them for hiking, skiing etc more or less anywhere with maybe a few satellite-dead zone exceptions.

A decent Marine VHF putting out 25 W of power through a high-gain antenna mounted on a tall mast would almost certainly reach the Rescue Coordination Centre folks (i.e. sailboat moored at N end of Stave Lk) but hand-held radios lack that punch, so unless conditions are perfect and the signal can skip out to one of the repeater towers on Salt Spring or Bowen Islands etc an emergency call from a paddler would likely go unheard unless a boater on Fraser R received the call and performed a Mayday Relay (as they are supposed to do).

I suspect (but don’t know) that a DSC call from a hand-held radio would require less power and would stand a good chance of being picked up by RCC, even from far the end of Stave Lk. It would be interesting to learn if that is so.

[Richard Magill]

Hi Lindi,

Just checking to see if you’re still thinking about meeting me in Ucluelet sometime between October 4th-9th.

 

Thx.

[Richard Magill]

I tried to edit my post, and now it isn’t showing up in the thread though it says that I’ve responded.  I’m not sure if you can see this or not.  sorry of I double posted.

I second the InReach mini II, but disagree with Laurel on the suggestion of using an older InReach or Spot as a cheaper alternative.  The 1st Gen InReach mini doesn’t have anywhere near as good a battery life as the second gen, it uses the older USB mini as opposed to the newer USB-C charging cable, and it isn’t compatible with the Garmin Explorer app for your phone (though it does use the Garmin Messages app).

As for the Spot, I’ve used it as well.  Not as reliable in getting messages through and even the ones it does transmit, it will be much slower in transmission.  I once sent my wife two check ins, 2.5 hours and 15km apart, and my Spot unit sent the second checkin as if I hadn’t moved at all.  Scared her to death because it was getting dark and she thought I was still 15km from the take out.  Also, the GPS signal receiver is MUCH weaker than the InReach.  Often something as thin as a water proof box, the hull of your kayak if you keep it under a hatch (which isn’t recommended), or thick cloud cover will block it.  One other thing.  No above mentioned unit is fully waterproof so be sure and get a waterproof bag or case for whatever unit you get, but the Spot units are worse about getting water damage than the Garmin’s.  By far!

Long story short… fork out the dough to get an InReach mini 2.  You’ll be glad you did.

I’ve never used Zoleo, and I think there are a couple of other companies out there claiming to do the same thing…. they might be a cheaper option.  I even heard a rumour that the Apple 16 would have a satellite texting option.  Haven’t heard that one confirmed, though.

[Laurel Brewster]

We use a Garmin InReach Mini2.  It allows you to send and receive text messages, both custom and standardized, as well as check weather/wind forecasts, track your route, mark waypoints etc.   You can work directly on the unit itself, or use the Garmin app on your phone for ease of typing if you prefer.  It is expensive to purchase ~$440 sale price on amazon) and there is a monthly fee (~$20 for the base plan) but it’s money well spent for your safety in my opinion!  You can suspend your monthly plan at no charge if you don’t paddle during the winter months, or you can buy a discounted annual plan.   If you want a less expensive option, consider an older version Spot or InReach.  They don’t have as many options for communication but you can at least send a message for help, or with some models a pre-scripted message such as “I am OK but will be late” or things like that.  Having used both Spot and InReach I prefer the InReach, but its strictly personal preference as I think both options are good.

[Bob Maher]

I paddle on Stave , Pitt and Alouette lakes regularly and there is no Cellular or VHF service for emergencies on any of these lakes.

Does anyone have suggestions what is available for emergency communications for these areas, that is reasonable in price?

 

Bob Maher

[Admin]

The club’s Fall Fling at Cates Park is Saturday Sept. 21. Sign up for a paddle in Indian Arm, the pizza dinner or both.

Register for a paddle by Thursday pm. Sign up for the dinner by Friday pm.

We ask that if you’re able to bring a small potluck item to complement the pizza. We have the picnic shelter starting at 5pm. More details are on the website — see the Events List to sign up.

[Kevin Amos]

Sign up for our annual trip down the Harrison River. If you are lucky you might see salmon going to spawn and the thousands of eagles looking for a feast.

https://www.skabc.org/events-2/harrison-river-2a/

If you have never been before check out the video from last year.

Video from Harrison River Trip

If you need to rent look at our retail partners like Middleton Boats

Discounts for Members

If you want to make it a camping trip checkout the Kirby Park Campground where the paddle takes out.

Kilby Park Campground

Hopefully you come out for this unique trip.

[Steve Best]

A camper who stayed at Zorro Bay earlier this summer has reached out to Recreation Sites and Trails BC, saying that they seemed to have left behind some valuables (no specifics given). If you have found anything, please let me know at s2smarinetrail@skabc.org.

[Ian Freemantle]

Hi, not N Burnaby but Jericho Sailing Center in Kitsilano is about $600 for the year for 2 memberships with boat storage. &50/month is pretty cheap

[Soohyung Lee]

Hello,

I’ve contacted all the coops and associations in Burnaby and Port Moody. But there is just no availability.

But I’m not giving up and trying it here. I’m looking for someone here in north burnaby that’s willing to rent me a spot or looking for a group of people to share a self storage since they are insanely expensive to rent it on my own.

[Author]

Replies