[Nick Heath]

This is a sad blow. BC Marine Trails will be requesting to meet with the Park Superintendent, but without any real prospect of a change in their decision. Rather the hope will be for a replacement site in an equally critical location. However, when Beaumont was closed, no replacement was ever offered.

[Mike Gilbert]

Are you interested in taking Paddle Canada’s Level 2 Sea Kayak Skills course?

Would you like to combine that with learning more about overnight camping?

May 11 – 16 you could join me and others in the Gulf Islands for 5 nights and 6 days of paddling and camping for the astounding club price of $400.00.  This is how I give back and promote our clubs here on the Lower Mainland.  To join for this price you must be a member of either SKABC or PIKA.  The regular price is $750.00.

For $400.00 you will get outstanding instruction from myself and one other instructor for both Sea Kayaking and Camping while you work towards Paddle Canada certifications in both.  You will also get to enjoy some of the best west coast waters and islands along with enjoying the company of a group of avid paddlers.  By choosing the Gulf Islands you also have more  opportunity to save by not taking your car on the ferry if that is your wish (use just wheels to move your kayak on and off).

For more information contact Mike directly at:

mgilbert1600@gmail.com or ph. 778-835-0774

[Andrew Mylly]

Thanks for the heads up!  I’ll. have to change my October trip, had planned to camp here……darn

[Kallie Cunningham]

Happy Easter weekend everyone.

SKILS is offering a discount for an upcoming Paddle Canada 2 course.  See email below:

We are happy to provide a 15% discount for each SKABC participant on a Paddle Canada Level 2 skills course at Discovery Island Lodge on May 24-28.

Any interested SKABC member can email us at info@skils.ca

[Cynthia Kennedy]

I am sure glad I went last year to Cabbage with Skabc. This will make circumnavigating Saturna very difficult.
🚧IMPORTANT VISITOR NOTICE – PROHIBITED ACTIVITY ORDER, Cabbage Island: Camping and Day Use 🚧

Starting April 15, 2025, day use and camping on Cabbage Island will be prohibited due to cultural sensitivities. Mooring buoys remain open, but marine users may only access the island to use the payment kiosk and/or pit toilet. We ask that you respect this closure by not extending your stay on the island. Recreational use of the beach is prohibited. For more information:
https://ow.ly/e80S50VzbP1

Cabbage Island is low-lying and highly vulnerable to sea level rise and erosion. Activities like camping and hiking contribute to ongoing erosion of the island. Parks Canada is working collaboratively with First Nations to study the ecological and cultural significance of the island and to document it for future generations.

We encourage you to explore other beautiful destinations within Gulf Islands National Park Reserve at https://ow.ly/Gbcv50VzbOZ. Visit our website to keep up to date on information. Thank you for your understanding and support. Pender Island Chamber of Commerce The Southern Gulf IslandsDestination Greater Victoria Saturna Island Tourism Association Sidney by the Sea Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Pender Island Tourism Mayne Island Community Chamber of Commerce

[Quirine Schuyff]

Thanks Selena!
I’ll be coming from Jericho and have room for one that is somewhat close to the route. I can pick up along the way. Please phone or text before 9:30am if interested.

[Selena Chong]

A few of us are practicing at Sasamat lake tomorrow at 11:30 am. Feel free to join us.

[Maureen Benzon]

Registration for Spring Fling paddles opens tomorrow. Sign up soon to ensure you get a spot on the paddle of your choice.

Don’t forget to sign up separately for the pizza social at 5.00pm at the large covered table near the water

 

[Quirine Schuyff]

I am paddling with a 220cm.

[Nick Heath]

If you like a lower angle for your paddling, then a longer shaft might help. I have a wide boat but I use a higher paddle angle and I get no hull banging although my paddle is only 210 cm . Another thing to consider is seat height. Nimbus boats don’t lend themselves to adjustment in the area but it can be done with foam. 2 cm could make a big difference. There is likely lots of knee room left under the deck, so it might be worth trying.

You can’t safely carry repair resin for composite boats on a trip without polluting everything in the boat with the smell although the vinylester resins used for Kevlar are not as smelly as the polyester resins. However, both are nasty. Also the vinylester resin has a short shelf life. Hence carry some sticky tape for that unlikely puncture or leaky crack. It is also fairly safe to carry tiny tubes of 5 minute epoxy (packaged in a sealed jar) for field repairs that will later be ground out and repaired properly. If you decide to carry spare Kevlar cloth patch material, consider how you will cut it to shape because, unlike glass fibre cloth, it requires special shears.

[Quirine Schuyff]

I think my paddle is 220 but that’s a wild guess!  I’ll measure this eve.
thanks for the thoughts on the tape too.
q

 

[Don Froese]

Hi Quirine. How short is your paddle?

We are both using 220cm paddles with the Telkwas, and that seems to work well.  As Katya said it’s probably more a issue of getting used to paddling the wider boat though.

 

Regarding repairs, I just use standard fiberglass and epoxy resin on Kevlar, which seems to work fine. For emergencies I use this waterproof gorilla tape. It’s amazing stuff and even sticks under water but is almost impossible to remove.

 

Emergency Kayak repair tape

 

 

 

[Maureen Benzon]

Perfect answer. Try out a longer paddle before you make any other decisions. I might be able to borrow one for you next time we paddle. 🙂

[Quirine Schuyff]

Yes, a Telkwa Sport. And yes, I’d love to try the longer paddle just for the feel. If we ever see each other!

[Yekaterina Yushmanova]

The outer islands are more exposed if the weather turns. Clarke, Turret, and Gilbert are lovely. Willis is closed. You might sight wolf tracks on Nettle. I suggest picking a centrally located camp spot and staying there the three nights and doing day trips. There are a couple of great and very detailed guidebooks that are hugely helpful. Do not go out to the outer islands (Benson, Woewer, etc) in bad weather and swell.

[Author]

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