[Heather Kirk]

Can you send a picture of your kayak wheels, I mean the whole thing? Someone will know what brand they might be and where to buy a new wheel.

[Cliff Johnston]

I recommend flat free solid rubber tires. Lots of options on Amazon.
cliff

[Helen Yeh]

Hi,

One of kayak wheels is flat; the tire has visible tear. The system looks like it has inner tube. Does anyone know where I can get this repaired by any chance? Or do I simply need to purchase a new one?

Note my wheel system has a metal frame and I don’t know the brand name unfortunately.

Thanks!

Helen

 

[Admin S. Jensen]

Thanks Mike — if anyone is trying to get a group together for tandem kayak rescue practice it could be organized through this forum.

[Limor Friedman]

 

Spring Fling is coming this Saturday. We still have a few spots at the trip to bedwell bay (about 7 NM)  leaving at noon back by 4 pm to the picnic at cates park.

*We will look for the wrecks at the bay that used to be ships’ graveyard.

*Way more than 5 (sea) stars.

*Glamping washroom at Jug beach.

If you are still interested please register here :

https://www.skabc.org/events-2/spring-fling-cates-park-to-bedwell-bay-2c/

[Lynda Froese]

Thanks for the information all.

-Don

[Mike Gilbert]

I just got my summer shipment of GEARLAB product in.  3/4 has already been sold but I brought in some items for clubs and associations that I still have some product left and am offering them at 20% off for club members.1.  Paddle / Rolling Float         Reg. $135     Club price $108 + GST.  Water Hand Pump              Reg. $  35     Club price $  28 + GST and 3.  Kayak flag (bright orange)  Reg. $  25      Club price $ 20 + GST- this is the safety flag attached to the kayak when transporting on car top.I also have a few greenland paddles and deck bags should someone have an interest.

I am offering a Paddle Canada Certification Level 2 Skills (Urban) should anyone be interested in this.  It is taking place June 10 – 13 and there is no camping (other than having to set up an emergency overnight camp).  It all takes place over four days at different locations in the Lower Mainland (Vanier Park, Steveston, Porteau Cove and Ladner).  Participants must have their own gear and available transport including kayak.  Price is $450.00.  If anyone is interested they may contact me at mgilbert1600@gmail.com or cell 778-835-0774.

Lastly I saw the note on the double kayak tragedies.  If the club ever wants some training in tandem kayak rescues / re-entries I can provide that.  I usually do training sessions every couple of years (not a huge demand but still necessary).  This is offered at a club price of $75.00 / person.  Participants need to bring their own double / tandem kayak and gear.  Cheers.

[Richard Merchant]

This is interesting and merely an example of what is happening everywhere.   I see it as a ‘local politician’ thing, trying to curry favour with local residents, or responding to local pressure groups (that can be quite effective).

This results in the principle that local residents own not only their properties, but also (effectively) the streets in front of their properties and are therefore entitled to priority access to those streets (i.e. for parking their cars) instead of being expected to park their cars on their own designated personal property, and otherwise public property is actually “public”.  So the politicians introduce these special rules for the public streets.  It doesn’t matter whether other entities that pay for street construction and maintenance – the local businesses, public utilities such as hospitals, and so on – have a certain moral need of those parking spaces too.

I would assume that Deep Cove Kayaking will suffer from this proposal too.  And the restaurants and other local services.  And other simple users such as hikers, kayakers and other park users.

Someone should represent those other people at council.  Hard to reverse these policies however.  And the downstream effects will likely be harmful to many.

[Sue Johnson]

Planning to park your car in Deep Cove this summer? Options for visitors are about to become fewer and farther between.

District staff say there are about 910 total street parking spaces within the neighbourhood, 770 of which have no restrictions on them today. Under the new rules, 350 will be for residents only with a $35-per vehicle, per year permit (limit of two per household with extra available for guests). Another 280 will have time limits for visitors that residents are exempt from, and 110 will be open to anyone but time limited.

Generally speaking, the new seasonal rules will be in effect for the streets west of Deep Cove Road past Cliffmont Road, Mt. Seymour Parkway and Strathcona Road to Strathcona Lookout Park, and the streets around Cliffmont Road and Covecliff Road as far as Roxbury Place. Year-round resident only parking will remain for Panorama Drive, Caledonia Avenue, Eastleigh Lane and Banbury Road.

The rules are expected to be in place before peak season arrives in 2024.

[Nick Heath]

My opinion is that for non-rollers, a good tandem kayak in skilled hands is safer than a single kayak and about equivalent or superior to two singles, in similarly capable hands.  There are many factors involved  including speed, ability to make headway in wind,  general stability and the opportunity of relief for an injured or disabled paddler.

But I don’t expect many to agree with me – there is a significant prejudice against tandem kayaks, probably because they are often associated with less skilled paddlers and families.

[Former Member]

We had a perfect trip with Mar Y Aventuras (Sea & Adventures): https://www.kayakbaja.com/ . They have a permanent camp on Espiritu Santo island (correct spelling) and so many varieties of supported, less supported, or unsupported trips (boat rentals) that you’ll likely find what you want.  They also run a nice, clean, simple hotel in La Paz as a base for your trip, where you can arrive, clean up and stay the night before you leave, and store things while out paddling.  That makes the whole trip easy and no stress.

The owner, Mary Harter, is from Montana and lives down there part year.  She hires almost entirely locally, and her team of paddling leaders, marine biologists, cooks, fishing experts, launch operators, etc are professional and inspirational.

La Paz is one of the best paddling areas with many local attractions, including snorkeling among a colony of friendly and playful sea lions.  (They are not aggressive and territorial as our sea lions in BC.)  There is a chain of accessible islands to paddle around or along, or to pick from as a destination.  This touring company has launches (called panga) that are their kayak taxi service to get you closer to where you want to go without any large crossings.  They will also pick you up if the weather turns bad.

We also made a side trip with their help to Magdalena Bay on the west coast to observe the “whale nursery” there.  Most of the grey whales that ply our coast are born in this bay and live their first few months there before heading north in the summer.  Baby whales are docile and friendly, and you can ride a launch, paddle, or swim right with them.  They are still 6-10 meters long, so caution is advised.  One sneezed on me.

[Cynthia Kennedy]

In April 24 just returned from 3 island circumnavigation out of Loreto MX with Sea Kayak Baja Mexico.

great equipment and guides. West jet flies Vancouver To Calgary to Loreto on Fridays November to April .

not cheap but worth it. Ratio guides to participate 1:4. Safety will not kayak if marine forecast greater than 15 kn.

I think we’re kayak together to Nootka Sound.

[Andrea Kovits]

In 2019 my friends and I circumnavigated Isla Espirito Santos. We went with Baja Outdoor Adventures out of La Paz and had an excellent experience.

[Don Froese]

Looking for recommendations for Baja tour operators. Considering doing a guided trip next spring.

Thanks.

[Quirine Schuyff]

Ah, thanks for the correction! Good thing I didn’t drive out tomorrow! I may wait until May for the one here.

 

 

[Author]

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