[Admin S. Jensen]

Western Canoe and Kayak has announced a sale, Paddling Expo, and a Paddling Film festival. They sent details and a coupon to distribute digitally. Here’s a link:

https://www.skabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/WCK-Gear-Up-2024.pdf

Specific sale items include:

● PAST SEASON NRS PFDs & APPAREL – 30% OFF
● MUSTANG DESTINY & TRIDENT PFDs – 30% OFF
● GREYOWL HIGH PERFORMANCE DRAGON BOAT PADDLE – 40%OFF
● GREY OWL OUTRIGGER ECO PADDLE – 25% off
● BLACKWATER CARBON DRAGON BOAT PADDLES – 15% off
● DRAGON SADDLES – 15% off
● ALL SUPs ON SALE – SAVE UP TO 50%

There is also 10% off other items with the coupon. The Paddling Film Fest is in Mission on March 7. The Paddle Expo is at Cultus Lake on April 28.

[Chris Fleming]

West Vancouver residents can get a $20 annual parking pass for use at Whytecliffe, Lighthouse Park, and Whyte Lake parking lots.  The City is also looking at charging for permits to use picnic tables, Divers changing rooms, Dive class/Dive Club usage of the beach, and anything else they can to limit the use of the parks and make some coin

Covid stranger panic allowed waterfront residents in West Vancouver to lobby West Vancouver city hall to put  year round parking restrictions in around all of the useful beach accesses in West Vancouver.  They now have between 1 hour at Bachelor Bay to 3 hours at Stearman Beach (where I put in to kayak Pt Atchinson).  At Stearman, a local waterfront owner patrols the limit and calls the City Bylaws to get offenders ticketed.  They have successfully banned dogs  from the beach (despite waterfront owners dogs running around)    And  banning winter use fire pits, despite the owners all having their own  fire pits.

Eagle Harbour still has some unregulated parking spots probably because of the yacht club and their need for visitor parking.  This is a good spot to put in to access the waters from Lighthouse Park, the little offshore islands, and past Fisherman’s Cove over towards Horseshoe Bay

it’s fair to say that I’m pissed off at the restriction of these public amenities  by the influence of a privileged minority.

[Maureen Benzon]

Parking fees are in effect year-round, between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Rates during the initial phase of the plan will be $3.75 per hour, plus taxes and processing fees.

Pity!!

[Kevin Amos]

If you are looking at BC Parks I have used there maps for Clearwater/Azure

https://nrs.objectstore.gov.bc.ca/kuwyyf/wells_gray_clearwater_azure_marine_map_f0ac0fd443.pdf

 

[Will Cullen]

Hi,

I’m looking for suggestions for hard-copy maps of lakes in BC – especially for the campgrounds and marine campgrounds, parking, and launch points (BCMT is fantastic for the coast stuff).

I realize there are many electronic options available, but I’ve a preference for hard-copy maps. Topo/hydrographic maps are great, but they’re not going to be up-to-date with campground, etc.

I’ve looked at the Backroad Maps (especially the fishing maps) and they seem to be excellent options.

I’m just wondering if there are better options available the BRM..?

Thanks!

[Cynthia Kennedy]

Gerald Island Volunteer Registration Open
April 11 @ 8:00 am – April 14 @ 5:00 pm

On the BC Marine Trails WEBSITE Gerald Island Volunteer Registration form is now open for April 11 – 14, 2024.

Gerald Island Invasive species removal has been ongoing for five years and once again the BC Marine Trails completed two invasive species removal cleanups in 2023.

Join us in the fight against invasive species! BC Marine Trails looks for passionate volunteers to help us remove English ivy on Gerald Island . Together, we can protect the island’s biodiversity and ensure a healthy environment for generations to come.

This is an ongoing project that we are excited to be working on in partnership with BC Parks. By volunteering with us on this project, you will be contributing to a larger effort to control and prevent the spread of invasive species in our parks and natural areas. This is an important initiative that will have a positive impact on the health and diversity of our ecosystem, and we are grateful for the support of our volunteers in this effort. Let’s work together to make a lasting difference on Gerald Island and beyond!

Gerald Island Park, an island located near Nanoose Bay, was established as the result of a private land acquisition.

The park is a good example of the rocky coastal bluff ecosystem rarely found undisturbed in the Coastal Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone in the southern Strait of Georgia. Northern and California sea-lions, bald eagles and various bird and marine species are found in the park.

No camping is usually allowed on Gerald Island.  I believe this BCMT conservation has an exception and you can stay on the island.

[Nick Heath]

Bob, I can’t answer the PIKA question, but several of us are members of both clubs, so perhaps one of them will let us know? I’ve attended some of their in-person meetings in past years (as a guest) and suspect that the rental paid for their Langley meeting hall is relatively modest.

Yes, we have substantial savings that we accumulated over the years from various sources (including, I am told, a federal government contract over-payment!). An ad hoc committee of the Exec/Board is currently analyzing our operating budget, which in recent years has been treated separately from savings.

Cheers/n

[Bob Maher]

Nick,

I received your email on how the Bluewater Cruising Assn. handles their meetings and that they are now charging members and guests for the In Person Meetings.

Just curious, how is PIKA handling their In Person meetings?

Does SKABC still have a high, five figure amount in the Bank?

Happy Valentins Day, Bob Maher    🙂

[Nick Heath]

Perhaps this topic is a bit stale, but I’m sure it is still relevant.

One gets a glimpse at how some other clubs have dealt with this issue in the following message taken from the Bluewater Cruising Assn, who have traditionally charged admission to their in-person meetings. This is what they say about hybrid meetings and how they cover the additional costs of that format. Note that they acknowledge that the dual format has reduced the in-person attendance.

Hybrid Meeting Format

In-Person Attendees: For those attending in-person, the format will be very much the same as “normal”. Doors open at 7:00 and meeting starts at 7:30. (held at a rented cultural centre in Vancouver)

Cost: $5/Members, $10/Non-Members, payable at the door only.

Virtual Attendees: Virtual club nights (via Zoom) have enabled BCA to continue our monthly meetings and presentations throughout the pandemic, with an added bonus of expanding our community to members and non-members across the globe.  With the return to in-person meetings BCA has continued to provide a virtual component to our club nights as it has significant benefits to our membership. This however comes at a cost for the purchase of cameras, audio equipment and the lost revenue due to a decrease of in-person attendance used to off-set venue costs.

Cost: Members – $5.00 per connected device; Non-Members, $10 per connected device, payable online (see link below).  Note: Due to the small cost of virtual tickets, and an equal or greater cost to BCA of issuing refunds, no refunds will be issued unless Vancouver Chapter is unable to deliver the Club Night via Zoom.

Zoom meeting invitation:  Click here to  register for and purchase your virtual meeting ticket and receive the Zoom meeting invitation.  Please note that you must be signed in to the BCA website to get the member price.

[Nick Heath]

Hi Maureen:

No camping in the Flat Tops, unfortunately.

I checked the Carlos I info a few years ago:

Carlos Island
Layer: Planning Layer
Site Type: Deleted Site
Coordinates: 49.15923, -123.69687
Land Tenure: Private
Tent Sites: n/a
Landing Comments  Easy on sand beach.

Camp Comments   semi exposed. Grassy area at top of island.

Other Comments Flat Top Islands. View.

BC Parks Fdn bought Saturnina a couple of years back but want no camping – however that could change although i understand that BC Parks do not want to make it a park either, so it likely will end up in some nature conservancy status.

Saturnina Island
Layer: Day Use
Site Type: Day Use
Coordinates: 49.14643, -123.67707
Land Tenure: Non profit society, public foreshore
Tent Sites: n/a

Landing Comments Moderate on rock shelf. Exposed to NW, SE. Easier on sand, gravel beach at high water.

Camp Comments Small undeveloped, semi-exposed rocky island.

Other Comments Seal colony nearby. Previously private, bought by BC Parks Foundation approx 2021. Planned use/status unknown.

[Maureen Benzon]

Does anyone know if camping is still allowed on Carlos Island. BCMT has no mention and I see that Saturnina is designated as day use only.

Thanks,

Maureen

[Nick Heath]

Registration is now open for the 22-24 Mar trip.

Pl sign up!

Any questions? – nheath (at) sfu.ca

[Kallie Cunningham]

Registration for 2024 training is beginning. Registration is now open for the following. Please note the process for registration required participants to avoid cancellation, and cancellation policies for these 3rd party provider courses:

1. Remote 1st Aid (May 31 – Jun 2)

2. Safe Surf Landing and Launching (Jun4-5) (mid-week; take advantage of fewer people on the water.

3. Safe Surf Landing and Launching (Jun 15-16).

 

Kallie Cunningham, Training Coordinator

[Nick Heath]

Check out the Feb 2024 Metro Vancouver Parks Newsletter for a brief item about the load of debris that volunteer SCUBA divers retrieved from the lake recently. Sorry, but I can’t find a link to the current newsletter – only to back issues. It is great when people take care of our beautiful parks and wild areas, even in places many of us will never see!

[Kevin Amos]

Hosted by City Of Mission (Clarke Theatre)
March 7 @ 7:30 PM
$15

The Paddling Film Festival has been showcasing the very best paddling films since 2006. Be inspired to explore rivers, lakes and oceans, push extremes, appreciate wild places and fully embrace the paddling lifestyle. Join us at a World Tour theatre screening then, go paddling. We’re pretty sure you’ll want to.

2024 Paddling Film Festival World Tour – Hosted by City Of Mission (Clarke Theatre)

[Author]

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