Dennis and I went out for a short paddle out to 10 mile point. The weather was a bit windy and temperatures were below zero (High of -3), but we were well dressed and had a nice paddle to 10 Mile point and then back over to the south side of the bay and back via the yacht club. The current was ebbing quite strongly - for a moment I thought I might not make it through the channel near Maynard Cove! There was a nice bit of chop out by Cadboro Light and we chatted briefly with the owner of the weather station I use regularly out on 10 mile point. A great last paddle of the year! Hopefully we will actually make it out on our flights to the UK tomorrow!
8 km, 4NM, YTD 1080 km
Given below freezing temperatures, winds above 50 knots (wind gust at 60 mph at 10 mile point today!)and some snow (see photo) I have not been inspired to sneak out and enjoy the water by kayak. I have, however, been out on calls 3 times in the past 24 hours with the Coast Guard Auxiliary!
http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=IBRITISH32 is a link to weather from a station on 10 mile point that has good dat for our area.
I organised a pool session at the Crystal Pool for 14 or so SISKA members – a good time was had by all I think – I managed to practice several greenland rolls with my Tuilik as well as staic braces etc. I also got to try my surf boat (Mega Maverick) with a repositioned backband and it paddled MUCH better.
Here is a video clip of my friend Bill doing a nice roll:
Dan, Heike and I set out from Cadboro Bay to paddle north along the shore. We set up a good pace and went up to Margaret’s Bay where we turned around. We were back at the beach by 12:30. Conditions were clam, though there was a bit of a head wind for the return.
18.4 KM, 10 NM, YTD: 1072 km (probably the last paddle of the year as I am off to the UK soon…)
Monica and I took the Feathercraft wispers and went for a relaxed paddle along the west side of Caddy Bay to Cattle point and back via Staines Island. It was a bit drizzly but not much wind. Dry suits rule!
6 Km, 3NM, YTD: 1054 km
Dennis, george, Gordin and I set out from Cadboro Bay to paddle along the shore of Oak Bay towards Trial Island. We met Pete in McNeill Bay and then Andy in Gonzalez Bay, after which we made our way around Trial Islands to a lunch spot. The day was foggy but calm and we had adequate visibility throughout.
20 km, 11 NM, YTD 1048 km.
Paolo, Dennis, Heike Daniel and I set out from Killarney to paddle around the islands. We had good conditions most ofd the trip with a bit of a ebbing tide and headwind on the way back. We visited “cactus inlet” on Chatham and also paddled through both Oak Bay and RVYC marinas. Beautiful vviews of Rainer and Baker.
20.5 km, 10.5 NM, YTD 1028 km.
Mark has sent me the link to the video he made from our paddle to Discovery on Nov 8th:
I have also posted some pictures at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/mhjackson123/20081108_discovery#
I went out with a group of 8 colleagues as part of a Department Heads retreat in Bedwell harbour on Pender Island. We had a delightful paddle from Poett’s Cove along the shore to Beaumont Marine Park and Back. Conditions were wonderful – sunny and calm.
4.5 km, 2 NM, YTD 1008 km
I joined David Spittlehouse and several VSKN members (Doug, Marg, Judy, Lynn, Peter, John) for a delightful paddle over to Spectacle falls. We managed to avoid most of the rain and the wind. We left from near the feery terminal and made our way to Mckenzie Bight and then over to the falls which were in good flow, but the tide was too low to get close. We had lunch on the “movie set” steps and then made our way along the shore (where I saw a nice specimen of slickensides in the wild) to Sheppard point and then back over to Willis point. I made may 1000 km about half way between Sheppard and Willis points! We stopped after at the Brentwood Bay Inn for a glass of lighthouse brew. Thanks to David for organizing a nice paddle!
Dave sent me some pictures which I have posted at: http://picasaweb.google.com/mhjackson123/Spectacle_nov2008#
14 km, 7 NM, YTD 1003 km – made it to 100km!
Monica and I joined a SISKA paddle to Witty’s Lagoon from Albert Head Lagoon. Conditions were ideal. Overcast but calm. We made our way along the shore of Albert head, poking our noses into little bays and around islets. We stopped around Tower point for a brief talk about pillow basalts – the geology teacher in me could not resist! We then made our way around into the lagoon and all the way up to the waterfall which was in good flow. We managed to get some surfing in the small waves off the mouth of the lagoon. Lunch was on the beach at Witty’s and then we paddled down to the nudist beach and then made our way back via the Haystock islets. I put in some static braces and rolls in at the end and was happy with their execution!
15 km, 8 miles, YTD: 989 km.
I paddled out from Cadboro Bay to meet Craig and Mark at Maynard Cove. We set out across baynes for Discovery and though it was fairly windy the waves were not too big. We wended our way among the Chatham islands and then around to seabird point where the waves and sea started to become interesting! Progress was slow, but exhilarating as the waves were at least double overheight. We made it around into the bay by the park camp site where we had some fun surfing. Mark managed to get himself hung up on a rock which made for some interesting manoevers! My GPS says that my speed maxed out at 21 kph at one point – probably during a surf. We stopped for lunch in a quiet bay on the west side of Discovery. By the time lunch was over, the wind had calmed down, but I was able to get a small push home using the spirit sail.
19 km, 10 NM, YTD 974 km – 26 km to go!
Dan, Heike, John, Tony and I set out from Killarney for a paddle out to Chatham and Discovery Islands. The forecast was for Gales later in the day, so we had our eye on the weather but these did not materialize until late in the day (after our paddle! it gusted at up to 74 kph around 5 PM) Conditions were good and we spent quite a bit of time poking arouond various coves that were accessible at high tide. The tide was high all day, so much so that the lichens were under water in some places. There were a few nice currents in some of the channels and we also played in those. The current did not create any significant waves but gave us a good push from 10 Mile Point to Strongtide – we stayed at over 10 kph the whole trip over!
high tide
Dan in my sirocco 
Heike 
John
17.5 km, 9.5 NM, YTD 955 km.
later in the evening, the waves were building
I joined 13 other paddlers on a SISKA “adventurous” paddle to Race Rocks. Organized by Dennis, this was a great paddle under very nice fall conditions. We had a little bit of current to play in and work with. We had some nice roll and rescue practice after lunch.
I have posted a collection of photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/siskaweb/20081025_racerocks. Gordin also wrote up a journal article for the paddle at: http://blog.siska.ca/2008/10/25/race-rocks-paddle-october-25th/
17 Km, 9 NM, YTD 937 km.
Dan, George, Tony, Paolo and I set out from Cadboro Bay to paddle out and around the islands. Conditions were clam with a bit of an ebb building. We visited “cactus” island and did a figure of eight around Chatham and Discovery Islands. We had lunch at the park beach and then made our way back to cadboro Bay where we did some roll practice.
18 km, 10 NM, YTD 920 km 
I joined a SISKA “social” paddle and had a wonderful day along with 17 others. We went straight over to the opld cement works and the puttered along the west shore of the inlet where the water was very clear and we had great views of sea stars, moon snails and anemones as well as hundreds of moon jellies. We had lunch at Bamberton Park. We also puttered along the east shore looking at “nice houses” and then went out to Senanus island. Thanks to Lynn B for leading and Duncan for organisiong the paddle. I tested out the new tuilik on the sirocco and it worked well. Layback rolls and static braces are easy.
14 km, 7.5 NM, YTD 902 km.
I joined Dennis, Dan, Gerry, Sue and Tony for a paddle out to Discovery. The others were going to camp, but I could only make it for the day. I was paddling the FC wisper and using my new Bughead tuilik over my drysuit. Static braces and rolls were very nice in the tuilik. George E joined us for the paddle out to Chatham and then had to go back. I headed back after lunch on my own and ran into Paolo who was on his way out to camp. Nice conditions. The combo of my FC wisper, Superior paddle, and Bughead tuilik made rolling a breeze and fun to boot. The tuili was not too hot to wear over the dry suit at this time of year.
16 km, 8.5 NM, YTD 888 km. 
JF and I led a group of grade 11 students on a kayak trip around Vargas Island. Day 1 was too windy and wet to launch, so we spent our first night at Surf Junction camp, where we did a shoret trip to watch surf at Amphitrite Point and also to watch bears at a fish hatchery. After the night’s weather blew though we had decent, though not dry weather throughout the rtest of the trip. We had a great group of students with us and we covered a good distance. We saw whales twice and one sea otter. Lots of sea birds – loons catching fish, groups of surf scoters and black turnstones and many others. We had great camping at South Ahous, Dick andf Jane’s and Rassier point.
Photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/mhjackson123/20080928_clayoquot
chart 
by speed 
by day
41 km total trip, YTD: 872 km
I helped Susan lead a SISKA “adventurous” padle to Rum Island from Amherst. We had about 20 paddles in the group and did a remarkably good job of staying together. Beatiful day with nice conditions. A little current now and then but not as stronga s we expected.
18.5 km, 10 NM, YTD 831 km
George Dan and I went out for a short paddle around the Bay to get George back in the saddle – he had not been paddling for a while due to an arm injury. Another beautiful sunny calm day. George and I were paddling feathercraft wispers and Dan his Gulfstream.
6 km, 3 NM, YTD 813 km
Monica and I paddled out from Southey Point around Jackscrew and then through the Secretary islands and then to Chivers Point on Wallace. We then went down the west side of Wallace to Connover Cove, enjoying the cliffs and honeycomb weathering. We were both paddling feathercraft wispers which performed nicely.
12 km, 6 NM, YTD 807 km
While Monica and I were on saltspring for the weekend I went for a short poaddle from Southey Point around Jackcrew Island. I got to try out my new carbon GP which worked very nicely.
5 km, 3 NM, YTD: 795 km
John and I set out from Caddy Bay (where we ran into Gary) and then made our way to MaryTodd Island where we met up with Dan. The three of us had the ebb current with us to Clover Point where we turned around. We caught some fun wave action (and some surfing) off Trial Island where the flood was building and then stopped on North trial for lunch. We then made our way back via Oak Bay Marina where we left Dan and then went along the shore of clover point back to Cadboro Bay.
24 km, 13 NM, YTD: 970 km 
Dan and I went for an early paddle out to Cadboro point and then around Chatham and Discovery Islands. We then continued on to Trial island with the end of the ebb. We had lunch on Trial while the tide changed and then had a gentle flood to aid us on the return trip. We ran into a group of paddlers from Pacifica at the south end of Trial and also George and Brandon on their paddle boards on the North side of Cadboro Bay as we were coming back.
24 km, 13 NM, YTD 766 km 
I went up to the lake for a SISKA practice. There were only 3 of us and we had a blast practicing rolls and braces.
1 km, 0.5 NM, YTD: 742
I joined Duncan’s Wednesday group for a nice 14 km paddle from 10 mile point to Mary Todd Islet. I paddled out to the strting beach off Tudor Avenue and then joined the group of 10 for a nice paddle around the bays.
Dorothea nd Mike joined us after our lunch on Mary Todd and we had a very leisurely paddle into all the little bays along the shoreline between Cattle Point and Cadboro Bay where I left the group.
14 km, 7.5 NM, YTD 741 km. 
I took David and Diane (visiting from Oyama) out for a paddle around Caddy Bay. There was a bit of wind coming into the bay so we kept to the south side. We had the FC wisper, Cd sirocco and the NF shadow out. We played around in loon bay practicing strokes and then explored the nice properties along the shore!
4.6 km, 3 NM, YTD 727 km
Dennis and I set out from Cadboro Bay to paddle to Sidney. Conditions were great and we had a flood to help us along a bit. We decided to go striaght for D’Arcy as conditions were so benign and we were able to catch more helping current that way. We stopped for an hour or so for lunch in D’Arcy and then made our way to Sidney Marina where we pulled out and went for a beer while we waited for Monica to pick us up.
30 KM, 16 NM, YTD: 722 km
I snuck out after dinner for a quick paddle around the bay. I paddled through the yacht club and along the shore as it was high tide. I also dropped by to say hi to Char who is off to McGill tomorrow. It was a beautiful evening with both Mt Baker and Mt Rainier visible and several mirages as well. As I was finishing, there was a huge cruise ship going by south of Discovery Island.
6 km, 3 NM, YTD: 692 km
Another SISKA evening session at Elk Lake – Monica came this time too. I spent time helping people with their rolls and worked on mine too.
2.5 km, 1.5 NM, YTD 686 km
I went up to Oyama to pick up Monica and to take Claire and her friends for a few days. We had several great days of weather and the water was warm. I managed to get out for a nice paddle before breakfast each day and then do some rolling practice later in the day. I paddle the FC wisper all the time and had good success with my rolls and braces. I managed to do several kinds of layback rolls and also a reverse sweep and chest scull. I was working on a storm roll but did not quite have it…
#42 – Aug 14 – 8 km
#43 – Aug 16 – 11 km
#44 – Aug 17 – 14 km
#45 – Aug 17 – 2 km
35 km, 19 NM, YTD 683 km
by speed, 
by track
the cabin area
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