Dan and I went out for a short paddle this morning to get in one more paddle in the year and help Dan work off a week of holiday eating. The winds were a bit stronger and there were decent wind waves forming to the north of Chatham. We popped into Swing Beach bay and then made our way back via Jemmy Jones. As we were returning, the wind began to pick up and the rain began.
10 km, 5 NM, YTD1381 km – 4 year total : 4804 km – almost enough to get me to Gander Newfoundland as the crow flies!
I joined Alan, Duncan, Doug, Simon, John, Dave, Lynn and Dorothea on the last “Wednesday Paddle” of the year. They were setting out from Oak Bay Marina, so I met them at Great Chain Islet. Conditions were great. A bit of wind and chop in the morning but not bad for the end of December! We had lunch on swing beach (what was left of it as the tide was very high). After lunch we went to Jemmy Jones and over to Cattle POint were I parted ways with the group.
18 km, 10 NM, YTD 1371 km 
Given the nice SE wind, I decided to rig up the Megabyte and took it for an hour’s sail. Conditions were excellent andf I had a blast making my way out to Jemmy Jones and back. I was getting some nice speed around 6 knots or so at times. I saw a lone paddler in the race at Baynes which was looking pretty good… was too far up wind to investigate.
Maybe one more paddling day left this year… my 4 year total is now up to 4794 km!
I went out for a solo afternoon paddle in the F1 to Cadboro Point, Jemmy Jones Islet and back via the RVYC. Nice afternoon. There was a good current building in Baynes and I spent a couple of minutes running through it. I met another paddler, Richard, out by Cadboro Point and Jemmy Jones – it was his birthday!
9 km, 5 NM, YTD 1353 km 
Paulo, Dan and I decided to get a last paddle of the year together before Dan and Paulo headed off. We set out just before noon and headed up towards Arbutus Cove where we stopped for a bit. Yet another beautiful December day! Sunshine, winds were not too strong and the temp was not too cold. We passed by the 10 mile POint Weather Station – this is the weather station I find best for checking out the weather around Cadboro Bay. Here is a wind printout for today:
looks like the winds were steady at 10–15 knots while we were paddling.
The weather underground version of the site is at: http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=IBRITISH32 and the main site is at: http://www.landspring.net/WeatherSite/weathersite_12_09.htm
14 km, 8 NM, YTD 1344 km
Paulo, Dan and I went for another paddle out to our favourite islands. The predicted winds and rain did not materialize so conditions were great. We had fun playing in the currents off Chatham and then did a figure of eight around the islands. I saw Harlequin ducks, Black Oystercatchers, Black Turnstones, Buffleheads, Hooded Mergansers, Bald eagles, Otters (family of 12!). I was paddling the NF Shadow.
18 km, 10 NM, YTD 1330 km 
Monica and I joined 27 other paddlers at the CFB sailing club beach to paddle across the harbour, up to the falls on Millstream and back to 6 Mile pub for the SISKA Christmas paddle and party. Conditions were great – no wind and no rain and not too cold! The paddle and party were a great success.
Some of my photos are posted at: http://picasaweb.google.com/mhjackson123/20091219_siskaxmaspaddle# and some of Michel’s are at: http://picasaweb.google.ca/MIchel.the.kayak.guy/SISKAChristmas2009#
Yours truly with a silly hat!
a full beach
Coal Island
9 km, 5 NM, YTD 1312 km
Gordin, Dan, Dorothea and I set out from Gordin’s in-laws to paddle out and around the shores of East Sooke Park to Cabin Point and back. Conditions were good and I was glad I brought my sirocco and wooden GP as I was able to do a lot of playing in the rock gardens. We made good progress as winds and currents were light.
wide view 
closer view
16 km, 9 NM, YTD 1303 km
I was up in Tofio to work, but we made some time to get out surfing at Chesterman’s beach. I surfed the Cape falcon F1 yesterday and the Wold Nova today. I used the greenland paddle both times and was very happy how it worked.
Some video clips:
Dan Paulo and I went for a morning paddle out and around Chatham and Discovery Islands and then back via the Chain islets. Conditions were cool but cal. I was in my Tahe and had a tuilik on so I did a number of rolls.
16 km,8.5 NM, YTD 1287 km.
Dan, Paulo and I went out for a afternoon paddle from Caddy bay to Discovery and back. I was in the F1 and Paulo was in the Disko Bay. Clear skies, light northerly winds and a beautiful evening. We watched the sun set as we paddled back to Cadboro bay. Its getting a bit colder!
Paulo in the F1 eith Baker in the background
15 km, 8 NM, YTD 1271 km.
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