Sea Kayak Association of BC

Another Wednesday paddle done. A calm eve to start, then some winds from the south as we headed back from Siwash Rock. We dodged the sailboat races and meandered back to Jericho.

Wednesday paddles are going on!
Even in some hefty gusts last week.
It was an exciting eve with some hard work!

www.skabc.org

Come join us for the next in person meeting!!!

SKABC June Club Meeting
When: SUNDAY June 7, 2026 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
(Note: NOT on a Monday this time.)

Program will consist of a short safety demonstration, then a trips symposium – Seven trip leaders will showcase seven different trip destinations of various skill levels and durations.

Coffee/tea and light refreshments will be served.

This will be an opportunity to socialize with both long-time and new club members, and learn about kayaking trips in nearby areas. Discuss paddling routes, ask questions, and share your knowledge and experience! Plan to join us.

Location: Grandview Room, Trout Lake Community Centre
3360 Victoria Drive, Vancouver

Parking: Three hours free parking. Please register your licence plate at the kiosk near the reception desk
*Doors: Open 6:45 pm*

Our first Weekly Wednesday Jericho paddle was the prefect evening!
It started with a quick visit from the grey whale 🐋 spouting and coming into the bay, then surfacing about 100m from us as we paddled the shallows off Locarno Beach. Then it must have figured out it was me and stayed hidden. In all the years I’ve paddled locally it was my first whale spotting. I am whale repellent.
Then we had a relaxed pace and calm waters until the wake from a larger boat reached us just as we were approaching the first dolphin and amongst the shoals. Suddenly we were paddling into surf with our kayaks slamming down after each wave. It was actually quite fun! Unfortunately no video of that!
Then the sun ☀️ came out as we rounded the second dolphin 🐬 and paddled back amongst seals, cormorants, great blue herons, and eagles.
Couldn’t have asked for a better paddle!

Spring Fling is our yearly SKABC event:
3 groups paddled to different locations at the Indian arm and end the day with a great dinner at Good Co in North van.
Looking forward to a great season ahead.

http://skabc.org

Trip Leader Course – May 7 evening & May 22-24

SKABC invites you to join our club and take our Trip Leader Course.

Spend three days in the Gulf Islands developing the skills required to lead a SKABC trip for a day, a weekend or an extended period.
This course is aimed at paddlers who have some kayaking experience (day trips, overnight trips and multi-day trips), and would like to know more about leading SKABC trips in accordance with the club’s philosophy, which can be found on the website.

Learning objectives:
Trip Planning
Required Gear & Equipment
Lauch Site Safety
Incident Management
Group Dynamics
Environmental Impact

This course includes an evening trip-planning meeting on Thursday May 7th in Cambie Village.

Prerequisites:
Wet exits, assisted re-entry and unassisted re-entry
Overnight or multi-day trip experience
Packing a Kayak
Ability to paddle a fully loaded kayak
Camping Self Sufficiency
Interest in leading SKABC Trips
Suitable Immersion Gear
Pre-approval by the coordinator prior to registration

Format:
Trip Planning Meeting
3 day trip with 2 nights camping in Gulf Islands
Participants are expected to wheel their boats onto the
Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay ferry with the group.

Fee: $50
Note: the fee will be refunded if a participant completes the course and leads a trip in 2026 or between January 1 and August 31 2027
Travel and Camping Expenses: Participants are responsible for their own transportation, walk on ferry costs and camp fees. Camp fees are approx. $7.50/night.

Up for the challenge? Join us and find out more at skabc.org!

SKABC invites you to join our club and take a Beginner Kayaking Course. There are no pre-requisites. Details of what is involved, and what you'll learn in the course, are below.

Annual membership in SKABC costs $45 (additional family members are $10). The Beginner's Course is $85 and consists of an evening Zoom session on Thursday May 28 plus two days on the water May 30 and 31 at Cates Park in Deep Cove, North Vancouver.

To join the club and register for the course, visit our website. Registration deadline is April 30, 2026.

This foundation course will give you the basic skills and knowledge to go on kayak trips in sheltered waters or to join competently-led trips in places such as Indian Arm and the Gulf Islands. You’ll learn:

Strokes: Forward, reverse, stopping, sweep, draw, low brace, edge control
Launching and landing,
How to perform wet exit, assisted re:-entry, and self re-entry

A brief overview of the following topics:

Equipment and equipment care
Charts and compass
Weather
Sea State
Risk Assessment and mitigation
Communication
Clothing
Hypothermia, hyperthermia and sun safety
Lifting and carrying kayak
Kayak tie down on a vehicle
Resources

Further details are available on our website at skabc.org

Come join us!