Attention all, the Canadian Coast Guard is threatening our lighthouses with new plans to de-staff the remaining 27 of BC’s staffed lighthouses. One of the first victim would be the Trial Island Lighthouse, and we do get in touch with them often, last time was 3 days ago when they signaled us there was 25 whales passing in Enterprise Channel, and that’s good info right there.
But more than that, the keepers have called the Coast Guard to help Sea Kayakers in distress in the last 6 months, and they always deliver their weather reports (where the automated weather stations are sometimes out of order for months… like Solander Island last spring).
The Georgia Strait Alliance is working on protecting our staffed lighthouses and you can read their website info HERE.
Here is a extract of the the text off their web page:
“Lightkeepers are often called upon for assisting search & rescue and RCMP & fisheries officers. They play a major role in maintaining public and environmental safety of the Strait of Georgia, including spotting oils spills and other environmental incidents. In addition, lighthouses work best with maintenance – the loss of the light’s visibility due to condensation, snow during the winter and seagull feces means that the safety of mariners is at risk.
Most critically, boat traffic primarily relies on the lightkeepers’ VHF weather bulletins as the automated reports are not always available nor are they as in depth. ” End of quote.
To wrap this up, the Georgia Strait Alliance is giving you a chance to act by Signing up the “Stop Canadian Lighthouse De-staffing petition”. Get to the petition here and use your voice.
The GSA also launched a Video Campaign, Send them a short video telling them your story about how a lightkeeper has helped you in your time of need on the water and they will post it to their YouTube & Facebook pages.
Here is my video, of course I just borrowed it for the occasion…
Here is what UVIC had to say about the Green Start Marketplace:
Start your September off in a green direction at the annual Green Start Marketplace. Community businesses, non-profit organizations, UVic groups, vendors, artisans and craft merchants will come together to create a public market and connect with the campus community over sustainable practices, products and services. Take a break from classes to enjoy live music and check out the marketplace around the inner UVic quad and Petch Fountain.
ASK got to talk with students and UVIC staff about sea kayaking, the industry, Paddle Canada, SKGABC, how to look into a sea kayak Guide job and so on. There was also a lot of questions about where to get good rentals in Victoria, so here is the list:
-The obvious Ocean River Sport with their dock on the water and boats ready to go.
- Selkirk Station, Bike & Kayak rentals & tours offer a 2 hours rental for $25, and in summer the evening for $20, hard to beat.
Find them at 80 regatta landing in Victoria, on the Gorge. Follow the link here.
– the Wave Grabber is a paddling vessel RACE of 2-4 km, just for fun.
Cost is $10. first come first serve, and here are the dates and time.
Races are every second Wednesday at 6:30pm, arrive early to register. You register on location at GORGE ROWING CLUB, 105-2940 Jutland Rd . Afterward, BBQ and Prizes, plus Pictures are loaded on the website, have a look Here!
The Wave Grabber Race Series are brought to you by MEC, for more info you can also e-mail lkelsey@mec.ca
Of course if you are looking for Instruction, just contact us…
and now a video for fun.
What they have to say:
“Last month we launched the Crossing the Ditch Documentary at the Sydney International Boat Show and it’s finally available on the Crossing the Ditch Website.
Justin has loved working with the crew from Quail Television on the documentary and the feedback we’ve been receiving on the DVD has been incredible!
At the moment we’re negotiating with a couple of network to have the doco aired later this year. For the time being, if you want to watch it, the only way is to grab a signed copy of the DVD off the CTD website: Click here!
“At first you ask ‘Why’? Why do some individuals risk everything to test the boundaries of endurance? Like all great stories this one offers answers.
Through its humour and tears, its aspirations, perils, follies and ultimate triumph we learn what it is to be human. That, together, we negotiate the chaos of the world by relying on the better, more heroic, parts of ourselves.”
— GEORGE MILLER : OSCAR WINNING DIRECTOR
A short video of Dodd Narrows, just south of Nanaimo. Current is at about 7 knots, and that boat just powered right through it, kicking up a nice wake, wave in moving water.
