Profile of a Model Club

December 2003 - January 2004

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

by Tony Clayton

Originally formed by a small group of enthusiasts in 1981 as the Vancouver Ocean Touring Kayak Association, the Sea Kayaking Association of British Columbia (SKABC) is now a thriving club of 350 recreational paddlers. As one would expect in such a group, there is a wide variety of kayaking experience, expertise and associated interests, but the common denominator is an enthusiasm for paddling. The success of the club stems from this enthusiasm and from the willingness of the members to help organize and participate in a full range of kayak related activities. The club promotes high levels of kayaking skills, safety, concern and respect for the environment, and above all, the enjoyment of sea kayaking.

TRAINING

SKABC offers a comprehensive schedule of training courses ranging from basic instruction for beginners to leadership training. Courses typically incorporate dry land training, pool sessions and open water activity. These are only available to club members and are moderately priced, reflecting the volunteer instruction recruited from within the club. The courses are not designed to compete with commercial offerings and do not include any certification. To ensure that SKABC has a consistent, standardized and up-to-date approach to teaching skills and safety, the club has compiled a set of comprehensive training manuals for instructors.

TRIPS

SKABC has a year-round schedule of trips ranging from day paddles to multi-week expeditions. Trips are designed for all levels of ability and each trip has an alpha-numeric rating to assist people to select trips appropriate to their skills and endurance. Club trips are organized and led by club members. The shorter trips are on local waters such as Howe Sound, Indian Arm and the Gulf Islands, while longer trips range from Alaska to Baja. Weekends trips with themes such as bird watching, sketching and kayak cuisine, are very popular. Each summer, a number of one and two week expeditions to the remoter parts of the BC coast are a major feature of the trip schedule.

SOCIAL

The club has monthly meetings, September through June, which are both social and informative. Meetings typically feature a speaker, either a club member giving a slide show on a noteworthy trip or a guest presenter. We’ve been treated to a tour of the BC coast from Alaska to Ambleside, a visit to Belize, and an expedition to Greenland. Other guest speakers have given presentations on BC marine mammals, on preventing and treating injuries, and on building skin boats. Whatever the topic, there is always time to visit with friends, to meet new members and share information about past and planned trips.In addition to the regular club nights, there are special events such as a Thanksgiving weekend, a Christmas party and an evening celebrating poets Robbie Burns and Robert Service. During the summer, meetings move outdoors to a local beach where we enjoy a barbeque.

COMMUNICATIONS

Paddle, the monthly newsletter published by SKABC, has been a feature of the club from the early days, and in recent years has blossomed into an impressive and colorful 14-page newsletter. In addition to a current schedule of trips, the training program and meeting notices, Paddle contains accounts of recent trips and timely items related to the local kayaking scene. Frequently there are humorous contributions and occasionally an article that is DNK (i.e., definitely not kayaking-related).

Thanks to some creativity and hard work by a few dedicated people, SKABC has a dynamic and informative website that is rapidly growing in both scope and popularity. The web is the fastest way to find out about the club and its current activities. The web site also provides links to an expanding list of other interesting and useful web sites.

The club has a telephone Trip Line where members can obtain or leave information for planned kayak trips. This is a great way to find a partner or two for an impromptu paddle at any time.

And last, but not least, the SKABC library is a wonderful resource full of information in books, magazines, charts and videos.

ALLIANCES

SKABC has been a strong supporter of BC Marine Trails Assocation, is an active member of the Outdoor Recreational Council of BC, and has affiliations with other BC kayak clubs.

THE OUTLOOK

SKABC has recently experienced growth in membership, enthusiasm and energy. It’s exciting to see this development but it will be an ongoing challenge to meet the aspirations of so many keen kayakers and to maintain the objectives of the organization.

At the same time, all paddlers face the challenge of maintaining access to our beautiful British Columbia shorelines that we have perhaps previously taken too much for granted. We also need to be increasingly aware of the threats to the coastal environment and be prepared to be active in protecting this heritage.

To this end, SKABC is seeking stronger links with other kayak clubs, outfitters, guide organizations and paddlers in general, in order to present a strong and cohesive front on issues of common interest.

SKABC is also becoming more active in encouraging kayakers to join the club both for personal enjoyment and for common cause. Consider this your invitation to join us.

To find out more about SKABC you can go to www.skabc.org or write: SKABC, Box 751, Postal Station A, Vancouver, BC V6C 2N6.

© Tony Clayton is a member of SKABC. You can also contact the organization at membership@skabc.org.