Harbour Celebration Sunday April 17

Here's a note forwarded from SISKA -- the South Island Sea Kayaking Association -- about next weekend's Celebration of our Harbour. This event is another practical way to demonstrate that a proposed MegaYacht Marina is not the best use for this public space in our harbour! When: Sunday, April 17th, 11:00am- 3:00pm Where: On land in front of the Songhees and on the water along the north shore of the harbour. Victoria Harbour Celebration Society is a group of human-powered advocates that will be hosting this first “Celebration of our Harbour” event. The group wishes to protect, celebrate and encourage safe use of our beautiful harbour. The vision is to have this become an annual event, with support from Tourism Victoria, clubs and businesses. This fun community event will have: · On land displays by the paddling and rowing clubs and companies that operate in Victoria harbour. The public can learn about the diversity of healthy, inexpensive, environmentally friendly recreational opportunities available to use in our beautiful working harbour. · Fun Citizen Exhibition Races for kayaks, canoes and rowing craft, starting with the outriggers at 11:30am. Everyone is invited to race! The sea kayak start time will be 12:10 with the start line at the Victoria Harbour Ferry wharf near Royal Quays. · David Anderson, ex-Olympic rower and ex-MP will be kayaking as well as speaking with the media. This is another opportunity to show the public and media how important safety and access through Victoria Harbour is to us as kayakers. There will be all the other human-powered craft there as well. · Let’s see a really good turnout from SISKA at this event! Volunteers are also needed to help with safety on the water. If you have a VHF radio and are willing to help, please contact Jennie Sutton at jsl50@shaw.ca or 250-592-6434. · Demonstration of different types of kayaks, rolling, etc. It would be good to have some Greenland style kayaks and paddles as well as the “regular” kayaks and Euro paddles. Hopefully some of the more skilled paddlers will demonstrate rolling, etc! Launch sites: Bamfield Park, Selkirk Waters, Esquimalt, VCKC, Kinsman Park, ORS dock, Songhees…contact Jennie Sutton if you need more information… See you there!