SISKA Monthly Meeting November 25, 2026 - Kayaking Goletas Channel & Vansittart Island

with Fred Pishalski and the Catfish Crew

Meeting Starts at 7:00pm at Unitarian Universalist Community Of Victoria Building
5575 West Saanich Road, Saanich

Fred has been SISKA’s Meeting Coordinator for a long time and is passing the job on. In his final role, he has selected one his own productions, the paddling journey of the Catfish Crew as they kayaked Goletas Channel & Vansittart Island with a side trip up the Marble River. Fred has been kayaking since the 1980s and has paddled all over Vancouver Island, the central coast, Haida Gwaii and in numerous other countries. The Catfish Crew started as a men’s group and morphed into a bunch of kayakers when one of the them bought a Brian Henry (Ocean River) first protype kayak and the rest is history.

Gliding through Goletas Channel area by kayak offers one of the most scenic paddling experiences on the East coast of Vancouver Island. Sheltered waters, rocky shorelines, and a scattering of small islands create a constantly changing landscape where paddlers can explore quiet coves, kelp beds, and narrow passages. The islands throughout the channel provide excellent opportunities to stop and set up camp, watch for seals hauled out on the rocks, or observe bald eagles soaring overhead. At low tide, colorful marine life becomes visible along the shoreline, while the surrounding forested hills and distant mountain views add to the area's rugged beauty. Whether on a calm morning or beneath the golden light of an evening paddle, the islands offer an unforgettable combination of adventure, wildlife, and coastal scenery.

So where is the Unitarian Universalist Community Of Victoria Building: 5575 West Saanich Road, Saanich BC. Drive out West Saanich Road and just past the Red Barn Market, turn right after Matterhorn Drive into the church parking lot.

Our meetings start at 7:00pm however, folks that have gear they wish to sell/swap are invited to show up at 6:00pm to set up, doors open for everyone at 6:30pm.