SICA Board
Directors
Kris MacLellan - CHAIR
Kris has lived along Canada’s West Coast, above the Arctic Circle, against the Bay of Fundy and on Cape Breton Island. He now makes his home with his wife, daughter, and son on lək̓ʷəŋən Territory. Kris is an experienced rock climber who also enjoys wandering and hiking in the Vancouver Island wilderness.
Jordan Goldsmith - VICE CHAIR
Jordan loves spicy food, semi-spicy routes, and learning from the community. She believes in a world where Slackliners and Climbers cohabitate in outdoor spaces. Jordan volunteers with GOATS Queer Climbing Group. Her dog is impatient about cragging.
Climbing is for everyone who wants to climb things! The sport should be inclusive and welcoming.
Rob Somogyi - Treasurer
Island raised and having climbed for over 25 years, Rob has experienced a lot in the evolution of climbing here in Victoria. Rob is an owner and operator of Victoria’s premiere bouldering gym- BoulderHouse, and has a direct connection to the bouldering community indoors and out. With the emergence in the popularity of climbing as it hits the main stage for the Olympics, Rob is also aware of the impact this will have on our natural areas and takes a personal interest in stewardship and education of the next generation of climbers.
Ed Smith- Secretary
Born in North Carolina and raised in a military family I've lived in many places coast to coast in the US including a bit of time in Greece. Attended most of high school in Detroit and graduated from college at The Citadel in South Carolina. Found climbing only 4 years ago while living in San Diego and consider myself an adventure climber. Moved to Canada 3 years ago to escape the hustle grindset culture and the fact that the US is currently imploding. The dog in the photo isn't mine but he is a very good dog.
Directors at Large
Allen Agopsowicz
Began climbing in 1988 with a trip to Squamish. Was mentored by an ACMG guide and taught rope skills for their company. Became a crack master, flashed the Split Pillar and sent the Grand Wall in 1991. Have climbed in Yosemite, the Rockies and extensively throughout BC. Founded the Greater Victoria Climbers Association to deal with the possible closure of Fleming Beach in 1994. Became a founding Director of the Climbers' Access Society of British Columbia (CASBC) in 1995 and became President in 2014. Presently leading CASBC in helping create new Climbers' Societies throughout British Columbia with legal, technical and timely advice.
JANE Hofweber
Jane has been climbing indoors and outdoors throughout the western provinces and states of Turtle Island for 20 years.
She is passionate about inviting climbers of all skill levels and abilities to experience outdoor crags and boulder fields in a safe and respectful social environment.
She believes that good relationships are the key to a vibrant, diverse climbing community and for ensuring long-term access to local outdoor climbing areas.
Dale Puskas
I'm a civil engineer working in local government for over 10yrs, delivering projects, utility services for the public, applying for and managing grants. As the Director of Engineering for Central Saanich, past Capital Projects Manager for 16 services in the CRD, and former strata council president for 9yrs I have a varied experience working with and on Boards, Councils, Committees, and Commissions.
I climb with my family. I am a novice indoor boulderer (?) looking to do more outdoor climbing this year and help promote this sport as a family friendly sport.
Clinton Thomas
Born amongst the lakes and rivers of Ontario, since 2009 Clinton has been on a slow western migration. With a 10-year stopover in Alberta, Clinton was introduced to climbing and quickly fell in love with the steep frozen waterfalls that grace the Bow Valley and Kananaskis regions. After a few too many winters living in his van, the cold became too much, and he moved to Victoria to be with his partner and in 2022 took over coordination of the CARSA Climbing Centre at the University of Victoria. Clinton’s biggest passion in climbing now rests in the adaptive world, and he has been working with the team at CARSA in expanding access to climbing for any person living with a barrier. When not around CARSA, Clinton can usually be found with his daughter and partner wandering about the friendly streets of Duncan.
Alex Stover
Alex is an avid outdoor recreation generalist who has settled in Victoria due to the city's proximity to the mountains and the ocean. Prior to his move to Vancouver Island, Alex spent 4 years as a Director at the University of Toronto Outing Club, a not for profit dedicated to increasing accessibility to the outdoors for folks in urban centres. During that time, he helped rock access organizations work with private landowners and provincial agencies to negotiate for more climbing opportunities across Southern Ontario. Alex is looking forward to building up an inclusive community of climbing enthusiasts on the South Island and is always looking for more friends to tackle the island's many mountain summits with.
Graham Wilson - Director at Large
Graham moved from the flat lands of Saskatchewan to Victoria in 2019, and quickly became enamored with the mountains and the recreation they provide. Since moving to Victoria, Graham has spent time climbing, scrambling, and ski touring around the South Island. Doing these activities has given Graham an appreciation for the outdoors and the sense of community and friendship that can be found there. Through working with the SICA Board, Graham is excited to start contributing to the efforts to develop outdoor recreation areas, preserve access to them, and make them more welcoming.
A Huge ShouT Out to the 2019 Ad-Hoc board (The og’s)
Haj Bains - President
Patrick Craib - Secretary
Allen Agopsowicz - Advisor
Kenneth Cronin - Local gym owner
James Doyle - Cowichan climbing
Silva Erglis - Cat wrangler
Karsten Klawitter - Vice president
Quinn Park - Local rock star
Alois Schonenberger- ACC rep
Milah Smith - Taking care of the youth
Rob Somogyi - Gym owner
Katy Winship - Information finder
Brad Grsic - Money man
Mark Steffen - Technical advisor
Board Application Process
Directors are elected at the annual general meeting for a one-year term. Directors must be a member of the Society in good standing. There is an annual membership fee. Every member shall uphold the SICA Constitution and comply with the Bylaws of the Society.
All Directors and Officers are requested to submit a signed Application to the Board in advance of the AGM to provide advanced notice and information to members to inform their votes. If not received in advance, all Directors and Officers expected to submit a signed Application to the Board within one week of election to confirm an understanding of the duties, obligations, and responsibilities of the role and required qualifications to be a Director of a Society under the BC Societies Act.