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. 

Sonja Klassen - secretary

Sonja is currently taking her Master's of Science in Sustainable Development at the University of Sussex online, and is passionate about taking care of our outdoor playground. Sonja is an outdoor enthusiast and thoroughly enjoys climbing with friends. Although she considers herself a beginner climber, she is an avid proponent of climbing as a fun outdoor activity with likeminded rock puzzlers. Sonja has extensive experience being a board director as a director-at-large, secretary, vice-president, and eventually president at a local campus and community radio station in the Lower Mainland, and university club lead with Oxfam Canada, and Amnesty International. Here she gained a diverse skill-set ranging from policymaking, strategic planning, networking and more. Sonja adds to the SICA board’s passion to keep our community of climbers safe, environmentally educated, and diverse regardless of abilities, gender, and economic status.

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.

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.

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

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.

Erin Rautenstrauch

Erin currently serves as a board member of GOATS Climbing Assc., where she is committed to increasing access to climbing for the queer community throughout Vancouver Island, with a focus on the lower island. Through her work with GOATS, she has gained a unique perspective on building access to the sport.

In addition to her work with GOATS, Erin has completed the ACMG's TRCI course and is a member in good standing. She also volunteers her time as a member of the ACMG's Diversity and Inclusion committee, where she continues to advocate for greater equity and inclusion in the climbing community.

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.