June 6 - Orcas in virtual reality and it's batter up at RAP

Good morning !

There’s a cool virtual reality experience in the city over the next few days. We talk about that in our first story. In our second, we shout “Play ball” and cozy up to a hot dog and a cold one.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 20 / 11

Tomorrow: ☀️ 23 / 13

Sunday: ☀️ 30 / 13

OPINION

Ocean Week brings immersive orca experience to Victoria as killer whales face killer threat

Southern Resident killer whales are one of the most visibly threatened symbols of environmental degradation and climate change in the Salish Sea. There are just 74 left.

Last fall, data emerged confirming the noise from ships is messing with killer whales’ ability to hunt for food—as if low salmon counts and high pollution levels weren’t enough for the Southern Residents.

Now, thanks to the accelerated world of high tech, we can get an almost-firsthand account of just how acute shipping noise is for our orcas, without even getting wet.

Critical Distance, an immersive experience with the Southern Resident killer whales, takes its audience underwater as orcas swim around and cope with freighter traffic.

As part of Ocean Week Canada, you can don a virtual reality headset and virtually swim with the fishies, if you will, to adopt the point of view of Kiki, an eight-year-old J-Pod orca, as she employs echolocation to stay connected to her family and hunt for food. 

The VR adventure made a splash at the International Marine Protected Areas Conference in Vancouver in 2023 and has been favourably received from Ottawa to the Smithsonian. 

Now, it’s showing in Victoria today through Monday at Studio 531 Architects on Herald. 

Read more from Charles Campbell, freelance journalist and board member of SIMRES, on the power of Critical Distance to create awareness of the ocean-noise problem—and maybe even push officials to make changes.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Recall: Seasonale tablet birth control pills: packaged with extra placebo tablets

$65 Vic-Van fares, as BC Ferries turns 65 on June 15. 

Belinda Cameron was reported missing 20 years ago. [VicPD]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

SPORTS

Pop goes the season: HarbourCats home opener is tonight

Get ready for those lovable, zany minor league giveaways and promotions. Prepare for the pleasing sound of bat-meets-ball and the ensuing ooohs and aaahs of the crowd, and steady yourself for the mouthwatering aroma only a series of food trucks can make.

The Victoria HarbourCats hold their 11th home opener (two were lost to the pandemic) tonight at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park, with the Port Angeles Lefties providing the opposition. 

“We think HarbourCats baseball is the best part of the glorious summer in Victoria,” Cats managing partner Jim Swanson tells Capital Daily.

“All the food trucks have turned it up a notch on their menus. We have a new coffee cart, and we have found some new tweaks to the favourites people have loved at our games.”

There are four fireworks nights this season, including the one following tomorrow’s tilt, which, like all home games, will have a first-pitch start of 6:35pm. 

Who to keep an eye on

“Jacob Doyle, an outfielder from Nevada, is an exciting power hitter to watch, and overall skilled outfielder Xander McAfee will be another player with speed who will turn heads,” he says when asked who to look out for this season.

“Local left-handed pitcher Jack Finn, who will start [tonight], is the pitcher we are excited to see on the team—an Eagles product from Victoria.”

Performance over their 12-week schedule will dictate whether the HarbourCats have enough pop in their bats to make a fourth West Coast League (WCL) championship series appearance, but there’ll be no shortage of pop to be heard at RAP this summer. 

Ivan Doroschuk, lead singer of Men Without Hats, will sing tonight’s national anthems, and two of his band’s most earwormy songs will be used in-game for all 27 of the club’s home dates. 

“The Safety Dance" will be played whenever a HarbourCat hits a home run, and "Pop Goes the World" will blare when opposing batters pop out.

The HarbourCats, under head coach Todd Haney, who last summer agreed to remain with the team until 2030, started the season with a three-game sweep in Kelowna before dropping a pair in Edmonton. 

The regular season runs through Aug. 6, with a short-but-sweet playoff round from Aug. 8-14. 

Click here for tickets. 

NEWS

Spectrum adds first soccer title to championship banner year

Saanich’s Spectrum High senior girls were opportunistic hosts last weekend, going undefeated en route to securing the first provincial soccer title in the school’s history.

Team captain Clara Chudley, who was named tournament MVP, scored both Thunder goals as the hosts edged Chilliwack’s GW Graham Secondary 2-1 in the final.

The Thunder dispatched all three of its tournament opponents to reach the playoff portion of the 16-team provincial tourney and advanced to the final with a nail-biting 1-0 win over North Van’s Argyle Secondary in the semifinal. 

"It's amazing making history for our school,” said Victoria Cronkhite, the Island championship MVP.

It was Cronkhite’s tally with eight minutes remaining in the semifinal that propelled the Thunder to the title game.

“When I started playing for Spectrum four years ago, I had no idea we'd be finishing our high school career winning a provincial banner,” Cronkhite said.

“I couldn't be more grateful for the team I have."

It’s Spectrum’s second provincial championship in less than three months. In March, the school took BC’s AAAA Senior Boys Basketball Championship, the first team to repeat since Kitsilano High in 2001-02.

"It's quite emotional seeing your players and their families cry over the win,” said Thunder footy coach Dom Butcher.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🏅 2025 Greater Victoria Business Awards recipients. [GVCC]

🎓 Royal Roads Spring Convocation today. [Livestream]

🪏 Boost your curb appeal and privacy with expert fence installation from Shield Landscaping. Quality materials, fast service, and free estimates. Email today [email protected]*

🧓 Seniors’ Week through tomorrow. [City of Victoria senior centres]

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🗞️ In Other News

Break-in at historic Central Saanich church will cost thousands
Thieves broke in sometime between dinner time last Fri. and 9am the next day, leaving Central Saanich United Church a mess. They shattered a century-old heritage window and stole a big-screen TV and some audiovisual equipment recently installed to record Sun. services. Damage and costs of the stolen goods are still being tallied, but a church trustee said it’s likely in the tens of thousands of dollars. A long-awaited addition to the 130-year-old church on East Saanich just opened four months ago and the thieves hit that, too. [CHEK]

Peninsula First Nation builds small island; DFO checking for habitat damage
The small man-made island in Coles Bay is linked to a clam garden—a traditional food system used by First Nations on BC’s coast and islands—according to the DFO. Excavators were seen moving gravel and stones onto a rock outcrop, which normally is only seen during low tide. Workers were wearing jackets featuring the logo of the Pauquachin First Nation—whose traditional lands include Coles Bay. Shell hash—or finely ground seashells, used to encourage the growth of mussels and clams—was being spread by workers. Officials say notice of the island’s construction wasn’t given. [CP/CTV]

War of the roses: The Empress Hotel and Roger the Marmot’s 17-year garden battle
It’s believed that the local-celebrity marmot hitched a ride on an RV from Alberta—where yellow-bellied marmots typically live—making his final stop at the hotel’s gardens. The grounds crew has had to adapt its approach to planting; once a garden full of colourful flowers that Roger quickly destroyed, the crew replaced them with marmot-friendly snacks. It also added plants that are not as appealing to Roger’s palate. Despite the rivalry, crew members say they love the little guy. [Victoria News]

🗓️ Things to do

🥳 Cook Street Village Block Party: It’s the sixth annual version of this popular outdoor party featuring music, vendors, and the fastest dog of Cook Street Village. Sun. 10am-6pm. [Info]

🚣 Come Try Coastal Rowing: Celebrate World Oceans Day with a free, fun, and safe introductory rowing session in large, stable coastal boats. Certified rowing coaches and enthusiastic volunteers will be on hand. Tulista Park. Sun. 9am-12pm. [Info] Reservations, please. 

🐟🦈 Celebrate World Ocean Day 2025: Explore interactive activities, marine exhibits, a touch tank, live diving presentations, ocean conservation displays, a colouring station for children, and much more. Fisherman’s Wharf. Sun. 11am-4pm. [Info]

🛼 Capital City Chaos Tournament: Three jam-packed days of roller derby, featuring 10 teams from across North America. Archie Browning Sports Centre. Today-Sun. All day/evening. [Info]

🍻 Fridays at the Station: A summer pop-up with live music, BC craft beer, local food trucks, and a market with local businesses and artisan studios. Langford Station. 4-8pm. Today. [Info]

🏳️‍🌈 Planet Earth Poetry: Queer Island Festival of the Arts. Celebrate the final event of the season with readings by Tawahum Bidge and Tracy Wai de Boer, plus an all-queer open mic. Russell Books. Today. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎡 Oak Bay Tea Party: Join the 63rd annual Oak Bay Tea Party, with rides, a parade, live music, floating teacup races, and pancake breakfasts for a full weekend of family fun. Today-Sun. Various times. [Info]

🎶 Vic West Fest: Head to Banfield Park for live music, local artisans, food trucks, a beer garden, a kids zone, and the always-popular dog show at this lively community celebration. Tomorrow. 12-6pm. [Info]

🍴 Community Dinner: Honouring Our Loved Ones. A community dinner to honour and remember Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals affected by systemic violence. Tomorrow. 6-8pm. KWENCH on Store. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: 84-year-old Victoria man gets back $80K of stolen cryptocurrency in BC first; Sooke celebrates 25 years of incorporation; Langford really rocked on Tue. [June 5]

Image of suspect in Sidney break-and-enter released. [Times Colonist]

Former Blue Jay Michael Saunders is back to coach at Lambrick Park Secondary. [CHEK] 

Dogs and deer: Advice to keep your pet pals safe. [CTV]

Sooke to host first Paws for Pride Parade: The dog-friendly celebration is slated for June 22. [District of Sooke]

Cougar vs. bear: A cougar was seen chasing down a black bear in Langford. [Video]

5 new baby goats at Beacon Hill Children’s Farm are just starting to explore. [BHCF]

That’s it!

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