VCKC Marathon Program

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Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club

Marathon and Small Boats Program This popular program will encourage amateur and expert to excel in long distance paddle and portaging of single (C1) and double (C2) canoes, even K1s and OC1s or 2s. The Club now has one M1 and two M2 boats for the instruction of amateurs, but most keen marathon canoeists purchase their own and conduct a vigorous weekly outing each Saturday morning. The season closes in late August with the annual "Wined Up In The Gorge" races. On the right, we see a valiant attempt to get all M2s at the starting bouys with a following flood tide on the narrow Gorge Waterway.

Marathon Race Course This is representative of the route which is laid out each year with buoys marking the actual turning points and pre-briefed mini portage points and tasks. Depending on the tide level and current, the course can be a great test of the endurance and wit of all. One caution for OC1s and Surfskis is always that of unmarked debris in shallow waters, though these are pre-briefed as much as possible with the knowledge of recent route evaluations. The start and finish line is always in front of the VCKC club house (the pin) near the Tillicum end of the course. The long course measures roughly 3.6 miles or 6 kilometers each way.
The Heron Ron Williams' heron, seen previously in WUTG events in a variety of formats, has now been made available to us by Island metal sculpturist, Jack Willoughby of Anvil Island Design. No events were held in 2007, but, the WUTG heron will be watching over the events of 2008, ready to lift a glass to all participants! First place in qualified events will receive a version of this trophy. Click here for details on the 2006 Event Happy Boating to All, See you Soon!