Canoe Courses

Each year, Recreational Canoeing Association of BC (RCABC) paddler-level courses are offered by qualified club instructors. Fees for these courses go to the Club, not the instructor. You can read more about the course contents on the RCABC website.

Club membership is a prerequisite to enroll in courses. The Join Us link above will take you to the membership application page.

PLEASE NOTE: COVID-19 and the subsequent closure of VCKC has postponed or cancelled all canoe courses for the short term. 

Lakewater:

Basic Lakewater I tandem course is an introduction to canoeing and a prerequisite for all further courses; the course is 8 hours long. Lakewater II is the basic solo paddling course. Lake Water III and IV are the advanced flat-water courses for tandem techniques and solo paddling skill development.

Canoe Lakewater 1 - Basic Tandem April 11, 2020 - Postponed, pending VCKC Opening

Canoe Lakewater 1 - Basic Tandem  June 7, 2020 - Pending VCKC Opening

Canoe Lakewater 2 - Basic Solo  June 14, 2020 - Pending VCKC Opening

Canoe Lakewater 3 - Advanced Tandem  March 7, 2020 - Postponed

Canoe Lakewater 4 - Advanced Solo (Not scheduled at this time, but will be available if sufficient interest; contact the Canoe Director)

Moving Water:

Moving Water I is the basic tandem river paddling course (LW1 is a prerequisite, all of LW1, LW2, LW3 and LW4 are even better preperation); Moving Water II is the introductory course for solo canoeing on rivers (to be taken after MW1 and LW2).

Canoe Moving Water 1 - Tandem  March 14 and 21, 2020 (Subject to appropriate water levels in local rivers) - Postponed, pending VCKC opening

Ocean/Coastal Canoeing:

The course introduces the students to ocean paddling, including dealing with tides and currents, navigating with a compass, and the use of tide and current tables and charts.  The course includes 3 evening sessions and an ocean canoeing trip with camping, usually among the Gulf Islands.   

Ocean Canoeing  May 25 - 30, 2020 - Postponed until further notice

Canoe Tripping: 

Canoeing in the wilderness is, for many, the ultimate way to enjoy canoeing. For those new to overnight canoe trips (tripping), the Canoe Tripping Paddler course will provide practical skills and knowledge needed for fun, comfort and safety on your next wilderness canoe trip.  

Canoe Tripping Paddler April 11-12 Cancelled

The Canoe Tripping Leader course is designed to build sufficient skills and confidence on the path to becoming the leader of a multi-day wilderness canoe trip.  

Canoe Tripping Leader May 16 - 18 Cancelled

For more more information about these Canoe Tripping courses, please contact the Canoe Director.

Skills Clinics:

In addition to formal courses, the Canoe Program sometimes offers specialized clinics.  Clinics are tentatively planned for June 202. Details coming soon.  Postponed

Canoe Instructor Training and Recertification:

For new or recertifying RCABC or Paddle Canada Instructors.

Canoe Instructor Course and Recertification  June 6-8 and 13-15 - Cancelled