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.

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  October 25, 2020

Canoe Lakewater 2 - Basic Solo

Canoe Lakewater 3 - Advanced Tandem  October 3, 2020

Canoe Lakewater 4 - Advanced Solo 

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 preparation); Moving Water II is the introductory course for solo canoeing on rivers (to be taken after MW1 and LW2).

Canoe Moving Water 1 - Tandem October 17 & 18, 2020

Canoe Instructor Certification

RCABC Lakewater 1 and 2 and/or Paddle Canada Tandem/Solo Intro and Intermediate (depending on candidate skill, experience and goals).

Dates: October 23 - 25 and October 30 - November 1, 2020

Location: Victoria, in partnership with Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club (VCKC)

Prerequisites:

·       Certified completion of RCABC Lakewater 1, 2 and 3 and/or Paddle Canada Tandem/Solo Introduction or Intermediate

·       All candidates must be strong paddlers

·       VCKC paid membership

·       RCABC and/or Paddle Canada paid membership

Cost:

Instructor Course $250

Recertification $50 for VCKC members (Please call if you are not a VCKC member)

* Grants to cover the costs for new instructors are available through VCKC if they are willing to volunteer for VCKC. 

For information about becoming an RCABC or Paddle Canada Instructor see:

https://www.bccanoe.com/courses/become-an-instructor

https://www.paddlecanada.com/instructor-candidate-registration/

For more specific information and registration please contact:

Ellie James

250-885-8030

Email: ejames123@shaw.ca

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. (Not scheduled at this time, but will be available if there is sufficient interest; contact the Canoe Director)

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.  

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.  

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.  (Not scheduled at this time)