Upcoming Canoe Events

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• Wednesday Big Canoe Social Paddle

  • Start
    08 Jul 2026
  •  
  • End
    28 Oct 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    17 sessions
  • Location
    Gorge Waterway and VCKC Clubhouse

  Big Canoe social paddle is on!! Come join us.

   

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• Saturday Morning Sea Kayak Paddle for Skedda Users

  • Start
    22 Aug 2026
  •  
  • End
    24 Oct 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    10 sessions
  • Location
    Gorge Waterway and VCKC Clubhouse

  This social paddle is for people who have passed at the minimum the Paddle Canada Basic Kayak course or equivalent. You must have an account on the booking system to attend. The outing is not guided and no new members can attend.

  Saturday morning social paddle. 

  Please register your intent to paddle on https://spond.com/invite/YWWLF

  Event is rain or shine but please use discretion if the wind is excessive.

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• Canoe Lakewater Advanced Solo

  • When
    18 Oct 2026
  •  
    8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    VCKC Clubhouse

  Canoe Lakewater - Advanced Solo

  Contact James canoe@vckc.ca  if you are interested in registering

  This course is $40. Please register online now to secure your spot. You will not pay until two weeks before the course date when you receive an email reminder and invoice. If you withdraw after paying you may 1.) request payment to be kept on your account for later use or 2.) pay a $5 administrative fee to request your money back. 

  Take your paddling to the next level. You’ll first learn advanced strokes and maneuvers then practice them on a solo circuit on a fixed course. You will be able to demonstrate mastery via precise maneuvering by perfecting stokes on the circuit.

  Capsizes and rescues are part of the course.  All paddlers require a dry- or wet suit, these can be rented in town. Sports Rent Coastal or dive shops have rentals available. Please bring drinks, snacks, lunch and a change of clothes to the course. 

  Topics include:

  •    Advanced stokes - box, pitch, Canadian, …

  •    Cross bow draws

  •    Running sideslips

  •    Weight turns

  •    Inside & outside circles and figure eights

  •    Sharp forward & reverse turns

  •    Bracing strokes

  •    Canoe history
  

  Our certified instructors deliver the Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia’s (RCABC) Advanced Solo course in a full-day session normally held on the Gorge waterway near the VCKC clubhouse.
  

  All canoeing gear can be provided, however you are encouraged to bring your own equipment if you have it.
  

  PREREQUISITE –  Lakewater Advanced Tandem and Lakewater Basic Solo
  

  Please register online now to secure your spot. You can delay paying until one week before the course date; a payment reminder email will be sent at that time.
  

  Course-specific details will be sent by the instructor one week before the course. 

  Course instructor is :

  If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the VCKC Canoe Director - canoe@vckc.ca 

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• October Moving Water Basic Tandem Canoe

  • Start
    22 Oct 2026
  •  
  • End
    25 Oct 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    3 sessions
  • Location
    VCKC Clubhouse

  Register

  Canoe Moving Water Basic Tandem

  This course is $120. Please register online now to secure your spot. You will not pay until two weeks before the course date when you receive an email reminder and invoice. If you withdraw after paying you may 1.) request payment to be kept on your account for later use or 2.) pay a $5 administrative fee to request your money back. 

  There will be a theory session on the Thursday night in the clubhouse. The water session will be on a river away from the clubhouse.

  Become a river canoeist! Learn about the nature of rivers, how to prepare & manage for the challenges of moving water, and what to do when things don't go as planned.
  

  Topics include:

  •    Safety equipment, flotation and outfitting a canoe

  •    Managing river hazards

  •    Advanced strokes & braces

  •    Entering and exiting eddies

  •    Ferrying to cross the river

  •    River reading and group travel

  •    Rescues and swimming in rapids 

  •    Environmental and access concerns

  Our certified instructors deliver the Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia’s (RCABC) Tandem Moving Water course on a local island river over a weekend.

  All canoeing gear can be provided, however you are welcome to bring your own equipment if you have it.  All paddlers require a dry- or wet suit and a helmet, these can be rented in town.Georgia of Coastal Bliss in the Cowichan Valley, 250-715-0034 or coastalbliss@shaw.ca, has been very available to rent equipment early in the morning.

  PREREQUISITE – RCABC Lakewater Basic Tandem (or proof of equivalent). You must be a club member to take a course, you will not be able to register until you have logged into the website.

  Please register online now to secure your spot. 

  Note that dates may change to ensure safe water levels.

  Course-specific details will be sent by the instructor one week before the course.

  Course Instructors are: Dan dangeo@shaw.ca

                                        James canoe@vckc.ca

  If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Canoe Program Director.
  

  Regards,
  

  Canoe Program Director

  canoe@vckc.ca 

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• Big Canoe Leader Course (RCABC)

  • Start
    24 Oct 2026
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • End
    25 Oct 2026
  •  
    4:30 PM
  • Location
    VCKC Clubhouse, 355 Gorge Road West, Victoria

  Register

  This course is $100 for non club members/ $50 for club members. Please register online now to secure your spot. 

  Big Canoe Leader Skills: October 24 and 25, 2026

  Candidates will maneuver a Big Canoes. learn precise control, crew commands, inside turns, outside turns, working with currents and waves. This course will be delivered at VCKC (355 Gorge Road West, Victoria) on October 24 and will be offsite October 25, likely on open ocean water with currents.

  Topics to include equipment and trip planning, team management, risk assessment/avoidance and sterning Big Canoes in more difficult settings.

  Candidates for the Big Canoe Leadership level must have tandem canoe experience and training, and preferably have some experience in a Big Canoe. Less experienced candidates may earn a Big Canoe Paddler certificate.

  Prerequisites can be earned by completing tandem canoe courses. See the VCKC calendar to available dates and to register.

  For more help please contact Joe Boyd joeboyd@telus.net or 250-882-6033

  
  

  
  

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• LGBTQ+ & Nonbinary Basic Tandem October Lakewater Canoe Course

  • Start
    29 Oct 2026
  •  
  • End
    31 Oct 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    2 sessions
  • Location
    VCKC Clubhouse

  Register

  Canoe Lakewater - Basic Tandem

                    This course is being taught by and for self-identified LGBTQ+ & nonbinary people

  This course is $30. Please register online now to secure your spot. You will not pay until two weeks before the course date when you receive an email reminder and invoice. If you withdraw after paying you may 1.) request payment to be kept on your account for later use or 2.) pay a $5 administrative fee to request your money back.

  There will be a theory session on the Thursday night in the clubhouse followed by a water session on the Gorge Sunday beside the clubhouse.
  

  Start all your paddling adventures with this introductory course. Whether you are a first-time paddler or with some prior experience, discover the essential skills, manoeuvres and knowledge to safely paddle a tandem (two-person) canoe, either from the bow (front) or stern (back).
  

  Capsizes and rescues are part of the course.  All paddlers require a dry- or wet suit, these can be rented in town. Sports Rent Coastal or dive shops have rentals available. 
  

  Topics include:

  •    Canoes, paddles, PFDs and other gear

  •    Paddling positions and boat trim

  •    Launching and landing

  •    Forward, stopping and reverse paddling

  •    Basic turns while paddling forward

  •    Spins and sideslip manoeuvres

  •    Storing and waterproofing gear

  •    Canoeing safety guidelines and equipment

  •    Handling waves and wind

  •    Capsizes and rescues 

  Our certified instructors deliver the Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia’s (RCABC) Basic Tandem course in a full-day session held on the Gorge waterway near the VCKC clubhouse.

  All canoeing gear can be provided, however you are encouraged to bring your own equipment if you have it.

  PREREQUISITE –
  You must be a club member to take a course, you will not be able to register until you have logged into the website.

  Course-specific details will be sent by the instructor before the course.

  
  

  Course Instructor: Katia, she/her  bannister.katia@gmail.com

   Michael Donaghy, they/them

  
  

  If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the VCKC Canoe Director - canoe@vckc.ca

  
  

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• House and Grounds Fall Clean-Up

  • When
    07 Nov 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    VCKC Clubhouse, 355 Gorge Rd. West

  Come join us for the annual Fall Clean-up at the clubhouse.  Tasks include smartening up the outdoor spaces of the clubhouse, deck washing, BBQ cleaning, gutter cleaning, window washing and more. In addition we will be doing a thorough cleaning of the interior including meeting rooms, kitchen and storage areas.

  This is a great way to meet other members of the club and put in your volunteer hours.  The more people that show up the quicker things get done!

  A reminder email will be sent out closer to the date.  If you have any questions, contact by email to:  clubhouse@vckc.ca

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• 2026 Remembrance Day Paddle on the Cowichan River

  • When
    11 Nov 2026
  •  
    8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    Cowichan River

  Register

  Remembrance Day Paddle on the Cowichan
  

  The VCKC Canoe program will be participating in the annual community event - Remembrance Day Cowichan River Paddle on Wednesday November 11 with participation from the South Island Whitewater and UVic Paddling Clubs. 

  There may be some short speeches and a reading of “Flanders Field” before a minute of silence at the Burma Star Memorial at Stolz pool at 11AM sharp. The Memorial is at Stolz Pool in Cowichan River Provincial Park dedicated in memory of all who lost their lives in the WW11 Burma Campaign. It is known as the “Forgotten Army”. Many paddlers leave a poppy at the Memorial.

  Interested VCKC paddlers are required to have RCABC Moving Water 1 or equivalent (must confirm with the event organizer),  James McBeath at canoe@vckc.ca or 250-208-1216

  VCKC members may book a canoe@vckc.ca if a canoe is needed. Everyone who books a canoe must assist in outfitting the canoe with proper safety gear and floatation. A time will be scheduled before the event.

  Although there will be individual volunteers who will lead groups down the river, each canoe is expected to be responsible for outfitting their canoe and be comfortable with their paddling skills on Grade 1-2 water.

  Car shuttles will be setup first and arranged at Gibs N Dots 9:30AM on the morning of the 11th.

  This event is very dependent on water levels so everyone who registers will be kept informed.

  Any questions or concerns please contact  James McBeath at canoe@vckc.ca or 250-208-1216.

  This is a great river event for both novice and experienced river paddlers alike. If you completed one of our Moving Water courses in the past 2 years, this is a great opportunity to hone your skills while having lots of fun on the river during salmon run. As always, helmets and immersion gear are mandatory for running rivers.

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• Eddie Hopper! Sunday

  • When
    22 Nov 2026
  •  
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Cowichan River

  Register

  Eddie Hopper!  (Dependent on Water levels.)

  Members must have a Moving Water course or instructor permission to participate. 

  We will be paddling on the Cowichan River.

  Helmets are required. Drysuits are mandatory.

  For further information, contact

  James McBeath, Canoe Director

  canoe@vckc.ca

  ‭(250) 208-1216‬
  

  
  

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• Canoe Instructor Planning Meeting for 2027

  • When
    10 Dec 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    VCKC

  
  

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• Eddie Hopper! Sunday

  • When
    13 Dec 2026
  •  
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Cowichan River

  Register

  Eddie Hopper!  (Dependent on Water levels.)

  Members must have a Moving Water course or instructor permission to participate. 

  We will be paddling on the Cowichan River.

  Helmets are required. Drysuits are mandatory.

  For further information, contact

  James McBeath, Canoe Director

  canoe@vckc.ca

  ‭(250) 208-1216‬
  

  
  

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• Eddie Hopper! NEW YEARS DAY, Friday

  • When
    01 Jan 2027
  •  
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Sooke River

  Register

  Eddie Hopper!  (Dependent on Water levels.)

  Members must have a Moving Water course or instructor permission to participate. 

  We will be paddling on the Sooke River.

  Helmets are required. Drysuits are mandatory.

  For further information, contact

  James McBeath, Canoe Director

  canoe@vckc.ca

  ‭(250) 208-1216‬
  

  
  

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• Eddie Hopper! Sunday

  • When
    03 Jan 2027
  •  
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Sooke River

  Register

  Eddie Hopper!  (Dependent on Water levels.)

  Members must have a Moving Water course or instructor permission to participate. 

  We will be paddling on the Sooke River.

  Helmets are required. Drysuits are mandatory.

  For further information, contact

  James McBeath, Canoe Director

  canoe@vckc.ca

  ‭(250) 208-1216‬
  

  
  

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• Dragonboat Team Meeting VCKC Clubhouse Main Floor and Deck

  • When
    18 Mar 2027
  •  
    6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    VCKC Clubhouse Main Floor and Deck

  VCKC Dragonboat Team Meeting 

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