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VCKC Members - Would you like to get out on the water in a social paddle with Sea Kayak, Canoe or other paddling crafts? Perhaps practice some of your skills?
Join us on Wednesday evening for a social paddle. No need to register, just show up, making sure you've reserved your boat if necessary etc.
Aiming to get on the water at 530pm.
Note - this is not a formal instructional event. But typically senior experience or instructor level paddlers will be on hand, happy to support skills practice etc.
VCKC Dragonboat Team Meeting
Canoe Lakewater - Basic Tandem
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.
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 Instructors are: Ellie elliej6172@gmail.com
Dan dangeo@shaw.ca
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the VCKC Canoe Director - canoe@vckc.ca
Course Instructors are: Katia bannister.katia@gmail.com
David david.dorosz@shaw.ca
Paddle Canada Intermediate Big Canoe Leader Course
This course is $100 for non club members/ $50 for club members. Please register online now to secure your spot.
This one-day course covers basic and intermediate Big Canoe stern, bow, and leadership skills as per Paddle Canada's criteria.
More information on the curriculum:
https://www.paddlecanada.com/levels/canoeing/big-canoe/intermediate-big-canoe-leader-skills/
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.
Participants must have:
This is a leadership course. Participants will be vetted by the instructors before course commencement for suitability as per course requirements. There may be space for newer candidates to take part in the course by helping power the Big Canoes.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the VCKC Big Canoe Director - bigcanoe.vckc@gmail.com
Advanced Big Canoe Leader Skills:
Candidates will learn advance maneuvers in the Big Canoe such as inside turns, outside turns, working with currents and waves. This course will be delivered offsite, likely on open ocean water with currents.
Topics to include equipment and trip planning , team management, and leading Big Canoes in more difficult settings.
Candidates must have successfully completed the RCABC or Paddle Canada Intermediate Big Canoe Leader course.
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.
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.
• 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
Canoe Lakewater - Basic Solo
This course is $35. 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.
Learn to paddle a canoe by yourself, even in windy and rough conditions. You’ll adapt the paddling stokes learned in the Basic Tandem course to solo paddling while sitting in the centre of a canoe. You’ll gain independence as you enhance your understanding of how a canoe responds to each paddle stroke. By completing this course you’ll be able to branch out to the other courses the club offers, such as ocean tripping and the advanced tandem and solo courses
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.
• Solo paddling positions and trim
• Pivot point
• Extending your strokes for better control
• Solo spins and sideslips
• Self-rescues (Wet/dry suit recommended)
• Effective reverse paddling
• Introduction to environmental ethics
• Access concerns
Our certified instructors deliver the Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia’s (RCABC) Lakewater - Basic Solo in a full-day session normally held on the Gorge waterway near the VCKC clubhouse.
PREREQUISITE – RCABC Lakewater Basic Tandem or 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.
Canoe Lakewater - Advanced Tandem
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 the course is full, add your name to the waitlist. We will add another course when numbers warrant.
Refine your skills and teamwork to quickly and efficiently paddle a tandem canoe in any direction. Master linking paddling manoeuvres together smoothly and efficiently to enhance your ability and enjoyment of canoeing.
• Running and regular sideslips
• Extended straight line paddling
• Sharp forward & reverse turns
• Bracing strokes
• Advanced tandem rescues (Wet/Dry suit recommended)
• Ropes and knots
• Canoe repair
• Handling wind and waves
Our certified instructors deliver the Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia’s (RCABC) Advanced Tandem course in a full-day session normally held on the Gorge waterway near the VCKC clubhouse.
PREREQUISITE – RCABC Canoe Lakewater Basic Tandem. 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 Instructors are: Alex alexandria.r.marshall@gmail.com
Alan littoral@shaw.ca
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the VCKC Canoe Program Director
VCKC’s ANNUAL RUNNING OF THE COW – May 2-3, 2026
More info to follow
Location: Cowichan River Camping: Stoltz Pool Boat Ramp area
The campout is for all club members and guests. The river paddle is open to anyone with Moving Water Basic Tandem certification or equivalent.
More information and registration will occur closer to the date of the event.
Ellie elliej6172@gmail.com
Come join us for the annual Spring 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.
We will also be making an effort to gather up abandoned member items from around the clubhouse and put them in a central area for reclamation. Items such as: hats, gloves, shoes, boots or whatever isn't owned by VCKC. If these items go unclaimed after 30 days we will donate or dispose of them. More information to follow about what to bring. If you have any questions, contact Gord Evans by email to: clubhouse@vckc.ca
Course Instructors are: James canoe@vckc.ca
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
Member Profile
355 Gorge Road West Victoria, BC, V9A 1M9
Tides & Currents
Inner Harbour / Local Marine
