Back to Canoe
This social paddle is for people who have passed the Paddle Canada Basic Kayak course or equivalent. Please remember to book your kayak on the booking system.
Wednesday paddle. Note Big Canoe leaves at 5:30 but if you see other kayakers registered for this event, please wait until 6. This is event repeats each Wednesday until August. The registered list will be cleared each Thursday ready for the next week.
All small craft welcome to join.
Great time to practice your kayak skills on the Gorge.
Event is rain or shine. However, if predicted wind exceeds 10 knots, we will not paddle.
I am going to be paddling solo and tandem canoes on Tuesday and Thursdays evenings (5:00 to 7:00 pm) for the remainder of June and all of July.
The tides are flooding under the Tillicum bridge so am taking advantage of the varying current speeds to practice in moving water.
Great practice for eddy turns, attaining, bracing and rescues.
I'd like to extend the offer to other club members, who have the Moving Water Course, to come out and join me.
Love to have a mix of novice and experienced paddlers. BYO PFD and paddle if you have them as Tuesdays are also a busy night for dragon boaters.
No need to register, just show up!
Thanks,
Dave Hill davehill1705@gmail.com
Big Canoe social paddle is on!! Come join us.
Dragon boat team social and Race debrief-Videos. Post FGPC Vancouver Island Festival.
Thompson River Trip
More info to follow
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. 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 Instructors are:
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the VCKC Canoe Director - canoe@vckc.ca
***POSTPONED TO Saturday, 19 Sep 2026***
Save this date to learn and review safety skills necessary for paddling on water!
More details will follow closer to this event date.
Each program area is being asked to participate. Programs are encouraged to use this day to practice team and individual rescues. There will be safety clinics and activities for members and the general public.
The Safety Committee ,
Claire Harder, safety@vckc.ca
Safety Director
(Ellie James Cel: 250-885-8030 elliej6172@gmail.com)
Dragon boat team social and Race debrief-Videos. Post Comox Harbour Festival.
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. 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.
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.
Course-specific details will be sent by the instructor one week before the course.
David david.dorosz@shaw.ca
Outdoor and Recreational Council of BC Annual River Day
This course is $100 for non club members/ $50 for club members. Please register online now to secure your spot. 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.
A
Big Canoe Leader Skills: October 3 and 4
Candidates will maneuvers in the Big Canoe such as precise control, crew commands, inside turns, outside turns, working with currents and waves. This course will be delivered at VCKC.ca and June 2 will be 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 tandem canoe experience and training, and preferably have some experience with a Big Canoe.
For more help please contact Joe Boyd joeboyd@telus.net or 250-882-6033
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 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.
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.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the VCKC Canoe Program Director
Canoe Program Director
canoe@vckc.ca
Canoe Lakewater - Advanced Solo
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.
• Advanced stokes - box, pitch, Canadian, …
• Cross bow draws
• Running sideslips
• Weight turns
• Inside & outside circles and figure eights
• 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.
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 instructor is David Dorosz, david.dorosz@shaw.ca
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.
• 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 Instructors are: Dan dangeo@shaw.ca
James canoe@vckc.ca
If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Canoe Program Director.
Regards,
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.
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
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.
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
(250) 208-1216
We will be paddling on the Sooke River.
VCKC Dragonboat Team Meeting
Member Profile
355 Gorge Road West Victoria, BC, V9A 1M9
Tides & Currents
Inner Harbour / Local Marine
