Back to Canoe
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
GWI using Clubhouse for their meeting
VCKC’s ANNUAL RUNNING OF THE COW – May 3-4th, 2025
Location: Cowichan River
Camping: Stoltz Pool Boat Ramp area
Registration opens April 1st, 2025.
The campout is for all club members and guests. The river paddle is open to anyone with Moving Water Basic Tandem certification or equivalent.
VCKC will be holding its Annual “Running of the Cow” this year on Saturday May 3rd to Sunday May 4th. This is a two-day moving water event where we paddle the Cowichan River, from the Lake all the way down to the White Bridge – river water levels permitting. This is open to all VCKC members who have completed the Moving Water Basic Tandem course or equivalent. Club members may also join us just for camping, as it's a great place to hike and bike in the area.
Camping will be available free for members and guests at the Stoltz Pool Boat Ramp at Cowichan River Provincial Park on Friday May 2nd to Sunday morning, May 4th. Additional trailer space is available in the adjacent overflow, or in the campground.
On Saturday we will start at the weir at Cowichan Lake at about 10AM and paddle to the takeout just above Skutz Falls. There we will enjoy a dinner and a great evening around the campfire. Campers will pack up by 11 AM Sunday morning May 5th and paddlers will complete the paddle.
Saturday night dinner is open to all VCKC members and guests from other clubs.
VCKC also invites all moving water paddlers in the area to the Cowichan River that weekend to celebrate the last great weekend of river paddling before the summer low water levels set in (well hopefully there will be a few more).
If you are interested in attending, contact:
James McBeath: canoe@vckc.ca or
Joe Boyd: joeboyd@telus.ca
VYPC Open House Youth Paddle
The VYPC will be using our facilities during this time period.
Phil McEvoy, President VCKC
presidentvckc@gmail.com
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.
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. Please bring drinks, snacks, lunch and a change of clothes to the course.
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.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the VCKC Canoe Director - canoe@vckc.ca
Paddle Canada Intermediate Big Canoe Leader Course
This course is $50. 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.ca
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 Lakewater - Basic Solo (LONG WEEKEND)
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
• 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.
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.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Canoe Program Director.
Regards,
Canoe Program Director
canoe@vckc.ca
Canoe - Ocean Canoeing
The cost will be $120.00. 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.
This course expands on knowledge taught in the introduction level such as tidal prediction, marine forecasting and navigation with nautical charts and adds greater detail surrounding land and wind interactions.
Strokes and maneuvers are performed at a higher degree of proficiency in conditions with greater exposure to wind, waves and possible swell. Students are introduced to more exposed locations so they are better able to identify the differences between sheltered and exposed coastline paddling.
This two-part course begins with 6 hours of classroom work spread over 2 evenings that will give you the knowledge to prepare and plan for trips.
In the second part of the course, you will be applying your knowledge in a two-day group trip on the enclosed coastal waters of the Gulf Islands.
Topics include: Safety and Rescue ● Review of Intermediate Lake Tandem Canoeing skills (within the context of coastal canoeing) ● Interpretation of marine and land forecast ● Tides ● Coastal navigation ● Personal preparation (wet or dry suits, etc) ● Canoe over canoe rescue ● Towing General Paddling Skills ● Review of Intermediate Lake Tandem Canoeing skills ● Compound strokes ● Compensating for environmental effects Knowledge ● Advance reading of nautical charts ● Navigation - expanded piloting (features and transits) ● Land and marine forecasts ● Dealing with waves and swell including clapotis waves, cross seas tide against swell and boomers ● Influencing factors on tidal range ● Locating safe paddling environments
Our certified instructors deliver the Paddle Canada Intermediate Coastal Canoeing course which involves a capsize and rescue session. This course requires the purchasing of a chart and compass. Purchase the course textbook "Freedom of the Seas Vol 1.Navigation, Sea State & Weather- A Paddlers Manual" is strongly recommended. (Best Coast Outfitters have had it in the past)
Personal camping gear is required for the course trip. Some canoeing gear can be provided, however you are strongly encouraged to bring your own canoe equipment so that you’ll gain first-hand knowledge of how it performs for coastal canoe tripping. The coastal canoe trip is paddled in tandem canoes. If you need a paddling partner, every effort will be made to find one for you
Ellie James,
elliej6172@gmail.com
250-885-8030
VCKC Canoe Director - canoe@vckc.ca
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.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the VCKC Canoe Program Director
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.
Save this date to learn and review safety skills necessary for paddling on water!
More details will follow closer to this event date.
VCKC Safety Day will be June 1st at the Clubhouse and in the Gorge.
Each program area is being asked to participate. Programs are encouraged to use this day to practise team and individual rescues.There will be safety clinics and activities for members and the general public.
The Safety Committee
Ellie James
Cel: 250-885-8030
Gulf Island Big Canoe Brigade Saturday 26 July 2025 - Friday August 1 2025
The lottery has been held. Everyone will be notified of the results within 24 hours.
Do not purchase a CVBS membership until you have been selected through the lottery.
1. VCKC members will sign up as individuals and be assigned to canoes later. Use option 1 during registration. This stream will go to a lottery on March 5th, 2025. Two spares will also be pulled. No money will be charged until you have been selected. There will be a maximum of 6 crew in canoe.
2. Guest canoes will register using option 2. This stream will go to a lottery on March 5th, 2025. Two spare captains will also be pulled. No money will be charged until you have been selected. Once a captain is selected they are guaranteed space for their 5 remaining crew. Cost- $2400 per canoe with a non-refundable deposit of $200.00 after selection. The remainder will be due in June. Maximum of 6 crew in each canoe.
3. Individuals hoping to join a crew may sign up using option 3. This is a no cost option until you join a crew. There is no lottery for this stream. Do not purchase a CVBS membership number until you have been selected by a crew. Due to large registration numbers this stream has now been closed to registration.
The current route is:
Saturday July 26th- Newcastle Island, near Nanaimo.
Canoes and crews will need to be at Brechin Ramp, Nanaimo by 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 26th, 2025. This ramp is close to the Departure Bay ferry terminal. Drivers will take empty vehicles and trailers to a designated parking area in Victoria about 90 minutes away. Transportation back to Nanaimo and Newcastle Island will be arranged by the brigade. While the vehicle shuttle is underway, the canoes and gear will be paddled the short distance to Newcastle Island where camp will be set up. Dinner is provided by the brigade
Sunday July 27th- Telegraph Cove, Thetis Island
Monday July 28th- Osborne Bay Resort, Crofton, Vancouver Island
Tuesday July 29th- Montague Harbour, Galliano Island
Wednesday July 30th- Port Browning Marine Resort, North Pender Island
Thursday July 31st- Island View Beach, Vancouver Island
Friday August 1st- Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club, Victoria. The brigade will provide a dinner. Transportation will be provided to take drivers back to their vehicles and trailers.
Required for Participants
Canadian Brigade Voyageur Society Membership number which is $21.04 for a regular membership. Please make sure to specify Gulf Island Brigade
https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=37294&lan=1&cartlevel=1
Required Gear for Canoes
Large (20 liter/5 gallon) bailer, 2 small bailers, all with tie cords
2 x 25' painters
a righting line
a rescue throw bag preferably 3/8" or 1 cm diameter
1 paddle/person plus 2 spares
PFD safety marine certified, must be worn, Vaikobi NOT allowed
sounding whistle
canoes over 18' need a watertight flashlight and flares (VCKC will carry flares)
Maps and Charts
The brigade will provide maps adequate for knowing where you are. If you want to have official charts, Canadian Hydrographic Service Charts 3341, 3342, 3343 cover all the journey except part of the last day. A more expensive spiral bound set of charts 3313 is also available for the Gulf Islands.
Meals
Each team will need to carry food for 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 5 dinners plus cooking equipment. Water and electricity will not always be available. You will need to carry enough water for 2 days =3 litres/paddler/day = 36 litres.
Some of the camping areas will have access to a restaurant for dinner if you want a break from cooking. (at your own cost)
Brigade Meals- first and last dinner
A variety of food will be served but we cannot accommodate individual dietary needs. If you wish to invite guests beyond the 6 team members there will be an additional fee. Number of guests will be limited. Please discuss with brigade registration 2 weeks before the start of the Brigade.
Leave No Trace
https://leavenotrace.ca/the-seven-principles-of-leave-no-trace/
Have garbage bags for camp sites where we must carry our own garbage out. Where cache lock boxes are provided by campsites you will need to put all food and garbage inside them.
Extras
Recommend bringing power banks, not all sites have electricity.
Recommend extension cord with multiple outlets as places with electricity will have limited outlets.
All equipment and gear should be in waterproof containers ie dry bags, barrels or large hiking backpacks double lined with garbage bags. It is also recommended that large containers be used to hold multiple small items; not all campsites are immediately beside the beach.
Bring VHF radios if you have them and know how to operate them.
Captains will receive packages with more complete details.
***Cellular service will mostly be available. It is highly recommended that all participants fill out the emergency medical information screen on their cell phones. Helpful in emergencies and also in returning misplaced cell phones to you.***
iPhone https://support.apple.com/en-us/105072#:~:text=Medical%20ID%20helps%20first%20responders,in%20case%20of%20an%20emergency.
Android https://support.google.com/android/answer/9319337?hl=en#zippy=,use-the-personal-safety-app#zippy=,use-the-personal-safety-app
Canoe Rentals
Contact Ellie James 250-885-8030 or elliej6172@gmail.com if you are looking for information on where you can rent canoes or trailers.
Joe Boyd, Big Canoe Director, bigcanoe@vckc.ca
Linda Allison, registrar, Linda.canoe@icloud.com
Join us for an evening paddling Voyageur canoes in Brentwood Bay and Todd Inlet
Meet at the clubhouse between 7:30 and 8 PM to load boats
Bring layers, food and beverage - we will be out past dark
Butchart fireworks start about 10pm
Back at the Tsartlip boat ramp by 11 pm, and at the clubhouse by midnight.
Contact Joe: BigCanoe@vckc.ca if you have questions.
No experience necessary. Everyone welcome.
Canoe Lakewater - Basic Solo
Remembrance Day Paddle on the Cowichan
The VCKC Canoe program will be participating in the annual community event - Remembrance Day Cowichan River Paddle on Tuesday 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.
Member Profile
355 Gorge Road West Victoria, BC, V9A 1M9
Tides & Currents
Inner Harbour / Local Marine
