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VCKC Members - Would you like to get out on the water in a social paddle with Sea Kayak, Big 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
This is what we have been practicing for since the Kick-Off on February 8. THE MAIN EVENT! A long day paddle from Brentwood Bay to the VCKC Clubhouse on the Gorge Waterway.
For more information about Paddle For The Kids click here.
If you haven’t already, please register here.
Start Paddling & Fundraising Now!
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.
5km Race: open to small boats (1-2 paddlers).
10km Race: open to outrigger canoes which are provided (spec only) or big canoes (more than 3 paddlers)
20km Race: open to small boats (1-2 paddlers)
Note: Race course may be subject to change at the Race Director’s discretion on race day. A mass start is planned (all race distances running simultaneously) however, this may change depending the number of boats registered by race day.
Registration is open online. Big boats must be complete by April 5, 2026, and small boats by April 11, 2026, by 7:00 pm.
NOTE - when registering a team that has more than one person, you must go to the bottom of the registration form "Additional Guests" and add the number of additional paddlers on the team. For example OC2 would be 1 additional guest, OC6 would be 5 additional guests.
Registration desk opens at 8:30 am. Race Briefing 9:00 am. Race Start 9:30 am.
Contact Mhairi - email: mmacdonell78@gmail.com
Team name, #of paddlers, boat type, boat description, 5/10/20km, mens, womens or mixed
Fees:
Small boat (solo) $30
Small boat (tandem) $60
Big boats $20 x (# of paddlers in boat)
*Fees include light lunch - registration deadline: April 5, 2026, for big boats and April 11, 2026. by 7 pm for small boats.
Prizes for top solo, tandem and big boat
To qualify as a women(s) boat, all paddlers must be women. A team qualifies as men(s) when one or more paddler(s) is male. A mixed team must be even between men and women or it is a men's team.
Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place (The number of prizes is one less than the number of boats competing in the race. Eg. if there are three boats in the race, 1st & 2nd place prizes will be awarded.)
Please be aware that parking is limited on site and is not available in the adjacent parking lot (this must remain available for the public using the park). Please plan accordingly to allow time to drop off boat and find parking. Parking is available on some side streets and at Esquimalt Gorge Park. (Please do not park in the Il Greco parking lot).
Thank-you
Stormin’ Norman Canoe Race Course Descriptions
5km – race is one loop: from Start Line proceed to marker B for a counter clockwise turn, then proceed to Finish Line.
10km – race is 2 loops: from Start Line proceed to marker B for a counter clockwise turn, then to marker A for a counter clockwise turn, then to B for a counter clockwise turn, proceed to Finish Line.
20km – race is 3 loops: from Start Line proceed to marker B for a counter clockwise turn, then to marker A for a counter clockwise turn, then proceed to marker C for a counter clockwise turn, then to marker D, pass with marker on left, then to marker E for a counter clockwise turn, then to marker D, pass with marker on right, then to marker C for a clockwise turn, then to marker F for a counter clockwise turn, then to marker C for a counter clockwise turn, then to marker A for a counter clockwise turn, then to marker B for a counter clockwise turn, then proceed to Finish Line.
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
Canoe - Ocean Canoeing (Sunday is Mother's Day)
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
Course instructors are:
Ellie , elliej6172@gmail.com , 250-885-8030
Jay , crowley.jay@gmail.com
VCKC Canoe Director - canoe@vckc.ca
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.
Canoe Lakewater - Basic Tandem (Mother's Day)
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
Dragon boat team social and Race debrief-Videos. Post FGPC Super Sprints.
Dragon boat team social and Race debrief-Videos. Post FGPC Vancouver Island Festival.
Dragon boat team social and Race debrief-Videos. Post Victoria Inner harbour Festival.
Dragon boat team social and Race debrief-Videos. Post Comox Harbour Festival.
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.
Member Profile
355 Gorge Road West Victoria, BC, V9A 1M9
Tides & Currents
Inner Harbour / Local Marine
