VCKC has made a decision to cancel the event as part of our response to supporting efforts for controlled encounter with the Covid-19 virus.
Details coming
For many, going on wilderness trips is the ultimate way to enjoy canoeing, be it a weekend family getaway, or a remote, multi-day lake expedition. Fun, comfort and safety are attainable if paddlers are properly prepared.
The Canoe Tripping Paddler course is designed for people wanting an introduction to going on wilderness lake trips. The course content is covered during the 2-day trip including an overnight camping experience. The course is great for anyone interested in learning more about tripping, and outdoor or schoolteachers that wish to develop their skills to become leaders.
Prerequisite: RCABC Lakewater 1 (tandem) or 2 (solo) or equivalent. You need to be a proficient paddler as this course’s focus is on the tripping skills and not basic paddling taught in other courses.
Duration: Minimum 2 days with 1 overnight
Content: The most notable content of the course is the experience of heading out on a BC lake or canoe route. With everything you need with you in the canoe, and the leadership of an experienced instructor, this overnight tripping experience offers endless opportunity to build skills along the way. Included are:
· properly loading canoes and waterproofing gear
· rescues of loaded canoes
· menu and food preparation, cooking and food safety
· navigation and group travel and safety
· environment and Leave No Trace
· best camping sites, tents, stoves and tarps
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 tripping.
Please register online now to secure your spot. You can delay paying until one week before the course start date; a payment reminder email will be sent at that time.
Course-specific details will be sent in advance by the instructor, Alan Thomson. Please email Alan for questions and further information littoral@shaw.ca
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).
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 (Wet/Dry suit recommended)
Our certified instructors deliver the Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia’s (RCABC) Basic Tandem 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 – 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. 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.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the VCKC Canoe Director - canoe@vckc.ca
“Hooray, hooray, the first of May! We’ll Paddle the Cow from Lake to Bay” – credit to Tom Staebell
VCKC will be holding its Annual “Running of the Cow(ichan)” this year on Saturday and Sunday, May 2nd to 3rd. This is a two-day moving water event where we paddle the Cowichan River, from Cowichan Lake all the way down to the ocean – river water levels permitting. This is open to all VCKC members who have completed Moving Water 1 (River) Canoe training.
On Saturday we will start at the weir at Cowichan Lake at 10 am and paddle down to Stoltz Pool camp. A shuttle will be set up for those who choose not to paddle the canyon. At the camp, we will enjoy a great evening with a hearty meal and warm campfire to share tales of the day's events. On Sunday morning, we will pack up the camp and complete our paddle as far as the water levels will take us, with a final shuttle back to the vehicles.
Camping is available at the Stoltz Pool Group Site in Cowichan River Provincial Park. Cost for the event is $25 per person and includes: Provincial Park camping fee for 2 nights, shuttle of canoes and canoeists to drop off and pick-up spots, and dinner on Saturday night.
Club members who are not paddling, may also join us for camping and our Saturday night dinner, as its a great place to hike and bike in the area.
VCKC also invites all moving water paddlers in the area for the 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 weekends).
If you are interested in attending, please register or contact:
canoe@vckc.ca
The RCABC Canoe Tripping Leader course is intended to build the skills and confidence to become the leader of a group doing a multi-day wilderness canoe trip. This tripping leader course can be taught on a lake or river (see prerequisites).
WHO IS IT FOR?
The course specifically targets:
· School teachers
· Outdoor program leaders
· Canoe club trip leaders
· Youth camp or youth organization staff
· Recreational canoe trippers who want to take their skills to the next level
· Lakewater Instructors wishing to become RCABC Canoe Tripping Instructors
PREREQUISITES
· RCABC Lakewater Level 1 (tandem) or Level 2 (solo) or equivalent
· First Aid Certificate (16-hour program)
· RCABC Movingwater Level 1 or2 (tandem or solo) - if leading on moving water.
· RCABC Basic Ocean Canoeing - if leading on ocean
· Trip Log: experience must include at least three 2-day trips (can be done after the course)
DURATION – Minimum of 3 days with 2 overnights CONTENT
· Navigation and group travel and safety
· Environment and Leave No Trace
· Camping sites, tents, stoves and tarps
You are expected to have your own canoe and camping equipment.
Course-specific details will be sent in advance by the instructor, Alan Thomson. Please email Alan for questions and further information: littoral@shaw.ca
Experience canoeing on the ocean. Learn how to manage typical sea conditions such as currents, tides, and weather on coastal waters. After this course you’ll be able to paddle on your own maritime adventures.
This two-part course begins with 12 hours of classroom work spread over 3 evenings that will give you the knowledge to prepare & plan for trips. In the second part of the course, you will be applying your knowledge in a two-day group trip on the ocean. [If you don't want to take part in the overnight trip, the instructor(s) will try to arrange a day trip at a time that suit participants: this will lead to a lower level of certification.
• Understanding weather, currents, tides & waves
• Navigation charts, course plotting and compass use
• Loading and trimming a canoe to handle wind and waves
• Safety gear and regulations
• Environmental concerns and Leave No Trace ethics
• Trip planning and leadership
Our certified instructors deliver the Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia’s (RCABC) Ocean Canoeing course and 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 Paddler's Manual' is strongly recommended. 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 ocean tripping.
The ocean trip is usually paddled in tandem canoes. If you need a paddling partner, every effort will be made to find one for you.
PREREQUISITE – RCABC Lakewater Level 2 or equivalent. Paddle Canada Intermediate Lakewater. You need to be a proficient paddler as this course’s focus is on the tripping skills and not basic paddling taught in other courses.
Course-specific details and classroom dates will be sent in advance by the instructors: Jay Crowley (j.crowley@shaw.ca) and Tim Marks timjmarks@yahoo.ca
Canoe Instructor Course or Recertification
· RCABC Lakewater 1 and 2 and/or
· Paddle Canada Tandem/Solo Intro and Intermediate
depending on candidate skill, experience and goals.
Dates: June 6-8 and 13-15
Location:
Victoria, in partnership with Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club (VCKC)
Prerequisites:
· Certified completion of RCABC Lakewater 1, 2 and 3 and/or Paddle Canada Tandem/Solo Introduction or Intermediate
· All candidates must be strong paddlers
· VCKC paid membership
· RCABC and/or Paddle Canada paid membership
Cost:
Instructor Course $250
Recertification $50 (or no charge for VCKC members)
* Note that RCABC offers a $250 grant for successful completion of the course. Grants are awarded based on the need of instructors in a given region and/or a given instructor category. The application deadline for grants is March 30
https://www.bccanoe.com/community/instructor-grants
For information:
about becoming an RCABC or Paddle Canada Instructor see:
https://www.bccanoe.com/courses/become-an-instructor
https://www.paddlecanada.com/instructor-candidate-registration/
Or for more specific information and registration please contact:
Ellie James
250-885-8030
Email: ejames123@shaw.ca
Learn to paddle a canoe by yourself, even in windy and rough conditions. You’ll adapt the paddling stokes learned in the Level 1 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 2 - Basic Solo in a full-day session normally held on the Gorge waterway near the VCKC clubhouse.
PREREQUISITE – RCABC Lakewater Level 1 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.
Gulf Island camping trip July 19 to the 23rd and Big Canoes (Voyageur, Langley, Pacific Dancer).
The main theme will be a relaxing tour, with a civilized restaurant meal each night. We will depart from the Sidney area on Sunday morning, and make our way to Port Browning on Pender Island, then to Montague Harbour on Galiano island.
There is room for up to 24 participants, but we can go with as few as 6.
This trip is for members only. Not a member? Join VCKC now.
If you want to add multiple members, please complete one registration for each member.
Signing up is free for members until June 1. We will be asking for $100 at that time to help plan and secure facilities.
355 Gorge Road West Victoria, BC, V9A 1M9
Tide / Current
Inner Harbour / Local Marine
