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• Restart the Gorge!

  • When
    15 Aug 2021
  •  
    11:00 AM - 5:00 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    VCKC Clubhouse

  Register

  Name: Restart the Gorge!

  Date: August 15th

  Fees: $20 per person for either of the race classes; $10 for the recreational race.

  Registration: Online only, deadline is August 14th

  2 Race categories: Solo and Tandem craft

  1 Recreation category: Any of the small paddle craft

  Prizes: Medals for top three finishers in all race categories. There will be draws for participation prizes in the recreational race.
  

  All proceeds will go to the Victoria Native Friendship Centre

   

  Race 1 @12:00 - All Tandem craft

  - mass or staggered start, depending on registration
  - all tandem craft (Canoe, Kayak, MC2, OC2)
  - Course: clubhouse to stone house to clubhouse to Craigflower Bridge (Admirals Rd) to clubhouse.  Distance: 9.5 km

   

  Race 2 @2:00 - All Solo craft

  - mass or staggered start, depending on registration
  - all solo craft (Canoe, Kayak, MC1, OC1, SUP, surfski)
  - Course: clubhouse to stone house to clubhouse to Craigflower Bridge (Admirals Rd.) to clubhouse. Distance: 9.5 km

   

  Race 3 @3:30 - Recreational Paddle

   

  - recreation class - open to everyone in any craft - single or tandem
  - Course: Clubhouse to Admirals Bridge to clubhouse. Distance: 3.5 km

  NOTE THESE IMPORTANT DETAILS:

  Parking: Access to parking will be limited. A boat staging area will be available in the parking lot next to VCKC.

  To Race or to Paddle: You cannot register for the Recreational Paddle if you have registered for one or both of the Race events.

  Waiver is Required: To participate in this event, VCKC must have a signed waiver from you. See additional details below.

  Registration Deadline: Registration and payment must be completed by noon on August 14th.

  For more information, contact marathon@vckc.ca.

  More about Waivers: You must provide a signed waiver if one is not on file with VCKC already.

  If you are already a member of VCKC we probably do have one on file already, and we will contact you if not.

  If you are NOT already a member, we must receive a signed waiver from you.

  You may find it easier to deal with the waiver now, before continuing with registration. Here are the three easy steps:

  1. Download the waiver to review and sign it.
  https://vckc.ca/resources/Documents/Waivers/VCKC-WAIVER.pdf

  2. Sign it digitally, or print it and sign it then take a picture of the signed waiver.

  3. Email the signed digital waiver or the photograph to marathon@vckc.ca.

   

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• Tour de Gorge & Harbour

  • When
    29 Aug 2021
  •  
    9:30 AM - 2:00 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    VCKC clubhouse
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  Hi VCKC Kayakers and Canoeists,

  It's time to take a tour of the Gorge Waterway and the Inner Harbour on SUNDAY AUGUST 29 2021.  (originally advertised as Sat Aug 28).

  We'll launch at the VCKC clubhouse beach and paddle through the fabled Tillicum Narrows - The current tables indicate a light ebb current in the morning (pushing us through) - then, onwards to the Inner Harbour.  After an underside view of the Johnson St Bridge we will follow the shoreline around to Songhees Point to our rest stop (note: no washroom facilities). 

  After a coffee break and a stretch we'll cross over from Songhees Point to Laurel Point (watching for seaplanes!) and follow the shore around through the Inner Harbour (keeping a watch for seaplanes, pleasure craft, other kayakers, harbour ferries, and rogue seals) - it's quite a different view from the water - before turning back up the Gorge Waterway towards the clubhouse. The current at Tillicum Bridge will still be ebbing, but should be slowing towards slack current by the time we get there.

  Depending on time, weather, and people's energy, some or all of the tour group may chose to continue past the clubhouse up into Portage Inlet and back ... this "add on" is completely optional and will be finalized once the group arrives back at the clubhouse after the foray into the Inner Harbour.

  Paddle Route: 
  

  
  

  An objective of the trip is practicing safe paddling in the Inner Harbour, following the Port of Victoria traffic rules.

  Victoria Harbour tide prediction

  
  

   Tillicum Narrows Current Prediction

  
  

  Paddlers will need to be comfortable paddling under the Tillicum Bridge with an outbound (from the clubhouse to the Harbour) current of up to 1.5 knots (ebb).

  This trip is open to sea kayaks and solo or tandem canoes.

  The VCKC clubhouse has toilets but our planned rest stop does not. 

  Registration Note:  All registrants will first be added to a waitlist, with final registration confirmation approximately 1 week in advance of the trip. If the trip is over-subscribed a lottery style random draw will determine the order of who is offered space on the trip.  Click on the "Join Waitlist" button to register.

  Paddle Distance:  approx. 10 km (5 nm )

  Capacity:  12 boats

  Trip Leader: Craig Thomson

  Skill Level and Experience:  Relaxed
  

  Participants will have certification (or equiv skills) of:

  Paddle Canada Kayak Basic
  

  or 

  RCABC Canoe Lakewater 1

  If you are unsure about the suitability of your skills, equipment or clothing, please contact a trip leader for advice prior to the paddle date.

  If forecast winds exceed 8 kts the trip may be cancelled.

  The Plan (please read carefully):

  Our aim is to have everyone on the water by 9:30 am

  Please arrive at the VCKC clubhouse by 8:45 am.  

  We anticipate being back to the launch by 2:00pm

  What to Bring

  Safety Gear:  Boats must carry the following safety equipment. 

  • PDF for each person (worn)
  • whistle
  • bailing device e.g. pump or bailer
  • throw rope
  • paddle float (recommended for kayaks)
  • painter on both ends (canoeists only)
  • spare paddle (canoeists only)

  No lunch stop is planned ... there will be a brief stretch / hydration stop at Songhees Point (no washroom facilities).

  Be sure to bring sufficient water & snack to sustain yourself.

  What to Wear

  This is a nearshore ocean paddle. As a minimum you will need to wear synthetic based clothing such as polypropylene, nylon, or wool. 

  Parking

  Lucky members will find parking in the lot beside VCKC, but it's often busy so be prepared to park along Gorge road (sometimes quite a ways down the road)

  If you need to borrow a club boat, once confirmed as registered for the trip, please contact:
  

  Kayaks:

  kayakbooking@vckc.ca

  Canoes:
  

  canoe@vckc.ca

  Please do not try to reserve a club boat until you have received a "registration confirmation" email from the club's email system.
  

  Trip Contacts

  Craig Thomson

  Email: seakayak.craig@gmail.com

  Text: 250.213.2507

  
  

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• Basic Kayak Course Interest

  • When
    31 Aug 2021
  •  
    8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    VCKC Deck and Gorge Waterway

  Register

   This is the wait list for members interested in attending a Paddle Canada Basic Kayak Course.  For more details on what is covered go to Paddle Canada's website Here  

  Once a course has been scheduled you will have the opportunity to register for it. Potential registration is based on the length of time you have been on the waitlist. We are trying to ensure that the process is fair to all members. To guarantee your spot you must pay the invoice when registering for a course. 

  You must have attended the protocol orientation session and signed the waiver regarding the COVID protocol prior to attending any course. If you have not already completed this requirement contact kayak@vckc.ca to arrange session.

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• Level 1Kayak Course Interest

  • When
    01 Sep 2021
  •  
    8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    VCKC Deck and Gorge Waterway

  Register

   This is the wait list for members interested in taking the Paddle Canada Level 1 Course. Once a course is scheduled you will be notified and be able to register. Payment must be received at time of booking your spot or it will not be guaranteed.

  Members are offered the opportunity to register for a course based on meetIng course prerequisites and the length of time they have been waiting.

  If you have extensive kayak experience you may be able to start your certification process at this level.  You need to connect with the course coordinator at secretary@vckc.ca and an assessment will be arranged with one of the instructors.

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