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