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• Wednesday Big Canoe Social Paddle - all craft welcome!

  • Start
    07 May 2025
  •  
  • End
    29 Oct 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    93 sessions
  • Location
    Gorge Waterway and VCKC Clubhouse

  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. 

  
  

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• Big Canoe Day Trip Cole Island, Saturday 18th Oct, 2025

  • When
    18 Oct 2025
  •  
    8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    VCKC club house
  • Spaces left
    2

  Register

  Big Canoe Day Trip- Cole Island, Sat. Oct. 18th, 2025

  Shelley and Walter are planning the second in what we hope will become a series of short, easy Big Canoe day trips.  

  This time we are going to Cole Island National Site where we will explore the historic buildings and have lunch.  This paddle could be done in as little as 6 km each way, but with all the interesting nooks and crannies to explore in the harbour, we expect to do considerably more.  

  Watch for more information on the club’s Facebook page.  

  We will accept 18 paddlers and form a wait list if necessary.  All participants must be club members and have experience in the Big Canoes. 

  The intended route is under discussion. Depending on our launch point the maximum cost will be $10 per person, payable on the Saturday, or no cost if we launch from the club. 

  For further information contact:
  

  Walter Wright walt.saanich@icloud.com  778-585-1949

  
  

   

  
  

  
  

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• Oct. Canoe Moving Water Basic Tandem

  • Start
    23 Oct 2025
  •  
  • End
    26 Oct 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    2 sessions
  • Location
    VCKC Clubhouse

  Register

  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.
  

  Topics include:

  •    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.

  If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Canoe Program Director.
  

  Regards,
  

  Canoe Program Director

  canoe@vckc.ca 

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• GWI/CRD Harbours Initiatives Volunteer Appreciation

  • When
    05 Nov 2025
  •  
    4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    VCKC Clubhouse

  VCKC Contact: Tony Hopkin, VCKC Vice President, vpresident@vckc.ca

  CRD Contact: Lindsey McCrank, Harbours Initiatives Coordinator, CRD, lmccrank@crd.bc.ca

  Saanich Parks and Recreation Permit: R25500, 02Oct2025

  
  

  
  

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• 2025 Remembrance Day Paddle on the Cowichan River

  • When
    11 Nov 2025
  •  
    8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    Cowichan River

  Register

  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.

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• Paddle Canada Intermediate Big Canoe Leader Course Day 1

  • When
    15 Nov 2025
  •  
    8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    VCKC Clubhouse, 355 Gorge Road West, Victoria

  Register

  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:

  • Experience in a Big Canoe, either in a brigade or having completed at least one Paddle for the Kids season. 
  • Successful completion of  RCABC or Paddle Canada Basic Canoeing tandem skills/courses.

  Participants will also be encouraged to gain experience during the shoulder seasons and winter gaining practice as part of their leadership development.
  

  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

  
  

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• RCABC Advanced Big Canoe Leader Course, Day 2

  • When
    16 Nov 2025
  •  
    8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    VCKC Clubhouse, 355 Gorge Road West, Victoria

  Register

  This course is $100 for non club members/ $50 for club members. Please register online now to secure your spot.

  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. 

  If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the VCKC Big Canoe Director - bigcanoe.vckc@gmail.com
  

  
  

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