Back to Sea Kayak
Big Canoe social paddle is on!! Come join us.
This social paddle is for people who have passed at the minimum the Paddle Canada Basic Kayak course or equivalent. You must have an account on the booking system to attend. The outing is not guided and no new members can attend.
Saturday morning social paddle.
Please register your intent to paddle on https://spond.com/invite/YWWLF
Event is rain or shine but please use discretion if the wind is excessive.
2026 VCKC/TRIP Annual David Thompson River Trip
The dates for this year’s trip are Friday September 11 to Sunday September 13:
Pre-requisites: This trip is on a large volume river with class 2 rapids. Members wishing to participate must have big canoe and/or moving water experience. Participation in Paddle for the Kids, paddling in a brigade, or tandem whitewater experience may be enough. Contact the BC director if you are not sure. Members need to be 12 or older to paddle on this trip.
Registration and expenses: VCKC will collect $130 per paddler to cover the cost of towing the canoes. Each paddler is responsible for their own travel, camping, and food expenses.
Optional extra day: Last year, there was an extra practice day before the trip and it was well received. If you would like to add a day this year, please contact the director.
Travel: If you plan on doing this trip, have a suitable tow vehicle, and are willing to tow the canoes, please contact the BC director.
Please note that this is an RCABC event.
Go to https://www.bccanoe.com/events/rcabc-big-canoe-rendezvous for more information or contact Walter Wright,
Big Canoe Directorbigcanoe@vckc.ca
***POSTPONED TO Saturday, 19 Sep 2026***
Save this date to learn and review safety skills necessary for paddling on water!
More details will follow closer to this event date.
Each program area is being asked to participate. Programs are encouraged to use this day to practice team and individual rescues. There will be safety clinics and activities for members and the general public.
The Safety Committee ,
Claire Harder, safety@vckc.ca
Safety Director
(Ellie James Cel: 250-885-8030 elliej6172@gmail.com)
Outdoor and Recreational Council of BC Annual River Day
Dragon boat team social and Race debrief-Videos. Post FGPC Gorge-Fest Slalom Regatta.
Paddle Canada Basic Course Theory Night for the weekend course.
Please be on time to promptly start at 6:30 pm. This will cover much of the theory as well as what you will need for the weekend.
This is the Basic Kayak Course for individuals new to the sport, never been certified, or who wish to retake the course they have taken previously with the club. Cost for this course is $90. For more details on what is covered go to Paddle Canada's website
https://www.paddlecanada.com/levels/sea-kayak/basic-kayak-skills/
and scroll down
Please note that there will be a mandatory pre-session for this course during the week before the course on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 6:30 pm in the clubhouse.
If you are sick at the time of the course and cannot attend we will reschedule you for future courses. If this happens, please let us know so we can ask people on the waitlist.
All aspects of the kayak session will be outside so be sure to dress appropriately. Participants will require appropriate immersion clothing, including a wet or dry suit as you will be in the water for the recovery session. The Gorge can be cold at any time of the year. You can rent a wet or dry suit at Sports Rent located at 1950 Goverment St.
All other equipment will be supplied.
Payment must be received at the time of booking your spot or it will not be guaranteed.
There are limited places for purchasing food around the Club so it is best that you bring lunch, snacks, and beverages for the day as breaks are short.
This is the minimum level course required to be registered on the booking system, if you do not have proof of previous certification.
NB. If you need to cancel your registration, there is a $5 fee to process the refund. There is no charge to change your registration to an alternate date.
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.
VCKC Dragonboat Team Meeting
Member Profile
355 Gorge Road West Victoria, BC, V9A 1M9
Tides & Currents
Inner Harbour / Local Marine
