Back to Canoe
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
Come join us for the annual Spring 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.
We will also be making an effort to gather up abandoned member items from around the clubhouse and put them in a central area for reclamation. Items such as: hats, gloves, shoes, boots or whatever isn't owned by VCKC. If these items go unclaimed after 30 days we will donate or dispose of them. More information to follow about what to bring. If you have any questions, contact Gord Evans by email to: clubhouse@vckc.ca
VCKC’s ANNUAL RUNNING OF THE COW – May 4 - 5, 2024
Location: Cowichan River
Camping: Stoltz Pool Boat Ramp area
Registration opens April 1st, 2024.
The campout is for all club members and guests. The river paddle is open to anyone with Moving Water Basic Tandem certification or equivalent.
VCKC will be holding its Annual “Running of the Cow” this year on Saturday May 4th to Sunday May 5th. This is a two-day moving water event where we paddle the Cowichan River, from the Lake all the way down to the White Bridge – river water levels permitting. This is open to all VCKC members who have completed the Moving Water Basic Tandem course or equivalent. Club members may also join us just for camping, as it's a great place to hike and bike in the area.
Camping will be available free for members and guests at the Stoltz Pool Boat Ramp at Cowichan River Provincial Park on Friday May 3rd to Sunday morning, May 5th. Additional trailer space is available in the adjacent overflow, or in the campground.
On Saturday we will start at the weir at Cowichan Lake at about 10AM and paddle to the takeout just above Skutz Falls. There we will enjoy a dinner and a great evening around the campfire. Campers will pack up by 11 AM Sunday morning May 5th and paddlers will complete the paddle.
Saturday night dinner is open to all VCKC members and guests from other clubs.
VCKC also invites all moving water paddlers in the area to the Cowichan River that 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).
If you are interested in attending, contact:
James McBeath: canoe@vckc.ca or
Joe Boyd: joeboyd@telus.ca
VCKC Executive Board meetings are held 7-9 pm, the second Tuesday of every month (except July, August), at the VCKC Clubhouse.
To put forward an item to be considered for the agenda, please email both president@vckc.ca and secretary@vckc.ca at least one week prior to the meeting.
All VCKC members are welcome to attend the monthly Executive Board meetings, and are asked to RSVP (register for this event).
Are you a new member at VCKC? Please register for a casual Meet & Greet Orientation, to learn more about the club and clubhouse, and our various paddling programs, then join us for our Social Event starting at 7pm.
If this date does not work for you we may have some options for an individual session on a Tues/Thurs evening - please contact Kim Capson at pastpres@vckc.ca.
Thank you, and welcome to VCKC!
We are very excited to announce that representative(s) from Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) - Oak Bay station will be our guest speaker this month!
Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) is a not-for-profit volunteer-based organization that operates more than 30 marine rescue stations along the coast of British Columbia from Vancouver’s busy harbour to the remote waters of the North Coast. RCMSAR is a key part of the marine search and rescue (SAR) system, working in one of the most challenging search and rescue regions in the world. Our 900 volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ready to immediately respond to marine emergencies at a moment’s notice.
This will be an opportunity to meet in-person the people who cover us at Paddle for the Kids each year, and every day when we are out paddling in local waters.
Canoe Lakewater - Basic Tandem
This course is $30. 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 followed by a water session on the Gorge Sunday beside the clubhouse
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).
Capsizes and 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.
• 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
Our certified instructors deliver the Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia’s (RCABC) Basic Tandem course in a full-day session 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.
Course-specific details will be sent by the instructor before the course.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the VCKC Canoe Director - canoe@vckc.ca
More details to follow closer to this event date.
Canoe - Ocean Canoeing
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 6 hours of classroom work spread over 2 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 Basic Solo 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 instructor Jay Crowley (crowley.jay@gmail.com).
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact
Jay Crowley - crowley.jay@gmail.com or
VCKC Canoe Director - canoe@vckc.ca
Canoe Lakewater 1 - Basic Tandem for People who Identify as Women, Non-Binary, or Gender Diverse.
• Capsizes and rescues (Wet/Dry suit recommended)
The instructor will be Hélène Poulin. Course-specific details will be sent by the instructor before the course.
Canoe Lakewater - Advanced Tandem
This course is $40. 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.
If the course is full, add your name to the waitlist. We will add another course when numbers warrant.
Refine your skills and teamwork to quickly and efficiently paddle a tandem canoe in any direction. Master linking paddling manoeuvres together smoothly and efficiently to enhance your ability and enjoyment of canoeing.
• Running and regular sideslips
• Extended straight line paddling
• Sharp forward & reverse turns
• Bracing strokes
• Advanced tandem rescues (Wet/Dry suit recommended)
• Ropes and knots
• Canoe repair
• Handling wind and waves
Our certified instructors deliver the Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia’s (RCABC) Advanced Tandem course in a full-day session normally held on the Gorge waterway near the VCKC clubhouse.
PREREQUISITE – RCABC Canoe Lakewater Basic Tandem. You must be a club member to take a course, you will not be able to register until you have logged into the website.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the VCKC Canoe Program Director
Canoe Lakewater - Basic Solo
This course is $35. 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.
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
Capsizes and 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. .
• 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 - Basic Solo in a full-day session normally held on the Gorge waterway near the VCKC clubhouse.
PREREQUISITE – RCABC Lakewater Basic Tandem 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.
Canoe Lakewater - Advanced Solo
Take your paddling to the next level. You’ll first learn advanced strokes and maneuvers then practice them on a solo circuit on a fixed course. You will be able to demonstrate mastery via precise maneuvering by perfecting stokes on the circuit.
• Advanced stokes - box, pitch, Canadian, …
• Cross bow draws
• Running sideslips
• Weight turns
• Inside & outside circles and figure eights
• Canoe history
Our certified instructors deliver the Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia’s (RCABC) Advanced Solo course in a full-day session normally held on the Gorge waterway near the VCKC clubhouse.
PREREQUISITE – Lakewater Advanced Tandem and Lakewater Basic Solo
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.
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.
Member Profile
355 Gorge Road West Victoria, BC, V9A 1M9
Tides & Currents
Inner Harbour / Local Marine
