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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.
Join us for an evening paddling Voyageur canoes in Brentwood Bay and Todd Inlet
Meet at the clubhouse between 7:30 and 8 PM to load boats
Bring layers, food and beverage - we will be out past dark
Butchart fireworks start about 10pm
Back at the Tsartlip boat ramp by 11 pm, and at the clubhouse by midnight.
Contact Joe: BigCanoe@vckc.ca if you have questions.
No experience necessary. Everyone welcome.
Returning to Victoria!
Come on out on Sunday evening for a paddle down to the Inner Harbour to enjoy a concert by the Victoria Symphony.
Expect to be back at the clubhouse by midnight.
Thompson River Trip September 4th to 7th, 2025
VCKC’s annual Thompson River Trip from Savona to Ashcroft, BC will take place again this year on the first weekend after Labour Day (Sep 4to 7). This trip will paddle downstream from Savona to Ashcroft on the Thompson River.
The 2025 edition of this trip is changed to be one day longer. Expect to travel to Cache Creek on Thursday September 4. On Friday we meet with other Big Canoe clubs from around the province for some moving water training. On Saturday and Sunday we enjoy the river from Savona to Ashcroft.
Pre-requisites
Members wishing to participate must have Big Canoe experience with either previous participation in a Paddle for the Kids season or else participation in a brigade. Moving water experience in tandem canoe is an asset. Members need to be 12 or older to paddle on this trip.
Registration
The initial cost is $100 per paddler to cover the cost of shipping canoes off the island.
Camping, travel, and food expenses are not included.
Outline of the trip is as follows:
For more information contact
Joe Boyd, Big Canoe Director
bigcanoe@vckc.ca
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. Please bring drinks, snacks, lunch and a change of clothes to the course.
Topics include:
• 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
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 Basic 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
• 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.
Course-specific details will be sent by the instructor one week 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 Program Director
canoe@vckc.ca
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.
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.
• 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.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Canoe Program Director.
Regards,
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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355 Gorge Road West Victoria, BC, V9A 1M9
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Inner Harbour / Local Marine
