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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 you withdraw after paying you may 1.) request payment to be kept on your account for later use or 2.) pay a $5 administrative fee to request your money back.
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.
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:
• 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.
All canoeing gear can be provided, however you are encouraged to bring your own equipment if you have it.
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.
Course-specific details will be sent by the instructor one week before the course.
Course Instructors are: Alex alexandria.r.marshall@gmail.com
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the VCKC Canoe Program Director
Canoe Program Director
canoe@vckc.ca
Canoe - Ocean Canoeing (Sunday is Mother's Day)
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. If you withdraw after paying you may 1.) request payment to be kept on your account for later use or 2.) pay a $5 administrative fee to request your money back.
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
Course instructors are:
Ellie , elliej6172@gmail.com , 250-885-8030
Jay , crowley.jay@gmail.com
VCKC Canoe Director - canoe@vckc.ca
VCKC’s ANNUAL RUNNING OF THE COW – May 2-3, 2026
More info to follow
Location: Cowichan River Camping: Stoltz Pool Boat Ramp area
The campout is for all club members and guests. The river paddle is open to anyone with Moving Water Basic Tandem certification or equivalent.
More information and registration will occur closer to the date of the event.
Canoe Lakewater - Basic Tandem (Mother's Day)
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. If you withdraw after paying you may 1.) request payment to be kept on your account for later use or 2.) pay a $5 administrative fee to request your money back.
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.
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.
Alan littoral@shaw.ca
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the VCKC Canoe 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
Canoe Lakewater - Basic Tandem
Course Instructors are: James canoe@vckc.ca
Dragon boat team social and Race debrief-Videos. Post FGPC Super Sprints.
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. If you withdraw after paying you may 1.) request payment to be kept on your account for later use or 2.) pay a $5 administrative fee to request your money back.
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,
Standard First Aid and CPR Level C (In Person)
This Standard First Aid and CPR Level C course provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to respond confidently to a range of injuries and illnesses, including head and spinal injuries, cardiac emergencies, and breathing distress. Covering both basic and intermediate first aid skills, this course prepares participants for diverse emergency situations. With hands-on training and immersive practice scenarios, participants gain the practical skills essential for effective emergency response.
Key Topics Include:
o CPR and AED Training: Practice CPR for adults, children, and infants, along with AED use to restore responsiveness in cardiac emergencies.
o First Aid for Common and Serious Injuries: Learn to treat burns, fractures, spinal injuries, and control severe bleeding.
o Head and Spinal Injury Management: Understand how to assess and manage head and spinal injuries, providing vital support until professional help arrives.
o Choking and Breathing Emergencies: Develop skills to respond to choking, respiratory distress, and other airway emergencies.
o Patient Assessment and Emergency Care: Learn to assess injuries, monitor vital signs, and stabilize patients in emergency situations.
o Comprehensive First Aid Knowledge: This course covers all aspects of first aid and CPR to handle minor injuries as well as life-threatening emergencies effectively.
Led by experienced instructors, this Standard First Aid and CPR course equips participants with critical skills, making it ideal for workplace first aid attendants, healthcare providers, and individuals who need training for both home and professional settings.
The cost will be $178.00. 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. If you withdraw after paying you may 1.) request payment to be kept on your account for later use or 2.) pay a $5 administrative fee to request your money back.
If you have questions, please contact me.
Claire Harder, VCKC Safety Director, safety@vckc.ca
Dragon boat team social and Race debrief-Videos. Post Victoria Inner harbour Festival.
Dragon boat team social and Race debrief-Videos. Post FGPC Vancouver Island Festival.
Thompson River Trip
Course Instructors are:
Dragon boat team social and Race debrief-Videos. Post Comox Harbour Festival.
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. If you withdraw after paying you may 1.) request payment to be kept on your account for later use or 2.) pay a $5 administrative fee to request your money back.
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.
David david.dorosz@shaw.ca
Outdoor and Recreational Council of BC Annual River Day
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.
Course instructor is David Dorosz, david.dorosz@shaw.ca
Course Instructors are: Dan dangeo@shaw.ca
James canoe@vckc.ca
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.
Eddie Hopper! (Dependent on Water levels.)
Members must have a Moving Water course or instructor permission to participate.
We will be paddling on the Cowichan River.
Helmets are required. Drysuits are mandatory.
For further information, contact
James McBeath, Canoe Director
(250) 208-1216
We will be paddling on the Sooke River.
VCKC Dragonboat Team Meeting
Member Profile
355 Gorge Road West Victoria, BC, V9A 1M9
Tides & Currents
Inner Harbour / Local Marine
