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 $85. 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 pre-session for this course during the week before the course on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 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, which will include, a wet or dry suit as you will be in the water for the recovery session. The Gorge will be cold at any time of the year. Sports Rent can rent you a wetsuit.

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. 

Wake Up the Gorge 2025

2025 Race Results

Day 1, April 12: OC6 RACE RESULTS (Will be posted April 12)

Day 2: April 13: SMALL BOAT RACE RESULTS (Will be posted April 13)

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Wake Up The Gorge (WUTG) is the VCKC club's annual weekend of racing for Small Boats. It kicks off the racing season for many of the Victoria and area paddling clubs who use the Gorge Waterway for racing.

In 2025 WUTG small boat race will be held on April 13.

Objectives: To unite the Paddling community through Racing, Competition and Friendship.

Where: At the Victoria Canoe & Kayak Club, 355 Gorge Rd W, Victoria, BC V9A 1M9 (see map). We are located on the beautiful Gorge Waterway.

When: April 13, 2025

Time: Clubhouse opens 8am, Races start 9am, (ends before 5pm)

Small Boats (OC1-2, MC1-2, kayak, SUP, surfski):
FEES $25 per/paddler, $30 for both morning & afternoon race

Registration fee includes lunch tickets

Registration

You can register online or on the morning of  the race.  Questions please contact: wutgregistrar@vckc.ca

All racers should be able to Huli and self rescue. If there is a novice who has not done a Huli, or participants is not able to re-enter the boat, then the racing organizer and the safety boat must know ahead of time

Waivers:  All racers must sign the VCKC waiver form.  Click here to review and print the required form. Completed waivers can be scanned and emailed to wutgregistrar@vckc.ca or handed to the WUTG registrar at the event. It helps to speed up the registration process if all team members have signed a waiver prior to race day.

*Notes:

1.  Our insurance requires that all participants must be CORA members. Membership is available via the CORA website.  An annual membership ($30 for adults and $10 for juniors) is valid for all races in the current year.  You must register with CORA in advance of the race. Please show proof of CORA membership at the onsite registration desk.

ONE DAY CORA REGISTRATION can be purchased in advance by going to website   CORA - Canadian Outrigger Racing Association - Share our passion for outrigger canoe racing. clicking on the JOIN US TAB  , and then ONE DAY MEMBERSHIP from the dropdown.

CORA race rules

2. For Small Boats races, adult paddlers and crews must now ‘race their age’ and may not race in a younger age division. So Open for Small Boats is not "any age", it's those between 19-39 in the year of the race, and Masters 40 is those between 40 and 49 in the year of the race, etc. Only one competitor is needed for an age category to be awarded a prize.

3.   Parking is limited: Please park only in designated areas. Please DO NOT park directly in front or behind the commercial establishments on the NW corner of Gorge and Tillicum.  Parking Map

4.   Food will be available for all competitors. Additional food will be available by donation: home made chilli, soup, hot chocolate, coffee, tea, fruit, baked goods.

Sunday April 13th - Small Boat Races  

The Race Director will determine which events to hold based on registrations and interest (minimum of one competitor per category).  Race categories: Junior, Adult Men, Adult Women, Mixed and Open (20-39) plus Senior Women, Senior Men, Senior Mixed - age groupings by decade from 40+ .  Small boats include: (Marathon Canoe (MC1/MC2), Outrigger Canoe (OC 1/OC2), K1, Surfski and Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP).

Small Boat Races - Morning - race start 9am.

This race is for OC1, OC2, (all open water small boats). The course is approx. 10km and If the currents allow the race course will start at VCKC out and under Tillicum Bridge to West Bay Marine and returning to VCKC. 

Morning - West Bay Marina Race Map

If the currents under Tillicum Bridge makes this impossible, then the race wil take place in the Gorge Waterway and Portage Islet. (two loops of a 5.0 km course) Awards to be presented at the clubhouse after the race.

Marathon race (MC1) - Race starts after lunch (open to all paddlers who wish to race in protected water).

Marathon race (MC2) - Race starts after rest period after the singles race.

The afternoon race course will be approx. 10km in the Gorge Waterway and Portage Inlet, there will be buoy turns. (two loops of a 5.0 km course) Awards will be presented at the clubhouse following the race.

*there will be a mandatory race briefing for both races 15 minutes prior to racing.

Afternoon small boat race map

Click here to view the April 12/13th race schedule (when it's ready.)

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

GWI using Clubhouse for their meeting

 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 $85. 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 pre-session for this course during the week before the course on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 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, which will include, a wet or dry suit as you will be in the water for the recovery session. The Gorge will be cold at any time of the year. Sports Rent can rent you a wetsuit.

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. 

Save this date to learn and review safety skills necessary for paddling on water!

More details will follow closer to this event date. 

VCKC Safety  Day will be June 1st at the Clubhouse and in the Gorge.

 Each program area is being asked to participate. Programs are encouraged to use this day to practise team and individual rescues.There will be safety clinics and  activities for members and the general public. 

The Safety Committee 

Ellie James

Cel: 250-885-8030

elliej6172@gmail.com

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.