Paddle BC

Double hull (v12) from FGPC’s south dock through Victoria’s Gorge Waterway under the Selkirk Trestle, Tillicum Bridge, Craigflower Bridge and into Portage Inlet and back to the start line, a 9.75km race. It’s a fun middle distance race that’s available to everyone. There are prizes to be won, food to be eaten, and victories to be defended.

FGPC V12 Valentine’s Race

FGPC Kan-U-Hakit takes place at the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club (FGPC) along the Selkirk waterfront in Victoria. This OC6 race is a 1,500m sprint on a 500m course, requiring 2 buoy turns. Evenly spaced buoy markers near the Bay Street Bridge (start line) and at the FGPC (finish line) will be set out in each lane. Each race will consists of three boats in three lanes.

Kan-U-Hakit St. Patrick’s Outrigger Sprints

This expedition is organized by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bluedogkayaking.com/">Blue Dog Kayaking.</a>The Deer Group is located in Barkley Sound, along with the Broken Group. Being less well known, this area offers a mixture of private, crown and First Nation land. Wild and unregulated camping on some of the most beautiful islands in the area. Orca and Humpback whales are often seen crossing Trevor Channel before reaching our first campsite. From here our expedition explores the rugged complex shorelines of Tzartus and Fleming Islands. Edward King Island offers the paddler exploration of some of the most magnificent sea caves and arches on the Island and hopefully, weather permitting, we can visit the Sea Lion colony on Folger Island at the far southerly end of the chain which can bear the brunt of Barkley Sound’s storms.<h4 style="text-align: center">What’s Included:</h4>Standard Expedition- - Experienced sea kayak instructors/ coaches with previous experience of running expeditions to this location. - Group gear for the expedition (tarp, dragonfly stovers, cooking utensils, pots to cook with) - Breakfast and Dinner, as well as a spice kit. - First aid for the group - Kayak repair kits for rental kayaks - Water Filter - Communication devices (VHF Radio) - 4:1 minimum participant to Instructor ratio.Skill Level (non-negotiable): The Deer Group is a little more exposed than the Broken Group, however, there is plenty of sheltered paddling so less experienced paddlers will enjoy the experience. A Paddle Canada L1 skills or equivalent is quite adequate to join one of our Deer Group Expeditions. A wet exit and knowledge of both assisted and unassisted rescues is a non negotiable requirement.

Deer Group Islands

Barkley Sound

Deer Group, Barkley Sound

Skill Level: Strong Intermediate to Expert Number of Students: 12 Max Course Length: 2 Day, 2 Night Event, 12 Hours InstructionMaster Currents, Embrace Traditional Paddling, and Refine Your Skills in Iconic WatersJoin world-renowned Greenland paddling expert James Manke and local paddling instructor Robert Nissenbaum for an immersive weekend of kayaking, tradition, and adventure at Deception Pass. Designed for more intermediate to advanced paddlers, this retreat focuses on refining skills in dynamic water, learning advanced techniques, and deepening your connection with a Greenland paddle. Enjoy camping at Bay View State Park, evening campfire camaraderie, and hands-on instruction from two highly skilled instructors.<h3 style="text-align: start">Retreat Highlights:</h3><ul><li>Greenland Paddling in Rough Water: Used to reaching for your Euro paddle in bigger conditions? Learn from professional instructors who specialize in using Greenland paddles in dynamic, rough-water environments. Gain confidence in applying traditional paddling techniques to challenging conditions.</li><li>Expert Instruction: Benefit from the combined expertise of James Manke’s world-class Greenland-style paddling techniques and Robert Nissenbaum’s intimate knowledge of the local waters and dynamic paddling skills.</li><li>Reading Water &amp; Identifying Features: Master the ability to read water, identify features such as eddies, waves, and currents, and strategically choose lines through challenging water. Learn advanced techniques like ferrying, eddy hopping, and using features to your advantage.</li><li>Blended Strokes &amp; Paddle Control: Perfect blended strokes to maintain control with your Greenland paddle for superior maneuvering in currents.</li><li>Currents &amp; Standing Waves: Build confidence navigating into and out of currents, getting on and off standing waves, and controlling your kayak in fast-moving water. The workshop will include working the ebb and flood each day with currents running between 4.6 and 6 knots.&nbsp;</li><li>Rolling in Current: Advance your rolling skills with focused instruction on rolling in moving water, giving you the confidence and ability to recover effectively in dynamic conditions.</li><li>Bracing Techniques: Develop strong bracing skills to maintain stability and control, even in challenging conditions.</li><li>Campfire Connection: Share stories, tips, and laughter with your instructors and fellow paddlers as you relax around the campfire at Bay View State Park.</li><li>Camping Adventure: Enjoy the peaceful setting of Bay View State Park, with its stunning views and comfortable campsites as the perfect base for your weekend.</li></ul><h3 style="text-align: start">What’s Included:</h3><ul><li>Two days of advanced on-water instruction and guided paddling experiences in currents</li><li>Reserved camping at Bay View State Park for Friday and Saturday nights</li><li>Evening campfire sessions with kayak tales, insights, and camaraderie</li><li>Opportunities to test or rent Greenland paddles and other gear</li></ul>Discover how Greenland paddling techniques can transform your confidence and control in rough water. Challenge yourself, learn from two expert instructors, and connect with the rich traditions of Greenland paddling in one of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic locations. Space is limited—reserve your spot today for this incredible weekend of kayaking, tradition, and adventure!

Manke Kayak

Deception Pass Greenland Kayaking Retreat

Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Race Series

The Okanagan Super Sprints are fast, fun 250 m sprints on Skaha Lake in Penticton. This event offers head-to-head racing over a shorter distance, allowing teams to practice all their race-specific tactics.Again for 2025, our Okanagan Super Sprints has an optional second day of racing for teams with paddlers 55 years and older.Friday, June 6th is only for crews 55+. Saturday, June 7th is for teams of all ages.While the competition is fierce and the races are quick, this is a more relaxed, laid back atmosphere. Prizes of local libations are awarded to the top teams of the day instead of the traditional ribbons and medals.Also a popular fundraiser! Over the years we have raised over $45,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Canada.&nbsp; This year, funds will also go toward building the new Skaha Lake Boathouse.Race Fees &amp; Deadlines<ul><li>Tickets on sale: January 1, 2025</li><li>Deadline: May 31, 2025</li><li>Fees (with tax): $372.75 (55+ Fri), $388.50 (Sat) or $667.80 for both days</li></ul>

Skaha Lake Park

2025 Okanagan Super Sprints

Organized by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bluedogkayaking.com/instructionalexpeditions">Blue Dog Kayaking</a>Experience unspoiled sandy beaches, an abundance of marine, bird &amp; intertidal life, paddle around sea stacks &amp; sea caves, camp on a secluded beach surrounded by dense coastal bush, and witness amazing sunsets. Nuchatlitz Provincial Park encompasses the very northwest tip of Nootka Island and a large number of small island groups. We start the expedition by water taxi transportation from Zeballos to the Islands on the north tip of Nootka Island. From here, we paddle amongst the maze of islets and reefs, explore the intertidal life. Our expedition takes us into the beautiful Nuchatlitz Inlet of Mary’s Basin, a protected water way with sandy camping beaches and wonderful waterfalls. These remote islands offer both exposed coast and protected waters for paddling so provides an excellent location for this instructional expedition.<h4 style="text-align: center">What’s Included:</h4>Standard Expedition- - Experienced sea kayak instructors/ coaches with previous experience of running expeditions to this location. - Group gear for the expedition (tarp, dragonfly stovers, cooking utensils, pots to cook with) - Breakfast and Dinner, as well as a spice kit. - First aid for the group - Kayak repair kits - Water Filter - Communication devices (VHF Radio and Garmin Inreach) - Water taxi transportation to Rosa Island - 3:1 minimum participant to Instructor ratio.

Nuchatlitz Provincial Park

Instructional Expeditions - Nuchatlitz 

Organized by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bluedogkayaking.com/">Blue Dog Kayaking</a>This unsupported kayaking expedition offers a blend of adventure, nature, culture, and exploration that's sure to create lasting memories. One of Vancouver Island’s most beautiful and remote kayaking destinations. We start with a water taxi ride to the south coast of the majestic Brooks Peninsula where we will spend a few days exploring the area including Battle Bay and the Cuttle Islands. With a stop at the magical Bunsby Islands; a kayakers paradise of hidden islands and calm crystal clear waters teaming with wildlife. The area is steeped in history and culture. Next we paddle to the mission group and camp on Spring Island, another Island paradise with wonderful beaches, reefs and islets. Whether its a relaxing day paddle, or a dynamic rock gardening play this area offers one of the best playgrounds for all types of kayakers. Our final destination is Rugged Point Provincial Park which can boast some of the best beaches on Vancouver Island before paddling back to Fair Harbour.<h4 style="text-align: center">What’s Included:</h4>Standard Expedition- - Experienced sea kayak instructors/ coaches with previous experience of running expeditions to this location. - Group gear for the expedition (tarp, dragonfly stovers, cooking utensils, pots to cook with) - Breakfast and Dinner, as well as a spice kit. - First aid for the group - Kayak repair kits - Water Filter - Communication devices (VHF Radio and Garmin Inreach) - Water taxi transportation to location. - 3:1 minimum participant to Instructor ratio.

Kyuquot

Bunsby Islands

Kyuquot & The Bunsby’s Expedition

On behalf of Fairway Gorge Paddling Club, we want to welcome you to the 2025 Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival.&nbsp; We look forward to having you attend this annual event, the 22nd anniversary of the Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival!There is a mixed division and a women’s division. Everyone is guaranteed 4 500M races, weather permitting. Note that the system for advancements is based on placement and time.There is a set of 2 Breast Cancer Survivor’s Challenge Races as well as awards for top Survivor Challenge finishers overall.This year we are happy to include both women’s and mixed Guts &amp; Glory Challenges. Crews will begin the course in 15 second intervals.&nbsp; Overlap rules apply and time credits and penalties (and full disqualifications for penalties in excess of 10 seconds) will be enforced by water marshals. The fastest adjusted times in the mixed and women’s’ divisions win the Challenge!

Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival

Skill Level: Beginner to Expert Number of Students: 44 Students Max Course Length: 3 Days, 3 Nights, 12 hours of instructionOur 4th annual symposium is a special event put on by Manke Kayak. This years special guest is once again Eiichi Ito from Japan! Come and join International kayak instructors and Greenland paddle enthusiasts from around the world! Last&nbsp; year the event drew in instructors and participants from 5 different countries.Located in Ucluelet BC, Vancouver Island, this unique 3 day event is one you don't want to miss. Each year we sell out so signing up in advance is highly recommended. This year we have upgraded our facility location and reserved the entire Ucluelet Hostel and property located on the inner harbor. We will offer shared rooms at the hostel as well as campsites located at the Ucluelet Campground just 2 minutes down the road from the venue.&nbsp;Confirmed lead International Instructors for the 2025 event nclude;<h3 style="text-align: start">⭐️ Eiichi Ito (Japan) ⭐️ Jaime Sharp (Canada) ⭐️ Amber Champion (Canada) ⭐️ James Manke (Canada)</h3>

2025 Ukee Greenland Weekend

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bluedogkayaking.com/">Blue Dog kayaking</a> offers you an amazing and challenging sea kayaking adventure around Cape Scott. This is a&nbsp;truly magnificent area of rugged coastal wilderness that is located at the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island, 563 kilometres from Victoria. Cape Scott is characterized by more than 60 nautical miles of scenic ocean coastline, including incredible sea stacks and about 15 nautical miles of pristine sandy beaches. The area remains one of the most beautiful relatively untouched parts of our coast.This twelve day unsupported expedition will start at Port Hardy and finish at Cole Harbor. Over the first eight to ten days we will paddle around the cape exploring the rocky promontories and jagged headlands punctuated by the fine-textured, white-sand beaches. Some of these beaches will serve as our rest stops and camping sites; including but not limited to,&nbsp; Nels Bight, San Josef Bay, Guise Bay, Experiment Bight, Lowrie Bay and Nissen Bight. The final two days are reserved for the paddle back through Quatsino Sound from Winter Harbor to Cole Harbor where we will pick up our shuttle back to the cars at Port Hardy.<h4 style="text-align: center">What’s Included:</h4>Standard Expedition- - Experienced sea kayak instructors/ coaches with previous experience of running expeditions to this location. - Group gear for the expedition (tarp, dragonfly stovers, cooking utensils, pots to cook with) - Breakfast and Dinner, as well as a spice kit. - First aid for the group - Kayak repair kits - Water Filter - Communication devices (VHF Radio and Garmin Inreach) - 3:1 minimum participant to Instructor ratio.

Cape Scott Provincial Park

Cape Scott Expedition

BOOK BY OCTOBER 31, 2024 TO RECEIVE EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT OF 10% OFF - USE PROMO CODE: ORCAS10BOOK NOW &gt;&gt; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://adventurepeople.net/.../kayaking-orcas-vancouver.../">https://adventurepeople.net/.../kayaking-orcas-vancouver.../</a>Have you ever wanted to see orcas in their natural habitat? We've blocked the entire Orca Camp just for Adventure People! There is space for 18 adults on this one, so let me know if you want to join us!What makes this place so special is its location. While Orcas will pass by most beaches in Johnstone Strait at some point or another, this beach has been a central point for Orca encounters for decades because a steep pebble dropoff creates an ideal belly-rubbing site for killer whales. Moreover, this unique landscape also forms a “corral” which the orcas use to herd their salmon dinners. View these spectacular behaviors from a rocky outcrop on the water and to see orcas up close - without disturbing them.ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHTS <img src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tb4/1/16/2b50.png" alt="⭐"> Location, location, location! This is prime killer whale territory, whether you are out kayaking or relaxing at camp.<img src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tb4/1/16/2b50.png" alt="⭐"> Spend each day out on the water in search of orcas and other wildlife in the waters of Johnstone Strait, deemed a critical habitat for both resident (fish-eating) Orcas and transient (mammal-eating) Orca pods.<img src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tb4/1/16/2b50.png" alt="⭐"> Enjoy fresh meals prepared each day with local cuisine from a gourmet chef.<img src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tb4/1/16/2b50.png" alt="⭐"> Stay warm in the large wood-heated, covered common area and dining room.<img src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tb4/1/16/2b50.png" alt="⭐"> Get a good night's sleep in a spacious safari sleeping tent on wood platforms and comfy beds with warm, cozy bedding.<img src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tb4/1/16/2b50.png" alt="⭐"> Relax at camp in a saltwater hot tub and wood-fired sauna.