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NEWSLETTER
Updated March 25, 2024
What’s Going on at Go Kayak
Spring Training Update
To register for any Go Kayak courses or workshops
Email at gokayakca@yahoo.ca

Go Kayak Contact Page

. Baynes Fun Sat March 30: Space available
. Advanced Surf Sat-Sun April 6-7: Space available
. Baynes Fun Thu April 11: Space available
. Surf Thu-Fri April 25-26: New course just added, space available

. For a full listing, click here
. View our calendar at https://www.gokayak.ca/calendar.html

If you are looking for a specific course, please let us know!  We want to offer you the courses and workshops you are looking for.

For those who missed our presentation of our trip from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy at the February SISKA meeting, you can check it out on the next rainy day at https://youtu.be/dexf7i8Tr8Y?feature=shared

TWO NEW BOOKS

Escape to Clayoquot Sound: Finding Home in a Wild Place
The famous author John Dowd, of Sea Kayaking: A Manual for Long-Distance Touring has co-authored with his wife Bea, a newly released book called "Escape to Clayoquot Sound: Finding Home in a Wild Place". The book can be purchased through book stores and on-line.

A couple’s affectionate retrospective of their decade spent living off the grid, in a coastal paradise for paddlers, whale watchers, and naturalists. Twenty years ago, two empty-nesters with a love of the outdoors stumbled upon a vacant beach house on a small island in Clayoquot Sound, part of an off-grid, ten-acre stretch nestled within a provincial park reserve. Escape to Clayoquot Sound is an extended love letter to this place, chronicling the decade John and Bea Dowd spent as year-round caretakers of the property. Told with humour and heart in alternating voices, and lavishly illustrated throughout with stunning natural photography, this book a story of joyful solitude, of living in harmony with wildlife and respecting the forces of nature. It is about the fleeting definition of home and family, and about creating community in the wilderness. Above all, it is a tribute to an achingly beautiful, fragile place.

Sea Kayak Touring and Leadership Manual
JF Marleau and the team at SKILS (www.skils.ca) released a new book called Sea Kayak Touring and Leadership Manual. Freedom of the Seas Volume 2.

Click "here" to be redirected to SKILS website to purchase the book.


This book aims to be the most complete source of information for sea kayak touring paddlers worldwide to increase knowledge, safety, and enjoyment. It covers day trips to multi-month trips with examples from across the world. This is a reference for all paddlers, from beginners to experts, who tour large bodies of water.



Happy Paddling!


Yves Aquin and Patti Stevens

For Paddle Canada Courses - Click Here -
Nanaimo Go Kayak 2024 Spring Training  - Click Here -

  Victoria Go Kayak 2024 Spring Training Schedule

To register for any Go Kayak courses or workshops
Email at gokayakca@yahoo.ca

Go Kayak Contact Page

Sea Kayak Surf in Tofino - Intro and Intermediate
$350.00 - Regular Price
$290.00 - Spring Training Special offer for Vancouver Island Paddle Club Members.

. Thur-Fri April 25-26
. Sat - Sun April 27-28
. Sat - Sun May 11-12
. Sat - Sun May 25-26

Description
This course teaches you how to deal with surf by:
1- Avoiding it. Apply knowledge and seamanship to launch and land in surf zone. Very useful when paddling on West Coast Vancouver Island.
2- Learning how to deal with the surf if a wave catches you.
3- Having fun playing in the surf zone, building confidence, and paddling skills.

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Sea Kayak Surf in Tofino - Advanced
$350.00 - Regular Price

$290.00 - Spring Training Special offer for Vancouver Island Paddle Club Members.

Prerequisites: Participants are required to have completed a basic sea kayaking course and have a good level of fitness and comfort in the water. Proficiency in skills like kayak handling, rescues, and navigation is assumed.

. Sat - Sun April 6-7
. Mon - Tue April 8-9 = FULL

Description
An advanced sea kayak surf course is designed to build upon the skills and knowledge gained in intro and intermediate sea kayaking surf courses. This course is typically intended for experienced kayakers who are comfortable with basic sea kayak surf techniques and safety procedures. The focus of the course is on paddling in dynamic, open water environments where you'll encounter waves and surf conditions.

Topics: Safety and Risk Management - Understanding Waves and Surf - Surf Zone Navigation - Wave Riding Techniques - Boat Control - Rescue Skills - Surf Etiquette – Rolling
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Fun at Trial (3hrs)
$155.00 - Regular Price
$85.00 - Spring Training Special offer for Vancouver Island Paddle Club Members.

. Tue March 26 from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
. Wed May 8 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Description: This course is all about playing at Trial Island. We are going to paddle in active water with emphasis on current, paddling and re-entry skills.
Prerequisites: Participants MUST have Lv2 Skills or equivalent.
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Baynes Fun (3hrs)
$155.00 - Regular Price
$85.00 - Spring Training Special offer for Vancouver Island Paddle Club Members.

. Sat March 30 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
. Thu April 11 from 8:30 am to 11:30 am

Description: This course is all about playing in Baynes Channel. We are going to paddle in active water with emphasis on currents and rough water paddling.
Prerequisites: Participants MUST have Lv2 Skills or equivalent.
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Currents at Tillicum Bridge (2.5 hrs)
$130.00 - Regular Price
$85.00 - Spring Training Special offer for Vancouver Island Paddle Club Members.

. Sat April 13 from 9:00 am to 11:30 am
. Sun April 14 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
. Thu May 30 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm

Description: This course is designed for individuals who want to learn how to navigate sea kayaks safely and effectively in various current conditions. Participants will learn essential skills, safety protocols, and techniques to paddle in currents, tides, and changing water conditions.
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Beginner and Intermediate Re-Entries (2 hrs)
$130.00 - Regular Price
$75.00 - Spring Training Special offer for Vancouver Island Paddle Club Members.

. Fri Apr 19 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm - Cadboro Bay (Gyro Park)
. Sat May 4 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm - Cadboro Bay (Gyro Park)

Description: Learn how to deal with a possible capsize by performing rescue skills such as wet exit, self and assisted re-entries; essential skills to review every year.
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Advanced Re-Entries (3 hrs)
$140.00 - Regular Price

$85.00 - Spring Training Special offer for Vancouver Island Paddle Club Members.

. Wed May 29 from 8:30 am to 11:30 am - Cadboro Bay (Gyro Park)

Description: Learn how to deal with a possible capsize by performing re-entry skills in moving and dynamic waters. Essential skills to master if you are planning to paddle Vancouver Island West Coast. Prerequisites: Participants MUST have Lv2 Skills or equivalent.
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Edging and Bracing (2 hrs)
$130.00 - Regular Price
$75.00 - Spring Training Special offer for Vancouver Island Paddle Club Members.

. Fri Apr 19 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am (Cadboro Bay)
. Sat May 4 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am (Cadboro Bay)
. Thu May 30 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm (Banfield Park - Gorge)

Description: This Edging and Bracing workshop will provide you with the skills to effectively develop reflexive paddle braces and edging your kayak, therefore enhancing your confidence and paddling skills.
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Forward Strokes (2 hrs)
$130.00 - Regular Price
$75.00 - Spring Training Special offer for Vancouver Island Paddle Club Members.

. Sat April 13 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm (Banfield Park - Gorge)

Description: Learn how to perform an effective forward stroke without losing efficiency and energy.
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Turning Strokes (2 hrs)
$130.00 - Regular Price
$75.00 - Spring Training Special offer for Vancouver Island Paddle Club Members.

. Sun April 14 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (Banfield Park - Gorge)

Description: Learn how to use the right turning stroke in the right situation. This workshop will teach you how to use different paddling turning strokes without losing efficiency and energy.
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Sea Kayak Paddle Canada Basic Kayak Skills - Location: Victoria
$250.00 - Regular Price
$200.00 - Spring Training Special offer for Vancouver Island Paddle Club Members.

. Sat June 1

Description: This is the primary starting point of the Paddle Canada Sea Kayak skills progression. With a focus on foundation skills and knowledge, Basic Kayak Skills inspires students to go out on short paddling excursions in class-0 or calm and sheltered waters.
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Sea Kayak Paddle Canada Level 1 Skills
$350.00 - Regular Price
$280.00 - Spring Training Special offer for Vancouver Island Paddle Club Members.

. Sat-Sun Apr 20-21
. Sat-Sun May 18-19

Description: Building on the information covered in Basic Skills, Sea Kayak Level-1 Skills is a two-day course that moves participants beyond flatwater kayaking and into the sport of sea kayaking.
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Paddle Canada Level 2 Ready
$350.00 - Regular Price
$300.00 - Spring Training Special offer for Vancouver Island Paddle Club Members.
Location: Victoria

. Sun-Mon Mar 31-Apr 1

Description: The Paddle Canada Level 2 Ready course is designed for intermediate sea kayakers who want to prepare for their Level 2 certification. This course will enhance your existing skills and knowledge, with a focus on advanced techniques and safety. ____________________________________________

Sea Kayak Paddle Canada Level 2 Skills
$700.00 - Regular Price
$560.00 - Spring Training Special offer for Vancouver Island Paddle Club Members.
Location: Victoria - Note: No Camping

. Mon-Thu May 20 to 23

Description: Building on the skills developed in Level-1, Level-2 provides paddlers with the intermediate skills they need to go sea kayaking in class-2 conditions along semi-exposed shoreline with a possible overnight bivy. Leadership, incident management, open-water rescue, self-care, and navigation are core parts of the curriculum.
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Go Tarp 101 (3 hrs)
$100.00 - Regular Price

$65.00 - Spring Training Special offer for Vancouver Island Paddle Club Members.

. Sat May 5 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Description: Go Tarp 101 is a course designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively set up and utilize tarps in various outdoor situations. Understanding the art of tarpology is essential for shelter, protection, and improvisation.
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Chart and Navigation (On-Land 4 hrs)
$150.00 - Regular Price
$100.00 - Spring Training Special offer for Vancouver Island Paddle Club Members.

. Wed May 1st from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Description: This course is designed to teach participants the skills and knowledge required for safely navigating a sea kayak using nautical charts, compasses, and other navigation tools. The course covers topics such as reading and interpreting nautical charts, using compasses, and planning a safe sea kayaking trip. The goal of the course is to equip kayakers with the necessary skills to confidently navigate on the water, whether they are exploring new waters or making a longer voyage.



Forward Strokes
Club Members: $75 includes GST (Regular price $130)

Location: Westwood Lake
Date: Friday April 5, 2024
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Description: This workshop takes you to the heart of the fundamentals of moving forward strokes. Through a series of on-land and on-water exercises, you'll become a more effective and stronger paddler.
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Edging and Bracing - The Grey Zone
Club Members: $75 includes GST (Regular price $130)

Location: Westwood Lake
Date: Friday April 5, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Description: This workshop will provide you with the skills to effectively develop your edging and reflexive paddle braces. Use your legs, lower body, and core muscles to increase your boat control and thereby enhancing your confidence and paddling skills.
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Maneuvering and Turning Strokes
Club Members: $75 includes GST (Regular price $130)

Location: Westwood Lake
Date: Friday May 10, 2024
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Description: This workshop teaches you the techniques for turning and maneuvering your kayak in situations. Take control and push your boundaries, you are now in charge of your kayak!
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Blending Strokes - Linking it all together
Club Members: $75 includes GST (Regular price $130)

Location: Westwood Lake
Date: Friday May 10, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Description: This workshop will focus on blending strokes and using the right strokes at the right time. By linking it all together, you will make your kayak dance.