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| Skills night |
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| Ken emptying the boat over his deck |
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| Emily practising her scull for |
Paddlers minimum requirements:
You must have the basic paddling skills and fitness level to be able to paddle without supervision or depending on others for safety. The very minimum skill requirement for paddling with us is that you have recently practiced a wet exit and an assisted entry.
The basic skills are very easy to learn and can be acquired simply by taking a professionally taught course. A course taught by a Paddle Canada certified instructor is recommended.
In order to go on a group paddle you should have the following: a kayak designed for ocean paddling at least 4 meters long, a PFD, a 15m throw or tow rope, a paddle, a bilge pump, a sponge, and a whistle. This meets Transport Canada requirements.
A PFD and full spray skirt must be worn on club trips.
It is recommended that you have a paddle float, a spare paddle, and after dunk clothes in a watertight bag.
Skills and Equipment levels.
Level Basic is:
Equipment is any kayak or canoe and any fitness level. Wet exit and assisted rescue.
Pretty much limited to Estuary or McIvor Lake.
Equivalent skills to:
Equipment is any kayak or canoe and any fitness level. Wet exit and assisted rescue.
Pretty much limited to Estuary or McIvor Lake.
Equivalent skills to:
Level Easy is:
Equipment must be suited to open water. I.e. kayak 14 feet minimum length and equipped with rudder or skeg or otherwise designed for ocean paddling. Canoe must be designed for ocean paddling. Paddles along shoreline where calm conditions are normal with no major crossing. Physical fitness must be such as to be able to paddle for 2 hours non-stop.Wet exit and assisted rescue . Example is Ken Forde North and South, Breton Islands from Quadra I.
Equivalent skills to:
Equivalent skills to:
Level Intermediate is:
Equipment must be suited to open water. I.e. kayak 14 feet minimum length and equipped with rudder or skeg or otherwise designed for ocean paddling, and deck lines for the purpose of self-rescue. Canoe must be designed for ocean paddling. Compass and applicable chart must be carried. Paddles include crossings and waters were moderate sea conditions can be expected. Physical fitness must be such as to be able to paddle for 4 hours non-stop. Wet exit /self rescue. Example is Little Bear Bay to Blind Channel, Ken Forde to Cape Mudge.
Equivalent skills to:
Equipment must be suited to open water. I.e. kayak 14 feet minimum length and equipped with rudder or skeg or otherwise designed for ocean paddling, and deck lines for the purpose of self-rescue. Canoe must be designed for ocean paddling. Compass and applicable chart must be carried. Paddles include crossings and waters were moderate sea conditions can be expected. Physical fitness must be such as to be able to paddle for 4 hours non-stop. Wet exit /self rescue. Example is Little Bear Bay to Blind Channel, Ken Forde to Cape Mudge.
Equivalent skills to:
This is an interim policy. As more complex trips are added to the schedule, levels can be built on for more severe conditions than the club is currently involved in such as:
Level Experienced - limited exposed coast ie Nutchatlitz Area or Kyuquot Sound
Level Skilled - open exposed coast ie Nutchatlitz to Kyuquot Sound
Level Extreme - ie Seymour Narrows at full bore, rounding Cape Scott
