At CKCC, sea kayaking is a cooperative, rather than competitive, sport. Club paddles are led by members who volunteer their time and experience – they are not professional guides. Club paddles are posted on MeetUp and provide trip descriptions including dates, times, area of the paddle, launching sites, difficulty levels, estimates of shelter or exposure and approximate distances.
Enjoyment of safe group paddling is dependent on group cooperation and everyone having the appropriate equipment, skills, stamina, and knowledge for the conditions. These guidelines outline the requirements and expectations of every participant to ensure a safe, welcoming, and fun experience.
They go hand in hand with the Participants’ Checklist. By participating in CKCC group paddles you agree to follow the points in this and other supporting documents.
Equipment
To participate in group paddles some basic equipment is required:
- Every Paddler will have a seaworthy boat with watertight bulkheads and hatches, as well as static perimeter deck-lines appropriate for use in assisted rescues. Check your hatches every time!
- Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) must be worn by all paddlers whenever on the water as designed by the manufacturer for maximum floatation (i.e.: zipped up). Inflatable PFDs are not permitted.
- The Participant’s Checklist specifies required personal gear and is a helpful guide to additional gear that can make paddling more enjoyable.
- CKCC requires members to wear appropriate cold-water immersion gear when the water temperature is less then 15 degrees Celsius. This is most months of the year, outside of the hotter months, usually late June to early September. The Trip Leader will specify the cold-water immersion gear requirements when they post a paddle on Meetup. In general, this means EITHER a wetsuit or a dry suit.
Skills and Abilities
- Every participant must be able to:
- Recover from a capsize (perform a wet exit and an assisted re-entry).
- Perform an assisted rescue of another paddler.
- Successfully practice both skills regularly, at least once per year.
Decision to Participate
- Individuals are expected to assess their skills and abilities in relation to the trip description before RSVPing on MeetUp. If the Trip Leader is not aware of your skill levels, they may contact you to discuss your paddling experience and skills. If you are unsure if you should sign up for a trip, contact the Trip Leader for clarification.
- Trip Leaders assign a rating to the trip so you can understand what to expect and to help you decide if your abilities are sufficient.
Trip Ratings
Note: 1 nautical mile =1.85 km
Criteria for trip ratings are:
(A) Non challenging, protected waters with limited wind effect <5 kt, little or no current, easy landings and ready access to land-based assistance.
(B) Lightly populated areas with short crossings <2 nm, moderate potential wind effects <12 kt, gently to moderate non-turbulent currents up to <2 kt, easy to moderate landings and light surf beaches, open water crossings more than 1.5 NM (3 km).
(C) Exposed water, sparsely populated areas with more committed crossings, moderate to strong currents with turbulence > 2 kt, moderate to strong wind effects up to 19 kt, ocean swells, difficult landings, surf-beaches.
Expected return distance:
(1) Less than 6 nautical miles per day.
(2) Six to 10 nautical miles per day.
(3) More than 10 nautical miles per day.
Trips will have a rating that indicates both the expected water conditions and return distances. For example: A1, B3, C2, etc.
Personal Safety
- It is also important that you assess your stamina and confidence in your ability to complete the paddle in adverse conditions. Unless otherwise stated, paddles are planned for good weather conditions, but wind and waves can come up unexpectedly at any time – failure to properly assess your skills to handle adverse conditions can jeopardize group safety as well as your own.
- Participants with health conditions or concerns that might interfere with paddling performance must inform the trip leader before a trip by contacting them at the same time they register on MeetUp.
- The Trip Leader can limit the participation of any paddler they feel is not adequately prepared.
Non-Member Guests
Guests may participate in club paddles if:
- The Trip Leader is made aware of the request for a non-member to attend prior to the day of the paddle and the Trip Leader agrees to the participation
- The non-member complies with all Club Guidelines.
- The non-member must complete and sign the CKCC Waiver Form and it is sent by email to the Trip Leader prior to the day of the paddle.
- Either the introducing club member or the Trip Leader agrees to accompany the non-member on the trip.
Participants Under Age 19
Anyone under the age of 19 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is a club member.
While on the Water
Everyone who participates in club paddles agrees to comply with the following principles, requirements, and guidelines.
All Participants:
- Are responsible for their personal safety and the safety of the group. Club paddles are led by members who volunteer their time – they are not professional guides.
- Will abide by the standards as specified by the Trip Leader. These can include immersion gear requirements, safety equipment, skill levels, and anything else the Trip Leader deems necessary for safety. If you are not sure, contact the Trip Leader for clarification.
- Will not make other commitments on the day of the paddle that could pressure the participant or group to return by a certain time. Every attempt is made to return by the specified time, but weather and other variables can cause delays.
* Understand that changes to trip destinations, routes, durations, or distances may be modified by the Trip Leader based on changing circumstances.
* Will be ready to be on the water (OTW) at the specified time, equipped as specified in the Participant’s Checklist, aware of the tide, current, and weather information, and are comfortable paddling in these conditions (even if you were paddling alone).
- Will be in attendance for the Beach Talk given by the Trip Leader and agrees to cooperate with the Trip Leader.
- Agree to stay with the group, paddle within hearing range of the Trip Leader and be alert for signals or instructions, unless otherwise specified by the Trip Leader.
- Will avoid disturbing marine wildlife, keeping a minimum of 100 metres away; and passing on the off-shore side of haul-outs, nesting, or resting animals. Additionally, paddlers will keep a minimum of 400 metres away from orcas in southern BC coastal waters and a minimum 200 metres away from orcas elsewhere.
These replace all previously issued guidelines. Approved by CKCC Directors April 2025.