The Directors of the Cowichan Kayak and Canoe Club (CKCC) encourage Club member to familiarize yourself with all our guidelines and to update your kayaking skills annually, in particular wet exits, assisted and self rescues.
Minimum Requirements for Club Paddles
- Read and agree to follow the CKCC Group Paddling Guidelines.
- Wet Exit and Assisted Re-entry.
- Assisted-Rescue: All paddlers must be able to assist others in a rescue.
Note: If you do not meet these requirements Contact Us so we can help you get started.
Decision to Participate
- Do I have the skills & stamina to be safe, keep up and enjoy this outing?
- Do I have confidence in my skills and stamina to handle rough or poor conditions that could arise?
- Do I have the required equipment? (See below and specifics for each trip on MeetUp).
Required
Seaworthy boat:
- Watertight bulkheads
- Watertight hatch covers
- Static perimeter deck lines appropriate for use in rescues
Safety Equipment/Info:
Mandatory Safety Equipment (Transport Canada Small Vessel Regulations)
- Personal Flotation Device (Must be worn)
- Bailer or manual bilge pump
- 15m heaving line accessible from seated position
- Sound signalling device (whistle or air horn)
- a watertight flashlight if the canoe or kayak is operated after sunset or before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility
Essential Equipment (Transport Canada Sea Kayaking Safety Guide)
- Spray-skirt
- Spare paddle accessible from cockpit
- Paddle float easily accessible in case of capsize
- Spare paddle accessible from cockpit
- Chart of the area being visited
- Chart ruler or spare second compass with transparent base
- First aid kit
Recommended Equipment
- Dry-bag with full change of clothes for emergency
- VHF Radio – Restricted Radiotelephone Operator’s Certificate required available here
- Appropriate clothing, including cold-water immersion gear if specified by the Trip Leader (typically a drysuit or full wetsuit with paddle jacket, such as a Farmer Jane/John, when water temperature is below 15°C)
- Dry-bag with full change of clothes for emergency
- Tide, current, weather forecasts
- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
- Drinking water & quick energy snack
- Boat repair kit
- Lunch
- Health Information and Emergency Contact in PFD
- Note that Inflatable Personal Flotation Devices are not permitted
You can download a copy of the CKCC Participants’ Checklist here.
We look forward to you joining us.