Friday April 21st – Sunday April 23rd 2023 Near Duncan BC
To introduce youth aged 12 – 18 to the sport of whitewater kayaking in a safe and fun environment. This festival will be based on the Cowichan River in the Horseshoe Bend Campsite of the Cowichan River Provincial Park, near Duncan BC.
WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?
Any youth aged 12 – 18 regardless of experience. We will be providing equipment and instruction for total beginners right up to advanced whitewater paddlers.
Volunteers – certified instructors are welcome but must register and complete SafeSport screening to participate.
SCHEDULE
Note that the times in bold are fixed, other times will vary as the day progresses.
Friday
4 PM – 6 PM Check in and set up at campsite (Horseshoe Bend Group Campsite)
6:45 – 8:45 PM Introductory safety in the pool – Cowichan Aquatic Centre, Duncan BC
9:45 PM Return to campsite
Saturday
9:30 AM Ready to paddle and meet at shelter
10 AM – 12:30 PM On water session #1
12:30 – 1:30 PM Lunch
2 – 4:30 PM On water session #2
6 PM Dinner at campsite
Evening program around campfire
Sunday
9 AM Ready to paddle, meet at shelter
9:30 AM – 12 PM On water session #1
12 – 12:45 PM Lunch
1:15 – 3 PM On water session #2
3:30 PM Clean-up, awards, acknowledgements
REGISTRATION
Registration is now open!
Links for online help for youth registration and help for adult registration open in new tabs
Please register online at: https://www.rampregistrations.com/login?v3=2ce0f345
Cost of the festival is $100 per youth for CKBC members, $110 for non members.
There is a $25 late fee for registration after April 7.
Volunteer and instructors participate for free, but are required to complete the SafeSport requirements before the festival. No exceptions can be made.
This includes: instruction, camping fees, pool fees, breakfast and dinner Saturday, breakfast Sunday, transportation to/from on water sessions.
OTHER DETAILS ….
There is camping on-site. If you plan to camp with your child, please email Dan so that he will be aware of your attendance.
Note that there is no reliable cell phone coverage in the park.
River Runs
Descriptions of the river runs can be found here on paddlingmaps.com. Paddling occurs on the Duck Pond to Little Beach, Little Beach to Spring Pool, and Marie Canyon sections.
Directions
OpenStreet Map Google Map BC Park Map (links to the Cowichan area)
From Highway 18, turn South onto Skutz Falls Road. Turn left immediately onto Cowichan Lake Road, continue a short distance to Mayo Rd turning Right. Follow the road to the four way intersection near the river. From here, turn left and travel to a yellow gate about 100 metres on the right after the turn.
Access to the festival site is through a locked gate. We are expected to keep this gate locked, so if you arrive and the gate is not open, please walk the road down to the camp shelter (approx. 7 minute walk) to get a key to the gate.
Cowichan Aquatic Centre is just off Highway One in Duncan, near the giant hockey stick.
Each youth will need
Bag lunch for each day
Camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, pillow, ect)
Warm outdoor clothing for evening camping
Swim suit and towel for the pool
Whitewater kayak equipped with float bags, spraydeck, pfd, helmet, paddle
(If you do not have kayak equipment, contact Dan to see if loaners can be arranged)
Adequate clothing for kayaking:
- Wetsuit is recommended
- Lots of layers of non-cotton clothing
- Waterproof outer layer (rain coat or paddle jacket)
- Warm footwear that will stay on feet in moving water (wetsuit boots, runners with wool socks, etc)
QUESTIONS?
Event Organizer: Dan Norman, dan.norman@brentwood.bc.ca, 778 678 0892