Victoria’s only dedicated Sprint Canoe Kayak program
Where expert coaching staff safely teach children our outdoor specialty, the healthy fun of Sprint Kayaking. Chinook is singularly focused on Sprint Kayak, being the home of Victoria’s only NCCP trained and certified Comp Dev paddling coaches. Our calibre of coaches ensure your youth paddlers have choices from causal recreational paddling to competitive provincial, national, international, and Olympic dreams.
We acknowledge that Chinook is located on the traditional territories of the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ First Nations whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.
About Chinook
Welcome to Chinook on the Gorge waterway where expert coaching staff safely teach children our outdoor specialty, the healthy fun of Sprint Kayaking. Chinook is singularly focused on Sprint Kayak, being the home of Victoria’s only NCCP trained and certified Comp Dev paddling coaches. Our calibre of coaches ensure your youth paddlers have choices from causal recreational paddling to competitive provincial, national, international, and Olympic dreams.
Name, Logo and Motto
Name:
A Chinook is a warm wind blowing eastwards from the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. As we are located as far west as one can locate in Canada, on beautiful Vancouver Island, British Columbia, it is apropos that this name represents our geographical location. And, as Canoe Kayak Canada’s Sprint National Championships are rarely west of Regina, we will always be blowing in from the west to compete.
A Chinook is also a highly prized Pacific Ocean salmon; spiritually, culturally and monetarily valuable. The Chinook “King” salmon sometimes have blueish-green/reddish-purple sides and backs. Chinook chose our unique team colours on our singlets to reflect this.
Our Vision/Mission
Chinook Vision
A robust and healthy Sprint Canoe Kayak racing club that provides opportunities for mentorship, leadership, success and performance excellence for members of our community.
Chinook Mission
Chinook provides opportunities for youth to discover and to realize the spirit, sportsmanship and pursuit of excellence in the Olympic discipline of Sprint Canoe Kayak.
Motto: “perficientur excellentiam”
Our Latin motto means “performance excellence” or “high performance”. FGPC Chinook Youth Sprint Kayak program was established to introduced children and youth in our community to Sprint Canoe Kayak and to provide a local resource for those pursuing the sport competitively without being required to transfer to the mainland.
Chinook Goals
- affordably introduce our paddle sport to children and youth in the community
- provide fun opportunities for increased physical literacy and activities out in nature and on water
- progressive programming and knowledgeable coaching towards skill enhancement
- level-appropriate coaching from recreational to high performance
Chinook Values
- effective informed leadership and knowledgeable coaching
- the principles of long term athlete development (LTAD) and Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L)
- the principles of mentorship, esprit de corps and volunteerism
- safety and respect for individuals, equipment, and in our communication
- a club culture of integrity and best practices
- camaraderie and a sense of belonging
Chinook Coaches
Our coaches are certified through Canada’s National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) in CanoeKids Community, Entry Level Competitive (ELCC), and advanced Competitive Development (Comp Dev) coaching; with criminal record checks, first aid training and safety boat operator licenses. Our Development Coach has been Head Paddling Coach for Zone 6 (the island) the last three BC Summer Games.
Patrick Dann – Head Coach, Competitive & Development Programs
Patrick is a certified NCCP Entry Level Competitive Coach and Competition Development trained coach. He was a member of the Canadian National Jr. World’s 2013 team and on the U23 National Development team in 2014. He is a performance multi-discipline paddler, a Canadian Nationals Canoe Kayak Sprint multiple silver and bronze medalist, Team BC Canada Summer Games medalist and Jr/U23 World’s finalist. Patrick has volunteered as the Canoe Kayak Head Coach for Zone 6 at the past three BC Summer Games over the last six years. (Photo credit Matt Abbott)
Chinook Programs
Important Notes
- Age ranges are suggestions and exceptions are possible with coaches discretion.
- Holiday Break: There will be no practices between December 22, 2025 and January 2, 2026 due to the winter holiday closure. Programs will resume as scheduled on Friday, January 3, 2026.
- Weather-Related Cancellations: Practices may be cancelled in the event of unsafe weather or water conditions, including but not limited to:
- High winds and/or large waves on the Gorge
- Freezing temperatures or icy dock/launch conditions
- Heavy snowfall or limited visibility
Make-Up Practices: While make-up sessions are not guaranteed, coaches may offer optional alternate sessions when possible. Dryland sessions may be substituted in cases of poor weather, especially during November to March.
Intermediate/Performance: Train to Train (Ages 14-17+)
For returning paddlers or those with coach recommendation. Athletes will train together in a combined group with adapted goals for intermediate and performance levels. This program includes technical development, crew boat training, and dryland strength sessions beginning in November. Big Boat Days are included.
$890 (tax exempt) for 6 October to March 30
- Monday 4:30pm – 6:00pm
- Tuesdays 5pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday (Big Boat Day), Friday 4:00pm – 5:30pm
- Saturday, 9:00am – 11:00am
- October 6, 2025 – March 30, 2026
- 5+ practices/week
- Limited to 8 participants
Development: Learn to Train: Saturday + Big Boat (Ages 12-15)
For paddlers who are new to structured training but eager to build foundational sprint skills in a team environment. Athletes will train alongside the Intermediate & Performance group during key weekly sessions focused on technical development, teamwork, and fitness. The program includes one crew boat-focused session and one full-group practice each week.
$730 (tax exempt) for 8 October to March 28
- Wednesday (Big Boat Day), 4:00pm – 5:30pm
- Saturday, 9:00am – 11:00am
- October 8, 2025 – March 28, 2026
- 2 practices/week
- Limited to 6 paddlers
Big Boat Only (Ages 12-17)
The Big Boat Only program is designed for athletes aged 12–17 who want to participate exclusively in weekly crew boat sessions. Training focuses on OC6, Dragonboat, K2 and K4 boat skills including timing, technique, and teamwork.
$440 (tax exempt) for 8 October to March 25
- Wednesday, 4:00pm – 5:30pm
- October 8, 2025 – March 25, 2026
- Practices/Week: 1
- Capacity: Limited to 20 paddlers
Chinook Punch Cards
Purpose: The punch card system is designed to enable those who can’t make the time commitment for the full schedule to participate in the Intermediate/Performance program.
Punch cards require at least one prior season of full membership and coach discretion to ensure adequate skill level necessary.
Please note: unused punch card values expire at the end of the term.
5 October through 31 March
- 32-sessions: $640
- 16-sessions: $384
- 8-sessions: $220