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
Introduction to Paddling
Novice: $730 (tax exempt) for 1 October through 31 March
- Tuesday 4-5 PM & Saturday 11-12 AM
- 12 seats
- 1 coach plus assistant
- 2 X weekly / 1 60min weekday water 4pm / 1 60min weekend 11am
- NB: Intake form and coach authorization required for enrolment
Program outline:
- Purpose: The purpose of this program is to introduce novice paddlers to the fundamentals of paddling. This course is designed for beginners who want to learn the basics of paddling in a fun, safe and supportive environment.
- Program overview: The “Introduction to Paddling” course offers 12 seats and is led by 2 qualified coaches over the 6 months (October to end of March). The course meets twice weekly, with one 60-minute weekday session after school and one 60-minute weekend session. Participants will have the opportunity to develop skills in sprint kayaks and outrigger canoes. The focus will be learning the basics of different types of paddling stroke techniques to effectively maneuver the boats. All equipment (PFDs, paddles, and boats are included).
- Objectives: By the end of the course participants will have a strong foundation in paddling ability and will be able to comfortably paddle the entry-level sprint kayaks and outrigger canoes. Participants will build a water sense and safety awareness on the water.
Intermediate (scheduled dryland access included)
$850 (tax exempt) for 1 October through 31 March
- Monday 4-5:30 PM, Wednesday 4-5:30 PM & Saturday 9-10:30 AM
- 12 seats
- 1 coach
- 3 X weekly / 1 90min weekday water 4pm / 1 90min weekend water / 1 90min weekday dryland
- Intake form and coach authorization required for enrolment
Program outline:
- Purpose: The purpose of this program is to build on existing paddling skills and get participants technically and physically ready to train as paddle sports athletes.
- Program overview: The program is 6 months long (October to the end of March) and consists of three 90-minute sessions per week, one Sprint kayak weekend session, one crewboat weekday session, and one dryland weekday session. Participants will build on their paddling skills in sprint kayaks and improve their technique and balance in Olympic sprint kayaks. They will also have the opportunity to develop physical literacy, strength, endurance and flexibility with fun activities to help facilitate effective paddling.
- Objectives: Participants in this program will be “race-ready” for the 2024 spring and summer season. Participants will finish this program with a solid understanding of the sprint kayak technique and proficiency in paddling singles and crew boats.
Performance (includes discounted gym access)
$850 (tax exempt) for 1 October through 31 March
- Tuesday 5:30-7 PM, Thursday 4-5:30 PM, Friday 4-5:30 PM & Saturday 9-10:30 AM + Additional Independent training
- 6 seats
- 1 coach
- 1 x 90min weekly kayak / 1 x 90min crewboat / 2+ weekly dryland
- NB: Intake form and coach authorization required for enrolment
Program outline:
- Purpose: The purpose of this program is to provide opportunities for those interested in pursuing high performance in the sport of sprint canoe/kayak.
- Program overview: The fall and winter performance program is 6 months long with a mix of water and gym sessions for athletes serious about improving their strength and conditioning for the competitive season in the spring and summer. In this program, athletes will refine their paddling skills and develop sport-specific strength and fitness required for racing. Training consists of two on-water sessions with coaching, 2+ weekly dryland sessions with coaching, and additional independent dryland training (following a training plan).
- Objectives: Athletes will be able to race under a variety of conditions and expect to improve their performance in sprint kayak race distances (200m, 500m, 1000m). Athletes can expect to Improve fitness testing results in appropriate sport-specific strength, endurance and speed tests to ensure that they are in physical conditioning for the next competition season.
JUNIOR OPEN HOUSE EVENT for Kids Camp Families
SUNDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 12-2.30