[Yekaterina Yushmanova]

Welcome to be club! Nick and Tracey did a great overview of the options out there. My two cents to add: I found it very useful when learning the basics to get a chart of a local area where I paddle often (False Creek, Deep Cove, etc). I would chart a course even for a half day paddle at home, locate a spot or two of interest, and then practice following the course on the water and locating the spots. Made me faster and more confident.

I usually buy the charts from the stores Tracey mentioned, but Nick is right that laminated once are easier to use and last better.