Course Schedule

Our 2024 training schedule is taking shape.  See below for the list of confirmed courses and dates. Registration is open for most courses. Workshop details and registrations will follow as confirmed.
(last update Mar 14 @ 8:45 pm)

  •  March 30 - Knots & Tarps - CANCELLED
  • April 20-21 - Navigation - 2 full days on Galiano Island with option to add a 2nd night camping April 19th. Registration is open.  
  • May 11- 12 - Weather - 2 full days on Galiano Island with option to add a 2nd night camping May 10. Note: this is Mother's Day weekend. Registration is open.
  • May 18-20 - Beginners - 3 days on the May long weekend held on local lake and ocean locations. Registration is open.
  • May 25-26 - Boat Handling and Rescues - 2 days at a local location. Regisration is open.
  • May 31- Jun 2 - Remote 1st Aid with Coast Wilderness Medical Training.  Course begins Friday evening followed by 2 days at UBC Endowment Lands. Registration is open. Note: 8 participants are required by 8 am April 15 or the course may be cancelled. 
  • June 4-5 - Safe Surf Launching and Landing with SKILS in Ucluelet area.  Must arrive Jun 3 for this mid week 2 full day course. Course is full. Waitlist available. Email coordinator.
  • June 15-16 - Safe Surf Launching and Landing with SKILS in Ucluelet area.  Must arrive Jun 14 for this 2 full day course. Registration is open. Course is full. Waitlist available. Email coordinator.
  • July 19-21 - Currents - 3 day course on Mayne Island. Info now posted. Registration TBA.

Confirmed practice sessions and workshops with details to be confirmed: 

  • Rescue and rolling practices on North Shore on Jun 9, Jul 14, Aug 11 (details to be confirmed)
  • Trip Planning workshop - 2 consecutive evenings (Tues, Wed, or Thurs) in North Vancouver - Dates TBD
  • Navigation practice for members who took navigation in 2023 or 2024 (location:  North Vancouver) - one Saturday, date TBD

Additional courses, clinics, workshops and practice sessions:

  • SKABC has 3 additional courses to offer. They are: Kayak Camping Best Practices, Trip Leader Course, Instructor Course.  Please email the Training Officer if you are interested in any of these courses in 2024 or 2025.
  • Clinics, workshops, practice sessions, and other topics of interest are being explored for 2024. They include:  VHF review; Intro to Paddling with a Greenland Paddle, and Strokes review.  Suggestions for other topics may be sent to the Training Officer.

Not a member yet? You can become a SKABC member by clicking here

March 2024

Date Event Type
Sat, Mar 30, 2024
(9:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Knots and Tarps – Cancelled
Learn to tie a variety of knots you'll use when kayaking, camping, securing your kayak to your car and your food out of reach of bears.
Training Course

April 2024

Date Event Type
Sat, Apr 6, 2024
(10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Rescue Practice for Trip Leaders
If you plan to lead or co-lead a SKABC trip this year you're invited to join us at Sasamat Lake to practice assisted rescues.
Training Course
Sat, Apr 20, 2024 - Sun, Apr 21, 2024
(All Day)
Navigation Course – Registration page
This course will teach participants the fundamentals of navigation, including using charts and compasses. You will learn how to follow a course to a destination and find your way home again with confidence. Log into the website for more information.
Training Course

May 2024

Date Event Type
Sat, May 11, 2024 - Sun, May 12, 2024
(All Day)
Weather Course – Registration page
The Weather Course will teach you the basic skills and knowledge to make a go or no-go decision for a kayak launch based on the weather.
Training Course
Sat, May 18, 2024 - Mon, May 20, 2024
(All Day)
Beginners Course – Registration
The Beginner Course will give you the basic skills and knowledge to go on trips in sheltered waters or to join competently led trips in places such as Indian Arm and the Gulf Islands.
Training Course
Sat, May 25, 2024 - Sun, May 26, 2024
(9:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
Rescues & Boat Handling (previously Strokes & Rescues) – Registration page
This course is an excellent follow-up to the Beginners' course and for every paddler wishing to improve their forward and reverse strokes, work on bracing, steering and boat handling techniques, as well as towing and rescues.
Training Course
Fri, May 31, 2024 - Sun, Jun 2, 2024
(12:00 AM)
Remote First Aid (20 hr course) – May 31 (evening) + June 1 & 2
Remote First Aid is practical, hands-on training designed for casual campers or day hikers. Gain the confidence you need to make informed decisions in emergencies...
Training Course

June 2024

Date Event Type
Tue, Jun 4, 2024 - Wed, Jun 5, 2024
(All Day)
Safe Surf Launching and Landing Course | Course Registration – June 4-5 2024
This course will give you the basic skills and knowledge to land and launch safely on surf beaches and increase your confidence in rough water. This is not a course on surfing.
Training Course
Sat, Jun 15, 2024 - Sun, Jun 16, 2024
(All Day)
Safe Surf Launching and Landing Course | Course Registration – June 15-16 2024
This course will give you the basic skills and knowledge to land and launch safely on surf beaches and increase your confidence in rough water. This is not a course on surfing.
Training Course

July 2024

Date Event Type
Fri, Jul 19, 2024 - Sun, Jul 21, 2024
(All Day)
Currents course – 2024 – Registration pending
To paddle safely in currents one requires basic knowledge of currents such as when and where they form as well as developing skills such as ferrying across currents and crossing eddy lines to manoeuvre in and around them.
Training Course