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Water Based Programs

Kayak Rolling

Learn how to roll a kayak in the comfort and warm waters of Beban Pool. This program is offered three times a semester and you can drop into just one session or come for all three. Bring your own boat or use one of ours. All instruction and equipment is provided and no experience is necessary. Students needing a ride to and from the pool can meet at building 140 at 7:30pm and get a ride with us. Contact the gymnasium for more information.

River Kayak Day Trip

Have you always been interested in river kayaking? If so, this is your opportunity to give this activity a try. Learn the basic skills, techniques, and safety considerations during a fun filled day on the Nanaimo River. This is a program designed for students who have no experience in white water kayaks, and we use a section of the river suitable for introducing student to this wonderful activity. River kayaking is a challenging activity and our skilled and experience instructors focus on making your experience on the river the very best it can be.

River Kayak - Friday Series

This program is for students who want to try white water kayaking and have a desire to develop basic skills required to participate in the activity in the future. This series of classes is designed as a four part progression and by the end of the course students are looking and feeling solid in white water kayaks while running beginner rapids. The first evening is spent on the lake working on introductory skills, and the remaining four evenings are spent on different sections of the Nanaimo River, working on more advanced skills. This is always one of our most popular programs and the experience is both challenging and super fun!

Sea Kayaking Introduction Day Trip

This is a one day introductory program designed to get students out on the ocean and enjoying the sport of sea kayaking. Students will learn the basics skills required to participate in a guided experience in the sheltered water around Nanaimo. We use a variety of different location around Nanaimo including the Winchelseas Islands, New Castle Island, Departure Bay, Piper’s Lagoon, Nanaimo River Estuary, and Cedar. Our locations are weather dependent and are decided on the day of the activity. So, come on out and see marine wildlife and unique coastal environments with our awesome staff. All equipment, transportation, and instruction provided.

Sea Kayak - Thursday Series

This program is for students who want to try sea kayaking or already enjoy sea kayaking as an activity. The four sessions are designed to get you out on the water and enjoying different locations around Nanaimo. We potentially use the same locations as our sea kayaking introduction day trip and locations are dependent on weather. Each week the group moves to a new location and explores a different kayaking environment. This program is popular with student and no experience is necessary.     

Surf Trip Weekend Adventure

One of our most popular trips, the weekend surfing trip is a great way to get into the sport of surfing. We spend Saturday morning traveling to our accommodations in Tofino, http://www.tbgf.org/cfs/ move in, have lunch, change into our wetsuits and spend the rest of the day surfing. No experience is necessary and our instructors provide thorough lessons and coaching to get you up and riding the waves. Saturday evening we venture into town for dinner (optional) and then back to the field station for fun and relaxation. Sunday morning the group packs up and returns to the beach for morning and early afternoon surf sessions. So come on out and feel what it is like to catch wave, you will have a blast, meet other students, and have sore arms!

Surfing Day Trip

Another popular trip, the surfing day trip is a great way to experience the joy and thrills of surfing waves. On this trip we spend our morning traveling to a local beach outside of the coastal town of Tofino and have an early lunch. After lunch we hit the beach.  No experience is necessary and our instructors provide thorough lessons and coaching to get you up and riding the waves. We basically spend the entire time surfing and don’t leave until everybody has had their fill. So come on out and feel what it is like to catch wave, you will have a blast, meet other students, and have sore arms!

Whitewater Rafting

The white water rafting trip is a thrilling experience of rapids and fun as we make our way down the Nanaimo River. On this trip you will experience moderate (class III) white water in the morning, eat lunch on a beautiful sandy beach, and then run some more rapids after lunch. This is a very popular program and no experience is necessary to participate.

Outrigger Canoe Wednesdays/Weekends

Come experience the thrill of paddling an outrigger racing canoe in the protected waters off downtown Nanaimo. Outrigger canoeing is an awesome workout and a great way to get out on the water in the afternoon and blow off some built up school energy. On this program you will meet other students, and have a great time. For those who want to participate further in the activity you have the potential to become involved with VIU’s outrigger canoe racing team. No experience necessary.