The Nanaimo Canoe and Kayak Club is hoping to draw in new members who want to get their feet wet and begin paddling.
The club held an information session and racing Saturday, June 22, at Loudon Park at Long Lake.
Ashley Rowe, club commodore, said paddling is good for heart and spirit. Members have a community they can paddle with, with access to the club's boats – paddle boards, recreational canoes – and staff that are certified to get people safely on the water, she said.
"I really like it because it is really like Canoe Kayak Canada's motto, 'Through waters to friendship.' I built a lot of friendships and community partnerships through being on the water ... There's a lot of benefits physically, mentally and emotionally to being on the water and so that's really what we try and promote to people, health and wellness, active for life," said Rowe.
The club offers various programs with the City of Nanaimo's parks and recreation department, including introductory paddling clinics for people that are interested. There are summer camps for children 6-13, and a teen paddle sport camp that will introduce youths to stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, sprint-racing canoes and more.
There is also a sprint-racing program for people looking to take the sport to the next level.
"There's regattas that we have throughout B.C. and nationally and internationally, that racers can participate in," said Rowe. "We also encourage our recreational members to take on new challenges, so we'll offer our self-rescue clinics and assisted rescue clinics, so people are very confident about their skills on the water and getting out with with friends and family."
For more information, visit www.nckc.ca, e-mail nckcinfo@gmail.com or see the parks and recreation department's spring and summer activity guide.
