Northwest Voyageurs Canoe and Kayak Club
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Our Aims
The Northwest Voyageurs is an ideal club in which to have fun and develop your river skills with knowledgeable fellow paddlers. We aim to:
Safety is Paramount
Through our years of experience, we have found that fun and safety go hand in hand, just as river appreciation and respect are intertwined. Thus, in all of our activities, safety consciousness is simply a part of the way we operate. Our courses stress safety awareness and safe practices from the beginning, and our trip leaders are proficient and diligent in applying those principles. It's a formula that has worked well in the past, and one that we don't intend to compromise.
A Complete Trips Package
Our organized and varied trips form the core of our club. From April to October, we offer them all:
Most weekends, there are at least two trips for members to choose from, depending on ability and desires. To help in choosing, the trip schedule always shows paddler skill level and river grade. There is no charge for participating in trips, even though expert advice is given by experienced paddlers (Although sometimes participants are asked to share a campground fee).
Pool Sessions
During the winter, we offer training in Kayak Basics at a local pool. The course covers turns, braces, and rolling, and includes one day on an easy-flowing river in the spring to introduce beginners to river ferries and eddy turns. We also rent a pool for canoe and kayak practice during the long winter months, when unused boats and bones tend to dry out. Club boats are available for those who would just like to try a splash or two before committing to a course or a membership.
Social Events
Our trips are often social experiences in themselves. But we also offer a social evening once a month from September to May so that members can show slides and share experiences. Often we invite speakers on a variety of topics such as wilderness adventures, first aid, and equipment. And there are always the summer barbecues and winter skiing and skating parties.
Membership Benefits
Financial advantages of being a member of the Northwest Voyageurs include:
Highlights
Affiliations
The Northwest Voyageurs are members of Paddle Alberta (formerly the Alberta Recreational Canoe Association) and the Alberta Whitewater Association, through which contact is maintained with the sport of canoeing and kayaking on national and international levels.
Contact Us
For further information or to join the club, contact us at:
The Northwest Voyageurs
Or contact one of our Executive Board Members.