Northwest Voyageurs Canoe and Kayak Club

About Us

Details

Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 January 2012 19:14

Published on Monday, 28 February 2011 20:32

Written by NWV Webmaster

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Northwest Voyageurs is an ideal club in which to have fun and develop your paddling skills with knowledgeable fellow paddlers. We aim to:

• Bring members together to enjoy paddling Alberta's rivers and lakes.
• Improve members' paddling skills.
• Increase paddling safety awareness and practices.
• Promote appreciation and respect for our waterway heritage.

Highlights

• Canoe and recreational & sea kayaking, as well as whitewater kayking
• Weekend and day trips from April to October for all skill levels
• Qualified instruction in canoeing, kayaking, safety preparedness, and tripping
• Winter pool sessions
• Expert paddling and equipment advice from fellow paddlers
• Monthly social events
• Informative monthly newsletter
• Canoe and kayak equipment

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 Trip Package

Our organized and varied trips form the core of our club. From April to October, we offer them all:

• easy day trips,
• weekend camping sojourns,
• several multi-day tours,
• coastal sea kayak adventures, and
• challenging whitewater runs.

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, although sometimes participants are asked to share a campground fee.

Pool Sessions

During the winter, we offer training in a local pool. The courses vary from basic kayaking skills, canoe safety, and rec/sea kayaking.

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:

• Use of club canoe and kayak equipment,
• Insurance for paddling,
• low cost certified paddling instruction,
• Discounts at several outdoor stores in Edmonton.

Affiliations

The Northwest Voyageurs are members of both Paddle Alberta and the Alberta Whitewater Association, provincial bodies through which represent us in the sport of canoeing and kayaking on national and international levels.