Frequently Asked Questions
The club has an annual general meeting (usually end of January each year) that prospective
members can attend. Also, the club has various outings and events throughout the year that
one can attend as a guest (season opener and ender paddles, paddlers breakfasts etc.). You
can always inquire as to when the next opportunity might be. We do allow guests to come and join us a few times before requiring a membership purchase.
Absolutely, members enjoy spending time with one another in many ways. In addition to
paddling activities members also enjoy hiking, camping, winter activities such as volleyball,
curling and paddler’s breakfasts!
We have a members only Facebook group that members can post their equipment for sale (and
also on our public facing group page).
The WECCC membership season is from April to April each year however if joining in the late fall/winter months of that year, it would be considered as membership for the following year as well.
Short answer is yes, if you are interested in joining the club, one of our members may be able to
loan you a boat to try, however on a regular basis you would really need your own boat. We do allow prospective members to join us as a guest a few times prior to joining the club.
No experience required! Just be eager to learn and have fun while being safe on the water.
Each boater must have:
- a proper boat for the conditions of the outing.
- proper clothing for air and water temperature. Never wear cotton on the water.
- a proper fitting PFD worn at all times (Canadian Approved if you are Canadian)
- a sounding device (normally a whistle)
- a boyant throw rope (15M)
- a Bailer/Pump
- a working waterproof flashlight if boat is over 6m
- a working waterproof flashlight if paddling close to sunset or sunrise
- a 360deg white light if paddling after sunset or before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility
- a spare propelling device – Large groups can share
- your boat should have 2 sealed bulkheads or air bags.
- a spray skirt is highly recommended and near mandatory
The MC or Montreal Canoe is a 16 person Montreal Voyageur Canoe that was purchased by
the club in the early 1980’s.
Members who have been trained to navigate, load/unload and trailer the Montreal Canoe can use it. We suggest 8 experienced paddles, a max of 16. Each participant needs to fill in a liability waiver. We also have three canoes with a trailer that are to be used by any member. There are forms on the webpage that need to be filled in with a returnable depot. Email the equipment director to make arrangements.
A rec boat is one that generally does not have any bulkheads (sealed waterproof sections of the
hull). Often these are open sit on top or decked boats with big unsealed openings. These are
often inexpensive boats that can be purchased at Costco or Canadian Tire etc. Usually these
are shorter and wider boats.
A sea kayak is one that has at least one sealed bulkhead providing much more floatation and
safety on the water (and it also helps keep your gear and snacks dry in the case of a tip over!).
These are often longer and more narrow.
- REC KAYAK PRO’S: inexpensive, easy to find. Can be easier to transport.
- REC KAYAK CON’S: no skeg or rudder so tracking can be difficult in wind or rough water. They are often slow boats to paddle and keeping up with sea kayaks can be difficult. Safety is a concern since they do not have sealed bulkheads. (The reason Bulkhead improves safety; When you tip the cockpit will fill with water, with bulkheads only ⅓ of the boat if full of water, you can right the boat and it will still float, you can paddle it, and it’s easy to expel the water. A Rec boat when righted is still Full of water, will not prove any floatation and is Very difficult to empty of water and re-enter. Abandoning the kayak is a very real option in this situation.)
- SEA KAYAK PRO’S: Improved safety and waterproofing due to sealed bulkheads, they often have skegs or rudders which greatly improve tracking in wind or rough water. Easier to paddle faster than a rec kayak due to being generally longer and narrower. They are designed to be used with spray skirts, they repel water from entering the cockpit. This allows you to go in rougher water and also do rolls and other advanced moves. They are also much easier to re-enter in open water.
- SEA KAYAK CON’S: Generally, a fair bit more expensive than a Rec Kayak. They are often heavier and longer which can make transportation more difficult.
WECCC sends this information out to its members by email. Also, some paddlers may have
discussions on the members only Facebook group as well.