Club Locarno upcoming events

Kayak Rental: One Single (20 Aug 2026)

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Kayaks must be rented in order to use them overnight or for trips that don't originate at the JSCA. Please confirm rental availability by contacting the Kayak Director at kayaking@clublocarno.com or on the Club Locarno slack channel.

A craft can be rented for up to ten days, and rentals are limited to one per member and four boats at any one time. Double kayaks are available to one member and a guest. You take full responsibility for loss and damage when you rent gear from the club. More details on rentals can be found here.
Rentals are on a first-come, first served basis according to registration date. Lessons and other club events have priority over rentals, so please check the calendar for scheduled lessons and checkouts when planning your trip.

Boats cannot be reserved ahead of time so you should plan on picking up the boat(s) of choice either at dusk of the evening prior to rental or early on the day of the rental (particularly important if you are relying on a double). Ensure you have appropriate gear to transport the boats safely. There are some foam blocks and straps in the kayak shed.

Craft signout: When you pickup your rental boat, you must sign out the boat under Rentals on the Craft Signout including the date and estimated time of return. Please do NOT sign out a rental craft until you pick it up.

Once the Kayak Director has confirmed your rental you will be you will be given a rental code to complete your booking.

We encourage all kayak renters to participate in the BC Marine Trails Coastal Caretakers program for site cleaning and reporting. We also recommend reviewing the Respectful Recreation video produced by the Nanwakolas Council in the event you land on any unceded first nations territories.

Social Kayak (25 Aug 2026)

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Social Paddle. Watch the #kayak Slack channel for changes to the schedule or cancellation.

We'll meet at 6pm for a 6:30pm launch.

This is a member run, weekly kayak and a chance to meet other paddlers - perhaps plan future excursions. The socials will vary depending on the weather and the group, from just a nice easy paddle to slightly more strenuous. The group will stay together for the social.

Guests & new members: NEW MEMBERS ARE WELCOME (provided you have kayaking experience)! Check with the Kayak Director to see if someone might be able to sign you out as a guest and that you have suitable skills to join the social paddle. You may also bring a guest who has kayak paddling experience (remember you are responsible for guests & equipment you sign out).

Please register for the event, and cancel if you can't make it so others know if they will have company. Please check if others are registered before turning up, unless you're happy to paddle alone.

Weather permitting - we'll probably cancel if its raining or winds higher than 20km/h. Please watch the #kayak channel on Club Locarno Slack for last minute changes.

If you'd like to sponsor a social kayak join the #kayak-social-paddle-leaders slack channel.

Kayak Rental: Four Singles (31 Aug 2026)

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Once the Kayak Director has confirmed your rental you will be you will be given a rental code to complete your booking.

Social Kayak (01 Sep 2026)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Social Paddle. Watch the #kayak Slack channel for changes to the schedule or cancellation.

We'll meet at 6pm for a 6:30pm launch.

Weather permitting - we'll probably cancel if its raining or winds higher than 20km/h. Please watch the #kayak channel on Club Locarno Slack for last minute changes.

If you'd like to sponsor a social kayak join the #kayak-social-paddle-leaders slack channel.

Kayaking Lesson: Paddle Canada Level 1 (05 Sep 2026)

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Our Paddle Canada Level 1 lesson provides the skill and knowledge necessary for day-long sea kayaking trips in sheltered waters (non-wilderness areas). Successful completion of Level-1 indicates competence to paddle a sea kayak within a sheltered bay in the company of one or more paddlers with Level-1 or greater skill and knowledge. This class is delivered over a weekend:

Saturday 9am-5pm
Sunday 9am-5pm

Cost: $175

Successful candidates earn a Paddle Canada Level 1 skills certification. The full Paddle Canada course outline is here

Prerequisite: Paddle Canada Basic Kayak skills certification or equivalent skill and knowledge.

Requirements: We provide PFD's, you must bring a wetsuit (either your own or you can rent at Windsure) or a dry suit.

Lessons will start on the hour - please arrive a bit early. We will start on land and have an opportunity to change into wetsuits before we launch.

What to Bring

Mandatory:

Wetsuit or Drysuit: A 3mm 3/4 sleeveless wetsuit (farmer john/jane) is ideal for kayaking, with a jacket and insulation layers on top. I prefer getting it in 2 pieces - neoprene pants and a vest, it's more versatile and comfortable. If you have a full body wetsuit, it's fine for the course, but you may find it uncomfortable and too hot for regular paddling. A shorty is not acceptable - not warm enough for our ocean water temperatures. You can rent wetsuits from Jericho Kayak Centre, Mac Sailing, or Windsure. Please book it with them in advance to make sure that they're open and can accommodate you. Or use a dry suit.

Footwear: For warmth, and protection from cuts, scrapes, and blisters. A 3mm neoprene high top bootie with no zipper is ideal, but any neoprene bootie, water shoe, sport sandal, or old runners will do for the course.

Food: The Galley is too slow for our lunch break, so please bring your own food, including on-water snacks. This is a physical course, so it's important to stay fueled and hydrated

Water: Have a bottle that you can bring on the water with you. There is a filtered water dispenser for filling bottles on site.

Recommended:

Sunglasses: Highly recommend having a strap, and either floating sunglasses or a floating strap. Polarized is better. The sea gods of English Bay demand occasional tribute of sunglasses, so avoid bringing expensive designer glasses.

Glasses strap: If you wear prescription glasses, a floating strap is a good investment

Sunscreen: There is no shade on the water, and the sun reflects of the surface, so the sun exposure is much higher than on land. Mineral-based (zinc or titanium oxide) sunscreens are more effective and less damaging to sea life.

Dry Warm Clothes: Expect to be cold when we get off the water. You will appreciate having some dry warm clothes (and possibly a towel) waiting for you.

Phone and Case: When you bring your phone on the water, keep it in a waterproof case.

Gloves: For warmth and to prevent blisters. Fingerless gloves are best

Hat: A wide brim, floating hat with a chin strap is ideal.

The best places to get paddling gear are Coast Outdoors in North Vancouver and Western Canoe and Kayak

Notes:

We try to finish on time, but it's not guaranteed, so please don't book anything immediately following the course.
It can be a physically challenging course, so take care of yourself, and plan to get sufficient rest, sleep, and nutrition on Saturday night.

Cancellation Policy: There is no refund. Cancellation will only be accepted up to 3 days in advance of the course when you may transfer to another course if one is available.

Canoe Checkout (31 Dec 2026)

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Canoe checkout

The canoe is available for Club Locarno members who are members of, and checked-out, on SUP, Kayak/Surfski or Rowing fleets. To check out for the canoe, you must read the canoe usage guidelines and rules, and confirm that you have done so.

To checkout on the canoe - contact the Club Locarno Kayak Director at kayaking@clublocarno.com

Once you are checked for the canoe you can paddle from JSCA, or, for a nominal fee, rent the canoe for off-site use.