Water Based Programs

Sea Kayak After Class (3 Sessions)

September 12, 19, & 26 (Tuesdays) - 4:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

This program is a multiple session offering designed to give students more experience in sea kayaks compared to our one day sea kayak activity. Over the course of the individual ses sions students learn basic sea kayaking techniques and get to paddle in different locations around Nanaimo. Students learn how to prepare for a sea kayak day trip, how to enter and exit a kayak, and basic strokes. The late afternoon, evening and into sunset is a beautiful time to be on the water paddling a sea kayak.

Surfing - Day Trip

September 30 or October 28 or March 23 or April 6. Each trip runs from 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

This is a fun and exciting day of surf instruction and surfing in Pacific Rim National Park. While on the beach students are given a pre-trip information session covering the following topics: surf formation and surf dynamics, surfing hazards, personal hazards, and how to surf. After the information session students then spend the rest of the day surfing. Depending on the weather and student interest, we normally spend about 3.5 hours surfing, and then travel back to Nanaimo. This makes for a great day trip to the coast.

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September 30, October 28, March 23, April 6 (Registration for 2024 sessions to open later in 2023)

Surfing/Hiking Weekend

November 11-13 and March 15-17

This is a fun and exciting weekend of surfing and hiking in the area of Pacific Rim National Park!

We leave VIU on in the morning and travel to a local beach to do some surfing. Once at our surf beach, students are given a pre-trip information session covering the following topics: surf formation and surf dynamics, surfing hazards, personal hazards, and how to surf. After the information session, students then spend the rest of the day surfing.

After surfing, we head our accommodations for the weekend at Surfs Inn in Ucluelet. We continue surfing and hiking all weekend before returning to VIU. We may visit a variety of beaches in Pacific Rim National Park and Tofino depending on swell size and weather conditions. Normally, the group goes out for dinner on the final night but this is optional. Our accommodation has a full kitchen and please check the provided link for more accommodation information:

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November 11-13, March 15-17 (Registration for 2024 programs to open later in 2023)

Stand Up Paddle Board

Sunday, February 25 - 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

This one-day session is designed as an introduction to the popular new sport of standup paddle boarding (SUP). Over the course of the activity students learn basic SUP paddling techniques. Students learn how to prepare for a SUP day trip, how to get on and standup on the board and basic strokes. We are hoping for strong winds for this event so we can do a local downwind run with our SUPs.

Registration for 2024 programs to open later in 2023.

Stand Up Paddle Board Camping (Weekend)

Saturday, March 30 (11 a.m.) to Sunday, March 31 (12 p.m.)

Enjoy an overnight camping trip along with plenty of Stand Up Paddle Boarding at Saysutshun (Newcastle Island) Marine Provincial Park. More details upcoming!

Registration for 2024 programs to open later in 2023.

River Rafting 

Friday, April 5 - 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

This is a fun and exciting day of river rafting. The upper Nanaimo River is the river run we use for this rafting trip. Students are given an extensive pre-trip information session before we go rafting for the day. All course participants are given a full wetsuit that is worn while in the rafts. The river is very scenic and has some excellent whitewater rapids that we run in the inflatable rafts. We normally have lunch midway down our river run. Students should expect to carry rafts and rafting gear to and from the river. 

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April 5 (Registration for 2024 programs to open later in 2023.)