A summer of fun in the great outdoors is waiting for you at the Sackawa Canoe Club. Stay active and fit while you spend your days on the water learning about and developing skills in the sport of canoe and kayak. Your days will also include dryland training, activities, games, and more. Make lifelong friends, and have a summer you’ll never forget. Registration is now open for weekly and full summer paddling programs.
Sackawa Canoe Club is located on First Lake in Lower Sackville and was established over 40 years ago. This not-for-profit organization offers youth the opportunity to learn the sport of canoe and kayak in a safe and fun environment with their peers. Sackawa aims to develop paddling skills and also encourages life skill development to help athletes excel in sports and beyond. The coaching staff shares their knowledge and love of the sport to encourage athletes to not only have fun, but build skills to compete in local, national, and even international competitions.
Summer Paddling Program
The Summer Paddling Program is an 8-week program for children ages 8 years and up. Participants will be grouped according to age (U10, U12, U14, U16) and no prior paddling experience is necessary for any of the paddling levels. Beginners are given the opportunity to learn canoeing and kayaking in both single and team boats. More experienced paddlers can improve their skills to compete not only locally and regionally, but nationally and beyond.
U10
The U10 group will be on the water twice a day; once in singles (canoe/kayak) and once in a team boat (war canoe). These young paddlers will focus on fun while starting to develop balance and technical skills. Athletes will learn about the equipment, how to care for and store it, and most importantly they will learn boat safety. The paddlers will be encouraged to engage in the camaraderie of the sport, respecting fellow athletes and fair practices. The program will also include dryland training, outdoor sports, activities, and games. The U10 group will be given the opportunity to attend regattas, a fun introduction to racing competition, on select weekends throughout the summer.
U12/U14/U16
Paddlers in U12/U14/U16 will have three scheduled sessions per day that will consist of both times on the water and dryland. This will include singles (canoe/kayak), team boat (dragon boat), sand court sports, activities, games, and more. For those paddlers who are new to the sport, emphasis will be on safety, equipment care, and a positive training environment while learning skills through the FUNdamentals program. More experienced paddlers will further develop and refine their paddling skills while working towards racing and more high-performance training. Participation in regattas at this level is considered mandatory.
Cost: 8 to 10 years – $1300 | 11 years and older – $950
Dates: July 3rd – August 25th
2 Week-Long Paddling Camps
The weekly camps are an exciting introduction program for children ages 8 and older. Each day, experienced coaches will provide the campers with a mix of on-water and off-water activities, including canoeing, kayaking, swimming, soccer and more. Each day will include sessions exploring beautiful First Lake in boats, with participants learning the basics of paddling in a safe environment. These day camps give participants an opportunity to try the sport without committing to a full summer.
Cost: $550/ 2 weeks
Dates: July 3rd – 14th | July 17th – 28th | July 31st – August 11th | August 14th – 25th
Sackawa Canoe Club – Summer Camps
When: July 3rd – August 25th, 2023
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (early drop off 7:30 am/late pickup 5:30 pm)
Where: 159 First Lake Drive, Lower Sackville
Website: www.sackawa.ca/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sackawa
Phone: 902-252-7225
Email: info@sackawa.ca