Programs

Canoe/Kayak For All Ages

SUMMER SPORTS CAMP - run out of the Balmy Beach Club at the foot of Beech Ave.

For information on our Summer Sports Camp, which is a full day-camp in one week segments, please see the Summer Camp section of this website. This Camp offers a multi-sport program with an introduction to paddling.

CANOE/KAYAK PROGRAMS at Ashbridges Bay, Lions Club building.

Two sessions are available each year: Spring and Summer, the on-water season, which runs from May 1st - October 31st. and Fall and Winter, from November 1st - April 30th. The following programs are offered during one or both of these sessions.  Scroll down for program descriptions.

  • Atom Canoe/Kayak Program  (Ages 8-9) - July 4- August 10.
  • PeeWee Canoe/Kayak Program (Ages 10-11) July 4-August 19.
  • Bantam Canoe/Kayak Program  (Ages 12-13) – July 4-August 19. 
  • *New Canoe Kids Program (Ages 9-13) July and August - two week sessions.
  • Coach in Training (Ages 13-15) July 4th - 22nd or July 25 to August 12th
  • Development/ High Performance Program (Ages 14 +)
  • War Canoe/C4 Program (Ages 15 +)
  • Masters Program (Ages 25 +)
  • Learn to Paddle Program
  • PaddleALL (Special Needs and Para-athlete Program) - see PaddleALL page.
  • Dragon Boat Program - select "Dragon Boat" from main menu.

Contact Information for coaches can be found on the contact us page.

NB. The Club will issue a Federal Children's Fitness Tax Credit for all children 16 or under, according to the terms of the program. 

*NEW* CANOE KIDS PROGRAM (Ages 9-13, born 1997-2001)

Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Swimming Ultra Level 6 needed. 
Limited to 15 participants per session. 

$275.00 for session 1 or 2 (2 weeks)
$250.00 for session 3

Summer Canoe/Kayak Program Director:  Mari Ellery

The Canoe Kids Program is an introduction to Sprint Canoe/Kayak.  Water safety, knowledge of equipment, on-water instruction of kayak and canoe strokes and balance are emphasized in a fun environment.  Participants will also have an opportunity to paddle in a dragon boat and participate in a variety of on-land sports.  There are three "Blade Levels" that the paddlers will work towards:  Bronze, Silver and Gold.  All Canoe Kids are invited to join the Balmy Beach Canoe Club and participate in the Club's full time Canoe/Kayak program.   Camps are in blocks of two week segments as outlined above.  This Camp takes place at The Ashbridge’s Bay Lion’s Club Boathouse at the Foot of Coxwell Avenue. (see map below)

Registration Form for this Program

 

ATOM CANOE AND KAYAK PROGRAM  (Ages 8 and 9, born in 2001 to 2003)

Monday July 4th to Friday August 12th
Monday to Friday  9:00am to 1:00pm
Swimming Ultra Level 6 needed. 

$600 for full season

Summer Canoe/Kayak Program Director:  Mari Ellery

This is a six week introductory program to Sprint Canoe/Kayak racing for beginners and returning paddlers, with an emphasis on FUN. The program is supervised by trained coaches who will teach the basics of water safety; how to paddle a canoe and kayak, balance and participate in team boats.  As well as canoe and kayak, other sports, games and activities will be offered to provide a fun, active summer experience for your child.  Only participants enrolled in this program will have the opportunity to race in the Western Ontario Atom Championships to be held at Mississauga Canoe Club on Wednesday August 10th at the Mississauga Canoe Club.   The Atom Camp takes place at The Ashbridge’s Bay Lion’s Club Boathouse at the Foot of Coxwell Avenue. (see map below)
Registration Form for this Program 

 

PEEWEE CANOE AND KAYAK PROGRAM (Ages 10-11, Born 1999-2000)

Monday July 4th to Friday August 19th
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Swimming Ultra Level 6 needed. 

$700.00 for full Season

Summer Canoe/Kayak Program Director: Mari Ellery

This seven week program emphasized the FUNdamentals of paddling, using a variety of boats, drills and games in a fun, safe and enjoyable environment.  Water safety, introduction to kilometers on the water, technique and fitness is a focus.  Paddlers have the opportunity to race at the Balmy Beach Regatta, local regattas and the Western Ontario Division Trials.  This Camp takes place at The Ashbridge’s Bay Lion’s Club Boathouse at the Foot of Coxwell Avenue. (see map below)
Registration Form for this Program 

 

 

BANTAM CANOE AND KAYAK PROGRAM  (Ages 12 AND 13, born 1997 to 1998)

Monday, July 4th to Friday, August 19th
Monday to Friday 9:00am to 1:00pm
Swimming Ultra Level 6 needed. 

$700.00 for full season
$750.00 for extended program (as above plus Tues. & Thurs. 5:15-6:30pm and Sat. 10:00-11:30am from May 10th)

Summer Canoe/Kayak Program Director:  Mari Ellery

This seven week program is designed for beginner and returning paddlers.  Participants will enhance their basic paddling skills and learn team racing skills, crew/team boat skills in war canoe, Kayak-4 (K-4) and Canoe-4(C-4), in a fun and safe environment.  A greater emphasis is placed on FUNdamentals of the canoe/kayak sport, including balance, power, technique and speed.  This program is ideal for those active paddlers who love a challenge and would like to further enhance their racing and training skills in singles and crew boats.  Paddlers will be taught the necessary skills to compete at the local and Provincial levels throughout the summer.  Other fitness activities and sports such as soccer, dodge ball, volleyball and capture the flag are played through the summer.   The Bantam Program takes place at The Ashbridge’s Bay Lion’s Club Boathouse at the Foot of Coxwell Avenue. (see map below)
Registration Form for this Program 

 

COACH IN TRAINING (Ages 13-15)

July 4th - 22nd or July 25 to August 12th
Monday to Friday 9:00am to 1:00pm
Swimming Ultra Level 6 needed. 

$275 per three week session

The Balmy Beach Canoe Club Coach in Training Program (CIT) is for motivated 13-15 year olds to gain valuable on-the-job experience over a three week period of time. Pariticipants will gain skills working with paddlers and by "shadowing" staff.  Leadership, responsibility, organizational skills, program planning and delivery and resume composition will be the focus of the program.  The second and third weeks will focus on the application of learned skills and our TIT's will plan and deliver a section of the program with the assistance of the Summer Canoe/Kayak Program Director and staff.  This program takes place at The Ashbridge's Bay Lion's Club Boathouse at the Foot of Coxwell Avenue.(see map below)

An application must be filled out and successful candidates will be notified.  Application for this program

CIT's receive a certificate of completion at the end of each session. 

 

DEVELOPMENT  PROGRAM (Ages 14 +)

Year round program.

Summer fees $800
Winter fees $TBA

Coach:  Rebecca McNamara                                               K4 teamThe Development Program is an introduction to competitive canoe and kayak, as well as a transition from Bantam (under 14 years) into Midget Levels (15 years of age and older). The Development Program is also ideal for those athletes that can train only once daily. Summer practices take place once a day, Monday through Friday afternoon and Saturday mornings. (six sessions per week). Off water summer training includes running, circuit training and soccer.
Registration Form for this Program

 

 

HIGH PERFORMANCE  PROGRAM (Ages 14 +)

Year round program.

Summer fees $800
Winter fees $TBA

Coach:  Peter Martinek (Head Coach).

Mens K1The High Performance Program is designed for experienced  paddlers ranging from Midget to Senior Levels. (15 years of age and up). This program is aimed toward those training with aspirations of making the National Team and World Class Levels. Summer practices take place Monday through Saturday,  twice daily with one morning off per week (ten to twelve sessions per week). Off water summer training includes running, soccer, medicine ball workouts and weight training.
Registration Form for this Program 

 

WAR CANOE / C4 PROGRAM (Ages 15 +)

June 8th – August 29th
Practices held three to four times per week

$375 for season

Coach: Kevin Stott War Canoe                                                 While all participants in Club programs are encouraged to participate in the War Canoe Program, it is also offered as a stand-alone program. This program is designed to meet the competitive needs for youth 14 years and over. War canoe paddling skills are taught, with personal fitness and team building being an integral part of the program. Practices are held two times a week in June and three to four times a week during July and August. Crews can expect to participate in most regattas during July and August, and attend trials for the Ontario Championships and National Championships. Selection of crews at regattas will be the decision of the coaches. Skill and participation at practices will be determining factors.
Registration Form for this Program 

 

MASTERS PROGRAM (Ages 25 +)

The Balmy Beach Canoe Club was established in 1905 as a section of the Balmy Beach Club (BBC).  All adult paddlers must be members of the BBC.

Masters' fees for new members are as follows: Note that this fee includes the $300 initiation fee for first-time members at the Balmy Beach Club

  • $675.00 (includes spring to fall paddling and one year Social Membership at the BBC)
  • $850.00 (includes above plus winter training and one year Fitness Membership at the BBC).

Coach:  Shannon Doyle 

Summer paddling schedule - 2011
Monday & Wednesday - 6:30pm - 8:30 pm
Sunday 10 am - noon.

Returning Masters Pay $375.00

Masters PracticeThe Masters' paddling program is for adults (25 years and up) of all skill levels. Most join as beginners and the median age of our current masters' group is about 44; it's never too late to start! Participants paddle a variety of canoes and kayaks ranging from 1-person boats, 2-person, 4-person and the 15-person war canoe. Paddling is a low impact activity that provides an above-average aerobic workout and leads to greater strength and flexibility in a wide variety of muscles including those in the arms, back and abdomen.
For the Fall 2011 paddling season, the paddling schedule is Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:45pm – 8:00pm and Sunday 10am – 12 noon at our boathouse (Lions club boathouse) at Ashbridges Bay which is at Coxwell and the Lakeshore. (see map below) In addition to these paddling times, members are also eligible to compete at several weekend races (regattas) in southern Ontario (see Regatta Schedule for the complete list). The summer culminates with the CANMAS Masters Championships in late August (held on the Sunday immediately following the National Championships) and the race card includes novice events for new Masters. The Masters Program offers an excellent way to improve aerobic and fitness skills and meet people. During the off-water season, training involves swimming, running and weight training.
Registration Form for this Program 

  

LEARN TO PADDLE PROGRAM

$190 for the month of June.

Womens noviceThe Learn to Paddle Program is an introductory program geared to both adolescents and adults who would like to try the sport of canoe and kayak. Sessions are held at the same time as the Masters Program above (Sunday at 10am and Monday and Wednesday at 7pm)  in June and teach the fundamentals of the sport of canoe and kayak while getting to know the other members of the Masters group.  Coaches are assigned to work with the Learn to Paddle participants to demonstrate correct equipment use and safety measures. 
Registration Form for this Program  


All of the programs detailed on this page operate from this location.

 

 

Balmy Beach has a long tradition of accommodating the special needs of individual athletes where the burden of paying membership fees may prevent them from participating in a program. These situations are handled on a case by case basis and should be discussed with the Head Coach, the Commodore or the Registrar directly