Summer at Balmy Beach: More Than a Camp, It’s a Community
- Hayley Plante
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
Every summer at Balmy Beach Canoe Club starts the same way. Boats come down to the water. Athletes arrive early, still a bit sleepy, and leave sandy, tired, and smiling. Coaches shout encouragement from the dock. Parents linger a little longer than planned. And somewhere in the middle of it all, a team starts to take shape.
As registration opens for our summer programs, we’re excited to welcome both returning families and those discovering Balmy Beach for the first time. Whether your athlete is brand new to paddling or already dreaming about racing, summer at the club is about more than just time on the water. It’s about confidence, connection, and finding your place.
A Place to Try Something New
For many athletes, summer is their first introduction to paddling. Our Youth Sprint program is often where that journey begins. Athletes learn the basics of sprint canoe and kayak, rotate through different boats, play games on the beach, and slowly start to feel comfortable in a new environment. There’s no pressure to be the best or the fastest. The goal is to learn, to try, and to have fun doing it.
Some athletes join us for a single week. Others spend the entire summer at the club. Over time, many discover that paddling is their sport, something they want to come back to again and again.
Growing Within the Club
One of the things that makes Balmy Beach special is that everyone trains together. Youth athletes paddle alongside Development and Performance athletes. Masters share the dock with Learn to Paddle participants. Special Olympics and Paracanoe athletes are part of the same community. You’ll often hear younger athletes asking questions of older ones, and older athletes cheering just as loudly for a first-time race as they do for a podium finish.
As athletes grow, so do their opportunities. Some move from Youth Sprint into our U14 Development program, adding extra training and racing experience. Others continue paddling purely for enjoyment. Adults who join through Learn to Paddle often find themselves part of our Masters program, discovering a new routine, a new challenge, and a new group of friends.
There’s no single “right” path. What matters is that athletes feel supported wherever they are.
Summer Isn’t Just a Season Here
For many families, Balmy Beach becomes part of their year-round rhythm. Full summer athletes continue paddling in the spring and fall. Masters train through the winter. Athletes show up to support each other at regattas, club events, and early-morning practices.
That sense of continuity is intentional. We believe sport should be something you grow into, not something you age out of.
Registration Is Now Open
Registration for our summer programs is now live, including:
Youth Sprint (weekly and full summer options)
If you’re new to the club, we encourage you to explore the program pages on our website and reach out with questions. If you’re returning, we can’t wait to see you back at the dock.
Summer at Balmy Beach is about more than training or camps. It’s about becoming part of a team, finding confidence on and off the water, and building memories that last long after the boats are put away.
We’re ready for another great season. We hope you’ll join us.
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