The Whistler Kayak Club, based at Captain Holiday’s facility in Wayside Park on Alta Lake, is looking for new members to participate in its adult drop-in sessions every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Beginners and experienced kayakers are welcome to join for $30 a year plus a $5 drop-in fee.
For beginners, that fee includes the use of Captain Holiday’s equipment and some instruction, providing you stay in Alta Lake. More experienced kayakers will head to different local boating spots, and be divided into groups based on ability to tackle different parts of the river.
"There are a lot of people in Whistler who know how to kayak, they have some of the equipment, they just don’t know a lot of people yet. This gives those people a chance to network, try out a few new runs, work on their skills, that kind of thing," explains Don Butler of Captain Holiday’s. "Then there are people who want to learn, and what we want to do is set them up on Alta Lake with boats, and let them learn to paddle there. We hope to have someone there who can teach people a few of the skills they’ll need to get out there on the rivers."
In addition to giving experienced kayakers a venue to meet other kayakers bringing new people to the sport, Butler says it is also his goal to boost numbers in the Whitewater Kayaking Association of B.C., which is included in a Whistler Kayak Club membership.
"We’ve been up against it a lot lately, what the parks are going to do (about access), the run-of-river hydroelectric issue…. The more members we get, the greater numbers we have on our side," says Butler.
Call 604-905-2925 or write info@kayakwhistler.com for more details.
EVENTS
What: CrankWorx Freeride Mountain Bike Festival
Where: Whistler Village, bike park
When: Thursday, July 22 to Sunday, July 25
The CrankWorx Freeride Mountain Bike Festival features five freeride competitions, demonstrations of trials biking and North Shore riding, live concerts, and more. The complete schedule is available on the Web site at www.crankworx.com. Spaces are still available in most events.
What: Whistler Creek Cup
Where: Local creeks
When: Friday, July 23 to Sunday, July 25
Kayakers from around the province and the Western U.S. are expected to take part in this inaugural race down three of Whistler’s top whitewater kayak runs – the Upper Cheakamus River, the Soo River and Callaghan Creek. The runs get progressively harder each day, with each section expected to take paddlers 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Paddlers will leave the put-in 15 seconds apart, so there should be lots of passing. The winner will be the kayaker with the lowest combined time over three days. Call 250-490-6452 for more information or visit www.reelrooster.com.
What: Whistler 7’s Tournament
Where: Whistler Secondary School
When: Saturday, July 24 starting at approximately 10 a.m.
The Whistler Hoary Marmots Rugby Football Club is hosting their annual 7-a-side tournament and club fundraiser. Teams from the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island are expected, with prizes for the top teams. Women’s teams have also been invited. Games are 15 minutes long with two seven minute half’s and a one minute half.
What: Loonie Race
Where: Trails TBA.
When: Thursday, July 29. Sign-in at 5:30 p.m., race starts at 6:30 p.m.
More information will be available on the WORCA Web site at www.worca.com or by calling the WORCA Hotline at 604-938-9893.
ACTIVITIES
What: Willies Ride
Where: Meet at Wild Willies store at Nesters
When: Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
Join the Wild Willies crew for Monday night rides – not races – on some of Whistler’s best singletrack trails. Groups will be broken up according to their riding ability and guided by local mountain bikers.
What: Rugby
Where: Whistler Secondary School field
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m.
Join the Whistler Hoary Marmots RFC throughout the summer as they train twice a week, no experience necessary, men and women welcome. It’s a great way to get in shape for casual players, and there will be opportunities to play in exhibition matches and tournaments throughout the season.
What: Ultimate
Where: Myrtle Philip Secondary School fields
When: Wednesday at 6 p.m.
The Ultimate season is underway and local teams are looking for new players. Experience is helpful, but not a requirement. Bring some turf cleats and both a light and dark T-shirt to the game. Contact Tasso Lazaridis at 604-902-DISC (3472) for more information.
What: Trail Running
Where: Meet at Escape Route
When: Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
Join Whistler Running Experience for a group run around local trails. No experience is necessary as groups will be broken into beginner, intermediate and advanced runners.
What: Whistler Kayak Club
Where: Beginners meet at Wayside Park
When: Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
It costs $30 to join and $5 for a weekly drop-in fee. This is a great deal for beginners who want to learn to kayak with experienced professionals. More experienced kayakers will meet at different local creeks each week and break into groups based on their skill levels. Call 604-905-2925 or write info@kayakwhistler.com for more details.
