New Members info

This page is full of useful information for all new members. You’ll find out how to get involved in the clubs, selecting the appropriate boat, reserving the boats, and caring for the books. Please take a few minutes to read this page.

Scroll down the page to read everything, or click on the title below to jump to the area of interest.

Participating in club activities
Introduction to the facilities and boats
Included in your membership
Racing
Getting out in a boat

Paddling direction on lake - watch out for the rowers!
What to do if you capsize – stay calm!
Boat Priorities – coached programs get first dibs!
Reservation System – you can plan ahead!
Types and Numbering of Boats – use the one appropriate for your skill level.
Boat Storage System – put it back where you found it.
General care of boats – treat them gently.
Removing BCKC boats from the premises

Participating in club activities

We welcome and encourage everyone to join in club activities. Two ways to keep informed about upcoming activities are:
- join the email list. The executive and coach use this mailing list to communicate about meetings, events and races. To subscribe to the mail list, send a request to .

Please note: we do not give out email addresses, and you can unsubscribe at anytime.

- Attend the General Meetings. All club members are welcome to the General Meetings, which are held the last Wednesday of each month. The agenda, meeting time and place will be announced each month via the mailing list.

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Introduction to the facilities and boats

To arrange a tour of the boathouse, do one of the following:
- Talk to the Coaches or athletes after practices (check Training Schedule). The coaches are:

• Lynn – Head Coach (1st photo on right)
• Coming Soon– Summer Program Director (2nd photo on the right)
• Coming Soon– Summer Coaches (3rd picture on the Right)

- Email or call 604-267-2256 (leave a message) to make an appointment.

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Included in your membership

Included in your membership fee is unlimited use of boats and the facilities. When using the boats and facilities on your own, please remember the following:
- ensure boats are not being used by a coached program, as the coached programs take priority over casual use
- do not paddle alone
- ensure you have the proper equipment (appropriate boat for your skill level, lifejacket, whistle, suitable clothing)

There are a variety of coached programs available for all ages. Visit the programs page on the website to find out more about the programs available. To join a program, speak to one of the coaches.

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Racing

There are many regattas each year, with races for all ages and abilities. The races are in the Lower Mainland, Seattle, Nanaimo, Regina, etc.

The regatta schedule is posted on the website. If you want to participate, just let Lynn know. She is always around the boathouse, or can be reached coach@burnabylake.com.

If you choose to race, you will need to purchase an emerald green BCKC race singlet as race rules dictate that all racers must wear club colours. There are two choices for BCKC race singlets: There is a $5 for a mesh singlet, or a $34 technical quick-dry singlet. Contact one of the coaches or the Executive to purchase a singlet. There are a limited number of mesh singlets available, or the technical quick-dry singlets are available in men’s sizes small to extra large. To place an order, send an email to info@burnabylake.com specifying the size that you want.

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Getting out in a boat

Now that you are a member, it is time to get paddling! There are a few basic rules that everyone must follow when on the water.
1. Always wear a life jacket if under 14 years of age, or if the water temperature is below 8°C, or if you cannot swim 500 meters comfortably.
2. Always paddle with a friend.
3. Wear appropriate clothing: No cotton or bulky clothes - quick dry synthetics as used for running or biking are great. Clothing should fit snug to not get caught in equipment and to assist in insulating from the cold. In winter neoprene pants and shirts are great to prevent hypothermia.
Please take the time to review all the rules in the BCKC Handbook before getting on the water the first time.

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Paddling direction on lake - watch out for the rowers!

Now that you are on the water, you need to know which way to go, and how to avoid the other boats.

Paddlers (canoes and kayaks) and rowers (rowing shells) have been sharing the waters of Burnaby Lake for years. Since rowers travel backwards and can’t see where they are going, us paddlers must follow a few simple rules to keep everyone safe on the water.

• At all times while paddling, be alert to rowers coming towards you as well as those coming up from behind. Rowers are generally faster than paddlers, so it is possible for them to sneak up on you.
• There is a simple traffic pattern on the lake that everyone must follow. When paddling anywhere between the dock and 500 metre east of the dock (first platform), stay as close as possible to the lily pads (south side of lake).
• Once past the 500 metre mark, paddle in a counter-clockwise manner always keeping the line of white buoys on your left.
• Note that rowers will be traveling in the opposite direction and it is your responsibility to get out of their way as they cannot see you. If you don’t feel you have enough time to get out of the way, yell “Rower! Paddler ahead!” and the rower will usually stop or slow down to give you time to get out of the way.

While these rules may sound a little scary, once you get the hang of it you’ll hardly notice the rowers at all!

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What to do if you capsize – stay calm!

Capsizing (tipping) will happen to everyone at some time. Unlike sea kayaks, racing boats are not made to get back into when still out on the water and do not have the buoyancy to stay afloat. Remember the following steps if you capsize.
1. Stay calm - it's just water!
2. Turn the boat right side up immediately. Do NOT hold on to the boat while it is still upside down. It will sink.
3. Try not to let go of your paddle, unless there is someone around to get it. Place the paddle in the boat.
4. Put on your life jacket if you are not already wearing it.
5. Signal any other people on the lake using the whistle on your PFD and or waving with your paddle. Then, while holding onto the boat, tuck yourself into a ball by holding your knees to your chest to minimize your heat loss while awaiting rescue.
6. If there isn’t a motor boat nearby to help you, swim to the nearest platform, dock or to shore. It is important, especially in cold water, to get out of the water as soon as possible. All platforms have wooden ladders on the west side (facing the boathouse dock). You might have to swim around the platform to find it. Be careful using the platforms as they are old. The easiest way to swim with a boat is to push it with your hands, while kicking your feet.
7. If you can't swim with the boat, let go off it. It will float if it is right side up and you or someone else can come back out to get it with the motorboat.
8. Once out of the water, wait for the motorboat to arrive or, get back into your boat if you still have all your equipment and paddle to the dock.
9. Once back at the boathouse enjoy a long hot shower!!!!!

What do I do if I see my partner capsizes?
1. Stay with him/her until you are satisfied they are in a safe position.
2. Get help. Don't try to help them yourself, that usually ends up with two people in the water.

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Boat Priorities – coached programs get first dibs!

Coached programs have priority for all club boats. Boats are not to be used by general members if there is a coached program in progress, unless discussed with the coach in charge. The monthly schedule can be found under the whiteboard and on the website.

Outside scheduled practice times, all club members can use the boats.

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Reservation System – you can plan ahead!

All members can reserve a boat up to one week in advance for a maximum period of 90 minutes per day.

There is a calendar under the whiteboard on the right side of the big door when you enter the boathouse. Enter your name, the boat name and/or number (number system explained in “Types and Numbering of Boats” section) and exact time on the calendar. When you reserve a boat, make sure to show up in time to claim the boat. If you are more than 15 minutes late for you reservation, your reservation is considered to be cancelled.

You may not reserve a boat during scheduled practice times.

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Types and Numbering of Boats – use the one appropriate for your skill level.

All BCKC boats display a number on the left side of the bow to identify them as a club boat. If you see a boat without a number it is likely a private one and not to be used without special permission by the owner. Club boats are usually free to be used by all club members but make sure that the boat you are using reflects your level of experience and size:

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Boat Storage System – put it back where you found it.

Boathouse space is limited. In order to optimize boat storage all boats have designated locations. Each rack has written on it the numbers of the boats to be stored. You can also refer to the printout of the storage system underneath the whiteboard. Please always put your boat back into the same spot you got it from. If you see a boat being stored in the wrong location, please help out by moving it back to its designated spot.

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General care of boats – treat them gently.

Racing boats are delicate objects and need special care when handling them. Please follow a few simple rules and we all get more enjoyment out of the equipment.
1. Ask for help carrying the boat, especially when the dock is wet. Two people are required to carry a K1 if one of the people is less than 14 years old.
2. Always store the boat upside down on the dock or on stands and not on the hull to prevent scratching it (except Beginners boats).
3. Avoid banging the rudder while handling the boat. It is easy to damage on impact and makes it difficult or even impossible to steer the boat.
4. NEVER sit in the boat if it is not on the water.
5. Make sure the boat is in good operating order before you start your paddle. If you find a problem and you can't easily fix it, please report it on the white board.
6. On the water, stay clear of all other boats and prevent collisions.
7. After your paddle, remove all equipment from the boat you had to put in when you started (life jackets, some of the seats, knee blocks...).
8. On the dock, empty all the water out of the boat.
9. Return all equipment back to where you got it from. That includes the boat, life jackets, paddles, knee blocks seats, etc.
10. Dry off the wooden boats using a towel.
11. If you are taking a break from paddling but leave your boat on the dock, make sure to move it to the south side of the dock out of harms way. Other people will want to use the dock to access the lake. Remember we share the dock with the rowers and the general public.
12. If you are the last one off the lake, make sure nothing is left on the dock when you lock up the boathouse.

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Removing BCKC boats from the premises

BCKC members are not allowed to remove boats from the boathouse without written permission from a club executive, except for regattas and training camps where it is the head coach's decision. Individuals participating in coached programs will have priority to a particular boat for use in regattas. If you are not part of a coached program, let the coaches know if you want to participate in regattas. They will let you know which boats will be available and possibly consider you for teamboats.

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