Youth Kayaking Skills Summer Camp on Bowen Island

Our trained kayak guides will take your teenagers’ kayaking skills to the next level on this four day summer camp.  This kayaking camp is an excellent way to give your 13-17 year olds skills and confidence on the water.  This will enable them to explore Bowen Island’s beautiful shores more safely by kayak.  This camp is very popular with families living on Bowen Island and also Vancouver North Shore children.  Bowen island is surprisingly easy to get to and the ferry ride is part of the adventure!  Only 6 places are available on this camp, with two instructors to ensure your teen gets the best experience.  Build new friendships and expand your kayaking skills this summer.

Youth Skills Kayaking camp details

The sheltered waters of Deep Bay/Kwilákm, is where most of the learning takes place.  We launch every day from Sandy Beach, just a short walk from the kayak shop in Snug Cove.   

On day one we work with each of the paddlers to select the best kayak for them.  This kayak will be theirs for the week and once selected our guides will remind our paddlers about the different parts of the kayak.  Paddling basics and kayaking safety focus heavily on morning one, to make sure all the paddlers are aware of expected behaviour.  Each paddler will be fitted with a Personal Flotation Device, please make sure to read our ‘what to bring’ information!   

After the first morning briefing it’s time to hit the ocean!  The first afternoon is about practicing forward strokes,  stopping, and efficiently turning a kayak.  It serves as a reminder for those who have kayaked before and an introduction for those new to the sport.

   The next few days our kayakers build upon the foundational skills and start to explore more.  It’s not all learning, we will have some races and paddle further up and down the coastline.  We will venture as far as Apodaca to the South and Cates Bay to the North.  

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Pricing:
$479 per youth 13+

Dates:
August 5-8, 2025

Time:
9:45am - 3:45pm

Bowen Island drop off and pick-up logistics

Youth Skills Summer Camp runs Tuesday to Friday from 9:45 am until 3:45 pm.  If you live on Bowen Island either full time or during the summer months you are eligible for a 15% discount on our summer camps. Use promo code BOWEN15 on your booking.

North Shore drop off and pick-up logistics

Your paddler will need to be on the 9.05am ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Snug Cove Bowen Island.  Ticket cut off is around 15 minutes before sailing, don’t miss the boat! They will arrive back in Horseshoe Bay at around 4:20pm.

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Kayaking Skills covered on the camp

During the 4 day camp, our Instructor level guide will teach all the skills needed to award the Paddle Canada BASIC Kayak Skills Certification.  Each day, there will be a certification element, with the following skills covered:  

  • Wet exists and assisted re-entries

  • Forward and reverse strokes

  • Stopping

  • Forward and reverse sweep strokes

  • Bracing and Edging

  • Risk assessment and mitigation

  • Injury prevention

  • Navigation

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Online booking information

  1. Select the Tuesday start date from the calendar below. 

  2. Indicate the number of paddlers who will attend.

  3. Complete the registration form including the paddlers name and age.

  4. A 50% deposit is required at the time of registration. The final payment will be due 30 days before camp begins.  An email will be sent to remind you and notify you what paddlers should bring to camp.

If you have any questions please email info@bowenislandkayaking.com. If your preferred week is no longer available we can add you to the waitlist. 

For younger paddlers please check out Kids Kayak Camps camp for 8-12 years.

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