Rescues in Current

• 2026 Dates: April 12
• Skill Level: Previous current experience required
• Location: Gabriola Passage
• Duration: 3 hours
• Seats: 4
• Cost: $150 per person

This three-hour clinic covers strategies and techniques for effective rescues and incident management in current, plus lots of practice with both real and simulated rescue situations. Registrants must already be competent maneuvering in current and must be prepared to be active participants in rescue scenarios as both rescuers and swimmers.

2026 Dates & Locations

• Sunday April 12 from 12:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
  Gabriola Passage, ebb current; max current speed 4-4.5 knots

More dates may be announced during the season. Join our mailing list to stay in the loop.

The launch site for this course is on Gabriola Island. Participants must take a 25-minute ferry from BC Ferries’ downtown Nanaimo Harbour Terminal. The ferry runs regularly, reservations are not required, and fares cover a round trip.

Class Size & Fees

• $150 per person, GST included.
• Two students minimum; four students maximum.
• Ferry travel to/from Gabriola Island is not included in the course fee.

Prerequisites

• Previous training and experience paddling in currents.
• Already able to execute the concepts of ferrying across current and turning in/out of eddies using edging and bracing.
• Comfortable paddling in wind waves.
• Comfortable performing wet exits and re-entry procedures in moving water.
• Able to complete re-entry procedures independently, without instruction or prompting.
• Able to maintain an ongoing paddling speed of at least 2 knots, and a maximum paddling speed of at least 3 knots (for short bursts).

Required Equipment

• Sea kayak with full spray skirt, paddle and Transport-Canada required safety equipment. Please make sure your kayak has static (non-stretchy) perimeter lines around the full front and back decks.
• PFD with whistle attached. Please make sure you can blow your whistle quickly and easily while on the water.
• Appropriate immersion gear: drysuit plus layers OR full-body wetsuit thick enough for the shoulder season.
• Appropriate neoprene accessories: e.g., gloves, pogies, surf cap, surf hood, etc.
• Paddling helmet.
• Appropriate sun protection: e.g., ballcap under helmet, sunglasses on cinch cord, sunscreen, etc.
• Adequate snacks and water, plus a warm beverage in a thermos. Please ensure your snacks and water are easily accessible in your PFD or on your deck. We will not have a dedicated break during the clinic, but we can rest in the eddies and there is a spot to get out if needed.
• Extra set of warm dry clothes in a drybag.
• Optional: nose clip and/or earplugs, if you are sensitive to cold water.
• Signed waiver and medical forms, provided two weeks prior to the course start date.