Richmond Hill Canoe Club is a Sprint Racing Club affiliated with Canoe Ontario and the CanoeKayak Canada. Within the CKC, we are in the Western Ontario Division.  It is a non-profit organization operated by an elected board of volunteers and has been active since 1991. The head coach is a paid professional. The club trains at Lake Wilcox, located on Bayview Avenue south of Bloomington Road east of Oak Ridges. Several competitive programs are offered, promoting fun and fitness for ages 10 to 80. Competition takes the form of "sprint races", generally of 500 or 1000 m in length, with single paddlers or teams of 2 or 4 in racing kayaks and canoes or a "war canoe" of 14 paddlers. Competition is organized by age groupings, with men and women competing in separate events within common regattas.

 Our goal is to provide challenging opportunities for paddlers of all ages and gender to participate in competitive flat-water canoe and kayak sprint racing. We encourage new membership at both the youth and senior levels. No previous experience is necessary. Our coaching staff is prepared to handle all levels of experience.

Community Outreach

The RHCC works to promote a healthy, active lifestyle in the community by sponsoring activities, such as visiting scout troops, etc. to expose more people to this great sport.   If you represent a group that may be interested in trying canoeing or kayaking as an educational experience, please call the club and inquire about the programs available.

Regattas

New or recreational paddlers need not be intimidated by the dazzling array of exotic destinations.  A season of fun can be had with a modest commitment of time by attending the local events ( 50 km from Lake Wilcox).

To advance to Provincial, Cloverleaf, or National Championships you must qualify at the Western Ontario Division (WOD) Trials, as described below.    

The Competitive Stream

The Western Ontario Division Trials determine the eligibility of athletes to compete at higher levels.  Midget, juvenile, and junior athletes (see the membership form for ages) who finish in the top four in an event qualify for the National Championships.  Bantam, midget, juvenile, and junior athletes who finish in the top four qualify for the Provincial Championships.  Peewee and bantam athletes who finish in the top three qualify for the Cloverleaf Championships.  The "cloverleaf" represents three divisions:  Quebec, and Eastern and Western Ontario.

Each year, athletes from the RHCC qualify for the provincial and inter-provincial level competitions, and sometimes even finish in the medals!  Note that sprint canoeing and kayaking are Olympic sports, but that women do not YET compete in canoes at an international level.

An Introduction to the sport of Canoe-Kayak 

ICF Canoe-Kayak World Championships 2006 Szeged 

Canoeing and Kayaking - A Family Sport

Regattas are fun for the whole family, with no admission fee for spectators.  Invite Grandma and Grandpa, pack a picnic lunch, bring lawn chairs, a sun or rain umbrella, sunscreen, hats for all, and come early to secure a spot with a good view.  You will enjoy the combination of talent, sportsmanship, and camaraderie that the paddlers of all ages share.  Listen for the gun.....they're off!