FAQs

Lessons and most Tours only run if people are booked in, so it is absolutely necessary to reserve.

For rentals, we also recommend reserving a kayak before coming to our location.

Especially on weekends, it gets very busy, so in order to guarantee a rental, you should reserve ahead of time.

Reserving online also allows you to already fill out our waiver which will speed up your check-in process.

Before sending renters out on the water we will give you a quick pre-launch talk where we briefly go over the basics of how to paddle and where to go.

However, this is not a lesson.

If you want to take a lesson on how to kayak including what to do it you capsize please consider signing up for our Beginner Kayaking course.

We are happy to rent a sit on top kayak to everybody, including paddlers going out by themselves.

If you want to use a sit-inside kayak and want to go out by yourself you must have taken a lesson where you learned solo capsize and re-entry within less than 3 years.

We will ask you to explain and/or demonstrate a solo capsize and recovery in order to rent a kayak unaccompanied.

If you cannot do so, we are able to rent you a sit-on-top kayak instead or you may be able to join a Tour (availability dependent).

If you would like to learn how to perform a solo capsize and recovery please ask about Beginner Kayaking Course or book a private lesson.

Children are permitted in our kayaks but must be accompanied by an adult. There must be one or more adult for each child under the age of 16. Based on age and size, children may be required to go in a double kayak with an adult.

Please call us to clarify any restrictions to avoid disappointment.

You can, but for anyone under the age of 19 you must have our online waiver signed by a legal guardian before you come.

Alternatively, guardians can download and sign our Parental Consent Form and you can bring that with you.

Surfskis are very fast, fitness-oriented crafts.

As they are quite fragile and fairly tippy we require anybody who wants to rent a surfski to have taken a Try Surfskiing lesson (or have equivalent knowledge and experience).

Yes, we sell Gift Cards through our website. You can custom choose any amount you want to give and the Gift Card will be emailed to the lucky recipient.

Gift Cards are a wonderful gift for somebody you know who wants to take a lesson but you don't know their availability. Just give them a gift card and they can book online at their convenience.

Buy a Gift Card now.

If you are going on a rental, taking a tour or an intro to kayaking lesson we recommend you wear or bring:

• Quick dry clothing (and bring a change of clothing just in case)
• Warm fleece sweater or light athletic jacket
• Toque, if it’s cold out
• Comfortable shoes for in the kayak that can get wet (sport sandals, neoprene booties or old running shoes work best)

If your lesson involves planned capsizing (all lessons except intro to kayaking) please wear or bring:

• Towel & bathing suit for under a wetsuit (provided for the course)
• Synthetic, quick-dry or wool top
• Warm fleece sweater or light athletic jacket
• Toque, if it’s cold out
• Comfortable shoes for in the kayak, your shoes will get wet. (sport sandals, neoprene booties or old running shoes work best)

For more details on how to prepare please refer to our "Preparing for you Kayaking Program" page

For tours, rentals and lessons we recommend you bring:

• Warm change of clothes for after paddling
• Water Bottle, Snack or lunch
• Sun hat, Sunscreen, Sunglasses (with strap)

For more details on how to prepare please refer to our "Preparing for you Kayaking Program" page

Yes, at least part of you will get wet.

In order to get into the kayak you will have to step into the water, so your feet (sometimes up to your knees) will get wet for sure.

Also, there often is water dripping down from your paddle, so often your leg and thighs will also get wet.

There always is the chance that you may capsize as well.

Please be prepared by wearing footwear that you can go in the water with as well as clothes that you don't mind getting wet in (quick-dry clothing is preferred). We also recommend bringing a change of clothing.

For a full list on what to wear and what to bring please refer to our page on how to prepare for you kayaking program

When you book online you will receive a confirmation email with a link to sign our online waiver.

Alternatively, you can find our online as well as pdf waiver here

We have a limited number of unsecured cubbies available where you are welcome to leave items you do not want to take on the water with you.

We are not able to hold on to your valuables. We recommend you leave them at home or in the car. Alternatively, you can bring a drybag with you so you can take them on the water. We also have drybags available for rent and for purchase on site.

Washrooms are located in the main Sailing Centre building. They are on the second floor.

As it is a bit of a walk from us to the building we recommend stopping there before coming to us, so you can safe time.

There also is a water fountain in the Sailing Centre building in case you want to fill up your water bottle.

We are located right within the Jericho Sailing Centre compound at 1300 Discovery Street in Vancouver. Check out our locations page to see our exact location and for information on how to get here.

As we typically experience some wind here at Jericho Beach we always recommend paddlers go into the wind.

In the summer months that typically means heading west along Spanish Banks.

Sometimes we get an easterly wind in which case you can paddle east towards Kits Beach.

Before sending you out on the water we will provide you with directions to go and with an estimate of how far your can typically get.

If you want to read up more on where to go and what to expect check our article on Paddling in English Bay in our resources section.

Our cancellation policy depends on the program you booked. Please refer to our Cancellation Policy page to see the notice we need in order to cancel your booking.

In any case, we do appreciate it if you could let us know sooner than later if you are planning to cancel so we can give your spot to somebody else if possible,

Call us as soon as you know you are going to be late and we will try to move your reservation, however, on busy days there may be people booked after you so your rental time may be reduced, as your 2 hours start at the time you booked your rental (NOT when you get on the water).

Lessons and Tours have to run when scheduled but do call us as we may be able to accommodate you depending on the circumstances.

We send out rentals rain or shine. However, our opening hours are weather dependent. We also, do not send out renters if it is too windy, so we sometimes might have to close down for a couple of hours.

If we do have to close rentals we will call everybody who is booked in to let them know.

Lessons and Tours also run rain or shine. We only cancel if it is too windy or if there are other safety concerns.