Low Experience Pre-requisite / Higher Focus on Skills Training / Optional TRAK Kayak Add-On

Led by TRAK Pilots and the HQ team, we invite you to join us for this symposium-style event. We will make use of the group camping facilities on Saysutshun (Newcastle) Island, easily accessible from the Nanaimo harbour. There are bathroom facilities present, as well as several other amenities nearby - this will not be a "rugged" experience.

Skills training topics include paddling skills, techniques, and mastery of the TRAK 2.0 itself. TRAK Pilots and guest presenters bring a wide spectrum of expertise, with programming planned for both novice and experienced paddlers.

We look forward to strengthening our communal ties and forging friendships that inspire future expeditions and simple trips. There will be some festive entertainment, such as live music, to enjoy in the evenings after dinner.

There is an optional multi-day tour to DeCourcy Island at the end of the gathering, which will take place from September 22nd-24th. The conclusion of the gathering is also a perfect launchpad to other adventures on Vancouver Island.

• Country: British Columbia, Canada
• Duration: 4 Days, 3 Nights
• Dates: September 19 - 22, 2025
• Skill Level: All are welcome

What we're going to do

You'll arrive in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island with your gear in tow, where the TRAK Pilot Team will coordinate your crossing to Newcastle Island - you can either paddle over or take a small ferry. 

After our opening ceremony featuring a visit from a local First Nation artist and storyteller, we will establish our camp and prepare our equipment for the paddling days ahead. 

The skills progression component will begin in earnest on the morning of September 20th with a foundational segment about boat control, with on-land "seamanship" components sprinkled throughout the gathering. 

Where we're going