Our RCKC athletes have participated in the following regattas:

Ted Houk Memorial Regatta in Seattle, Washington on June 6 and 7.  Results at Seattle Canoe And Kayak Club Ted Houk Results

BC Cup #1 (Western Canada Summer Games Trials) at Burnaby Lake in Burnaby, BC on May 24.  Results at CanoeKayak BC – BC Cup #1 Results.

BC Cup #2 (for U11 and U15 development athletes) at Alouette River in Pitt Meadows, BC on Jun 20.  Results at CanoeKayak BC  – BC Cup #2 Results

Congratulations for your strong performances and representing our club.

Three of our RCKC high performance athletes made it to the Canadian teams for the Junior World Championships Team Nominations, Olympic Hopes, and the Canada Cup Tour.  As the only ones from British Columbia, they are all coached by Peter Majewski.  Full details at

http://canoekayak.ca/canoekayak-canada-announces-junior-and-u23-worlds-athletes/

The athletes at RCKC would like your support with the Paddle-A-Thon to raise funds for canoe and kayak transporation. It will be with a 10km relay race – no officials – no timing – just fun!!!

Proceeds of the fundraising will go towards renting a truck and expenses to tow a trailer holding canoes and kayaks for out of town races. These funds are much needed and will benefit the entire club!

To donate, you can contribute to a member of RCKC or go online at http://www.bcpaddleathon.ca/rckc. Charitable Tax receipts will be given.

The fifth annual Rotary Duck Race takes place this summer, Sunday, July 19, 2015, and Ridge Canoe and Kayak Club is one of the youth sports organizations that is fortunate to benefit from this fundraiser. The ducks will be raced down the Alouette River at Maple Ridge Park.

10,000 rubber ducks will be sold at $10 each to raise $100,000 to support youth groups in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge.

The winning duck wins a new 2014 Automatic Dodge Dart from Maple Ridge Chrysler Jeep Dodge (valued at $22,000). Plus, 6 other great prizes are to be won including:

2nd Prize: $2000 cash (Mark’s Work Wearhouse)
3rd Prize: furniture package from Brandsource Fuller Watson Home Furnishings ($1000 value)
4th Prize: apparel gift certificate from Mark’s Work Wearhouse ($1000 value)
5th Prize: two show tickets at RiverRock Casino with a meet and greet with a celebrity (Richmond) plus dinner for four at Chances ($1000 value)
6th Prize: two rounds of golf for four people at Meadow Gardens ($870 value)
7th Prize: 40″ flat screen tv from Haney Sewing And Sound ($600 value)

Following the race is Norden the Magician, entertainment all day until 5pm, food trucks and BBQ, carnival games, picnic games, bouncy castle, velcro wall, obstacle course and tug of war. Lots of games and activities for all ages.

RCKC is supporting this fundraising event by selling tickets for the Rotary Club of Haney and the Rotary Club of Meadow Ridge. Get yours today by contacting any of our RCKC members or Laura Said.

Cheer on your duck!

More details on the RCKC Rotary Duck Race web page.

Our introductory canoeing, kayaking, and dragon boating programs are available for all ages and all groups.  Youth, adults, families, groups, and schools can take part in the fun all summer long.  To view the programs, get a copy of the Maple Ridge recreational guide, or visit our RCKC Programs web page.

CanoeKayak Canada has selected Brian Malfesi to be on their Sprint World Cup Team. The team, which includes Olympians, will be attending three ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup competitions:

• World Cup 1 – May 15-17 – Montemor-o-Velho, Portugal
• World Cup 2 – May 22-24 – Duisburg, Germany
• World Cup 3 – May 29-31 – Copenhagen, Denmark

More information can be found at the CanoeKayak Canada web site at http://canoekayak.ca/canoekayak-canada-names-sprint-world-cup-team/

Congratulations to all of the athletes who attended the Slawko Fedechko Seasons Opener Regatta on Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3. At least 70 participated from the

• Burnaby Canoe and Kayak Club (BCKC)
• Seattle Canoe and Kayak Club (SCKC)
• False Creek Racing Canoe Club (FCRCC)
• Pemberton Canoe Association (PCA)
• Pitt Meadows Paddling Club (PMPC)
• Fort Langley Canoe Club (FLCC)
• Chinook Racing Canoe Club (CRCC)
• Prince George Canoe and Kayak Club (PGCKC)
• along with the Ridge Canoe And Kayak Club (RCKC)

Results of the race is at the CanoeKayak BC web site at http://canoekayakbc.sportical.com/events/2179 (click on Results for a spreadsheet to appear).

The skies were sunny and a few gusts of wind were encountered. The winners took home ribbons and the others enjoyed the weekend. For close up photos of the race, have a look at the CanoeKayak BC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153219937719014.1073741838.238470264013&type=1

A special thanks to the volunteers, officials, and the Alouette Power & Sail Squadron for helping the race run smoothly and safely.

Our upcoming regatta takes place next week on May 2 and 3. Details can be found on the CanoeKayakBC web site at
http://canoekayakbc.sportical.com/events/2179
Please take note that parking is limited this year. The City of Maple Ridge is renovating the park so the campsites and all of the parking spots will not be available. At the same time, there is a wedding event occurring, so the parking lot next to the boathouse will be reserved. Boat trailers are permitted to park along the beach, though. Other parking may be available along 113 Avenue east of 276 Street or along Graham Street (which is a residential area so please respect our neighbours). Have a safe drive, and see you at the event!
–Verna–

Competitive and fitness programs for kayaking and canoeing began on April 1.  Recreational kayaking and canoeing will begin in the Summer season.  To register, contact Shana, the Programs Coordinator at programs@rckc.ca.

Dragon boaters are currently training to represent the Maple Ridge, Abbotsford, and Mission areas.  More information is available on the dragon boat flyer or contact Janice at dragonboat@rckc.ca.

Coaches and instructors are being hired this season.  Job postings are on the CanoeKayak BC web site.

Your support is appreciated during our Duck Race fundraiser.  To get tickets for chances to win great prizes, contact any of our members.

Elsewhere around the world, two of our star athletes are receiving advanced training.  More news to follow later in this year.

Upcoming events have been added. Be sure to mark your calendars for the regattas you will be attending. Also, keep March 21 in mind – the day to register for the Spring and Summer programs.