Join the RCABC

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Why Become a Member?

Joining the RCABC supports paddling in BC!

Our dedicated volunteers help coordinate and promote recreational paddling by helping clubs and liaising with BC Parks, Indigenous stakeholders, and other agencies.

Membership benefits include:

  • access to our paddling resources and documents

  • connect with instructors, clubs, and community events

  • access to grants to help you on your canoeing journey

  • a vote towards the direction and future of canoeing in BC

Additional Benefits for Instructors and Guides

  • Pro-Deal benefits through Outdoor Pro-Link, Expert Voice, Northwater and More.  

  • Advertising and increased visibility through Find a Course and Find an Instructor tools. 

You can sign up below through our online application and payment system.

Membership options

Whether you are a recreational paddler, instructor, guide, club organizer, or business partner, there is a membership option designed for your role.

  • Paddler membership is inexpensive and a great way to support the RCABC and stay connected. You will receive our newsletter, occasional invites to our events, etc. 

    Paddler membership, at a minimum, may be required for certain courses such as Leader level courses so that we can log your certification in our database. 

    Paddler Members do not typically have access to our insurance plan unless they are leading club trips or other RCABC sanctioned events.

  • Instructors are the backbone of our organization and include Instructor Trainers and Master Instructors.  Instructor Membership allows you to advertise your courses on our website, log your certifications in our database and print them later.  It also allows you to log the certifications of those you teach for Leader level courses, etc.     

    Instructors are covered by our general commercial third-party liability insurance ($5 million) when teaching RCABC sanctioned courses and clinics, as long as they administer the RCABC waiver to students, follow our curriculum, rules for student-instructor ratios, use appropriate teaching locations, and otherwise follow the standards as dictated in our Instructor Manual.

  • Guide membership is a great way for guides to gain Industry recognized certification and to advertise themselves to the general public. Many leading outfitters and outdoor tourism and adventure programs sign their students up as Guide Members when they certify them as Day Guides or Expedition Guides. Membership allows you to log your certification in our database in case you ever lose your paper copy. 

    Currently we do not typically offer any insurance program for guide members unless they are leading RCABC Insured member club trips or other RCABC Sanctioned events. Guides must seek their own private general commercial third-party liability insurance for their work. However we can support you with general advice on industry standard practice for liability and risk management.

  • Club Membership is a great way for clubs to stay connected and to advertise themselves to the general public through our website. Clubs can use our waiver and gain support with organization, risk management, legal liability, training, and more. Clubs also often send members to participate in our regional events or to inter club events to meet new paddlers, explore new regions of BC, and share skills and knowledge. 

    Clubs can opt into our general commercial third-party liability ($5 million) and Directors and Officers liability ($2 million) insurance program. The cost is only a $50 base club fee plus $15 per member up to 100 members and $5 per member after that. Club members (individuals) who already pay membership dues are exempt from paying this fee again.

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  • Agency Membership is for businesses (including paddling schools, outfitters, canoe and paddling equipment manufacturers, etc.) who enjoy a close relationship with the RCABC by teaching our programs or supporting our Instructors and other members through Pro-Deals, etc. Agency Members get to advertise with their logo and a link to their business on our website homepage to help them connect with the paddling community.  

    Agency membership does not include access to our insurance program and businesses must seek their own private general commercial third-party liability. However we can support you with general advice on industry standard practices for liability and risk management.

Quick Notes and FAQ

  • Yes, our membership signup and renewal for all membership types, including club membership, is now entirely done online. Some clubs and agency members still make payment via cheque.

  • The preferred method of payment is via Stripe. This is the fastest (instantaneous!) and easiest (automatic!) way for us to accept your dues and activate your account. We do not accept e-transfers at this time. 

    You can also mail a cheque to the Treasurer, however this adds an additional burden on our volunteer treasurer to log the payment and deposit the cheque. Please only do this if it's absolutely necessary. Your membership activation will also be delayed until the payment can be verified and logged.

  • Generating invoices and receipts for your membership payments is possible. It is a bit of a burden on our volunteer treasurer to generate them though. If you need an invoice or receipt, please contact treasurer@bccanoe.com

Ready to Join?

Choose the membership option that fits your role in the paddling community and sign up through our online application and payment system.

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