Voyageur Canoe Safety 

The 30 foot "Dolphin Spirit" Canoe can be paddled with as few as 6 paddlers carrying up to 1,000 pounds of gear to 12 paddlers.  It is a very stable and safe canoe, under the direction and guidance of a trained, skilled and cautions steersperson.  A list of all sanctioned steerspersons is posted on the Yahoo database.

In Sechelt area 1 and Gibsons area 1 (as defined in the Langley Canoe Policy), the canoe may be steered by anyone under the guidance of the sanctioned steersperson.  An experienced bowsperson is recommended and a VHF radio must be on board at all times.  Outside these areas the canoe must be steered by the sanctioned steersperson, and each paddler must have their own personal safety bag.  Journeys leaving area 1 in excess of 8 hours must have a motorised escort vessel along.  See the Langley Canoe Policy for more information.

In the rare event the Dolphin Spirit Canoe does tip (should not happen under normal, safe, well managed conditions), it can not be flipped back over on its own.  Righting the canoe requires another canoe or support vessel to right it, and all sanctioned steerspersons have been trained in the procedure to get the canoe flipped back over.  This is where the VHF radio is crucial to be able to call for help to either right the canoe or tow it to shore, and get the paddlers out of the water.

Saturday morning paddles in the Dolphin Spirit Canoe are a good way to become familiar with canoe safety and get an introduction to this unique canoeing experience.  For more information check out the Langley Manual or contact outriggers@gibsonspaddleclub.ca.