Fairway Gorge Paddling Club
115-2940 Jutland Rd. V8T 5K6 Victoria, BC, Canada

In this #ThrowbackThursday, coach Marcus Krieger plays the traditional eelgrass harp (zostera dulcedo citharae). Actually, we have no idea if that's latin for eelgrass harp, or if that's even eelgrass, but as any paddler in the Gorge knows, in the warmth of summer, it only takes a couple of weeks for growth like this to attach itself to our boats. #fgpc #tbt #paddlelife #outrigger #dragonboat... Interested in paddling on the Gorge? Check out fgpaddle.com for our latest programs.

Congratulations to the 52 paddlers and partner clubs who joined Fairway Gorge Paddling Club on our cross-Canada virtual voyage! But why stop at 6,500+ kilometres when there's a whole wide world out there! Now's your chance to join our global virtual paddling challenge, help raise funds for participating paddling clubs and the World Health Organization's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.... Head to fgpaddle.com for information and registration.

We're hoping all participants in Fairway Gorge Paddling Club's cross-Canada Super Paddler Series will join us for Wednesday's 10 a.m. virtual celebration of making it all the way from Victoria to Fogo Island and beyond! Congratulations to all participants and our paddling partners at False Creek Racing Canoe Club, Fort Langley Canoe Club, and Evolution Paddle Club. We've got some special guests lined up for our virtual celebration, and some amazing news about the next world-...class challenge! , #fgpc #fcrcc #flccc #evo6pc #dragonboat #outrigger #paddlelife #vidbf See more

We're looking forward to our special virtual celebration on Wednesday at 10 a.m. for paddlers and ergers on our Cross-Canada Super Paddler Series. We've got a new goal, and it's super exciting. Meanwhile, we've gone 6456 km on our virtual voyage, and we're striking out far into the Atlantic Ocean!... Fairway Gorge Paddling Club, False Creek Racing Canoe Club, Fort Langley Canoe Club, Evolution Paddle Club #fcrcc #fgpc #vidbf #flcc #evo6pc

On 29 March 2021, BC's provincial health officer issued 3-week province-wide restrictions to reduce the community spread of COV2. FGPC extraordinary access programs (EAPs) for OC1s, kayaks, SUPs and fitness facility zones, including coached and personal training sessions, comply with BC's new health order. FGPC employees, trainers and coaches practice comprehensive COVID-mitigation measures, including daily oximeter and temperature checks, physical distancing, N95 mask compli...ance and customer sanitation protocols on a per-use basis. Again, FGPC and Waterfront Fitness REMAIN OPEN for standard EAP programming. Access to both docks and gym for solo training and recreational activities is available through FGPC's COVID-compliant programs (visit here for information: https://fgpaddle.com/fgpc-extraordinary-access-membership/). Stay fit, healthy, happy...and be safe.

Correct hand placement is one of the most important skills for an outrigger paddler. An improper grip will skew your blade's angle and trajectory in the water, leading to suboptimal performance and needless fatigue. In this week's expert paddler's series, coach Marcus Krieger demonstrates how to hold an outrigger paddle and where you should apply pressure. #fgpc #outrigger #paddlelife

As we enter 2021 together, we're sharing the general plan FGPC has for the new year. As always, safety is paramount, and is more important than ever during the vaccine phase of BC's approach to COVID-19. The plan is simple, and depends on the efficiency of COVID-19 vaccine programs and the excellence of COVID mitigation across civilian, sport and fitness organizations. From January through April, FGPC will focus on solo training on the water and in the gym in preparation for ...less restrictions later in the year. This winter-spring phase will include the re-introduction of FGPC's cohort programs as soon as they're permitted once again. The club's cohort system is on hold, but it is well-organized and poised for restart. Over the second and third quarters (between April and June) we hope to begin the restart of crew and coached team training, including dragon boat and outrigger crew programs. In addition, FGPC expects to re-launch its popular "kids camp" programs over July and August of 2021 with special provisions for COVID mitigation. As we’ve demonstrated over Y2020, FGPC will respond and adhere swiftly, safely and effectively to BC's public health authorities. FGPC's COVID-compliant "phase 2" winter-spring extraordinary access programs will re-open on Jan. 4. You can learn more and sign up at this link: http://ow.ly/J3yP50CWxht #FGPC #paddlelife #outrigger #dragonboat #2021

Wetdashe registration is still going strong for outriggers and erg competitors! In this video we show erg competitors how to set up KayakPros. Happy racing! Results must be submitted by noon, Nov. 30. Info: wetdashe.com

Oh, just standing around, waiting for FGPC paddlers to return when programs start again on Jan. 4. #FGPC #paddlelife

In extraordinary times, people do extraordinary things! We thought we'd share this thoughtful message sent to us from club member Wendy Isdahl. "Just wanted to give a shout out to all of the terrific coaches: Marcus, Tristan, Miles and Erik, and all the gym and dock staff who have made it possible for us senior gals during this pandemic to learn skills I never thought possible for myself. To be able to get in and out of an OC1 independently seemed overwhelming six months ago.... "Now we are out there acquiring confidence and new skills every day with the patience and guidance of those young coaches who knew we could do better than we thought possible. "Thank you for all for doing what you do and giving this senior gal wings on the water. I never thought I could paddle 3 x 1,500 metres in one morning. Feeling joyous and strong." Wendy.

It takes a huge crew of skilled and dedicated staff to provide a peak dragon boat festival experience, especially in Victoria's busy and vibrant working harbour... network. FGPC has produced nearly 100 races and festivals with thousands of paddlers from around the world. We're excited about the new Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival (2021, 2022 and beyond). Find out more here: https://fgpaddle.com/races/fgpc-2021-races/

Can you believe that there's just a week left for Wetdashe 2020! Remember, there's still time to register, but all results must be in by Nov. 30 at noon. Info: wetdashe.com

Happy New Year! One of the many things to look forward to in 2021 is the resumption of crew sports, which we hope will re-start in the first half of the new year, depending on the efficiency of COVID-19 vaccination programs and the excellence in COVID-compliant programming in sport and fitness communities. When we start, we'll be unveiling a beautiful new Malolo, FGPC's third ultralight, which will be christened and put into service as soon as it's needed.... The latest addition to our fleet means FGPC now has 10 standard crew boat outriggers and three ultralight (carbon fibre) racing outriggers. The first three months of the new year will all be about staying-the-course, working on individual fitness, and taking advantage of FGPC's safe, COVID-compliant solo training. #FGPC #paddlelife #outrigger

King tide at FGPC

Calling all Wetdashe participants in OC1s, OC2s, kayaks, SUPs, ERGs, OC6s and OC12s: the 7-day countdown has begun! FGPC's open men's staff team have entered their own Wetdashe 2020 challenge. They completed their 4th 3km ultralight lap on Sunday 22 November. They have two more spec-boat laps to log before the submission deadline on Monday 30 November at 12 noon (yes, you can enter in both OC6 divisions). Haven't registered yet? It's not too late to place 4 x 3km laps between now and 30 November. Prizes, shirts, and virtual competitors, near and far: https://fgpaddle.com/races/outrigger-canoe/fgpc-wetdashe/

Even though this beautiful canoe is at rest in this photo, a lot of thought went into its design, naming and more. We thought it might be fun to see who can answer these questions! (Post your answers in the comments). What does Zephyrus mean? Who named this boat? What are the little animals painted on the hull and why are they significant?... What is the boat's length? What is its weight? Who designed the boat? What does the livery represent? Is this a flat water or big water boat? How were the numbers "979" selected? #fgpc #outrigger #yyj @ozoneoutrigger See more

Having a little hamstring pain from paddling in wet weather? Here are a few tips and tricks from the Waterfront Fitness Club on how to use a roller to help give your hamstrings a little TLC.

Here's a quick snapshot of the competition during the first half of FGPC's 2020 Wetdashe Challenge: As of 15 November: Erg - 4 athletes OC1 - 43 athletes... OC2 - 8 athletes OC6 - 62 athletes OC12 - 13 athletes Kilometers paddled and ERGed to date: 462kms Money raised so far for BC Cancer Agency: $5,550 Athlete locations with logged times include: Vancouver Island (BC), Lower Mainland (BC), Fraser Valley (BC), BC's mid coast, Alberta (Edmonton), Ontario (Toronto), and Australia. Time stamps and GPS tracks from other competitors and locations are pending. Why not count yourself in? Register for the Wetdashe Challenge here: https://fgpaddle.com/races/outrigger-canoe/fgpc-wetdashe/

Way to represent, PacReach!

The weather hasn’t been all that welcoming, but the sunsets are worth a pause. Note the physical distancing squares: who knew that high-vis duct tape existed, and that it would be used to help people stay safe. Meanwhile, Henry is keeping his eyes out for 100% mask compliance.