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RACCC – Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I become a member and what are the fees?
Become a member of the RA centre and then join the RACCC.
Check out the information on the Membership page.
For more information or assistance, email: membership@raccc.ca
With the purchase of a RACCC membership, are there additional costs for trips, training, family programs, and so on ?
Since we are a Club, not a professional commercial guiding company, all trips are led by volunteers and run collaboratively, with all trip members sharing the costs and responsibilities. This keeps costs low and the trips accessible.
Training courses do have a reasonable registration fee.
Trip and training costs include: transportation, food, camping fees, cook stove fuel, boat rentals, etc.
Everyone helps with the logistics: food preparation, camp set up/take down, portaging etc.
2. What happens once my RACCC membership registration is completed?
a. The Membership Coordinator completes entering your info on raccc.ca
b. You will receive an auto-email with: confirmation and a username and password to be able to access all of the information on www.raccc.ca
c. If you need assistance, contact membership@raccc.ca
d. You will receive our RACCC members only, electronic newsletter: CanoeBytes is published biweekly
3. What programs does the RACCC offer?
The RACCC has trips, training and social events throughout the year: paddling and non-paddling seasons.
Both Flat Water and White Water: Evening trips, day trips, weekend trips, multiday trips - 'easy to challenging'
Flat Water
White Water
Family program
Training
4. Once I'm a RACCC Member, how do I get more information and to be involved in the club:
a. Download the 2013 RACCC Member's Handbook:
i. Login on www.raccc.ca (use your username and password)
ii. (links to the handbook are located on the following pages: About, Membership, Frequently Asked Questions, Flat Water, White Water, Family)
iii. Review the Member`s Handbook to learn how to get involved in trips and events, get prepared for canoe trips...etc!
Check out the information: How to join in RACCC events
b. RACCC Members receive Canoebytes - our RACCC weekly e-newsletter includes articles and the calendar of upcoming events
c. Login on www.raccc.ca to get more details, contact info etc. (use your username and password)
- Check out the Calender, visit often to check out new listings.
- Check out the 2013 Trip schedule posted on each program page (March 2013)
- Check out the 'last minute' trips posted on the Forum
c. Interested in Training?
i. The RACCC has an amazing training program for beginners to accomplished paddlers: flatwater and whitewater paddling.
ii. Check out the Training program!
iii. Click on the links to Register online
d. Interested in a trip?
i. See the 2013 RACCC Members Handbook re: how to join in a trip or
ii. Go to www.raccc.ca
iii. Login using your username and password
iv. Click on the Calendar of events, click on the trip of interest:
- a description of the trip is posted, with the trip leader's name and coordinates
- contact the trip leaders well in advance of the Trip, join in the planning meeting (for multi-day trips)
e. Need more assistance? Contact the Coordinators for more information:
flatwater@raccc.ca ; family@raccc.ca ; whitewater@raccc.ca ; training@raccc.ca ; membership@raccc.ca ; social@raccc.ca ; volunteer@raccc.ca
f. Interested in volunteering?
This is a great way to get involved with the club, get connected, make friends, find paddling partners:
i. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator: volunteer@raccc.ca
ii. Contact the program coordinator you would like to support!
flatwater@raccc.ca ; family@raccc.ca ; whitewater@raccc.ca ; training@raccc.ca ; social@raccc.ca, membership@raccc.ca
4. Do I have to be a member of the RA to join the RACCC?
Yes.
An RA Association Membership is required to join the RA's Clubs. Your Association Membership gives you access to a vast array of Clubs and activities at preferred rates, helps to maintain and develop outstanding facilities and services and allows you to take advantage of RA Member Benefits. More info
5. Why become a RACCC member?
The RACCC is a place to meet other paddlers and go paddling, to build friendships and skills and have fun canoeing.
RACCC membership provides access to:
-Club trips, training and social events throughout the year
-Canoe and camping Equipment (includes our fleet of flat water, white water canoes and touring kayaks
-Full access to www.raccc.ca to view Calendar of events, RACCC Handbook, List of club members, WhiteWater List, trip reports etc...
For more information: http://www.raccc.ca/index.php/membership
6. What is the affiliation with the RA Centre?
The RACCC was founded as a Y program in 1952.
RACCC membership fees include Y affiliation fees for benefits such as insurance coverage for our activities.
Our equipment shed is at the RA Centre
Our club administration is supported by the RA Centre.
Our club often uses the RA Centre facilities for meetings and training.
What is the affiliation with the RA Centre? please check the info on this FAQ link!
7. re: Guests: Does the RACCC allow non-members to go on a club trip?
Not unless the non-member is a guest of a club member who is also on that club trip.
How many guests can a club member take on a club trip?
A club members may take up to two guests who are 18 or older on a club trip, subject to permission from the trip leader.
The club member is responsible for their guest.
Guests have the same responsibilities and obligations as a club member while on the club trip(check the Members' Handbook for more information).
Guests must be registered, sign an informed consent form and pay the Guest Pass fee
Guest fees:
Adult Evening and one day $ 5.00 HST inc
Adult Weekend ( 2/3 days) $ 10.00 HST inc
Adult beyond a weekend n/a
One Guest Membership Fee may be applied towards the purchase of an Annual Membership by contacting the Membership Coordinator within 2 weeks of the Guest Membership purchase.
For whitewater trips, only club members who have met the skills qualifications and are on the whitewater list may paddle club boats or use other club whitewater equipment.
Can I bring my children on a trip?
The family program is designed for children's participation with adults supervision (parents or guardians).
Children (under 18) are considered to be guests and under supervision of their parents or guardians.
Some RACCC 'adult' trips are family friendly. Contact the Trip Leader to find out.
Contact the Family Program Coordinator: family@raccc.ca
Note: Check the Members' Handbook for more information
8. Do members have to pay additional fees to participate in the club’s activities?
Trip participants share costs (such as gas, food, camping fees, canoe rentals etc).
This makes most of our events affordable for all club members.
There is a reasonable fee for our training courses and participants cover the costs for the instructors.
9 Can beginners join the club, and are there activities for all levels?
Yes.
We have training and trips for all levels - beginners to advanced - for those who have never been in a canoe, to people who have canoed all their lives.
Members abilities range from beginner paddlers to extremely skilled paddlers.
10. Where does the RACCC go canoeing?
We are in canoeing heaven! with Provincial parks and watersheds abounding.
Evening trips are usually within 20-30 minutes of the RACCC Shed, within Ottawa or in Western Quebec
(e.g. Ottawa River, Meech Lake, Rideau River, Rideau Canal, Gatineau River etc.)
Day trips are usually within 30 minutes to 1.5 hours drive in Ontario and Quebec
Week Long Trips are withing half to 1 days drive: Ontario, Quebec, US
There are wonderful canoeing places in Canada (and in the US)
11. re: Leadership and instructors:
Who leads the trips?
Club members collaborate on all the trips, with all participants contributing per their abilities.
Who are the instructors for the training courses?
A number of club members are also volunteer instructors for our courses - we do this because we love to help others learn how to paddle.
Beginner and Intermediate level courses are taught by RACCC Instructors with Paddle Canada Certifications.
Some courses have assistant instructors - they may or may not have Paddle Canada Certifications, but bring exceptional skill and experience as paddlers and instructors.
Advanced courses are taught by reknowned paddlers from our region.
12. What about all these terms?
What is the difference between flatwater and whitewater?
Flatwater refers to lakes and waterways without current or slow moving current.
For more information about RACCC flat water: http://www.raccc.ca/index.php/flatwater
and
Whitewater refers to rivers with current and rapids.
For more information about RACCC white water: http://www.raccc.ca/index.php/whitewater
What is Tandem Canoeing?
Tandem canoeing involves 2 paddlers: a bow paddler (front seat) and stern paddler (back seat) .
What is Solo Canoeing?
Solo Canoeing involves 1 person paddling the canoe. (usually seated in the middle of the canoe)
13. Do I have to be a good swimmer?
No. Everyone on our canoe trips wears a life jacket or a personal flotation device (PFD).
Non-swimmers need to wear their PFD when near water for everyone's safety.
However, being a swimmer does help your confidence and comfort level when participating in water sports.
We encourage all RACCC members to improve their swimming skills.
14. Re: Equipment
Do I need to have my own equipment?
The club has canoes, 2 touring kayaks, paddles, camping equipment and a (limited) supply of PFD`s available to club members.
We do recommend that you purchase a paddle and life jacket to fit you.
RACCC training courses for beginners includes tip on how to purchase the right size and style of paddles, PFD`s and helmet (for white water)
You will need your own sleeping bag and mattress for overnight canoe trips
Where can I rent equipment to go paddling?
Local outdoor stores have canoes and camping equipment to rent.
The RACCC has a fleet of canoes available to RACCC members to rent for club trips and training events.
If there is equipment available beyond these events, club members may request use of this equipment for private trips.
This is a priviledge that is earned. Priority is given to RACCC members who have contributed their time and expertise to RACCC events.
RACCC Canoe Rental fees are extremely reasonable (they are considerably less than renting from Outfitters and stores)
Fees range from $12 - 20 per day.
Contact the Assets Coordinator for more information. The weekly shed volunteer is listed in the calendar on www.raccc.ca
Want more information about RACCC equipment? Want to help with equipment maintenance or willing to volunteer to be a shed volunteer? Contact: assets@raccc.ca.
15. How do I get on a canoe trip?
RACCC members, contact the trip leader identified in the calendar of events on the club website.
In the Main menu: Click on Calendar and then click on the trip of interest.
Trips have varying limits per the number of participants due to equipment, transportation or campsite restrictions.
(More information in the RACCC Members' Handbook)
For weekend and longer trips: Contact the trip leader as soon as possible. Participants confirmed by the trip leader are expected to attend the trip planning meeting which is often held the Tuesday evening before trip departure, or earlier.
For day or evening trips: Contact the trip leader at least two days prior to the trip.
The trip leader makes the final decision per # of participants, skill level required.
For more information check out the RACCC Members Handbook (available to RACCC members)
16. Do I need to find a partner? Can the club help me find one?
The club has over 300 members of all ages and experiences.
We have lots of single members and there is always someone to paddle with.
Trip leaders can help you find a paddling partner, or you can post a request using one of the forums.
Mostly - get involved in the club! Join in the orientation evenings, take some training, go on some trips... and have fun as a volunteer with club events - this is a great way to make connections and find paddling partners!
17. Re: White Water
Do I need special equipment and training for white water trips?
The equipment (canoes, paddles, helmets etc) for whitewater paddling is different than flat water canoeing.
We encourage each white water paddler to have their own correctly sized white water paddle and helmet as well as PFD.
RACCC beginner white water training courses includes tip on how to purchase the right size and style of paddles, PFD`s and helmet (for white water) and usually take place in June, each year.
How can I get involved in white water trips?
For safety, RACCC white water trips are open only to members on the RACCC `white water list`.
These are members who have demonstrated basic skills competency through a "check out ride", training, or other certifications.
For more information: whitewater program or email whitewater@raccc.ca
18. Question: Can I bring my dog on a canoe trip?
We don't have hard and fast rules about this. It is more a question of maintaining happiness and safety within the group (for both people and dogs). It is best dealt with in a cordial and pragmatic way, case by case, situation by situation.
There have been many RACCC trips where dogs are welcome. And... some where they are not - for a variety of reasons.
RACCC members who are dog owners, should always check with the trip leader if they wish to bring their pet.
Trips maybe suitable or not for dogs. A check with other trip participants would be expected.
Then, it is the trip leaders call. Obvious considerations include, but are not limited to:
- Are there any participants with allergies or fears about dogs on the trip?
- What is the nature/capability of the dog?
- What is the wild life situation: per threats to the wildlife or to the dog?
- Are pets allowed at the venue?
- etc.
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