Small Waves
Strong Minds
Join us at Sunnyside Paddling Club for the ultimate kids summer paddling camp right here in Toronto!
Youth Paddle Camps
Ages 7 to 17
Small Waves Strong Minds is the ultimate youth paddling program in the heart of Toronto. Kids will be introduced to a variety of paddling disciplines such as kayaks, outrigger canoes, stand up paddle boards (SUP) and dragon boat, providing new enriching experiences for developing community, confidence, and independence.
Our program is built with the guidance of the Canoe and Kayak Canada LTAD (Long Term Athlete Development) plan to ensure our kids focus on developing the proper framework for a life long journey in the sport. The program demonstrates a balance of technical instruction (we aim to provide a coach to participant ratio of 1:6) along with fun, play-based learning.
Scroll down or click below to learn more details about our two camps:
1) Kayak, SUP, & Fitness/Movement
2) Canoe, Dragon Boat, & Fitness/Movement
All equipment, including paddles and PFDs, will be provided to campers. All campers must wear a non-inflatable PFD while engaged in any on-water activity.
No prior paddling experience is required. Campers should be confident swimmers.
Weekend competition opportunities will be provided to campers who wish to get more involved in the sport at no extra fee, however, racing is not a required component of the program.
Have questions or want to learn more about the program? Contact us at youth@sunnysidepc.ca.
Program Goals
Small Waves Strong Minds strives to ensure campers are immersed in an engaging, fun, and safe learning environment, filled with exciting opportunities to enjoy time spent outdoors.
Transferable Skills
Develop long-term transferable skills such as leadership, teamwork and communication
Love for the Outdoors
Learn & develop a love for paddling & outdoor activities including outrigger canoes, SUP, kayak, & dragon boat
Elevate Fitness
Build general fitness through activities focusing on speed, strength, endurance and flexibility
Kayak, SUP, Fitness/Movement
MONDAY/WEDNESDAY/FRIDAY
$170/Session
Our first of two camps offered at Sunnyside Paddling Club features quality time spent on kayaks and stand up paddle boards!
What is a kayak?
A kayak is a small, narrow watercraft which is typically propelled by means of a double-bladed paddle.
What is a stand up paddle board (SUP)?
Stand up paddle boarding is an outdoor water sport activity in which a rider stands up on a large board and uses a paddle to move through the water.
Campers enrolled in this program will learn the fundamentals of paddling and controlling these boats. The dryland fitness component will focus on suppleness, speed and movement literacy (running, jumping, hoping, throwing).
Camp Schedule
9AM
Check-in/drop-off
9:10-9:40AM
Safety/warm-up
9:55-10:45AM
Kayak
11-11:50AM
SUP
11:50AM-12:30PM
Lunch
12:45-1:35PM
Fitness/on-land games
1:50PM
Pick-up
Outrigger Canoe, Dragon Boat, Fitness/Movement
TUESDAY/THURSDAY
$170/Session
Our second camp offered at Sunnyside Paddling Club specializes in water crafts specific for single sided paddling: outrigger canoes and dragon boats!
What is an outrigger canoe?
The outrigger canoe was historically used by ancient Polynesians as a means of travel in open ocean and is now used for racing around the world.
What is a dragon boat?
A dragon boat is a large 20 paddler, human-powered water craft with paddlers sitting in twos side by side. A steer controls the direction of the boat using a large oar, and a drummer sits at the front to keep the team in rhythm.
Campers enrolled in this program will learn the fundamentals of paddling and controlling these boats. The dryland fitness component will focus on suppleness, speed and movement literacy (running, jumping, hoping, throwing).
Camp Schedule
9AM
Check-in/drop-off
9:10-9:40AM
Safety/warm-up
9:55-10:45AM
Outrigger canoe
11-11:50AM
Dragon boat
11:50AM-12:30PM
Lunch
12:45-1:35PM
Fitness/on-land games
1:50PM
Pick-up
Kayak, Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP), Fitness/Movement
A kayak is a small, narrow watercraft which is typically propelled by means of a double-bladed paddle. Stand up paddle boarding is an outdoor water sport activity in which a rider stands up on a large board and uses a paddle to move through the water. Youth in the program will learn the foundations and fundamentals of paddling and controlling the boats. The dryland fitness component will focus on suppleness, speed and movement literacy (running, jumping, hoping, throwing)
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY
9AM Check in
9:10-9:40AM: Safety/Warm Up
9:55-10:45AM: Kayak
11-11:50PM: SUP
11:50-12:30: Lunch
12:45-1:35PM: Fitness/On Land Games
1:50PM: Pick Up
-All equipment including life jackets and paddles will be provided.
-All U17 athletes must wear a non-inflatable Government of Canada approved PFD while engaged in any on-water activity;
-no prior paddling experience needed.
-Participants should be confident swimmers.
*2024REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR JULY & AUGUST"
$240/Session (Taxes included)
REGISTER HERE
Canoe, Dragon Boat & Fitness/Movement
Paddlers will be taught different types of Canoeing styles from Basic Canoeing, Outrigger Canoe and Dragon Boat. Basic Canoe paddling is taught in a lake-style setting and serves as the foundation. The Outrigger Canoe was used by ancient Polynesians as a means of travel in open ocean and is now used for racing around the world. A Dragon Boat is a large 20 paddler human power water craft with paddlers sitting in twos side by side. Participants will learn the fundamentals and foundations of paddling and boat control. The dryland fitness component will focus on suppleness, speed and movement literacy (running, jumping, hoping, throwing)
TUESDAY & THURSDAY
9AM Check in
9:10-9:40AM: Safety/Warm Up
9:55-10:45AM: OC & Rec Canoe
11-11:50PM: Dragon Boat
11:50-12:30: Lunch
12:45-1:35PM: Fitness/On Land Games
1:50PM: Pick Up
-All equipment including life jackets and paddles will be provided.
-All U17 athletes must wear a non-inflatable Government of Canada approved PFD while engaged in any on-water activity;
-No prior paddling experience needed.
-Participants should be confident swimmers.
*2024 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR JULY & AUGUST"
$170/SESSION (Taxes included)
REGISTER HERE:
U18 Dragon Boat Development Program
Dragon Boat paddling has its roots from ancient myths and legends in China and since then has grown as a sport accessible to all ages, skill and competitive levels. Sunnyside Paddling Club is Canada's largest Dragon Boat club.
New for 2024 the Sparks Under 18 program is Toronto’s first development paddle program for dragon boat. The program is focused on using the sport of dragon boat and paddling to build better people, from a spark into a flame! Youth 12-18 years of age will develop sport-specific athletic skills unique to their stage of development and goals in a fun and team-based atmosphere culminating in competing at our National Championships.
More specifically, paddlers will be introduced to dryland training focusing on 3 critical training windows; speed, aerobic capacity and strength (LTAD,2009). At the end of the program paddlers will develop proper paddling technique, a strong aerobic base and core strength. Skills that are transferable to a multitude of other sports and crucial for everyday living.
2024 Season (May 6 – July 17, 2024)
Tuesday 5-6:30pm
Thursday 5-6:30pm
*Each session will consist of 60 Minute Dragon Boat/Small Boat Work & 30 Minutes Dryland Training
Regattas:
Ontario Youth Dragon Boat Championships, June 4
Toronto Island Dragon Boat Festival, June 17
Pricing:
Racing Season (Summer): $450
Not Included: Jersey, Transportation and Accommodations (Canadian Nationals)
Registration:
REGISTER HERE Program will require 18 paddlers to register.
Youth will have the opportunity to help out at the club on weekdays and weekends to accumulate high school community service hours and gain real-life job training. Once complete, youth can also reduce their fees at a rate of $10 per hour. Limited opportunities available.
All skill levels are welcomed. Interested in the program but times don’t work? Let us know and we can see if we can accommodate.
Kids Birthday Parties
Sunnyside Paddling Club can create a customized birthday party for your child and friends. We can provide instruction for canoes, kayaks, stand up paddles board and Dragon Boat. We can accommodate up to 18 kids depending on the paddle craft. Reservations are required and run only from June-August. Please inquire at "youth@sunnysidepc.ca"
