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

Elevate Fitness

Build general fitness through activities focusing on speed, strength, endurance and flexibility

Love for the Outdoors

Learn & develop a love for paddling & outdoor activities including outrigger canoes, SUP, kayak, & dragon boat

STEM Learning

Inspire learning and curiosity by introducing science, technology, engineering, and math in an interactive way

Kayak, SUP, Fitness/Movement

MONDAY/WEDNESDAY/FRIDAY

$240/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

STEM

3PM

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).