HANDBOOK

Quick Links          
Hall Rentals  

Welcome to Banook Canoe Club!

You’ve just become an important part of the oldest canoe club in Atlantic Canada.  At BCC, we stress a family recreational atmosphere and a competitive canoeing and kayaking environment. We take pride in our historic clubhouse and are pleased that you’ve joined us in the preservation of this facility and the stewardship of the lake. Banook is a non-profit organization, managed by a volunteer Board of Directors. As a new member, we suggest that you read the information about the club and upcoming events on our website and in the regular newsletters we distribute throughout the year.

We welcome you to contact the club manager or a Board member if you would like information or have suggestions to strengthen the operation of our club.
We welcome your participation on our committees or any assistance you can offer to keep Banook running smoothly. I wish you a happy and active summer at the club.

 

 

BCC MISSION STATEMENT

To promote, develop and achieve excellence in competitive amateur paddling while maintaining a family oriented recreational environment.

FIRST….a little history

In the Mi’kmaq dialect, Banook means “First Lake”. The Mi’kmaq were first to navigate Lake Banook and the Dartmouth lake system as they traveled across the province. In 1828, the first ice hockey game in Canada was played on Lake Banook by officers of the British army. In 1929, a seaplane carrying the first airmail shipment from Ottawa to Halifax landed on Lake Banook.
 Banook has hosted national and international events for the past 20 years and hundreds of local regional regattas since the late 1800’s.

Banook was the site of the World Junior Canoe Championships in 1989, the first time the event was held outside Europe. In 1997, Lake Banook hosted the Senior World Championship, and in 2001, the World Marathon Championship.
 

The Building 

BCC was Nova Scotia’s first canoe club, established in 1903. We pride ourselves on our long history and the long list of awards and records held by the present and past members of our club.  
BCC consists of two buildings attached by the breezeway. The "old building" was built in 1904. It has a large hall, small Senior Room, (adults only), bar, kitchen and washrooms.
The "new building" was built in 1971. It has a gymnasium, a canteen which opens during July and August, washrooms and change rooms. The Manager’s office, the paddling staff office and the boat bays are downstairs.
The gym is open for use by all our members. The club sometimes uses it for dances for the junior members and for fundraising dinners. Otherwise no food or drinks are allowed in the gym.

One of the many activities we run during the summer months is a mini basketball league. If you’re interested in helping out, please let the office know.

Hall Rentals

Banook’s ideal location and scenery provides excellent facilities for parties, dances and weddings.

The hall, which seats 120 and the Senior Room, which seats 50, can be rented out, so we try to keep them in top notch shape. Hall rentals are open to the public, and to our members at a discount.  These rentals create a large portion of the club’s revenue.   Areas of the club are off-limits to members when the hall is booked. These dates will be posted well in advance.  To rent the hall call 464-1740.

The Boat Bays

The boat bays house the club’s canoes and some private boats and kayaks. There is a fee for storing a private boat at Banook.

The Weight Room

The weight room is for members only.  Anyone under 15 years of age must be supervised by an adult or coach.

Parking

Parking in front of the clubhouse is limited and for members only. There is one handicapped parking space near the entrance, and it is marked. If you have to double park, please leave a note with your name and where you can be found on the dash or windshield. Extra parking is available across the lake at the Lion’s Beach area. The entrance is off Nolan Street.

The David Jones Memorial Judges Tower

The odd looking building in the water on the club beach side is called the David Jones Memorial Judges Tower. It is owned by the Atlantic Division of the Canadian Canoe Association.  It’s where judges from various canoe clubs officiate during regattas. The tower also has rooms for the computer and video technologists. David Jones was a member of BCC during the 70's and his family is still active today.

Banook Canoe Club Office

464-1694

The office in the breezeway is the nerve center of BCC. This is where you go for help or need information.  The club manager is responsible for day to day operations, and the office is open Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 P.M., and usually closed on weekends.

Guest passes are available from the manager. ($7.00 for individual passes, $10.00 for a family pass, and $40.00 per week for out-of-town visitors.) Local residents are limited to two visits on a guest pass. After that, they are encouraged to join the Club.

Notices of regattas, dances, BBQ’s, and anything else are posted on the bulletin board in the breezeway. Members also get regular updates and notices through email, and voice mail – please sign up when you register. Check out our website at www.banookcanoeclub.com.

Please report lost or found items to the office.

Members can use the phone located just outside the office. As a courtesy to everyone, please keep your calls short! 

Women’s washrooms are located upstairs just outside the gym. The men’s washroom is downstairs just outside the office.  Please report any problems or shortages to the staff immediately.

The canteen is open during July and August from 10am until 3pm, and usually during Regattas.  It’s located on the upper deck, and usually offers hotdogs, pizza, cold drinks and ice cream. Parents can establish an account with the canteen operator at the beginning of the season.

PADDLE YOUR OWN CANOE (OR KAYAK)

Please refer to the BCC website   www.banookcanoeclub.com for detailed information about our paddling programs. Our Head Coach is Troy Comeau.

The paddling programs run Monday to Friday throughout the summer.  The club is generally closed on weekends, except for some adult classes, regattas and swimming at the beach.

Paddling lessons are handled by the Head Coach and his assistant coaches. Each one is a qualified paddler and has been chosen for their leadership skills and their ability to instruct our young paddlers. The day program is supervised by the Head Paddling Coach. Classes will be available for all levels of paddling abilities and will be scheduled during the day depending on the number of registered paddlers. Participants are required to pay a paddling fee to take part in these classes and pass a swim test to show their swimming ability and water safety knowledge. The swim tests take place during the Club’s opening week.

All registered paddlers who wish to compete must wear a racing singlet. Buns needed for war canoe can also be purchased in the office.

The paddling coaches’ office is for staff only and is located next to the Manager’s office.

Kiddie Canoe/Kayak

Each summer, children between the ages of 4 - 8 are offered the chance to become familiar with paddling and water safety. Participants will use war canoes, pleasure canoes and mini kayaks. Life jackets/PFD s must be worn at all times. T-shirts are available for purchase. Any parent who wants to help out is encouraged to get involved in this program.

Year-Round Paddling

This program has been developed to provide those paddlers who want to further their paddling skills with appropriate training and conditioning. Training combines style, flexibility, speed, racing, and competition. During the winter months, activities include swimming, weights, and pool paddling.

Masters

The Masters program at Banook has been active for more than a decade.  This program is open to any Banook member 25 years and older.  Paddlers in this group need not have any previous paddling experience, and have the choice of being competitive or recreational.  There are a number of regattas (races) for Masters throughout the summer, with the final National competition (CANMAS) late August/early September.  Banook has participated in CANMAS almost every year since the national regatta began in the early 1990`s.

This program is very popular within the club for a number of reasons.  Our club is not only for young people, and the Masters program caters to adults.  Adult practices are in the evening throughout the week and on Saturday morning. It’s an opportunity for people with similar interests but varying backgrounds to come together.  Paddling is an incredible work out, no matter what your level of ability. Not only is it great cardiovascular exercise, but also a great form of strength training.  Masters paddle in war canoes, kayaks and smaller canoes for one, two or four paddlers.

Over and above the physical benefits, there are great social benefits. The Masters are an established and active group within the club.  We help with various fund-raising efforts and support events happening at the club throughout the year. It’s a wonderful way to meet new people.

New members are always welcome, at any time of the season.  Beginners are willingly offered offer tips and advice.  If you enjoy the outdoors, challenging yourself, and using muscles you never thought you had, the Masters program is for you.

This program is well-recognized among paddling clubs in our area and throughout Canada.  We have many crews that are defending National Champions in War Canoe, Kayak and Canoe, in the men’s, women’s and mixed divisions.

JUST WANNA HAVE FUN?

Racing boats can only be used by adults who have paid paddling fees, in addition to the Club membership fees, and only with a coach’s permission.

Recreational boats (aluminum canoes and plastic kayaks called piccolos) may be used by all members during Open Wharf and in the evenings.  Please ask a coach (they’re available during the day) for permission. Everyone must wear life jackets (PFDs) while on the water. Please make sure all the boats are off the water by 8:30pm.

Some adult paddling classes and some senior war canoes practices take place during the evening. Children are not permitted to use any of the club boats in the evening.

LIFE’S A BEACH

The beach and grassed areas are for all members to enjoy. Get your favorite spot on the grass early in the day!  Adults must supervise children when they come to the club to swim during un-life guarded hours.  Please help keep the grass and beach area clean. Use the garbage bins that are provided, and encourage your children to do the same.

The supervised waterfront area consists of one main area, subdivided into three sections.  The first is very shallow, and meant for small children, toddlers, waders and Aqua tot classes. The second area extends out to the raft. It drops off approximately 10-12 feet so it’s ok to dive from the raft. The third area is between the floating raft and the dock. It is used for recreational swimming and lessons for Aqua quest levels 2-5.

The swimming lanes between the floating docks are used to teach upper levels of the Aqua quest Learn To Swim program, 5-12 and the Bronze Medallion/Bronze Cross class.

Lifeguards are on duty Monday to Friday from 9am to 5 pm, and between 12pm and 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.  Those hours are extended during regattas and other club events.

SWIM LESSONS

Swim lessons are held Monday to Thursday throughout the summer.

There are two three-week sessions with one week break in between. The average ratio in the swim classes is usually one instructor to every five students.  Some of the classes are larger and some classes smaller, but all follow the Red Cross guidelines.

THE SWIM TEAM

The Banook swim team practices at the Dartmouth Sportsplex, Monday to Thursday f during the summer.   They are trained by two qualified coaches.  The team participates in five or six summer swim meets throughout the province. Check our website for more details.

WHERE CAN I BUY ONE OF THOSE?

Banook Shop is a volunteer service that provides a wide selection of  paddling clothing and equipment.  Items include racing singlets, paddling buns, life-belts t-shirts, sweatshirts, club jackets etc. We also have copies of our 100 year anniversary book  "Voices From The Past” for sale. More information about the Banook Shop will be made available during the summer.

Serious paddlers who are interested in buying boats or other paddling gear should see Head Coach Troy Comeau.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

Atlantic Division The Atlantic provinces make up this division of Canadian Canoe Association.

Boatman  Anyone who works on the docks.

Bun Canvas bag filled with cork, used to kneel on in the boat

Burgee The official flag of the CCA given to the winning club for an overall Club championship. Burgees are also given in age categories and CANMAS

CANMAS Canadian Masters Championship

C Boats  C boats are canoes, or Canadians, as they are sometimes called, and are propelled by the use of a single blade paddle.   A paddler’s stroke technique controls and steers the boat. C boats are raced as single (C1), pairs (C2) and fours (C4).

CCA Abbreviation for the Canadian Canoe Association, the sport’s national governing body 

Commodore  President of a canoe club.

Cox or Coxswain Coach of a war canoe

Flag Officers President of the Atlantic Division of the CCA.

K Boats  K boats are kayaks. The kayak is a low profile javelin-like covered craft. Unlike the kneeling position of the canoeist, the kayak paddler balances on a seat in the bottom of the boat and steers by the use of rudder, propelled by a double bladed paddle. Kayak events are raced in singles (K1), pairs (K2) and fours (K4).

Lake Patrol A boat patrol that in association with the Dartmouth Police helps maintain safety standards on Lake Banook and Lake Micmac and is the chief authority in an emergency situation on the lakes.

Life Belt safety belt worn by all paddlers under the age of midget

Local Clubs

Abenaki Dartmouth

Banook Dartmouth

Cheema Waverley

Maskwa Halifax

MicMac Lake Banook

North Star – This a rowing club on Lake Banook, not a paddling club.  It’s located behind BCC’s beach area.

Orenda Lake Echo

Pisiquid Windsor

Sackawa Lower Sackville

Senobe  Lake Banook

Open Wharf  scheduled time during the day when children and adults can take out recreational boats. Sprint boats can be taken out used if a paddling fee has been paid.

Paddleboards Boards that attach to the docks or sides of pool

Paddling refers to both canoeing and kayaking.

Pogies glove-like covers that attach to the paddle to protect paddlers’ hands from cold water.

Regatta A day-long paddling competition for children of all ages in kayaks, canoes and war canoes It usually rains.

War Canoe A large canoe which carries 14 paddlers and a cox. Each
paddler has a single blade paddle. The cox stands in the back of the boat and steers by using his/her blade as a rudder.

Wash Riding When a competitor gains advantage by drafting the wake of another competitor.

Wing Blade A type of paddle used by competitive paddlers.

BCC HOUSE RULES

1. All BCC users shall leave the premises by 9 p.m. unless participating in an organized program authorized by the Board of Directors. Members 14 or under are only permitted on the premises until 6 p.m. unless they accompanied by an adult, or are participating in an organized program.

2. Members under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or designated baby-sitter.

3. Animals are not permitted anywhere on the Club premises, with the exception of guide dogs.

4. Smoking is not permitted anywhere at the Club except on the upper deck.

5. Club staff is responsible for order and discipline while maintaining the safe operation of programs and the facilities. All members are to respect and follow their orders. Please do not interfere with their duties. Members should conduct themselves in manner that does not endanger themselves or others.

6. All members are to respect the personal property of any members. All personal property is left on club premises at the owner’s risk. Personal insurance is required for all boats and a storage fee is required. All personal boats should be locked up while in storage.

7. All members are to respect the club equipment and facilities. Authorization to use club equipment or property must come from staff.

8. Use of alcohol by minors is strictly prohibited. Alcohol may be consumed by those 19 years of age or over on club premises during events sanctioned by the Board and must be purchased from the club bar.

PENALTIES FOR ANY INFRACTION OF THE ABOVE RULES WILL BE DECIDED BY THE CLUB MANAGER AND OR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Volunteers are always needed at the club and if you are interested in helping in any way with fund raising or social activities, please contact the club manager or any of the board members.