Canoe Kayak Nova Scotia (CKNS)

CKNS is the official voice of recreational paddling for the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. We are a not-for-profit membership-based association.

The association had its beginning on November 28th, 1973, when the Nova Scotia Department of Recreation (currently the Sport and Recreation Commission) held a meeting with "canoeing enthusiasts" to establish an organization that would be responsible for developing all aspects of canoeing and making it available to interested people. Represented at
this meeting were the Canadian Canoe Association,

Canadian Youth Hostel, Canadian White Water Association, Canadian Camping Association, Dalhousie University, Physical Education Department of Halifax City Schools and the Canadian Red Cross Society. The result of this meeting led to the development of the Canoe Nova Scotia (CNS), which registered under the Societies Act in 1976. In its early years, the association embodied the major disciplines of the time: flat water (competitive racing), white water, and recreational canoeing. It was through these affiliations that opportunities were developed for people who were interested in learning or improving their canoeing skills or wanted to get involved in instructing, coaching or officiating. Through time the disciplines and the structure of the association improved. Marathon canoeing, a new discipline, developed under the auspices of Canoe Nova Scotia. However, competitive racing, under the long standing arm of the Canadian Canoe Association continued on its own, and when marathon canoeing matured to association status it moved under the umbrella of flat water racing. White water canoeing in the province, which had a rapid growth for several years, experienced an acute decline by the early 1980's. At the same time, when it appeared as if we were losing all our relations in the early eighties, others came along to replace them. Many members embraced the new sports of whitewater and sea kayaking in the province in the 1990's and CNS began to provide limited support for these sports. The organization changed its name in 2000 to Canoe Kayak Nova Scotia to reflect its changed role, as it began to offer additional services to kayakers as well as canoeists. At about the same time (1996) we adopted the national banner program of the Canadian Recreational Canoe Association, which is now Paddle Canada. Today, even with all the developments that have occurred over the past three decades, the intent to provide interested individuals with the information, leadership, guidance and assistance still remains.

06/15/2026

✨What better way to spend the day!?✨

☀️Join us for Stage 2 of the Canoe the Canal Series this Sunday, June 21

🛶 We will launch from Oakfield Provincial Park, starting with a paddle across beautiful Sandy Cove (Grand Lake), and then following the beautiful Shubenacadie River downstream to Brickyard Park in Lantz where we will finish with a BBQ 🌭☀️

📍 Registration: $15 (includes BBQ!)
⭐ Children under 12 - FREE
✨ 1 parent/guardian per crew paddles FREE when joining with their children

Grab your crew and come make a day of it outdoors! 🌿🌞
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No canoe, kayak, or paddleboard? No problem!! Hop into one of our BIG canoes! 🛶 No experience needed and PFDs + paddles are included (spaces limited!)
•
👉🔗 See link in comments for more details and registration
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🎉 In celebration of CKNS’ 50th anniversary - we’re running a (non-consecutive) multi-day festival to paddle across Nova Scotia on the Shubenacadie Canal System! There will be 5 stages with one event each month May-September 2026 with clinics, cultural events, a paddle, and a social event. 🎉

Open to all paddlers and paddle craft! See you there!! 🙌

06/12/2026

☀️🛶 Canoe the Canal - Stage 2: June 21 🛶☀️

Join us for another adventure on the water! Stage 2 (of 5!) of the Canoe the Canal series will launch from Oakfield Provincial Park, starting with a paddle across beautiful Sandy Cove (Grand Lake), and then following the beautiful Shubenacadie River downstream to Brickyard Park in Lantz where we will finish with a BBQ 🌭☀️

📍 Registration: $15 (includes BBQ!)
⭐ Children under 12 - FREE

✨ Fathers paddle FREE when joining with their children ✨

Grab your crew and come make a day of it outdoors! 🌿🌞
•
No canoe, kayak, or paddleboard? No problem!! Hop into one of our BIG canoes! 🛶 No experience needed and PFDs + paddles are included (spaces limited!)
•
👉🔗 See link in bio for more details and registration
•
🎉 In celebration of CKNS' 50th anniversary - we're running a (non-consecutive) multi-day festival to paddle across Nova Scotia on the Shubenacadie Canal System! There will be 5 stages with one event each month May-September 2026 with clinics, cultural events, a paddle, and a social event. 🎉

Open to all paddlers and paddle craft! See you there!! 🙌

Photos from East Coast Outfitters's post

05/20/2026

Looking to build your confidence on the water this season? 🌊🛶

Join us May 23–24 at East Coast Outfitters in Lower Prospect for our Paddle Canada Level 1 Sea Kayaking Skills Course!

This nationally recognized certification is the perfect way to improve your paddling skills, learn essential safety techniques, and get more comfortable exploring the coast with friends all summer long. It’s also the prerequisite for our Sea Kayak Tripping: Paddle Canada Level 2 Sea Kayak Skills Course happening later this fall.

✔ Expert instructors
✔ Small group learning
✔ Beautiful ocean classroom
✔ Great for recreational paddlers looking to level up

Spaces are still available!

📞 902-852-2567
📧 [email protected]

More info: https://www.eastcoastoutfitters.com/paddle-canada-sea-kayak-courses.

Photos from Canoe Kayak Nova Scotia (CKNS)'s post

05/20/2026

☀️🛶 What an incredible day celebrating CKNS’ 50th Anniversary at Stage 1 of CANOE THE CANAL this past weekend!! 🛶☀️

With the sun shining, it was smiles all around on this perfectly beautiful day to paddle from Lock 3, through “the cut”, to Lake Charles and back. We didn’t stop there!! The paddle continued with a portage past Lock 3 & 2 into Lake Mic Mac and Lake Banook, where we finished with a BBQ graciously prepared by our wonderful volunteers.

Thanks to all who joined us and supported this event, we had a blast, and we’d love to see you all again (and many new faces too 🙌) as we continue with the CANOE THE CANAL series throughout the summer!

🌊

If you don’t have your own boat, and would still love to join, our BIG CANOES are always available for you to hop in - no experience needed (and we provide paddles and PFDs too!)
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Check out our website for more event details - we look forward to seeing you on the water next time! ✨

05/13/2026

🚨 BIG CANOE SPOTS AVAILABLE! 🚨

Want to join CANOE THE CANAL but don’t own a boat?
Hop into one of CKNS’s legendary BIG CANOES during our May 18 paddle! 🛶

✔ No experience necessary
✔ PFDs & paddles included
✔ Meet new paddling friends
✔ BBQ included after the paddle

We’ll travel through the beautiful Shubenacadie Canal, lakes and historic locks before finishing with a social at Banook Canoe Club.

Space is limited — reserve your seat early!
ckns.ca/canoe-the-canal/

05/13/2026

🚣 Canoe the Canal: CKNS 50th Anniversary 🚣

Join Canoe Kayak Nova Scotia this summer as we celebrate 50 years with a multi-day festival across the historic Shubenacadie Canal System! Stage 1 May 16 - 18

📍 Clinic: Big Canoe Intermediate Leader - MAY 16 - 17
📍 Big Canoe Try it Paddle - MAY 17
📍 CANOE THE CANAL: Stage 1 — MAY 18
Paddle from Lock 3 through the cut to Lake Charles and back. Continue on past Lock 3 & 2 to Lake Micmac and Lake Banook, ending with a BBQ social at Banook Canoe Club!

🛶 Open to ALL paddlers & paddle craft
🍔 BBQ & social events included
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly)
💲 Registration: $15
👧 Children under 12 FREE

No canoe, kayak, or paddleboard? No problem!
Try paddling in one of our BIG CANOES — no experience needed, and paddles/PFDs are provided. (space limited!)

Come paddle, connect, and celebrate 50 years of CKNS on the water!

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Location

Halifax

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Website

http://ckns.ca/

Address

5516 Spring Garden Road, 4th Floor
Halifax, NS
B3J1G6

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm