If you’re dreaming of sailing offshore, the Vancouver Island Cruising Experience (VICE) is your chance to put that dream into motion. Think of VICE as a final exam before you cast off for the big blue. It’s an opportunity to test both your boat’s readiness and your own confidence for offshore passage making.
What is VICE?
VICE is designed for cruisers — especially Dreamers — who are preparing to become Doers. It’s a great opportunity to gain real offshore experience in the company of others before setting off on your own journey.
The goal is to gather a fleet of BCA boats on the West Coast of Vancouver Island and wait for a suitable weather window before heading offshore for 2 to 3 days. This is not a race or a test of endurance, but a shared experience that allows you to:
- Test your boat’s offshore systems (Radar, AIS, HF/SSB, Starlink, etc.)
- Practice onboard communication and navigation
- Get into the rhythm of cooking, sleeping, and standing watch at sea
- Build confidence in a real but controlled offshore setting
VICE Coordinators
Ed Choromanski and Tanya Van Ginkel aboard Seadra have volunteered to serve as VICE coordinators this year. They will be taking part in the experience and working alongside each participant every step of the way. Their goal is to help ensure an offshore trial is safe, informative, and enjoyable.
VICE 2026 Details
For more information check out the BCA Online Calendar [1] and/or contact Ed and Tanya [2] to register for VICE 2026.