Cates Park Paddling Centre operates in partnership with the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation and Takaya.

Just a 5 minute drive from Deep Cove, Cates Park Paddling Centre offers an excellent location to both kayak and paddleboard in North Vancouver. Getting a kayak in North Van has never been easier. Call 604-985-2925 for more info or Book Now on our Rentals page.

We are open from May to September, for rentals of single kayaks, double kayaks, surfskis and stand up paddleboards. Please note that our hours are weather dependent and that we operate on a by-reservation basis mid-week. It is always best to book online or call ahead of time.

For Cultural Tours, visit the Takaya website, click Here.

Hours of Operation:

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON. SEE YOU IN MAY 2025

HISTORY

In March 2007, Takaya Tours entered into a co-management agreement with Deep Cove Kayak Centre to run the Whey Ah Wichen / Cates Park operations and since then we have been growing our business and offering into what it is today.

The ancestral name for this land is Whey-Ah-Wichen which means ‘faces the wind’. Whey Ah Wichen has great importance to the Tsleil-Waututh people. It was used as a small village during the spring and summer months to hunt and gather the natural resources such as wild game, berries, flora and fauna. Today the Tsleil-Waututh people use the park for cultural events, ceremonies and to run one part of the Takaya Tours kayak operations.

History of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation

Pronounced “slay-wah-tuth”. The People of the Inlet, a Coast Salish people with their own distinct customs and history. Their language is Downriver Halkomelem. They are a small and growing community of 500 with a traditional territory stretching from the Fraser River in the south to Mamquam Lake east of Whistler Mountain in the north. The community is located on the Burrard Inlet between North Vancouver and Deep Cove, BC.

The Tsleil-Waututh have travelled the land and waters of their traditional territory for thousands of years, and wish to share knowledge with visitors who appreciate wild nature and authentic indigenous culture.