New to Kayaking and want to learn the correct and safe way to kayak? Then our Paddle Canada Basic Kayaker is the course for you.

Prerequisites:

• None.

Typical Course Length:

• 1 day ( 6 to 8 hours )

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Re-entry Skills:

• Wet Exit

• Assisted Re-entries
   

Paddling Skills:

• Lifting and Carrying a Kayak

• Launching and Landing

• Emptying the Kayak

• Forward Stroke

• Stopping

• Reverse Stroke

• Forward & Reverse Sweep Strokes

• Pivots

• Draw Stroke

• Low Brace

• Edging
   

General Knowledge:

• Kayak Part Names and Outfitting

• Paddling and Safety Equipment

• Injury Prevention

• Sunsense

• Collision Regulations

• Navigation

• Risk Assessment and Mitigation

• Impact of Kayakers on the Environment

Building on the information covered in Basic Skills, Level-1 is a two-day course that moves participants beyond flatwater kayaking and into the sport of sea kayaking. The course is conducted in slightly rougher water than Basic Kayak, aiming to develop the paddler’s comfort in class-1 waters. There is a strong focus on re-entry techniques as well as the skills required to safely plan and execute a day trip with friends (for example, navigation & route planning, weather interpretation, proper clothing/gear.)

Prerequisites:

• Certification:

  • Paddle Canada Basic Kayak skills certification or equivalent skill and knowledge at the discretion of the course director.

• Paddling experience:

  • Five kayaking excursions (2 or 3 hours) in class-0

  • Can execute a controlled wet exit in class-0 conditions.

  • Can perform a simple assisted re-entry in class-0 conditions.

Typical Course Length:

• 2 days

​

Re-entry Skills:

• Unassisted Re-entry

• Assisted Re-entry

• Towing
   

Paddling Skills:

• Launching and Landing

• Forward Stroke

• Stopping

• Reverse Stroke

• Sweep Strokes

• Draw Stroke

• Low Brace

• Stern Rudder

• Edge Control
   

General Knowledge:

• Equipment and Equipment Care

• Communication

• Route Planning and Basic Navigation Techniques

• Half-day Kayak Journey

• Weather

• Sea State

• Risk Assessment and Mitigation

• Cold Issues and Sun Safety

• Impact of Kayakers on the Environment

• History and Heritage

• Kayaking Community and Resources

• Vehicle Boat Tie Down

Building on the skills developed in Level-1, Level-2 provides paddlers with the intermediate skills they need to go sea kayaking in class-2 conditions along semi-exposed shoreline with a possible overnight bivvy. Leadership, incident management, open-water rescue, self-care and navigation are core parts of the curriculum.
 

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to confidently sea kayak in class-2 conditions along moderately exposed shoreline in the company of one or more paddlers with similar skills and knowledge. The Level-2 paddler will be an asset to the group in all aspects of multi-day journeys with peers, including leadership, navigation skills and the ability to establish an overnight bivvy.

Prerequisites:

• Certification:

  • Sea Kayak Level-1 Skills certification or equivalent skill and knowledge at the discretion of the course director.

• Paddling experience:

  • At least 3, one-day-long kayaking trips in Level-1 conditions in different locations.

• Other training:

  • Wilderness first aid (16 hours) with CPR strongly recommended.

Typical Course Length:

• 4 days

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Re-entry Skills:

• Re-entry Skills

• Assisted Re-entry

• All-in Re-entry

• Bow Rescue

• Re-entry Exercises or Scenarios

• Introduction to Rolling

• Towing
   

Paddling Skills:

• Launching and Landing

• Forward Stroke

• Turning Strokes

  • Sweep Strokes

  • Low and High Brace Turns

  • Bow Rudders

• Low & High Braces

• Draws

  • Draw Stroke

  • Sculling Draw

  • Hanging Draw

  • Stern Draw and Stern Pry

• Paddling in Rough Water
   

General Knowledge:

• Equipment

• Introduction to Tides & Currents

• Wilderness Navigation Techniques and Chart/Map Work

  • Navigation Techniques

  • Nautical Charts and Topographic Maps

  • Other Navigation Tools or Activities

• Weather Interpretation and Basic Forecasting

• Heat and Cold Issues

• Emergency Overnight

• Leadership and Decision Making

• Risk Assessment, Incident Management and Evacuation Options

• Knots & Ropework

• Collision Regulations

12 to 16 Years Gain the fundamental skills and knowledge to paddle in protected waters. Learn about equipment needed, how to get in and out of a kayak, paddle strokes, capsizing and rescuing skills in a fun environment. Upon successfully completing the course, you will receive a certificate from Paddle Canada. All equipment provided.

Prerequisites:

• None

Typical Course Length:

• 1 day

​

Re-entry Skills:

• Wet Exit

• Assisted Re-entries
   

Paddling Skills:

• Lifting and Carrying a Kayak

• Launching and Landing

• Emptying the Kayak

• Forward Stroke

• Stopping

• Reverse Stroke

• Forward & Reverse Sweep Strokes

• Pivots

• Draw Stroke

• Low Brace

• Edging
   

General Knowledge:

• Kayak Part Names and Outfitting

• Paddling and Safety Equipment

• Injury Prevention

• Sunsense

• Collision Regulations

• Navigation

• Risk Assessment and Mitigation

• Impact of Kayakers on the Environment

Aim:

Introduces the novice to paddling a paddleboard in calm sheltered water.

Prerequisites:

None.

Typical Course Length:

2-3 hours, or more at instructor’s discretion.

Builds on skills and knowledge gained in the Basic SUP course. The participant will be introduced to paddling in more challenging conditions and to more advanced paddleboard skills.

Prerequisites:

• Basic SUP course or equivalent experience.

Typical Course Length:

• 2-3 hours, or more at instructor’s discretion. Advanced Flatwater SUP can be combined with Basic SUP into a single course of 4-6 hours or more.

This program is designed for the new paddler to provide knowledge and skills necessary for

paddling protected waters. The items chosen for inclusion in this program are of importance to individuals being introduced to kayaking

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Course Description:

This course introduces the beginner to kayaking in calm waters in a designated waterfront area. The skills and knowledge gained at this level form the foundation necessary for confident and safe travel within small and calm environments.

Prerequisites:

• None.

Typical Course Length:

• 6 hours

​

Re-entry Skills

• Wet exit

• Wet exit w. paddle

• Assisted re-entry

• Solo re-entry

Paddling Skills

• Lifting and Carrying a Kayak

• Forward and Reverse Strokes

• Stopping

• Forward and Reverse Sweep Strokes

• Draw Stroke
   

General Knowledge

• Kayak Outfitting, Gear and Clothing

• Journeying and Seamanship