4 days / 32hrs Paddle Canada Level 2 Course in Nanaimo

We offer this 4-day course (32 hr) in Nanaimo or Powell River / Lund. The course is set-up according to Paddle Canada’s standards and guidelines and once successfully completed you may receive a certificate. The group size will be limited to a maximum of 6 people and a Paddle Canada Instructor will be present during both days. You may bring your own sea kayak including paddle and equipment or we can provide a kayak and equipment for you without additional costs.

This course builds on skills learned in the Level-1 course and focuses on kayaking in moderately exposed coastline including short crossings and planning and execution of kayak trips. There is a strong focus on un-assisted and assisted re-entry techniques as well as the skills required to safely plan and execute a multi-day tour with friends. Wilderness navigation techniques and chart/map work, weather interpretation and forecasting, tides and currents and decision-making are some of the many topics covered in this course. The successful completion of this course provides you with the intermediate skills you need to go sea kayaking in class-2 conditions along semi-exposed shoreline with short crossings and short delays in access to land-based assistance with a possible overnight emergency shelter.

Skills and knowledge instructed are: Re-entry skills; unassisted and assisted re-entry techniques including all-in re-entry and bow rescue, introduction to rolling, towing. Paddling skills: launching and landing, forward and reverse strokes, turning strokes, stopping, sweep strokes, draw strokes, high and low brace, stern draw and pry, paddling in rough water. Knowledge: equipment and equipment care, tides and currents, wilderness navigation techniques and chart/map work, other weather prediction and basic forecasting, heat/cold issues, emergency overnight, leadership and decision making, risk assessment, incident management and evacuation options.