Paddle Canada Courses 2023

10 Jan

2023 Paddle Canada Sea Kayak Courses & Training

All our prices are shown in Canadian dollars ($)
Tax is additional, 5% GST
Back-country Camping Permit Included (Multi-day courses)
e-transfer: 2.5% discount (before tax)
Minimum participation: 4 students
Focus on small classes & personal coaching
Excluded: Gratuities for Instructor(s)

Paddle Canada Basic Level Sea Kayak Courses (1 day)

We offer this 1-day course (8 hr) in Nanaimo or Powell River / Lund. The course is set up according to the 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 8 people and one or two Paddle Canada Instructor(s) will be present. You may bring your own sea kayak including paddle and equipment or we will provide a kayak and equipment for you without additional costs.

This is the primary starting point of the Paddle Canada Sea Kayak skills progression. With a focus on foundation skills and knowledge, Basic Kayak Skills inspires students to go out on short paddling excursions in class-0 or calm and sheltered waters.

Skills and knowledge instructed are: Re-entry skills; wet exit, assisted re-entry. Paddling skills: launching and landing, emptying a kayak, forward and reverse strokes, stopping, sweep stroke, draw stroke, low brace, stern rudder, edge control. Knowledge: equipment and equipment care, paddling and safety equipment, navigation, risk assessment and mitigation, impact of kayakers on the environment.

Learn some new skills or ‘brush up’ on some old & rusty ones before the kayak-season starts
Includes: Paddle Canada Certified Instructor(s), all kayak equipment, resource package
Includes: neoprene wet-suit, ‘long Jane’ / ‘long-John’
Course location | date(s): Nanaimo | April 29 and April 30
PRICE: $179 per person

Paddle Canada Level 1 Sea Kayak Courses (2-days)

We offer this 2-day course (16 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 8 people and one or two a Paddle Canada Instructor(s) 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 comprehensive course is aiming to develop the paddler’s comfort. 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.). Upon successful completion of the course, the paddler will be able to confidently paddle in class-1 conditions in the company of one or more paddlers with similar skills or knowledge. The paddler should be self-reliant yet an asset to the group and an active participant, willing and able to assist others if they need assistance.

Skills and knowledge instructed are: Re-entry skills; unassisted re-entry, assisted re-entry, towing. Paddling skills: launching and landing, forward and reverse strokes, stopping, sweep stroke, draw stroke, low brace, stern rudder, edge control. 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, vehicle boat tie down, kayaking community and resources.

Learn some new skills or ‘brush up’ on some old & rusty ones before the kayak-season starts
Includes: Paddle Canada Certified Instructor(s), all kayak equipment, resource package
Includes: neoprene wet-suit, ‘long Jane’ / ‘long-John’
Course Location | Dates: Nanaimo | May 6 – 7
Course Location | Dates: Powell River / Lund | June 3 – 4
PRICE: $315 per person

Paddle Canada Level 2 Sea Kayak Courses (4-days)

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.

Learn some new skills or ‘brush up’ on some old & rusty ones before the kayak-season starts
Includes: Paddle Canada Certified Instructor(s), all kayak equipment, resource package
Includes: neoprene wet-suit, ‘long Jane’ / ‘long-John’
Includes: 4-night (May 19 – 23) dorm-bed or private room in Desolation Sound Resort
Pre-requisite: Paddle Canada Level 1 certification (or equivalent)
Course Location | Dates: Powell River / Lund | May 20 – 23
PRICE: from $1,099 per person

Learn some new skills or ‘brush up’ on some old & rusty ones before the kayak-season starts
Includes: Paddle Canada Certified Instructor(s), all kayak equipment, resource package
Includes: neoprene wet-suit, ‘long Jane’ / ‘long-John’
Pre-requisite: Paddle Canada Level 1 certification (or equivalent)
Course Location | Dates: Nanaimo | June 23 – 26
PRICE: $749 per person

PROFESSIONALLY GUIDED MULTI-DAY KAYAK CAMPING PADDLE CANADA COURSES

In collaboration with Ocean River Sports in Victoria we are proud to offer unique Paddle Canada Level 1 & Level 2 courses during multi-day kayak & camping tours in Desolation Sound. These tours are booked through Ocean River Sports their web-page.

3-Day Paddle Canada Level 1 Course | Desolation Sound (NEW!)

A guided 3-day Paddle Canada Course in Desolation Sound
DEPARTURE: DESOLATION SOUND RESORT
PRICE: $899 per person
Departure Date: June 16 – 18

5-Day Paddle Canada Level 2 Course | Desolation Sound (NEW!)

A guided 5-day Paddle Canada Course in Desolation Sound
DEPARTURE: DESOLATION SOUND RESORT
PRICE: $1,349 per person
Departure Date: July 19 – 23