Kayaking Skills Instruction:

Lessons & Courses for BC Kayaking Adventures

Improve Your Sea Kayak Skills for safety, self-confidence and more fun!

Whether you're taking your first paddle strokes, or looking to challenge yourself in tidal rapids and surf, we want to help you become a better paddler. Our sea kayaking instructors are experienced, certified, and eager to help you build your kayaking skills.

We offer the following courses and instruction: 

• Introduction to Kayaking (Paddle Canada Sea Kayak Skills certification)

• Intermediate Kayaking Skills (Paddle Canada Level 1)

• Advanced Kayaking Skills (Paddle Canada Level 2)

• Tidal Rapids Kayaking

• Kayak Skills Refresher

• Kayak Rolling

• Okisollo Wave Kayak Surfing

Please contact us with any questions. Custom dates may be arranged. Small groups and individual registrations are welcome. Four people are usually required to run formal courses at published rates. 

Introduction to Kayaking (Paddle Canada Sea Kayak Skills)

Skills and Safety for New Paddlers: A full day of new skills with time for practice in a supportive and beautiful environment.

• From the start: getting in and out of the kayak at beach and dock
• Kayak equipment: what you need to be comfortable and safe 

• The paddle: hands-body-paddle position and efficient motion

• Basic paddling strokes and maneuvering
• Rescue and re-entry: assisted and self-rescues
• Safe kayaking: do’s and don’ts
• Safety gear

• More info: http://www.paddlingcanada.com/programs.asp?id=64

Introduction to Kayaking Course

One day: 9 am - 5 pm, Discovery Lodge, Quadra Island

Prerequisite: None - Everybody is Welcome!

Course Cost:  Instruction $125Cdn, plus tax. Paddle Canada Sea Kayak Skills certification available ($15). Kayak rentals available.

2013 Course Dates:  July 5, July 19, July 26, Aug 9, Aug 16, Aug 28. Custom dates also available.

Intermediate Kayaking Skills (Paddle Canada Level 1)

A Discovery Weekend: Two days to learn & practice, with evenings to relax & enjoy friends. Intermediate course content includes:

• Paddling ergonomics: hands-body-paddle position & efficient paddling.
• Basic and advanced paddle strokes
• Increasing stability: edge control and low brace
• Capsize and recovery: basic and advanced rescue techniques

• Reading tide and current tables, navigation, and weather considerations
• Safety fundamentals: skills, emergency equipment and common sense

• More Info: http://www.paddlingcanada.com/programs.asp?id=5
Intermediate Kayaking Skills Course (Paddle Canada Level 1)

2 days: kayak skills & on-water training

Prerequisite: Some previous paddling experience is recommended, but not necessary if you are fit and keen.

Course Cost: Instruction $250 Cdn, plus tax. Paddle Canada Level 1 certificate on completion of requirements. Kayak rentals available. Accommodation available at Discovery Islands Lodge B&B/hostel.

2013 Scheduled Course Dates: 

June 15-16, July 20-21, Aug 2-3, Aug 10-11  Custom dates available.

Advanced Kayaking Skills (Paddle Canada Level 2)

This 4-day course reviews and advances kayaking hard-skills, including paddling in moving water, advanced safety and rescue skills. In preparation for self guided kayaking, participants will learn and practice:

• Advanced paddle strokes

• Rolling

• Introduction to tidal rapids paddling

• Towing techniques
• Trip planning and leadership

• Kayak camping skills, equipment & tricks of the trade

• Coastal weather and predicting ocean conditions
• Navigation skills

• Avoiding and managing emergencies

• More info: http://www.paddlingcanada.com/programs.asp?id=65

Advanced Kayaking Skills Course (Paddle Canada Level 2)

4 Days: instruction and practice, includes 2-days kayak camping trip.
Prerequisite: Paddle Canada Level 1 or equivalent; kayaking experience.
Course Cost: Instruction $500 Cdn, plus tax. Paddle Canada Level 2 certificate on completion of requirements. Kayak rentals available. Accommodation available at Discovery Islands Lodge B&B/hostel.
2013 Scheduled Course Dates:  June 20-23 

Custom dates available.

Tidal Rapids Kayaking

Have an adventure! Surge Narrows and Okisollo tidal rapids are perfect playgrounds for learning about moving water and developing skills for thrills and safety. We’ll share knowledge about: 

• Kayak designs • Moving water: theory and reality • Kayak handling: theory and practice • Strokes, eddying, edging, bracing, maneuvers.
On-water Coaching: Gain confidence and perfect skills with friendly helpful advice and how-to demonstrations by Coast Mountain’s expert certified instructors. (Spectators welcome: There are beautiful places to sit and enjoy the on-water entertainment.)

Tidal Rapids Kayaking

Every Day: Most days there's a big enough tide - and it's always a lot of fun.

Prerequisites: Previous experience required; basic-good rolling skills highly desirable. Appropriate personal equipment is necessary. You should be a little daring and have a good sense of adventure.
Cost: per person $125-250 depending on group size, includes dry land theory and 3+ hours on-water instruction in flood-tide current. Start times vary depending on tide-time. High performance kayak rentals available. Accommodation available at Discovery Islands Lodge B&B/hostel.
2013 Custom dates available.
 

Kayak Skills Refresher

For Renters (or anyone) with Slightly Rusty Skills: Three hours dryland and on-water instruction plus half-day “free-time kayaking” -- or continue on your overnight kayak camping journey! We'll review and practice:
• Getting in and out of the kayak

• Basic strokes and maneuvers

• Efficient & effective paddling
• Kayak rescues and re-entry
• Tides & currents: understand tables
• Low impact coastal camping information
Available most days - reservations advised.
Cost includes kayak: per person $99-150 Cdn plus tax (depending on group size.)
Note: Coast Mountain Expeditions requires paddling experience and capsize recovery skills for non-guided kayak rentals.

 
Kayak Rolling

Just do it! Come and learn this technique that will increase your safety and confidence in rough water conditions – and check out where else you can play when you have a solid roll! 

• 3 hours of coaching and guided practice

Prerequisite: Fitness and basic paddling skills.
Cost including kayak: $85 - 150 Cdn, plus tax per person, depending on group size.

Okisollo Wave Kayak Surfing 

Ultimate fun: Come with solid skills and we’ll show you how to have big fun in big water. We’ll paddle or power-boat to where the tide offers best thrills for the day and we’ll show you where-to and how-to get onto the legendary Okisollo Wave.

 Practice makes perfect and high adrenaline is a given. We’ll provide a safety boat and an experienced paddler/guide to make sure the day is super-fun and safe. BYO cold water immersion gear, etc. Whitewater and high performance sea kayaks available for rent.
Best tides & dates vary, depending on your kayak and your abilities  - contact us!
Cost: per person $75-125 Cdn/day, plus tax. Minimum 3 people. Performance kayaks and lodge accommodation available.
 

High Performance and Whitewater Kayaks

High performance and whitewater kayaking involves paddling techniques that are most (or only) effective in kayaks designed for the purpose. Hull shape and volume are critical to how different kayaks will perform in challenging conditions.

High performance sea kayaks tend to be shorter than touring kayaks. Hull shape may be rockered, hard-chined, or flat-bottom or any combination that makes for a boat that maneuvers easily.

Whitewater kayaks come in many shapes and sizes. From the long round-bottom boats of the 1990’s, whitewater boats have morphed in many directions: there are super-short playboats, high-volume creek boats, flat-bottom surf kayaks, sleek slalom boats – and everything in between.

We have Atlantis kayaks and a fleet of Nigel Dennis Kayaks, different makes and models of these well regarded high performance boats, including the Explorer and Romany series.

Also available as rentals, we have whitewater kayaks suitable for playing and surfing in the tidal rapids. (WW kayaks designed by Necky, Riot and Bliss Stick)

Gear List for Performance and Whitewater Paddling

We can supply some of these items, others you will need to bring, some are optional.
• PFD
• Spraydeck
• Paddle (appropriate for your kayak)
• Paddling jacket
• Helmet
• Wetsuit or shorty (or drysuit – but may be too warm in summer)
• Synthetic (warm) underwear
• Earplug
• Noseplugs (for rolling practice)
• Boots
• Neoprene socks
• (Neoprene coldwater cap)
• (Neoprene gloves)