Below is a general description for the Paddle Canada Level 1 (L1) sea kayaking course. For a listing of all PC-certified Level 1 courses currently being offered, please follow this link.

The Paddle Canada Level 1 Sea Kayak Skills course is ideal for those that have already taken the PC Introduction to Kayaking course and want to advance their skills, or that have some time in a kayak and want to learn to do things properly and take things to a new level. This promises to be a great course with enough time to really work on a few of our skills and introduce participants to a wider world of kayaking. This course runs a minimum of 12 hours and so will be spread over two days or more depending on the course you sign up for.

If you have any questions please contact me. You can register online by choosing one of the courses listed and filling in the form. You can also check out our 4 hour Introductory Clinics and the Paddle Canada Introduction to Sea Kayaking courses. All of the dates below are 2012 dates.

See below for the course synopsis provided by Paddle Canada and follow the link to the Level 1 excerpt from the Sea Kayak Program Manual.

Sea Kayak Skills Level-1

Aim

Level-1 provides the skill and knowledge necessary for day-long sea kayaking trips in sheltered waters (non-wilderness areas). Successful completion of Level-1 indicates competence to paddle a sea kayak within a sheltered bay in the company of one or more paddlers with Level-1 or greater skill and knowledge.

Prerequisites

Paddle Canada Introduction to Kayaking Skills certification or equivalent skill and knowledge.

Course Length

12 hours minimum.

Class Ratio

1 instructor: 6 participants.

Location

Sheltered waters with uninterrupted easy landing options.

Conditions

Light winds (0-11 knots) Current (0-0.5 knots) Sea state calm to light chop.

Assessment

Activities focus on safety and gaining paddling skills for a day trip within a large bay or sheltered shoreline. Issues of mutual safety between paddling partners and judgements of sea conditions throughout the day and out of sight along the shore are included. Paddlers will deal with the concerns for packing a kayak and the gear necessary for a comfortable day trip and solving problems in the field. Paddlers should leave the course encouraged to continue their learning and awareness of their limitations.