Take your Kayaking Skills to the Next Level

Bowen Island Sea Kayaking is pleased to offer both Basic Skills and Level 1 skills kayaking courses. Our Basic Skills course covers a wide variety of content aimed at people starting out their kayaking journey.  It takes place in the calm waters of Deep Bay immediately next door to Snug Cove, on Bowen Island. Our level 1 skills course is a 2 day course aimed at kayaking in slightly choppier conditions.  As well as improving your overall kayaking skills there is significant focus on recovering from a capsize.  You will learn how to rescue yourself and how to rescue fellow paddlers in relatively calm conditions.

Sea Kayak BASIC Skills 

Paddle Canada’s comprehensive 8-hour course was designed to teach the skills required to kayak safely with others in sheltered waters. The class starts on land with orientation before launching onto the water where we focus on basic paddle strokes, capsize recovery, and assisted rescue.

Kayaks, safety gear, and wetsuits are all provided. Certification is awarded upon satisfactory completion of the skills described here:

Re-entry Skills

  • Wet exit (safely capsize your kayak)

  • Assisted re-entries (getting back in with help)

Paddling Skills

  • Lifting and carrying a kayak

  • Launching and landing

  • Emptying the kayak

  • Forward and reverse strokes

  • Stopping

  • Forward and reverse sweep strokes

  • Pivots

  • Draw stroke

  • Low brace

  • Edging

Knowledge

  • Kayak part names and outfitting

  • Paddling and safety equipment

  • Injury prevention

  • Sun sense

  • Transport Canada collision regulations

  • Navigation

  • Risk assessment and mitigation

  • Impact of kayakers on the environment

This course is 8 hours long and can be run over two half days, or one full day.  No prior experience is necessary.  

Call or email to arrange a convenient course date. In April, May and June we are very flexible.

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Sea Kayak Level 1 Skills

This course provides the theory and skills necessary for a day-long sea kayaking trip in relatively sheltered waters and light winds.  Skills include: controlled wet exit, efficient forward and turning strokes, edging, introduction to bracing, assisted and unassisted re-entry, towing, introduction to navigation and much more. Kayaks, safety gear, and wetsuits are provided. Certification upon satisfactory demonstration of the following skills:

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 resource

This course includes 16 hours of instruction over 2 days.  Prerequisite: Paddle Canada Basic Sea Kayaking certification or equivalent experience.

Call or email to arrange a convenient course date, or select from the dates below.

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Book Your Course Today:

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What To Bring

Be Prepared For Your Course

  • Wetsuit/Drysuit for capsize recovery (we have some available if needed)

  • Neoprene booties or water shoes

  • Towel

  • Bring a change of warm clothes including a waterproof shell and mid layer.

  • Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat

  • Lunch

  • Water/Tea/Coffee

  • Snacks

Important Reminder: Please ensure everyone in your group fills out the Liability Waiver before arriving at the shop.