This course is designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of kayaking first on flat water and then applying these skills to in moving water It is suitable for people with little or no previous kayaking experience, who are confident in water and willing to get wet.  The course has theory components that will cover understanding and reading the river in addition to kayak maneuvering skills.  All skills are initially taught on flatwater (non-moving), including rescue techniques. Many of these skills are the building blocks for rolling your kayak, which takes considerable practice to master.  We will spend a little time introducing this skill prior to moving onto class 1 moving water on Day 2 of the moving water course but recommend that you take one of our rolling courses or clinics to further develop this skill. 

Day 1 Flat Water Skills 

This day covers all the components of the Paddle Canada Flat water Skills for river kayaking (8 hrs) 

We will take time to complete all paperwork, understand boat design and kayak outfitting, preparing for cold water and appropriate protection clothing and communication signals.  Our on - water session will begin with wet exits and Bow – rescues, along with other rescue skills, to provide you with confidence in the water and kayak.  This sets you up to develop confidence and enhance your learning of skills and on moving water (day 2).  You will learn about balance and posture for paddling, the basic strokes required including: Sweep, forward, backward paddling, edging, low and high braces, draws, rudder strokes – stern draw and stern pry and forward ferry.  We will also learn the rudiments of rolling, river trip planning and river hydrology and hazards to avoid.

Day 2 Moving water skills 

This day when taken in addition to Day 1 (Flat Water Skills) covers the Paddle Canada Beginner River Kayak Skills

Today, we will begin by setting up transportation at out take out location, review river safety, and spend some time transferring the flat water skills learnt on day one for river running, before beginning our journey down an easy flowing section of the river, where we will continue to practice and use all these skills.  These include: Ferrying, eddying in and out and an introduction to surfing small waves and leaning to swim and perform rescues in slow moving water.