Course Description
If you are an advanced-novice/early intermediate paddler with well-practiced, fundamental skills this course is for you. It is designed to provide you with the theory, group and individual coaching to help you develop advanced-intermediate skills in a Lake Superior paddling environment including; wind, river currents, rocky shorelines in a wilderness setting.
The course meets or exceeds the criteria for BC Sea Kayak Coastal Skills, Paddle Canada Level 2 skills and ACA Level 4 Kayak skills and these certifications may be awarded to participants who attain certification criteria. The course also includes an overnight sea kayak excursion on Lake Superior.
Course Instructors
David Wells
Paddle Canada sea kayak Level 4 skills, British Canoe 4-star sea kayak skills, American Canoe Association sea kayak coach 4, Paddle Canada Skills 2, SUP and Tandem Canoe Instructor. Since establishing Naturally Superior Adventures in 1994, David has been guiding trips and teaching paddling courses.
This course is for paddlers with well-practiced fundamental skills looking to refine their paddling and rescue techniques. Arrive prepared for wilderness camping and lots of time on and in the water. Sea kayaks, camping gear, paddling tops and wetsuits are provided as required. Beach camping is included and alternatively, rooms are available (at an additional cost) at Rock Island Lodge.
Bonnie Perry
Bonnie is a British Canoeing 5 star paddler/Advanced Sea Leader, an Advanced Water Sea Kayak Coach, a UKCC Level 3Performance Sea Kayak Coach. And an Advanced Sea Kayak Award, Coastal Kayak Award and Sea Kayak Award assessor. In the American Canoe Association (ACA), Bonnie is a Level 4 Open Water Instructor Trainer. By day Bonnie is the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, USA.
Dates
Starts: 7:00 pm
Ends: 4:00 pm
Price
Course Includes
- Certified Paddle Canada Instructors
- All Meals and Snacks
- Fully Outfitted Coast Guard Approved Kayak (We have a variety of styles of kayaks and canoes that you may try out during your course.)
- Beach Camping Accommodations
- Course Materials
- Group Safety Gear
- Group Communication Gear
- Camping and Sanitation Gear
Extra Course Options
- Meal Adjustment (contact us if you wish to bring your own meals)
- Certification Fee
Certification Notes
Coaching you towards strong intermediate paddling skills is our course focus. If you choose, the following certifications may be awarded following the course assessment.
-Paddle Canada: Level 2 Sea Kayak Skills
-British Canoe, Personal Performance Award: Sea Kayak Coastal skills
-American Canoe Association: Level 4 Coastal Kayak skills
Prerequisites
- Paddle Canada Level 1 skills or ACA Basic Strokes and Rescues Course or equivalent skills and knowledge at the discretion of the course director.
- At least 3 one-day-long kayaking trips in Level 1 conditions in different locations.
- Wilderness first aid (16 hours) with CPR is recommended, but not required.
Conditions
Course Content
General Content Information
Is this course right for me?
If you just graduated from a British Canoe, ACA or PC introduction sea kayak course, this course is not for you ….. yet! You’ll want to have spent lots of time practicing your skills and rescues and be comfortable and competent with them in waves up to about 30 cm (1 foot). Also, you’ll have completed at least three separate day trips covering at least 15 km each.
What about certifications?
Our objective is to coach you in developing skills and knowledge required to safely and effectively plan and undertake an overnight sea kayak trip in moderately exposed, open water conditions. The topics we cover match the standards of identified BC, ACA and PC courses and following successful assessment we are able to award certifications.
If certification is not important to you, rest assured, you’ll be getting top-notch coaching from qualified instructors who love sharing their passion for paddling with you.
Email us for more info.
Safety Topics
- Self-rescue techniques (rolling, re-enter & roll, paddle float, stern climb)
- Assisted rescue techniques (heel hook/T, bow presentation, scoop, stirrup, all-in, hand of God, etc)
- Shoreline extraction and towing skills (contact, tow-line)
Theory Topics
- Navigation, tides/currents, weather, sea state, signalling/communication for paddlers
- Leadership, risk/incident management and first aid for paddlers
- Planning a multi-day trip
Paddling Skills
- Efficient and effective strokes (forward, turning, bow/stern rudders, stopping, sideward displacement, low & high braces)
- Boat edging and dynamic stroke combinations
- Paddling in surf, wind, waves and currents
- Efficient and effective strokes (forward, turning, bow/stern rudders, stopping, sideward displacement, low & high braces)
- Boat edging and dynamic stroke combinations
- Paddling in surf, wind, waves and currents