• 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

• Kayak part names and outfitting
• Paddling and safety equipment
• Fitting
• Injury prevention
• Sun sense
• Transport Canada collision regulations
• Navigation
• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Impact of kayakers on the environment

• Wet exits
• Assisted re-entries

Participants should expect to be in a natural park setting with limited access to shelter for the duration of the course. For your safety and comfort, we ask that you bring the following items:

• Drinking water (min. 2L)
• A packed lunch & snacks
• Sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses & sunglasses strap
• A towel & dry clothes to change into
• A portable, folding chair

Optional

Note: For your convenience, all items below are available for rent or purchase as add-on options during checkout.

• Waterproof phone pouch
• Dry bag
• Cottonmouth nose plugs
• Vented/waterproof ear plugs

Need assistance with gear & equipment? We've got you covered.

Vessel, Paddle, Skirt, PFD & Safety Equipment

Option to rent vessel, paddle, PFD & safety kit is available at a reduced cost of $39.95 for participants of this course. If you do not have the equipment listed above, please select this add-on option during checkout.

• Kayak: Double-bulkhead (front & rear) Flatwater or Sea Kayak with a fitted spray-skirt and perime ter lines
• Kayak paddle
• Kayak spray-skirt
• PFD: Transport Canada approved paddling Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
• Safety Kit: Pealess whistle, manual bilge pump, buoyant heaving line at least 15 metres (50 feet) long

Paddle Float

For hygienic reasons, you must have your own paddle float. Level Six Inflatable Paddle Floats are available for purchase as an add-on option during checkout.

• Inflatable paddle float

Cold water immersion gear (for water temps < 15C)

Appropriate cold water immersion gear is mandatory when water temperatures are below 15C (typically before June 15 and after October 1 for Lake Ontario). Wetsuits or dry suits may be available for rent from various local suppliers. Please contact us for more information.

• Wetsuit or dry suit
• Cold water shoes