Nationally Recognized

This course is officially sanctioned and recognized as part of Paddle Canada's National Sea Kayak Program.

  • Taught by accredited Paddle Canada instructors
  • 1:4 instructor-student ratio
  • 32 hours of instruction (4 days)
  • Paddle Canada Level-2 Sea Kayak Skills certificate awarded to succesful participants

Prerequisites:

Certifications:
  • Paddle Canada Level-1 Sea Kayak Skills certification or equivalent skill and knowledge at the discretion of the course director.
Paddling experience:
  • At least 3, one-day-long kayaking trips in Level-1 conditions in different locations.
First Aid/CPR:
  • Wilderness first aid (16 hours) with CPR strongly recommended.
Course Overview

The Paddle Canada Level-2 Sea Kayak Skills course provides you with the skills and knowledge needed to go sea kayaking in class 2 conditions along semi-exposed shoreline with a possible overnight bivvy.

Leadership, incident management, open-water rescue, self-care, and navigation are core parts of the curriculum (see Syllabus: Skills & Topics below).

As a certified Level-2 Sea Kayaker, you will be an asset to your group in all aspects of multi-day journeys with peers, including leadership, navigation skills and the ability to establish an overnight bivvy.

Some Level-2 courses are conducted over multiple days without overnight camping, while others are run in a wilderness setting and include overnight camping components.

The Level-2 Sea Kayak Skills certification is a prerequiste for Paddle Canada's Level-3 Sea Kayak Skills courses offered nationally at registered Paddle Canada Schools.

 
Syllabus: Skills & Topics
Paddling Skills
  • Launching and landing (incl. beach, dock & gentle surf conditions)
  • Efficient forward stroke for sustained journeys
  • Low and high braces
  • Low and high brace turns
  • Sweep strokes with enhanced power and boat control
  • Bow rudders
  • Draw stroke with edging, weight shift & power
  • Sculling draw (sideways and diagonal)
  • Hanging draw
  • Stern draw and stern pry
  • Paddling in rough water
Knowledge
  • Equipment for coastal kayak tripping
  • Introduction to tides and currents
  • Wilderness navigation techniques and chart/map work
  • Navigation techniques
  • Nautical charts and topographic maps
  • Navigation tools
  • Weather interpretation and basic forecasting
  • Heat/cold issues
  • Emergency overnight
  • Leadership and decision making
  • Risk assessment, incident management and evacuation options
  • Kayak knots and rope work
  • Transport Canada collision regulations
Re-entry/Rescue Skills
  • Unassisted re-entry
  • Assisted re-entry
  • All-in re-entry
  • Bow rescue
  • Re-entry exercises in complex scenarios
  • Kayak rolling
  • Towing & tow systems
What to Bring
Personal Items

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 per day)
  • A packed lunch & snacks
  • Sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses & sunglasses strap
  • A towel & dry clothes to change into
  • A portable, folding chair

Optional

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

 

Gear & Equipment

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 $129.95 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)

  • Wetsuit or dry suit
  • Cold water shoes

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

Dates & Locations
AUG
10-13
2023
Paddle Canada Level-2 Sea Kayak Skills Course

Cost: $749.95 plus taxes & fees
Location: Click for directions to Toronto SUP & Kayak at Cherry Beach, Toronto Cherry Beach, Toronto
Co-Hosted By: Kayak Ontario & Toronto SUP & Kayak