Intro to Sea Kayaking Course
Paddle Canada's full-day Flat water Intro to Sea Kayaking is Frontenac Outfitters' most popular kayak course year after year!
This comprehensive, co-ed kayak course teaches you the fundamentals of sea kayaking theories, strokes, rescues, and recovery skills. Be ready to spend the day on, in, and under the water… and love it!
This course is highly recommended by everyone who has ever taken it. Many students repeat this confidence-building course season after season to further hone, develop, and refine their kayaking skills.
Note: These kayak courses often fill up weeks to months in advance, so early Registration is highly recommended!
Prerequisite: Swim 50-Meters with a PFD
Course Length: 8-Hours
Location: Frontenac Outfitters Canoe & Kayak Centre's
Courses run rain or shine and are only delayed by lightning and unruly weather.
Intro to Sea Kayaking Course Itinerary:
Safety
- Standard safety signals used when paddling in groups
- The purpose of a Float Plan
- Retrieving capsized kayaks
- Bow rescue, T-Rescue, rafting kayaks to form a stable platform
Theory
- Kayak Types – Performance Touring Kayaks (sea kayaks), Touring Kayaks, Recreational Kayaks, and Whitewater Kayaks
- Boat Designs – learn to distinguish the compromises between price, performance, quality, and safety
- Parts of a kayak, safety features, what constitutes a safe kayak
- Boat outfitting, personal fit, control, and safety
- Safety equipment (mandatory and recommended) and how to use
- Paddling apparel for different weather conditions and temperatures
- Kayak paddles, the diverse selection, intention and benefits
- Equipment need, proper use, and care
- Injury prevention, stretches, and warm-ups
Skills
- Entering and exiting from shorelines and dock environments
- Wet exits and re-entries
- Balance points, initial, and secondary stability
- Low brace
- Edging
- Pivot and turning points
- Straight-line paddling, forward and reverse
- Lifts and carries (solo and tandem)
- Forward and reverse strokes, forward and reverse sweeps, reverse stroke, draw stroke, cross-bow stroke
Candidate Evaluations
- Participation in individual and group
- Kayaking skills
- Group awareness and self-control
- General attitude
Successful participants
We Provide:
- Performance Touring Kayak
- Kayak PFD
- Kayak Paddle
- Paddle Float
- Bilge Pump
- Whistle
- Throw Bag
- Spray Skirt
Note: If you use your pre-approved touring kayak, please bring the necessary gear items.
Suggested Stuff to Bring:
- Wide-brimmed sun hat
- Sunglasses and glasses float
- Sunscreen and lip balm (waterproof)
- Proper water clothing, bathing suit, swim shorts, quick dry top, etc... (whatever you feel most comfortable wearing)
- Water shoes (not required)
- Lots of water and a full lunch
- A complete change of clothes and towel
Note: Our lake warms very quickly, so wetsuits and dry suits are generally unnecessary. If you prefer to wear one, you're encouraged to bring your own, or Farmer John wetsuits are available for rent.
Places to Stay
We offer on-site wooded and waterfront campsites at an additional cost. You will be given the option to book a site when booking your course date
Should you have any questions about our kayak lessons, please do not hesitate to call 613.376.6220 or email us at info@frontenacoutfitters.com.
If you love this course, your next step is our Sea Kayaking Level 1 2-Day Certification Course!
To view the Paddle Canada website, Click Here!
Kayak Course Cancellation Policy
Thank you for choosing our kayak course! We understand that plans can change, so we’ve created a cancellation policy to provide clarity and fairness for all of our participants.
1. Cancellation by the Participant:
- More than 30 days before the course: Full refund.
- 30 to 14 days before the course: 50% refund*
- Less than 14 days before the course: No refund unless spot is filled.
*If you cancel at any point, and you are able to fill your spot with another participant, you will receive a full refund minus a $25 processing fee.
2. Weather-Related Cancellations:
- Our courses run rain or shine. However, we monitor weather conditions and prioritize safety. If your course is canceled due to unsafe weather, you will be notified at least 24 hours in advance. In this case, we will offer a full refund or the option to reschedule your session.
3. Health or Emergency Situations:
- If you need to cancel due to an emergency or health-related issue, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible. At our discretion, we may offer a refund or the option to reschedule.
4. Transfer of Registration:
- If you can no longer attend your scheduled course but would like to transfer your spot to someone else, please contact us as soon as possible to make this change. A transfer fee may apply.
If We Cancel the Course:
- If we need to cancel a course due to unforeseen circumstances or low enrollment, we will provide you with a full refund or reschedule your course at your convenience.
By booking a kayak course with us, you agree to the terms of this cancellation policy. If you have any questions or need to make adjustments to your reservation, please contact us as soon as possible.
