Paddle Canada River Kayak Program
The River Kayaking Program includes nationally recognized certifications in five skill levels and four instructor levels, earned through course participation.
A new whitewater kayaker begins instruction at the Flatwater River Kayak level, concentrating on kayak fundamentals before moving on to a mastery of the skills required for safe and enjoyable whitewater experiences.
River Kayak Program Recent Changes
See a complete list of recent changes to the program.
Acknowledgements
This Paddle Canada River Kayaking Program is the product of years of commitment by kayaking enthusiasts from across Canada. It was through the dedicated efforts of several individuals interested in the development of a national program that would produce safe, competent, and knowledgeable recreational kayakers. To those individuals, Paddle Canada extends a sincere “thank you”.
The process undertaken for the development of this program included the review of existing recreational kayaking programs from kayaking organizations in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The initial draft was forwarded to interested kayakers across Canada. Upon review of the comments received, the subsequent draft was also widely circulated. The resulting comments were reviewed before the final draft was completed by the Paddle Canada River Kayaking Committee and for subsequent approval by the Paddle Canada Board of Directors in October 1998.
This current edition incorporates the collective experience gained by paddlers, instructors, and instructor trainers since 1998. The River Kayaking Program Development Committee continues to work to refine and clarify the River Kayaking Program and this manual.
Acknowledgement of the Cultural Foundations of Paddling
Paddle Canada is a community of trusted leaders that inspires connections to Canadians and nature through paddling. The bind that ties us all, the paddle, and the craft that it propels (the canoe, kayak, and stand-up board) are not ours to claim.
We acknowledge and respect the cultural traditions of the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people on whose land and waters we live, learn, play, and earn.
We stand as allies to the owners of this land we call Canada, and we respectfully acknowledge how we came into the privilege to be here.