Paddle Canada National Sea Kayak Program

The Paddle Canada Sea Kayaking Program begins with a Basic Kayak Skills course in calm sheltered conditions and progresses to advanced skills for open coastal touring in rough water conditions. The complete program also includes instructor and Instructor Trainer levels.

Please Note: It is expected that participants’ skills must develop between the levels as the minimum skill set at a completed lower level is likely not to be the minimum skill set necessary for entrance to a course at a higher level.

Instructor Development Levels Overview

Paddle Canada Instructors represent the pinnacle of skills certification in Canada. Instructors administer and assess candidates on skills courses according to the limitations and responsibilities of each level. Instructor development occurs through a mix of formal training and mentorship relationships, all of which is outlined in the following document. The development of an effective instructor takes a significant investment of time and energy.

Recent Program Changes

See a complete list of recent changes to the program.

Sea Kayak Program Mission

To promote and teach the necessary knowledge, skills, and safe use of paddling sea kayaks on all Canadian waterways. Through our support for a safe, enjoyable, and accessible paddling community, we develop a love and respect for the environment and nature as well as an understanding of sea kayaking’s place in our Canadian heritage.

General Instruction Style Expectations of this Program

We expect participants to progress with increasing competence as they move through the program and instructors are expected to adjust their teaching to suit these evolving competencies. Our goal is for the paddler to become more independent and able to support others while responding safely to a changing and complex paddling environment. This can be summarized as a progressive and safe response to: Me - We - Sea where the paddler first concentrates on their own skills ( Me). As these develop, they are then able to capably assist and support their fellow paddlers ( We). With further training and experience, this extends to making decisions with a full consideration of the paddling environment ( Sea).

Since paddling takes place in the physical world, Paddle Canada places emphasis on the physical environment in our progression. As such, our environmental guidelines emphasize weather, terrain, sea state as well as group factors in managing risk and making sound decisions. Accordingly, our water classification system takes into account the physical, social and psychological environment.

Program Development Process

The process for the development of this program included the review of recreational programs from kayaking organizations in Canada, Britain, and the United States. The initial draft was forwarded to interested kayakers across Canada. Upon reviewing the comments received, the subsequent draft was also widely circulated. The resulting comments were reviewed before the final draft was completed by the Kayak Committee and submitted for approval by the Board of Directors in October 1998.

In 2015 the Sea Kayak Program Committee initiated an extensive, multi-year review to modernize and update the program with the goal to be completed for the 20th anniversary of the initial release. The review involved public consultation with instructor members, industry leaders and the public, leading to the program and corresponding manual being almost completely rewritten.

This edition incorporates the collective experience gained by paddlers, instructors, and Instructor Trainers since 1998. The Sea Kayaking Program Development Committee continues to work diligently to refine and clarify the Sea Kayaking Program and this manual.

Future Program Development

This is a living program; always getting refined and updated. The Sea Kayak Program Committee welcomes any suggestions for improvement by Paddle Canada members. Please contact us with your ideas or comments.

Acknowledgements

The Paddle Canada Sea Kayaking Program is the product of 28 years of commitment by kayak enthusiasts from across Canada and to those individuals, Paddle Canada extends a sincere thank you.

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.

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