Kayak Lessons
All our lessons are taught by certified Instructors. We require at least 2 people to run a course, if you are interested in taking a course and don’t have anyone to go with, we can put you on a mailing list and let you know about upcoming courses. All classes include kayak rental and any equipment you may require. For the courses that include wet exits, we recommend wearing a wetsuit or drysuit. Wetsuits are available for rental for an additional $10 per day.
Beginner Class
$120 per/person.
The beginners class will give a student enough skills to paddle in protected waters. Designed for people with no previous kayaking experience. The instruction takes place for 3 hours on the ocean in the protected waters of the Sooke Basin.
Objectives Include:
- General safety rules, including Coast Guard
- Elementary bracing techniques
- Turning your kayak 360°
- Finally, having the ability to stop your kayak
Kayak Rescue Class
$120 per/person.
This is a 3 hour course. This lesson is for people with no previous rescue experience. The instruction takes place for 3 hours on the ocean in the protected waters of the Sooke Basin.
Objectives Include:
- Safety rules and procedures
- Wet exit in a safe and controlled manner
- Participants should be able to do one solo rescue
- Participants should be able to do two assisted rescues
- Finally, emergency distress signals and procedures
Paddle Canada Basic skills (1 day course)
$195 per/person.
This is a 1 day lesson, approximately an 8 hour course. This lesson is for people with no previous kayaking experience, but want everything in the beginners class, plus capsize and recovery skills. The instruction takes place for roughly 7 hours on the ocean in the protected waters of the Sooke Basin.
Objectives Include:
- Safety checks on the beach
- General safety rules, including Coast Guard
- Understanding the principles of rafting
- Elementary bracing techniques
- Turning your kayak 360°
- Finally, having the ability to stop your kayak
- Wet exit in a safe and controlled manner
- Participants should be able to do one solo rescue
- Participants should be able to do two assisted rescues
- Finally, emergency distress signals and procedures
Paddle Canada Level 1 Skills (2 day course)
$295 per/person.
This course is for kayakers looking to gain the skills and knowledge required for day-long sea kayaking trips in sheltered waters (non-wilderness areas). The focus is on paddling and rescue skills and learning the techniques to safely plan and complete a day trip in a large bay or by a sheltered shoreline.
Paddlers will learn the basics of how to make informed decisions on whether to set out on a trip considering weather, tides and other factors and will also learn route planning and how to navigate on the ocean.
Objectives Include:
- All objectives for the Paddle Canada Basic skills course
- How to get tide and current information
- Basic navigation & trip planning
- Where to obtain weather forecasts
- Gear to take on a paddle
Kayak Surfing Course
$120 per/person.
This course is an introduction to kayak surfing which takes place at Jordan River. Participants must have some basic kayaking skills. Wetsuit and booties not supplied, but can be rented for $10/day or $60/course..
Objectives Include:
- Learn how to read waves & currents
- Safety on the wave & surfing guidelines
- Swimming in waves
- Proper balancing & paddle techniques
Rolling and Bracing Course
$120 per/person.
Rolling and bracing are important skills for kayak paddlers. Without these skills many of the benefits of kayaking are lost. Intermediate paddlers can learn and practice off-balance maneuvers more confidently if they know how to roll or brace, helping them to recover from their errors and beginners will develop good water confidence.
Objectives Include:
- Learn the basic Screw Roll, which is the most commonly used roll because it is reliable, easy to learn and works in most circumstances. Most paddlers use a Screw Roll or some variant of it as their standard survival roll.
- The 3 hour course will also cover the basic skills of advanced paddling techniques and bracing, as well as other safety concerns. In the comfort of the Sooke Basin or local lakes we will cover the high and low brace, sculling for support and the use of braces as directional strokes.
Sign the Waiver
(Required)
We are closed for rentals from October until April.
