Level 1 Skills - Oakville

This is a 16-hour course.

Saturday from 9:00 to 5:00pm, Sunday from 9:00 to 5:00 pm.

We spend our time both on the water and on the beach. We start at the beginning with entering, exiting and carrying your kayak, by the end of the weekend you’ll have an incredible improvement in all your strokes as well as feel competent with a low brace and have the beginnings of a high brace.
Be prepared to get wet! There is a strong focus on safety and rescues so you will be getting wet although we will practice our rescues before lunch so that we can change into dry clothes and then perhaps at the end of the day we will work on our rescues again if needed for skill development. Bring along towels and a change of clothes. A wet suit is recommended for your personal comfort but not necessary as we will be practicing close to the beach and you will have the opportunity to get out and dry as quickly as possible.

Our favorite part of the course is the kayak play session where we climb up and down the kayaks, falling out and off so that everyone begins to feel comfortable with entering and exiting their boat from the water.
We will have an individual debrief at the end of the day where we will discuss with you whether or not you have attained the necessary level of paddling skills needed to pass the Level 1 Skills criteria. We are always happy to work with Candidates that need a little more practice to achieve their certification through our social paddles that run for free all year. Based on our availability.

Successful candidates will be able to:

• Demonstrate good beginnings to the basic strokes including forward, reverse, forward and reverse sweeps, pivoting, stopping, draws, stern rudder, low brace and high brace. These are all skills needed to control the boat in a variety of conditions and situations.

• Demonstrate a controlled Wet Exit.
• Successful candidates will demonstrate at least one self-rescue technique, no time limit.
• Assisted rescues – candidates will demonstrate being able to successfully return a capsize victim to full function including getting the water out of the kayak, getting the swimmer back into the kayak, and ensuring the paddler is safe and stable. Candidates will demonstrate a re-entry of their own boat using an assisted rescue technique.
• Navigation – The candidate will be able to use map and compass to plan and execute a daylong sea kayak trip in sheltered conditions.
• Weather – The candidate will be know where to get a forecast and how to interpret and use a forecast within the context of a daylong sea kayak trip.
Keep in mind that these are all skills you will be taught on the course, no previous understanding or experience is necessary. We are determined teachers who work with all students until they feel comfortable and safe on the water. This is an informative and exciting course but most of all it’s fun, so come out and learn to enjoy your kayak in a playful, safe environment.

WHAT TO BRING
• Bring your own kayak if you have one. We will talk to you about this on booking.
(High end full sea touring kayaks are available for rent for only $30 for the weekend)
• Pen and paper for any notes you may wish to take.
• Swimwear for the rescue sessions.
• One or two changes of dry clothes as well as a towel.
• Shoes you don’t mind getting wet.
• Layered clothing as well as a windbreaker or rain jacket if the weather that day calls for it. Avoid cottons.
• If you have a wetsuit or semi-dry top or dry-top by all means bring it and wear it.
• Water bottle, hat, sunblock, camera
• Sunglasses, with strap, if you don’t want to lose them!
• Maps of any trips you’re interested in taking, we can spend some time reviewing your trip at the end, providing we have time.
• A list with any and all questions you may have…from gear questions, trip questions or if you bring your best camp recipe, we’ll bring ours ;)

• Dates:

May 29th-30th 2010

June 19th-20th 2010

June 26th-27th 2010

July 24th-25th 2010

August 14th-15th 2010

September 18th-19th 2010

(Maximum 6 Students to 1 Instructor)

• Cost: $269+tax
Kayak Rental: $30 for the weekend.
Plus if you take any course or trip with us we will plant 10 trees with Trees for the future. One of the reasons we paddle is to explore the beauty of Canada. This is why we have elected to plant 10 trees through TFTF in a third world country to help make the world as beautiful a place as Canada.

• Includes: A delicious shore lunch each day.

• Paddle Canada certification. (On meeting necessary standard)

• Prerequisites: A Paddle Canada Introduction to Kayaking skills certification or equivalent skill and knowledge.
Give us a call if you have any questions.

• Aim: To provide the theory and skill for a daylong paddling trip in sheltered waters.

• Certification Available: Paddle Canada Introduction to Kayaking or Level I (On meeting necessary Standard)

• Location: Bronte Beach Park, For directions click HERE!