Discover Kayaking, Tune Up Your Skills & Season Kick Off!
Every spring, the Ontario Sea Kayak Centre launches the paddling season with our Spring Social—a weekend of skill-building, community, and fun on the water. Learn to kayak with us! Whether you’re brand-new to kayaking or a seasoned paddler looking to sharpen your skills, this is the perfect way to dive into the year ahead.
Try Kayaking for the First Time
Discover Kayaking – Perfect for Complete Beginners
Curious about kayaking but not ready to invest in gear or a full course? This is the most affordable way to get out on the water with an experienced instructor and see if kayaking is the sport for you. We provide everything—kayaks, paddles, safety gear, and Paddle Canada–certified coaches. Come try it, love it, and if you’re ready for the next step, explore our Paddle Canada Level 1 Skills Courses.
Was $80, Now 20% off and only $64 (Use Promo Code “Discover20” )
Book for two or more pay only $56 each (Use Promo Code “Discover30” )
That’s not all! If you decide you love kayaking and want to continue, sign up for a Paddle Canada Basic or Level 1 skills course and apply your clinic payment towards the course!
3-hour clinics – Saturday or Sunday
9:00–12:00 or 14:00–17:00
Tune Up Your Skills for the Season
Spring Paddler Tune-Up – Refresh Your Strokes & Rescues
Already have some training under your belt? Brush off the winter cobwebs and reconnect with your technique. This clinic is ideal for paddlers who’ve taken Level 1 or Level 2 and want a professional refresher before heading out for the season. Our instructors will help fine-tune your strokes, rescues, and confidence. If you’re ready to keep progressing, take a look at our Paddle Canada Level 2 Skills Courses.
3-hour clinics – Saturday or Sunday
9:00–12:00 or 14:00–17:00 — $80 + HST
Learn to Roll
Master the Ultimate Capsize Recovery Technique
Ready to take your paddling to the next level? Our Learn to Roll clinic introduces the foundation of kayak rolling through land-based instruction, on-water coaching, and expert demonstration. Taught by James, our senior instructor with 20+ years of experience and hundreds of successful roll students, this clinic is the perfect starting point for anyone serious about developing this essential skill. Want the full experience? Check out our Learn to Roll Day long clinics.
3-hour clinic – Saturday or Sunday
9:00–12:00 — $100 + HST
Not Free That Weekend?
No problem—our rolling clinics continue throughout the summer.
Parry Sound Rolling Clinics
Guelph Lake Rolling Clinics
Or join the fun at Paddlepalooza, our Georgian Bay paddling festival in September!
Even if you’re not participating in a clinic, you’re always welcome to stop by, say hello, and connect with our paddling community.
Used Kayaks & Gear Sale
We’ll have a selection of used rental kayaks and paddling gear available for purchase. Contact us to find out what kayaks are available and by request, we can bring you one to test paddle or for a Guelph Lake pick up.
We can’t wait to kick off the season with familiar faces and new paddlers alike.
Book Now!
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Your Instructors
Our certified instructors are some of Canada's best!
James Roberts
James started kayaking at 18. Since then his paddling career has taken him all over the world as an expedition leader and senior kayak instructor.
Jeff Arbing
Jeff is drawn to the dynamic side of kayaking and thoroughly enjoys working with people to embrace the psychological challenges presented with paddling.
Jeff Phaneuf
Jeff Phaneuf is one of OSKC's hardest working coaches. He has been a full-time teacher and coach (volleyball & rugby) at Ursuline College in Chatham for almost a quarter of a century. He is combining his passion for teaching and the outdoors by instructing many of our Paddle Canada Level 1 and Level 2 programs.
Joedy Ebert
Joedy has been teaching teenagers for 25 years but she has always recharged at and on the water. She got her Paddle Canada start with OSKC 10 years ago, spending the years since padding the shores of Lake Ontario and the Niagara waterways. She is thrilled to be joining the team at OSKC.
Mike Mayoros
With a passion for rough water, surf, and the graceful art of the kayak roll, he quickly found that paddling was more than a sport — it was a lifelong adventure. After 25 years spent teaching healthcare professionals, he now shares that same spirit of discovery as a certified Level 1 and Rolling Instructor, helping others fall in love with kayaking just as he did.
Mike Fairburn
Mike’s passion for sea kayaking began about 15 years ago. In the years that have followed Mike has become a Greenland rolling and skills enthusiast. While Mike has always loved the great outdoors, Sea Kayaking has intensified this love and brought him closer to nature through back country camping.
Really loved the level 1 course. Your personalities and the way you work together made for a fun weekend. We learned a lot and both feel better prepared to perform either an assisted or solo rescue.
Course Prerequisites
Please contact us with any question related to these trip prerequisites.
- None!
What's Included
Don't worry, we've got this covered.
Included
- Certified expert kayak instruction
- Kayaks and equipment for the Discover kayaking class
- Rolling kayaks for the rolling lesson
What's Not Included
- Rental kayaks are not included for the skills tune-up.
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Course Location
Guelph Lake Conservation Area
Guelph Lake, Ontario
You will meet our instructors in the parking lot near the causeway to “The Island” at Guelph Lake Conservation Area, Guelph, Ontario. Look for a big kayak trailer!
Guelph Lake Conservation Area
Guelph Lake, Ontario
You will meet our instructors in the parking lot near the causeway to “The Island” at Guelph Lake Conservation Area, Guelph, Ontario. Look for a big kayak trailer!
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