Paddle Canada Level 1 Course | Paddle Canada Level 1 Certification

What You Will Learn Included Course Location Gallery

Most new paddlers choose Ontario Sea Kayak’s Paddle Canada level 1 kayaking course to launch their new kayaking hobby. Sea Kayak Level-1 Skills is a two-day course that moves you beyond flatwater kayaking and into the sport of sea kayaking. You will learn theory on-land and paddling skills on the water that will transform your ability in a kayak dramatically in two days. Upon completion, participants are equipped with good judgment and the skill set to safely enjoy day-trips in sheltered waters.

This course will teach you how to safely exit the kayak after a capsize, how to re-enter the kayak with a partner or solo, and to do it all safely and efficiently. The course also covers day-tripping skills such as Navigation, Weather, and equipment choices.

Kayaking Certification

Certification courses are helpful because when you have completed the course successfully, you know you have a certain level of proficiency in a skill set. The truly important and valuable part of our courses, however, is the amount of helpful information you are going to acquire from our knowledgeable instructors. We often tell our students we can save them the cost of the course by helping them to not waste money on the wrong gear!

We send students away with a newfound passion for kayaking, knowledge of what equipment to buy, and some solid skills to get out and more fully enjoy our beautiful country.

Why do most paddlers choose Ontario Sea Kayak Centre?

We have been teaching Paddle Canada level 1 skill courses in Ontario since 2007. Our professional kayak instructors’ expert skill-sets and fun attitudes will make sure you learn while enjoying yourself. Our team of instructors are some of the highest trained and experienced sea kayakers in Canada. We were voted the Best Sea Kayak School in Eastern Canada by readers of Sea Kayaker Magazine. We were also recently awarded a Travel and Hospitality award as the best Watersport Company in Ontario! Who us!? Oh stop, you’re too kind. 😉
By choosing to take your course with OSKC you are helping our planet. We donate 1% of our gross revenue directly to environmental charities such as the UNESCO Georgian Bay Biosphere.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have about our Paddle Canada kayaking courses in Parry Sound, Guelph Lake, and Deer Creek Conservation area. Email or call us 1-905-399-1216.

What You Will Learn

Learn how to safely and properly enter and exit a kayak.

Wet exits – learn how to safely and confidently exit your kayak in case of capsize. This is probably the most important skill you will ever learn.

Basic strokes – forward and reverse paddling, forward and reverse sweeps, pivoting, stopping, draw strokes, stern rudders and bracing.

Self-rescue and assisted rescue – essential safety skills for solo and group paddles.

Theory – weather conditions, signals, packing, gear and problem solving.

Buying your first kayak? The choices are endless. Our knowledgeable instructors can advise which boats will meet your needs and price point.

Course Prerequisites

Please contact us with any question related to these trip prerequisites.

Basic skills or equivalent experience

What's Included

Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.

Included

Professional, certified Paddle Canada instructors. 1:6 student ratio maximum
16 Hour Sea Kayak Skills Course
Kayak paddle floats and rescue stirrups

What's Not Included

Kayak and equipment rental. (Available at checkout for $50 for the weekend)
All five items required by Transport Canada (paddle, pfd, pump/bailer, whistle, a throw rope with 15 m of floating line.)
Any parking fees at location if applicable at Guelph Lake or Deer Creek. Parking is included at OSKC.
If you're on a Guelph Lake course, or Deer Creek course, you may wish to book a campsite for the weekend. Camping fees are not included.
If you're on a Parry Sound course, you may need to book camping or accommodation. Details and links are in the Parry Sound course description.

What You Should Bring

A detailed gear list is sent before the start of the trip but this can get you started.

Lunch, plenty of drinking water, and sun protection (sun block, hat).
Towel and change of clothes (for after the wet skills portion of the course).
A wetsuit is recommended for your personal comfort but not necessary, especially in July and August when the water is warm.
Your kayak, kayak skirt, paddle and pfd as well as all Transport Canada required safety gear (entire package available to for rent for $50 fee if needed)

Lessons in Parry Sound, Ontario

Our Parry Sound courses are run at Yvonne Williams Park. This beautiful park offers free parking, a toilet, and a picnic area. The park is in a picturesque location across the river from our accommodation site at Harmony Outdoor Inn, headquarters of Ontario Sea Kayak Centre,

Turn your level 1 course into a weekend away! Stay onsite at our Parry Sound base in one of our on-site six prospector walled tents. On-site we have a screened-in pavilion/outdoor kitchen where each tent has its own labeled cupboard with personal dishware, cookware, fridge space, and everything you need except your own food! We also have a washing station with treated drinkable water for all your needs as well as cedar-lined hot propane-on-demand outdoor showers.

Our accommodation is called Harmony Outdoor Inn and has countless five-star reviews. If you want even more luxury, there is also an on-site three-room B&B. To book to stay on-site check out our sister company Harmony Outdoor Inn for more details and availability. Use discount code “OSKCstudent” to get 15% off accommodation!

Course Notes

This course starts at 09:00 -17:00 Saturday and Sunday.

Weekend kayak equipment and rental are available $50 +HST.

Your Instructors

Our certified instructors are some of Canada’s best!

Dympna Hayes

Dympna is co-owner and operator, of Ontario Sea Kayak Centre along with her partner and husband James. She loves sharing her craft with others through her coaching on skills courses and through her guiding while on kayaking trips.

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.

Greg Mason

Greg has been paddling and teaching kayaking on Georgian Bay for around 25 yrs… since he was not but a wee grasshopper.

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.

David Johnston

David Johnston has been introducing people to the sport of sea kayaking for the past 20 years. He is a senior instructor trainer with Paddle Canada.

Mark Gibeault

As an avid marathon paddler, Mark is always looking to refine the forward stroke and loves the efficiency of the Greenland Paddle, a shout-out to Traditional Indigenous Knowledge! A teacher by trade and lifelong learner, he also collects paddling certifications. Amongst his collection, PC Level 3 Sea Kayak Skills and is a PC Level 2 Instructor and Kayak Rolling Instructor.

Scott Rosborough

Scott Rosborough has been paddling and teaching for Ontario Sea Kayak Centre for eight years and is one of our best rolling instructors. He is a Paddle Canada Level Two Instructor, A Paddle Canada Rolling Instructor and he has his Level Three Skills.

Heather Stewart

I love helping people find their connection to their kayak... Yoga for Paddlers is a great way to find how to move and be one with the boat.

2 Days

Price p.p. from:

$345

plus taxes

Course Dates

June 3 – 4, 2023
June 17 – 18, 2023
July 8 – 9, 2023
July 29 – 30, 2023
August 19 – 20, 2023

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Course Location and Driving Directions

Ontario Sea Kayak Centre

Parry Sound, Ontario

We will start the course at our base here in Parry Sound.

Driving Directions Address:

Ontario Sea Kayak Centre
6 Harmony Lane
Parry Sound, ON

Get Driving Directions

Ontario Sea Kayak Centre
Parry Sound, Ontario

We will start the course at our base here in Parry Sound.

Get Driving Directions

Lessons in Guelph Lake, Ontario

You may wish to book a campsite at Guelph Lake Conservation Area and enjoy a fun weekend getaway!

You will meet our instructors in the parking lot near the causeway to “The Island” at Guelph Lake Conservation Area, Guelph, ON. Look for a big kayak trailer!