2008 Introductory Courses

This is where it all begins!

Whether you’ve never been in a kayak before, or you’ve tried it and found yourself hooked, our introductory courses will give you the necessary skills you need to venture out in protected ocean conditions. To help you reach your goals, we focus on instilling confidence through competence on the water. Our introductory courses comprise the following:

• Introductory Kayaking Course
• Introductory Strokes Clinic
• Introductory Rescues
• Introductory Strokes & Rescues
• Introductory Navigation & Marine Weather
• Spring Tune-Up

For a chronological listing of all our courses, click here .

Introductory Kayaking Course

(2 days) Everything you need to ‘Get out there’!
In just two days, we’ll teach you everything you need to know in order to confidently paddle a kayak. You will learn basic boat handling skills and safe capsize recovery techniques, as well as how to navigate, predict tides and currents, interpret marine weather forecasts and plan trips. We’ll teach you these skills in the safety of a classroom and on calm water first, then we’ll take you for an exciting day of instruction on the ocean. Register early, because this is a popular course that fills up quickly.
Location : Victoria
Dates : Mar 15-16, Apr 19-20,  May 24-25, Jun 14-15, Jul 5-6, Jul 12-13, Jul 26-27, Aug 9-10, Aug 23-24, Oct 4-5, Oct 25-26
Cost : $231 Kayak Rental : $48

Introductory Kayaking Course.pdf      Waiver.pdf

Our Introductory Kayaking Course is our most comprehensive program. We recommend this course to those who would like to learn a solid foundation to enable you to kayak safely on the ocean. Below, we offer modules (or portions) of this program to meet your specific needs, allowing you fit these modules around your busy schedule, yet still get the skills you want.

Introductory Strokes Clinic

(3 hours) Kind of like driving lessons ... but in a kayak!
If you have never been in a kayak, or would like to brush up on your skills, this course offers a great foundation towards your future kayaking ambitions. We’ll teach you the basics of kayaking, including the parts of a kayak, gearing up to paddle and how to enter and exit a kayak. Then, you’ll learn how to paddle forward, backward, sideways, as well as how to stop and turn. Most of all, you’ll have fun!
Location : Victoria (Ocean River Sports)
Dates :  Apr 12, May 14, Jun 18, Jul 13,  Jul 23, Aug 10, Aug 20, Sept 14, Oct 19
Time : 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm (Weekends) 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm (Midweek)
Cost : $54 Kayak Rental : $15

 Introductory Strokes Clinic.pdf     Waiver.pdf

Introductory Rescues

(3 hours) Capsize safely and rescue yourself!
If you’re like most new paddlers, you’ve probably wondered: What happens if I tip over? This universal concern is the reason why we developed this course. With help from our qualified instructors, you will gradually and comfortably go through the steps of a safe capsize, so you can gain the confidence to handle it in a real-life situation. You’ll also learn about general safety issues, rescue gear and how to rescue yourself or a partner after capsizing. Our small class sizes provide a supportive and relaxed environment to practice these important new skills.
Location : Victoria
Dates :  Feb 16, Mar 8, Apr 12, May 10, Oct 18, Nov 8, Nov 29
Time : 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Cost : $64 Kayak Rental : $15
Introductory Rescues.pdf        Waiver.pdf

Introductory Strokes & Rescues

(7 hours) Take two important courses at once!
We’ve combined our “Introductory Strokes Clinic” and our “Introductory Rescues” course into a quick, convenient and exciting one-day course. First, we’ll take you out on one of Victoria’s most picturesque lakes and teach you the basics of kayaking, including paddle strokes and boat handling skills. Then, our qualified instructors will lead you through the steps to a safe capsize, after which you will practice solo and assisted rescue techniques. By the time the day’s over, you’ll have the skills and confidence you need to start exploring sheltered waters on your own.
Location : Thetis Lake (25 minutes northwest of Victoria,BC)
Dates :  Jun 7, Jun 28, Jul 20, Aug 4, Aug 17
Time : 9 am – 4 pm
Cost : $112 Kayak Rental : $27
Introductory Strokes & Rescues.pdf       Waiver.pdf

Introductory Navigation & Marine Weather

(3.5 hours) Chart your course!
Not only are planning for a safe kayaking trip and navigating during a trip both very necessary skills, but you’ll also find them interesting and enjoyable to practice. In this classroom-based course, we’ll teach you how to safely and confidently interpret marine weather forecasts, predict tides and currents, read charts (marine maps) and plan routes on the ocean. You’ll learn when and where to paddle as well as how to avoid dangerous water conditions. A must for the beginning kayaker!
Location : Victoria
Dates : Apr 30, Jun 4, Jul 9, Aug 6, Oct 8
Time : 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Cost : $59
Introductory Navigation & Weather.pdf

 

Spring Tune-up

(3 hours) Does it feel like you’ve forgotten more than you knew?
This quick, refresher course reviews important skills to get you ready for your paddling season. We’ll review select foundation strokes, self-rescues, and assisted rescues, so that you can ‘get out there’ with renewed confidence. Who knows? You may run into some old classmates! Before taking this course, we recommend that you have completed our Introductory Kayaking Course or Introductory Strokes & Rescues (or similar program).
Location : Crystal Pool, Victoria
Dates : Mar 1, May 3
Time : 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Cost : $64 Kayak Rental : $15

Spring Tune-Up.pdf      Waiver.pdf