2010 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:

Testing the Waters
Introductory Kayaking Course
Introductory Strokes Clinic
Introductory Strokes for Women
Introductory Rescues
Introductory Strokes & Rescues
Introductory Navigation & Marine Weather

Testing the Waters

(3 hrs) In the beginning...

If you've never tried kayaking before and want a gentle introduction to the sport, this is a great place to start - not too much, not too little. This fun, short course will teach you the very basics of kayaking, and will help you decide if kayaking is a sport you would enjoy leaning more about - we bet you will think it will be!

2010 Dates: May 15, Jun 13, Jul 11, Aug 15

Time: 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Location: Ocean River Sports

Cost: $75 Kayak and Paddling Gear Rental: Included

Testing the Waters Itinerary
Printable Waiver Form

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.

2010 Spring/Fall Dates: Mar 6-7, Mar 13-14, Mar 27-28, Apr 10-11, Apr 24-25, May 1-2, May 8-9, May 29-30 (see below for summer dates), Oct 2-3, Oct 23-24

Spring/Fall Times and Locations:

Day One: 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm at Ocean River Sports; 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm at Crystal
Pool

Day Two: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm meet at Ocean River Sports

2010 Summer Dates: Jun 5-6, Jun 19-20, Jul 3-4, Jul 10-11, Jul 17-18, Aug 7-8, Aug 14-15, Aug 28-29, Sep 11-12

Summer Times and Locations:

Day One: Practical 8:30 am – 1:30 pm at Thetis Lake; Theory 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm at Thetis Lake or Ocean River Sports (depending on weather conditions)

Day Two: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm meet at Ocean River Sports

Cost: $245 Kayak & Paddling Gear Rental: $50

Ages: 16 and up

Introductory Kayaking Course Itinerary
Print Waiver Form

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) Control your 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!

2010 Dates: Apr 7, Apr 17, Apr 28, May 12, May 22, Jun 2, Jun 12, Jun 23, Jul 7, Jul 17, Jul 28, Aug 4, Aug 22, Sep 1, Sep 22, Oct 16

Time: 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm (Weekends) 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm (Midweek)

Location: Ocean River Sports

Cost : $60 Kayak & Paddling Gear Rental : $15

Ages: 16 and Up

Introductory Strokes Itinerary
Printable Waiver Form

Introductory Strokes for Women

(3 hours) Just for women!

This course offer the exact same content as our Introductory Stokes Clinic...but it is just for women! No matter what your size or exercise ability, our female-led instruction offers a great way to learn how to kayak in a comfortable and respectful environment. Just read what our participants have to say:

...they were both excellent instructors. They explained and demonstrated things clearly and carefully. They made things practical as to when you would use each stroke... none of this was done in a condescending way. I was quite nervous when I started but their overall approach, calmness and gentle humour made me feel confident right away... each participant felt respected and those that needed a little extra help got the attention in such a way that it wasn't obvious to others. Well done!

2010 Dates: May 9, Jul 24

Time: 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Location: Ocean River Sports

Cost: $60 Kayak Rental: $15

Ages: 16 and up

Introductory Strokes for Women
Printable Waiver Form

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 will 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.

2010 Dates: Feb 6, Feb 20, Apr 3, Apr 17, May 22, Oct 16, Nov 6, Nov 27

Location: Crystal Pool, Victoria, BC

Time: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Cost: $70 Kayak & Paddling Gear Rental: $15

Ages: 16 and up

Introductory Rescues Itinerary
Printable Waiver Form

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.

2010 Dates: May 16, May 18, May 23, Jun 8, Jun 20, Jun 22, Jun 27, Jul 6, Jul 20, Jul 25, Jul 27, Aug 3, Aug 8, Aug 17, Aug 21, Aug 24, Aug 31

Time: 9 am – 4 pm

Location: Thetis Lake (25 minutes northwest of Victoria, BC)

Cost: $125 Kayak & Paddling Gear Rental: $35

Ages: 16 and up

Introductory Strokes & Rescues Itinerary
Printable Waiver Form

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!

2010 Dates: Feb 10, Mar 24, Apr 14, May 5, Jun 16, Jul 21, Aug 18, Oct 6

Time: 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Location: Ocean River Sports

Cost: $60

Ages: 16 and up

Introductory Navigation & Marine Weather

The June 18 lesson was great. I went out with Ben and 4 other ladies and we all thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Many thanks for your assistance and support. I will plan on attending more kayak clinics at Ocean River.

Cheers,
Brenda

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