Intro to Kayaking Course

Paddle Canada's full-day Flat water Intro to Kayaking is Frontenac Outfitters' most popular kayak course year after year!

This comprehensive, co-ed kayak course teaches you the fundamentals of kayaking theories, strokes, rescues, and recovery skills. Be ready to spend the day on, in, and under the water… and love it!

This course is highly recommended by everyone who has ever taken it. Many students repeat this confidence-building course season after season to further hone, develop, and refine their kayaking skills.

Note: These kayak courses often fill up weeks to months in advance, so early Registration is highly recommended!

Prerequisite: Swim 50-Meters with a PFD

Course Length: 8-Hours

Location: Frontenac Outfitters Canoe & Kayak Centre's

Courses run rain or shine and are only delayed by lightning and unruly weather.

 

Intro to Kayaking Course Itinerary:

Safety

• Standard safety signals used when paddling in groups
• The purpose of a Float Plan
• Retrieving capsized kayaks
• Bow rescue, T-Rescue, rafting kayaks to form a stable platform

Theory

• Kayak Types – Performance Touring Kayaks (sea kayaks), Touring Kayaks, Recreational Kayaks, and Whitewater Kayaks
• Boat Designs – learn to distinguish the compromises between price, performance, quality, and safety
• Parts of a kayak, safety features, what constitutes a safe kayak
• Boat outfitting, personal fit, control, and safety
• Safety equipment (mandatory and recommended) and how to use
• Paddling apparel for different weather conditions and temperatures
• Kayak paddles, the diverse selection, intention and benefits
• Equipment need, proper use, and care
• Injury prevention, stretches, and warm-ups

Skills

• Entering and exiting from shorelines and dock environments
• Wet exits and re-entries
• Balance points, initial, and secondary stability
• Low brace
• Edging
• Pivot and turning points
• Straight-line paddling, forward and reverse
• Lifts and carries (solo and tandem)
• Forward and reverse strokes, forward and reverse sweeps, reverse stroke, draw stroke, cross-bow stroke

Candidate Evaluations

• Participation in individual and group
• Kayaking skills
• Group awareness and self-control
• General attitude

Successful participants

• Receive a Paddle Canada Flat-water Certification

We have rental kayaks available with all gear below included

• Kayak PFD
• Kayak Paddle
• Paddle Float
• Bilge Pump
• Whistle
• Throw Bag
• Spray Skirt

Rental charge: $35+tax

Note: If you use your pre-approved touring kayak, please bring the necessary gear items.

Suggested Stuff to Bring:

• Wide-brimmed sun hat
• Sunglasses and glasses float
• Sunscreen and lip balm (waterproof)
• Proper water clothing, bathing suit, swim shorts, quick dry top, etc... (whatever you feel most comfortable wearing)
• Water shoes (not required)
• Lots of water and a full lunch
• A complete change of clothes and towel

Note: Our lake warms very quickly, so wetsuits and dry suits are generally unnecessary. If you prefer to wear one, you're encouraged to bring your own, or Farmer John wetsuits are available for rent.

Places to Stay

We offer on-site wooded and waterfront campsites at an additional cost. You will be given the option to book a site when booking your course date

 

Should you have any questions about our kayak lessons, please do not hesitate to call 613.376.6220 or email us at info@frontenacoutfitters.com. 

If you love this course, your next step is our Sea Kayaking Level 1 2-Day Certification Course!

To view the Paddle Canada website, Click Here!