Kayak
Georgian Bay 30,000 Island Kayak Paddling Courses
3 Day ORCKA Certification courses in Georgian Bay:
This is a wonderful way to get into sea kayaking on a 3 day paddling course suitable for beginners to beautiful Franklin Island Wilderness Reserve in Georgian Bay, and is led by our ORCKA Kayak instructors who will be teaching you the ORCKA Kayak Flatwater skills . Not only will you learn how to paddle a kayak with great skill but will also get the mileage to make the newly acquired to skills stick. You will walk away from this course feeling very accomplished and confident in a sea kayak You will also have the opportunity to learn many advanced wilderness camping and tripping skills that will make wilderness travel by kayak a comfortable and safe experience.
Round trip transportation from Toronto is also available for these trips.
Please see available dates and prices at: 3 Day Georgian Bay Trips
5 Day ORCKA Certification courses in Georgian Bay:
This is a more advanced sea kayaking paddling course on a 5 day trip through the many wilderness Islands in the 30,000 Islands in Georgian Bay, led by ORCKA Kayak instructors who will be teaching you the ORCKA Kayak Coastal Kayaking Level 1 skills . Not only will you learn how to paddle a kayak with great skill but will also get the mileage to make the newly acquired to skills stick. You will walk away from this course feeling very accomplished and confident in a sea kayak in more demanding conditions. You will also have the opportunity to learn many advanced wilderness camping and tripping skills that will make wilderness travel by kayak a comfortable and safe experience.
Round trip transportation from Toronto is also available for these trips.
Please see available dates and prices at: 5 Day Georgian Bay Trips
Canoe
Algonquin Park Interior Paddling Courses
3 Day ORCKA Certification courses in Algonquin Park:
This is a wonderful 3 day paddling course into the interior of Algonquin Park wilderness suitable for beginners and is led by our ORCKA Canoe instructors who will be teaching you Level 1 and 2 ORCKA Basic Canoe skills . Not only will you learn how to paddle a canoe with great skill but will also get the mileage to make the newly acquired to skills stick. You will also have the opportunity to learn many advanced wilderness camping and tripping skills that will make wilderness travel by canoe a comfortable and safe experience.
Round trip transportation from Toronto is also available for these trips.
Please see available dates and prices at: 3 Day Algonquin Canoe Trips
6 Day ORCKA Certification courses in Algonquin Park:
This is a wonderful 6 day paddling course deep into the interior of Algonquin Park wilderness led by ORCKA Canoe instructors who will be teaching you Level 1 through 4 (solo) ORCKA Basic Canoe skills . Not only will you learn how to paddle a canoe with great skill but will also get the mileage to make the newly acquired to skills stick. You will also have the opportunity to learn many advanced wilderness camping and tripping skills that will make wilderness travel by canoe a comfortable and safe experience.
Round trip transportation from Toronto is also available for these trips.
Please see available dates and prices at: 6 Day Algonquin Canoe Trips
Toronto Canoe and Kayak Courses at Harbourfront
Evenings At Harbourfront:
Whether you wish to start a new hobby, refresh your stroke memory or are just curious about canoeing, this introductory program has been designed to satisfy all. The evening course focuses on the basics needed to get you started, including basic canoe control, portaging, dock entries and exits, canoe safety and much more!
Classes run from 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Weekends At Harbourfront:
Perfect for a beginner or intermediate canoeist who wants to gain, renew or enhance their skills. Develop your paddling ability amongst the fabulous Toronto Island Archipelago.
Topics include maneuvering (the “J” stroke for boat control), pivoting (draw’s and pry’s), proper dock entries and exits, boat balance (seating positions and trimming), safety and rescues, portaging, the roles of the bow (front) and stern (back) paddler, and canoe design. These skills will be covered for tandem (two participants in a canoe) and some solo paddling.
Classes run Sat & Sun 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Weekend Kayak Course:
These great weekend skill development sessions will be spent in the fabulous Toronto Island Archipelago. We will spend lots of time on the water, striving to become intimate with the special “feel” of the sea kayak. Even if you have never been in a kayak before, this course will take you right from the beginning, and will most importantly give you time to ask questions and refine the paddling skills you have learned. Participants have the opportunity to achieve their Paddle Canada Flatwater Kayak Certification dependent on goals and ability, and by combining this course with the In-Pool Rescue Course.
Classes run from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Maximum class size is 6.
Pool Practice Nights:
These 1 to 4 hour sessions allow you to use our boats to practice whatever you want and have fun! A great way to cure the winter blues and remember just how much fun sea kayaking is. Keep in mind the pool temperature is usually 30 Celsius, so refresh what you have been taught over the years and tip over as often as you like! Choose either 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm, 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm starts. Maximum number of people is 6.
Pool Sea Kayak Rescue Course:
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you, or a fellow kayaker, tipped over while paddling… would you know what to do? These 2-hour sessions in a downtown Toronto pool will reassure the beginner or experienced paddler how easy it is to exit an overturned sea kayak and, with simple technique, get back in from the water. With an instructor standing by your side, you can learn solo and assisted re-entry procedures. Sometimes it’s you who needs the rescue, but most of the time its you who needs to perform the rescue. Improve your confidence and most importantly, your safety on the water.
Choose either a 7:00 pm or 9:00 pm start time.
Maximum class size is 6 people.
Pool Sea Kayak Rolling Course:
For paddlers who already know their in-water rescues and have experience paddling. Compliment your paddling and rescue skills by learning to roll. These 2-hour sessions in a warm downtown Toronto pool will teach rolling technique in a 2:1 participant/instructor ratio to best ensure a great learning experience! Choose either 7 pm or 9 pm start. Maximum class size is 4 participants with at least 2 instructors.
Pool Sea Kayak Practice Nights:
Whether you’ve been paddling for years or are just stepping into a kayak fro the first time, Kayak Play is designed to help individuals of all skill levels to increase their comfort both in and on the water. Great for those who have never kayaked before or who have apprehensions being in a kayak, and great for those who have spent many years trying to perfect their paddling skills. Kayak play encourages people to come out of their kayaks, reduce inhibitions while at the same time improving boat awareness and confidence. This is a “challenge-by-choice” oriented program meaning that you can do as little of much as your comfort level will allow. Those with intermediate levels can try to push their boundaries and explore what their kayak can an cannot yet do. Either way come expecting two hours of fun and new skills
Classes run from 7-9 pm or 9-11 pm
Please contact Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak Centre at: 416-203-2277 or http://www.paddletoronto.com