Paddling Courses with Paddle Canada Certification
The following Paddle Canada Certifications are provided by our partner company Nanook Expeditions. https://nanookexpeditions.com/dynamic-water-weekend-level-2-prep-refresher/
Basic Skills Course
- 31 May to 31 May, 2025 – Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa West End, 1 day
- 7 June to 7 June, 2025 – Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa West End, 1 day
- 21 June to 21 June, 2025 – Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa West End, 1 day
- 5 July to 5 July, 2025 – Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa West End, 1 day
- 12 July to 12 July, 2025 – Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa West End, 1 day
Our Fundamentals of Sea-kayaking instructional program is a great program to get started, and to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on the water.
The focus will be on teaching the fundamentals of sea kayaking, including developing proper paddling stroke technique, assisted- and self-rescues, and proper equipment and gear.
At the end of the program, successful participants will be eligible for their Paddle Canada Basic Level certification.
The course details, what to bring and our cancellation policy can be found below. Be sure you double check your desired dates, program and locations before purchasing.
Padddling Courses in Toronto and London may be available as well. Please see Naok’s web page HERE
Level 1 Skills Course
- 24 May to 25 May, 2025 – Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa West End, 2 days
- 31 May to 1 June, 2025 – Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa West End, 2 days
- 7 June to 8 June, 2025 – Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa West End, 2 days
- 21 June to 22 June, 2025 – Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa West End, 2 days
- 5 July to 6 July, 2025 – Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa West End, 2 days
- 19 July to 20 July, 2025 – Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa West End, 2 days
- 9 August to 10 August, 2025 – Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa West End, 2 days
- 6 September to 7 September, 2025 – Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa West End, 2 days
Feeling comfortable and confident that you can maneuver your kayak effectively and safely will add to your enjoyment on the water, and perhaps inspire you to plan your own kayaking excursions.
This open water course teaches you the key paddling strokes, self- & assisted- rescues, safety standards and regulations, as well as other elements that will make you a more effective paddler, and ensure you are having the best possible paddling experience. We currently offer our Paddle Canada certified Level 1 courses across Ontario. Choose the course location and timing option that suits you best.
Please note that we do not supply snacks or lunches on our course. When you are packing your snacks and lunches, it is important to remember that you need to keep up your energy levels high throughout the day on the water, so make sure you pack high-energy snacks and hearty meals.
In addition to these courses, a select number of our expeditions have been designed to combine wilderness camping with skills certification. If you want to take your certification course, and enjoy more time in the fresh air, check out the Guided Expeditions.
We provide the kayaks, and required safety equipment for our courses unless you prefer to bring your own. All our courses have a capacity limit so book early to ensure your spot.
The course details, what to bring and our cancellation policy can be found below. Be sure you double check your desired dates, program and locations before purchasing.
Level 2 Skills + Wilderness Camping
- 15 September to 20 September, 2025 – Georgian Bay – Phillip Edward Island, 6-days, 5-nights
Take your skills to the next level! Now that you have learned to successfully operate your kayak in your Level 1 course, make the most of your paddling skills and practice them on a wilderness adventure trip in Georgian Bay.
Our Paddle Canada certified Level 2 skills course will help you maximize your paddling skills, learning more advanced paddling strokes and rescue techniques, plus it will enable you to manage the more challenging sea conditions in Georgian Bay. You will also learn how to navigate the terrain to take you to new places, and create your own expedition itinerary. The course details, what to bring and our cancellation policy can be found at the link provided below.
In addition to the Level 2 skills, wilderness camping will teach you how to improve your safe food handling skills, how to identify the risks and how to mitigate them when you are in the wilderness; and you will be able to provide a safe and enjoyable camping experience for you and the others in your group. Please note that as part of this course, you will be responsible for providing food for certain meals and doing the food preparation.
With the successful completion of the course, you will receive your Paddle Canada Level 2 Skills and Wilderness Camping certifications.
We provide the kayaks, and required safety equipment for our courses unless you prefer to bring your own. All our courses have a capacity limit so book early to ensure your spot.
The course details, what to bring and our cancellation policy can be found below. Be sure you double check your desired dates, program and locations before purchasing.
Surf and Current Clinic
Feeling rusty after a long winter? Looking for a challenge or want to increase your comfort level on the water? This 2½ day program on the Ottawa River will introduce people to dynamic water and develop the skills and rescues needed for Level 2 Certification.
In addition to instruction by Paddle Canada Certified Instructors you will enjoy 2 nights camping, 6 meals in total – Friday Dinner till Sunday Lunch and Access to Wilderness Tours Resort during down time.
This program is for paddlers with a minimum Paddle Canada Level 1 Skills or equivalent preparing to take a Level 2 course or those that would like to refresh their skills. No experience in Level 2 conditions, moving water or current is required as we will gradually increase the difficulty of the water over the weekend.
All our courses have a capacity limit so book early to ensure your spot.
