Sea Kayaking Training Courses, Assessments & Certifications
Take your skills and knowledge to the next level in a short period of time. Courses geared toward novice paddlers in flat water environments up to advanced paddlers looking to certify as instructors. Our instructors are American Canoe Association trained.
We also offer custom dates Discounts for groups.
Introductory Safety Course (Skill Level 1)
Offered 8:30am & 1:30pm (Must schedule in advance)
This course (or written proof of the equivalent) is required in order to rent sea kayaks from us. During this 3+ hour course you will learn foundational knowledge and skills to keep you safe while sea kayaking. Learn how to plan for and predict wind, waves and weather. Learn hazards & safety, paddling technique, and methods for self-rescue and rescuing others. To pass you must flip over and be able to physically climb back into your boat. We do not provide refunds on rentals if you cannot do so. Learn more about the Safety Course
$65 per person, includes equipment for the course. $20 additional per person if not renting from us after the course. View payment & refund policies
Next step? Read our Rental Reservation Information and then go to Sea Kayak Rentals to fill out the rental request form.
Sea Kayaking Essentials (Skill Level 2)
A fun paddling class that goes beyond our level 1 'Introductory Safety Course' to hit the finer points of touring in a sea kayak. Great for beginners or self-taught intermediates, our curriculum includes proper paddling technique, bracing to prevent capsize, rescue options, and foundational knowledge addressing weather, wind and waves. Course venue will be in relatively calm waters, since the curriculum is meant for paddlers traveling in mellow wind, waves and tide conditions. This course will cover the American Canoe Association Level 2 'Essentials of Kayak Touring' curriculum. Must provide your own equipment or you can rent from us at the reduced price of $40/ day.
$125 per person. View payment & refund policies
Sea Kayaking Further (Skill Level 3)
Sea Kayaking Further goes beyond our Essentials course to prepare you for overnight sea kayaking trips and paddling in more challenging sea conditions, with wind up to 10 knots and waves up to 2 feet. (So if we have waves during the day of your course, we'll get out and play in them!) We'll work on advanced strokes with application in sea caves and rocky areas, and may introduce the roll depending upon interest. This course will cover the American Canoe Association Level 3 'Strokes & Rescues' curriculum. You must provide your own equipment or rent from us at the reduced price of $40/ day.
$125 per person. View payment & refund policies
Coastal Kayak Comprehensive (Skill Level 3)
4 Day Skills Immersion!
May 23rd-26th, 2023
An immersive skills experience designed to boost the confidence of novice to intermediate paddlers. This 4 day course will teach and test your ability in wind and waves, and as an added bonus, includes an American Canoe Association Level 3 skills assessment and rolling clinic. Normally these are all separate classes. You must provide your own equipment or rent from us at the reduced price of $40/ day.
$460 for 4 full days of training and the assessment exam. Contact us to create custom dates for your group.
Advanced Sea Kayaking (Skill Level 4)
This course is for those who already have sea kayaking experience in waves and wind, and formal instruction in basic strokes and rescues at a minimum. We'll hope for wind 10-15mph and waves 2-4 feet to practice our strokes, rescues, braces, and we'll work on your roll, depending upon interest. This course also covers the American Canoe Level 4 'Open Water' curriculum. You must provide your own equipment or rent from us at the reduced price of $40/ day.
$125 per person. View payment & refund policies
American Canoe Association
Sea Kayaking Assessments & Certifications
A great way to know where your current paddling skills are at while receiving valuable coaching to get you to the next level. Though an assessment still provides paddling instruction, it differs from a class in that the assessment actually 'tests' your abilities. For this reason many paddling programs use the skills assessment to confirm the skills of their staff, and the ACA requires that you pass an assessment prior to attending an Instructor Certification course.
Trip Leader Trainings & Assessments
While the skills assessment is specific to paddling ability, the Trip Leader Assessment is focused on leadership and risk management. Many outfitters are moving to this training because of the focus on real-life leadership on the water.
Instructor Certification Workshops
The ACA continues to vet curriculum to bring you current best practices in paddling instruction. Instructor certification is for anyone interested in developing as an on-water educator.
Kayaking Instructor Updates
The update meets the 4 year requirement for instructors to keep their current level of certification.
ACA Kayak Rolling Instructor Endorsement
August 2023 dates TBA
The ACA Kayak Rolling Instructor Endorsement is for current Level 2 or 3 Coastal or Whitewater Kayaking Instructors to learn how to teach rolling, and enables instructors to teach rolling specific classes.
Because this is a fast-paced course on coaching how to roll, participants should already be proficient in rolling from at least one side of their kayak. Read more about the course curriculum. You must provide your own equipment or rent from us at the reduced price of $40/ day.
$125. Group rates are available. View payment & refund policies
Custom Coaching
Save time and money over a group class with an educational experience personalized specifically for up to two people.
Our instructors have worked with individuals, families, and groups such as the National Park Service, Colleges, Resorts, and the Boy Scouts. We can come to you.
Finally Learn how to ROLL
FINE TUNE your STROKES
TRADITIONAL ROLLING
SURF SKILLS & SAFETY
3 hours for 1 person - $195
3 hours for 2 people - $270
Full day* for 1 person - $390
Full day* for 2 people - $540
*6 hours instruction + breaks
You must provide your own equipment or rent from us at the reduced price of $40/ day for a single sea kayak and gear.
Coming Soon: Sea Caves & Rock Gardens Course
Paddling around rocks teaches you how to be a better paddler, period. This course will foster your confidence to explore amazing (and potentially intimidating) new areas, and the leadership skills to bring a few friends along.
Our location near the Apostle Islands is the perfect place for sea kayakers to learn how to interact with caves and rocks safely. We start out the day learning the strokes and strategies necessary to control your boat in tight quarters, then move to the Mawikwe Bay Cave site or another cave/cliff area to test our skills. (And tour awesome caves!)
This course also covers the American Canoe Association 'Rock Garden & Sea Cave Skills' curriculum.
Prerequisite: Our 'Sea Kayak Further' course or similar. (You will want to have experience in 1-2 foot waves minimum)
$125. Group rates are available. View payment & refund policies