Paddle Canada
Sea Kayak Level-2 Skills
Building on Level-1 skills, this course teaches intermediate techniques for paddling in Class-2 conditions along semi-exposed shoreline.
Key areas include leadership, incident management, open-water rescues, self-care, and navigation, preparing paddlers for more challenging sea kayaking adventures.
Skill Level
Intermediate/Advanced
Duration
5 Days
Location
Comox Valley locations vary
Price
$595
About This Course
The Paddle Canada Level-2 course builds confidence and competence for paddling in sheltered coastal waters. Building on the skills developed in Level-1, Level-2 provides paddlers with the intermediate skills they need to go sea kayaking in Class-2 conditions along semi-exposed shoreline.
Participants refine efficient paddling strokes, improve boat control, and learn essential self-rescue and assisted-rescue techniques. The course also introduces foundational navigation, trip planning, and decision-making skills, helping paddlers understand weather, tides, and group safety on the water.
Level-2 is ideal for paddlers who have some basic experience and want to paddle with greater confidence, awareness, and independence in coastal environments.
Leadership, incident management, open-water rescue, self-care and navigation are core parts of the curriculum.
Who This Course Is For
Paddlers Ready for Level-2
You have Paddle Canada Sea Kayak Level-1 Skills certification, or equivalent skill and knowledge at the discretion of the course director, and are ready to build intermediate skills for paddling in Class-2 conditions along semi-exposed shoreline.
Returning Kayakers
You have completed at least three one-day-long kayaking trips in Level-1 conditions in different locations and want to develop stronger rescue, bracing, navigation and decision-making skills.
Future Day Trippers
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to confidently paddle in Class-2 conditions in the company of one or more paddlers with similar skills and knowledge. The course also prepares paddlers for overnight trips.
Prerequisites
Certification or Equivalent Skills
Sea Kayak Level-1 Skills certification, or equivalent skill and knowledge at the discretion of the course director.
Paddling
Excursions
At least three one-day-long kayaking trips in Level-1 conditions, in different locations.
Other
Training
Wilderness first aid (16 hours) with CPR strongly recommended.
Please contact us if you do not meet the requirements as admittance is based on the discretion of the instructor. lessonstours@comoxvalleykayaks.com
What You’ll Learn
This course builds the intermediate skills and knowledge needed for confident sea kayaking in Class-2 conditions along semi-exposed shoreline.
Re-entry Skills:
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Unassisted re-entry
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Assisted re-entry
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All-in re-entry
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Bow rescue
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Re-entry exercises and scenarios
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Introduction to rolling
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Towing
Paddling Skills
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Launching and landing
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Forward stroke
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Turning strokes
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Sweep strokes
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Low and high brace turns
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Bow rudders
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Low and high brace
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Draws, draw stroke, sculling draw, hanging draw
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Stern draw and stern pry
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Paddling in rough water
Knowledge
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Equipment
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Introduction to tides and currents
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Wilderness navigation techniques and chart/map work
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Nautical charts and topographic maps
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Weather interpretation and basic forecasting
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Heat/cold issues
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Emergency overnight
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Leadership and decision making
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Risk assessment, incident management and evacuation options
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Kayak knots and rope work
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Transport Canada collision regulations
Learn With Experienced Local Instructors
Comox Valley Kayaks is a local, small business led by people who paddle, teach, and spend time on Vancouver Island waters themselves.
Our instructors bring practical local experience to the course, from choosing appropriate launch sites and reading conditions to dressing for the water, packing gear, and making smart group decisions.
What’s Included
Included
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Kayak
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Paddle
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Lifejacket with whistle
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Throw bag
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Bailing device
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Wetsuits available for the rescue portion of class
What to Wear
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Quick-dry clothing
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No jeans or cotton
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Weather-appropriate layers
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Water shoes or secure sandals with traction
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A light jacket for cooler weather
What to Bring
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Hat
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Sunscreen
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Water bottle
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Change of clothes for after class
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Your own lifejacket, if you have one and prefer the fit
Safety, Equipment & Instruction Standards
Paddle Canada Level-2 Skills is taught in Class-2 conditions around the Comox Valley. These are moderately exposed coastlines with frequent easy-landing opportunities and short crossings.
Class-2 Course Conditions
Expect moderate potential wind effects (22 to 35 km/h or 12 to 19 knots), surf of less than 1 metre and a combined sea state of less than 1 metre, gentle to moderate non-turbulent currents (less than 6 km/h or 3 knots), and light surf beaches. Short delays in access to land-based assistance should be expected.
Rescue Practice
You will practice unassisted re-entry, assisted re-entry, all-in re-entry, bow rescue, towing, and an introduction to rolling.
Planning & Judgement
You will learn wilderness navigation techniques, chart and map work, weather interpretation and basic forecasting, tides and currents, leadership and decision making, and risk assessment, incident management and evacuation options.
Before You Arrive
Please complete the liability waiver in your confirmation email and arrive 10 to 15 minutes early so you have time to park and get organized.
Meeting locations may vary throughout the course depending on conditions. This allows the course to stay appropriate for the group while giving participants exposure to a variety of local paddling environments.
Check your course email before arriving at the confirmed meeting location for any final instructions.
Your Sea Kayaking Progression
Start with basic boat control. Build rescue confidence. Learn how to assess conditions. Finish with the knowledge to paddle in Class-1 conditions with similarly skilled paddlers.
Intro To Kayaking
Confidence Building
Rescue Lesson
Paddle Canada Level-1 Skills
Why Learn Sea Kayaking in the Comox Valley?
The Comox Valley gives developing sea kayakers access to protected coastal environments, changing weather patterns, practical launch sites, and real conditions that support meaningful skill development.
This is a strong place to learn because Level-1 paddling is not only about strokes. It is also about judgment, preparation, communication, and understanding what is happening around you on the water.
With Comox Valley Kayaks, you learn from local paddlers who understand Vancouver Island conditions and the small decisions that make a sea kayaking day safer, smoother, and more enjoyable.
Paddle Canada Sea Kayak Level-2 Skills FAQs
Do I need previous kayaking experience?
Yes. Participants should have Paddle Canada Sea Kayak Level-1 Skills certification, or equivalent skill and knowledge at the discretion of the course director, including at least three one-day-long kayaking trips in Level-1 conditions in different locations. Wilderness first aid (16 hours) with CPR is strongly recommended. Please contact us if you don't meet the prerequisite requirements and we can have a discussion.
How long is the course?
The course runs over 5 days.
What conditions will we paddle in?
This course is taught in Class-2 conditions around the Comox Valley: moderately exposed coastline with frequent easy-landing opportunities and short crossings, moderate potential wind effects (22 to 35 km/h or 12 to 19 knots), surf of less than 1 metre, and gentle to moderate non-turbulent currents. Short delays in access to land-based assistance should be expected.
Will I receive Paddle Canada Level-1 certification?
This is a Paddle Canada certification course. Certification is based on successful completion of the course outcomes and the instructor's assessment during the program.
Do I need my own kayak or gear?
No. A kayak, paddle, lifejacket with whistle, throw bag, and bailing device are provided as required by Transport Canada. If you have your own lifejacket, we recommend bringing it for a better fit and increased comfort.
What should I wear?
Wear quick-dry clothing and avoid jeans or cotton, dressing similarly to what you'd wear for jogging or biking. Bring weather-appropriate layers, water shoes or secure, traction-gripped sandals, a light jacket, a hat, sunscreen, a water bottle, and a change of clothes for after class. Wetsuits may be available to borrow for the rescue portion, but sizes may be limited, please contact us in advance.
Where does the course meet?
Locations vary throughout the course depending on conditions, including Comox Valley Kayaks & Canoes and various other locations to be determined. Please check your course email for the confirmed meeting location and arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.
