| April - May 2005
This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
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Safety Instruction Safety Gear
Safety Instruction
Alpha Adventures & Education Sunshine Coast, BC Instruction
Located on the Sunshine Coast, BC, Alpha Adventures & Education offers introductory and intermediate kayaking instruction year round. Specialized programs include: youth instruction and day camps, pool sessions, racing clinics, women's paddling sessions, and week long youth leadership programs in the summer. Locations in Roberts Creek and Pender Harbour. Tel: 604-885-8838. Web: www.outdooradventure.biz Email: alpha@robertscreek.com |
Aquabatics Smithers B.C. Instruction
Get outdoors and go paddling—it's a beautiful world! Paddling can be a calming or an exhilarating experience; it can be an escape, it can be freedom, or simply a pleasant means to experience good times with your family or friends. You'll enjoy yourself and get fit, without a “regime.” With Aquabatics you'll get quality instruction, whether you're learning your first strokes or going on a multi-day excursion. “Paddling is our Passion.” Tel: 1-877-440-WAVE (9283). Web: www.aquabatics.com Email: aquabatics2@shaw.ca |
Barkley Sound Kayak Centre Barkley Sound, BC Instruction
The Kayak Institute's carefully designed instructional workshops and tours offer a comprehensive learning experience as well as a fun-filled holiday. Operating from a base camp in Barkley Sound, BC, they offer 6 day adult and family programs. For experienced paddlers, they offer 8 day advanced workshops at various locations on Vancouver Island's exposed west coast. Al and Marion Schaffer. Web: www.barkleykayakcentre.com Email: info@barkleykayakcentre.com |
Blue Vista Resort & Sea Kayaking Gulf Islands, B.C. Instruction
Take a getaway to the islands and learn to kayak. Blue Vista offers a number of introductory kayaking programs for adults, children and groups in and around beautiful Mayne Island and the Gulf Island National Park Reserve. Instructors are guides and educators. Rentals and tours also available. Tel: 250-539-2463, 1-877-535-2424. Web: www.bluevistaresort.com Email: bluevista@bluevistaresort.com |
Bowen Island Kayaking School Bowen Island, BC Instruction
Bowen Island Kayaking School on Bowen Island, BC, offers introductory and intermediate instruction from April through October. Special courses are also designed for women, seniors and youth (ages 14–17), as well as a 5 day Kids Kamp (ages 8–13) each week of July and August. Tel:. 604-947-9266 or 800-60-KAYAK. Web: www.bowenislandkayaking.com Email: kayakbowen@telus.net |
Canadian Outdoor Leadership Training (COLT) Strathcona Park, BC Instruction
Canadian Outdoor Leadership Training is based at Strathcona Park Lodge, BC, the busiest outdoor education centre in Canada—an ideal place for developing leaders. COLT's 100 day semester, equal parts land and water, includes ocean and river kayaking, canoe tripping, whitewater paddling, rock climbing, mountaineering, leadership and more. New in 2004, COLT H20: 71 days for water lovers. Since 1977. Tel: 250-286-3122 Web: www.colt.bc.ca Email: info@colt.bc.ca |
Coast Mountain Expeditions Vancouver Island, BC Instruction
Coast Mountain Expeditions presents learning as a major component of all kayaking experiences. Every kayak tour includes pre-trip kayak instruction, paddling skills and rescues practice. During your multi-day trip learn about low impact camping, weather and basic seamanship, compass & navigation, tides & currents. “Sea Kayak Getaway at Coast Mountain Lodge” is a 3 day instructional program. They also offer 3–6 day custom school group packages. Since 1987. Tel: 250-285-2823. Web: www.CoastMountainExpeditions.com Email: coastmtn@island.net |
Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak Deep Cove, BC Instruction
Located only 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver, BC, the sheltered water of Deep Cove is a perfect spot to learn how to kayak or improve your skills. Courses range from Introduction to Ocean Kayaking for beginners to Kayak Rolling for experts. The kids' programs have expanded for 2005 with After School Kayaking starting in May, and Summer Camps through July and August. Tel: 604-929-2268. Web: www.deepcovekayak.com |
Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre Vancouver, BC Instruction
Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre, in Vancouver, BC, is one of the largest and most experienced kayaking schools in the country. They have taught over 27,000 people the necessary skills for safe and comfortable ocean kayaking. Check out www.ecomarine.com for a complete listing of programs from beginner to professional CRCA certification. Ecomarine has every way to get you on the water in an ocean kayak. Go paddling today! Tel: 604-689-7520 or toll free 888-4-CKAYAK. Web: www.ecomarine.com Email: school@ecomarine.com |
Evolution Guide School Sunshine Coast, BC Instruction
Certified kayak leadership training on Canada's west coast. Join them to explore and develop the motivations, skills, challenges and rewards that bring people to the profession of guiding. They provide comprehensive introductions to a wide spectrum of guiding tools and leadership styles. Experience British Columbia's highest evolution of certified sea kayak leadership courses. Phone toll free: 1-866-568-3770. Web: www.evolutionguides.com Email: gord@evolutionguides.com |
Island Escapades Vancouver Island, BC Instruction
Island Escapades offers 4 and 8 day Day and Assistant Kayak Guide courses, endorsed by the SKGABC and recognized as stepping stones to achieving professional guide status. These courses raise the level of competence of even veteran paddlers. Skills include rescues; strokes; detection and correction; navigation; understanding tides, currents and weather systems; group management; and risk assessment and avoidance. Courses are taught at Salt Spring and Vancouver Island in April, May, June. escapades@saltspring.com. Toll Free: 888-KAYAK-67. Web: www.islandescapades.com Email: escapades@saltspring.com |
Island Outfitters San Juan Islands, WA Instruction
fe Insurance? No monthly premiums! Invest in a course from Island Outfitters for a lifetime of safety and knowledge. Even if you have a "bad paddling record," our courses cover you. Your life depends on it. Visit our website www.seakayakshop.com for full details of coverage. Call toll free: 866-445-7506. Web: www.seakayakshop.com |
Kayak Pender Island Pender Island, BC Instruction
Kayak Pender Island offers introductory lessons from Easter to Thanksgiving. Located on Pender island, BC at Otter Bay and Poet's Cove Marinas. Special courses also available. Tel: 1-877-683-1746. Web: www.kayakpenderisland.com |
Malaspina University-College Vancouver Island, BC Instruction
Malaspina University-College offers training in sea, surf, and river kayaking and river rafting. Spring courses include: a one week surf field school, skill and leadership development using surf boards, sea, river, and surf kayaks (university credit); river raft guides training; sea kayak guides courses; and river kayak skills and instructor training. Don Cohen: cohen@mala.ca. Tel: 250-753-3245 loc. 2480. |
Mount Moresby Adventure Camp Moresby Island, Haida Guaii, BC Instruction
Mount Moresby Adventure Camp offers a variety of outdoor education courses for kids, youth and adults on Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands). 2005 will include an 80-hour wilderness first aid course delivered by Wilderness Medical Associates, and a boat-building workshop. Our facility is also available for rent. Access to mountains, lakes, ocean and old growth forests. Tel: 250-626-3494 Web: www.adventurecamp.ca Email: jebbs@island.net |
Natural West Coast Adventures White Rock, BC Instruction
Natural West Coast Adventures has been providing kayak instruction since 1993 with programs designed for novice to experienced paddlers. The intent of our kayak instructional programs is to provide a safe, fun and educationally charged atmosphere designed to individual paddling profiles. CRCA certification courses can also be arranged. Join one of our classes or tours to experience friendly, attentive service. Web: www.kayak.bc.ca Email: nwcakayak@telus.net |
North Island College Vancouver Island, BC Instruction
Pursue your dream. Seasoned instructors deliver an intensive 5 month marine-focused program toward entry-level guiding in kayaking and other coastal tourism. Professional kayak guides need to know much more than just kayaking. Runs every January to May from Campbell River, BC, and regularly leads to immediate industry employment. Option to continue as part of 2-yr. Adventure Tourism Diploma if interested in more advanced guiding skills or managing a business. Tel: 250-334-5233. Web: www.nic.bc.ca/tourism Email: questions@nic.bc.ca |
Ocean River Sports Victoria, BC Instruction
Ocean River Sports has been a leader in sea kayak instruction and touring since 1981. Our certified instructors deliver a range of enjoyable introductory, intermediate, and advanced level courses. As well, we offer accredited training for sea kayak guides and instructors and specialized instruction in Greenland-style kayaking. Select programs lead to certification with the Canadian Recreational Canoeing Association and the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC. 1824 Store Street. Victoria, BC, V8T 4R4. Tel: 250-381-4233. Toll Free: 1-800-909-4233. Web: www.oceanriver.com Email: adventure@oceanriver.com |
Odyssey Kayaking Vancouver Island, BC Instruction
Odyssey Kayaking, serving Northern Vancouver Island, BC, promotes the safe enjoyment of sea kayaking in an ecologically sensitive manner. They offer “Take the Plunge” classes featuring technique & safety at a local pool or in an outdoor setting. On their tours, guides give initial safety based kayak instruction, equipment familiarization as well as ongoing trip tips to enhance paddling skills. Tel: 1-888-792-3366. Web: www.odysseykayaking.com |
Pacifica Paddle Sports Victoria, BC Instruction
Vancouver Island's Canoe & Kayak Centre in Victoria, B.C., offers paddling instruction, from introductory lessons for beginners to whitewater, surf and rescue techniques. From one-on-one pool sessions to multi-day guided ocean tours, they can help expand your paddling horizons. For more information: Web: www.GotPaddle.net |
Pedals & Paddles Sechelt, BC Instruction
Pedals & Paddles has been providing visitors to the Sunshine Coast with easy-access, wilderness adventure since 1991. They are located right on the water, at the end of the road on beautiful Sechelt Inlet. They offer self-guided rentals, guided trips as well as beginner lessons and roll clinics taught by a certified instructor. They look forward to hearing from you! Tel: 1-866-885-644. Web: www.pedalspaddles.com Email: info@pedalspaddles.com |
Powell River Sea Kayak Ltd. Powell River, BC Instruction
Powell River Sea Kayak Ltd. offers courses to introduce new or inexperienced paddlers to sea kayaking and to prepare kayakers for CRCA certifying courses. CRCA instruction and assessment for certification is also available. Lessons takes place at Powell River Sea Kayak's secluded location on Penrose Bay, Okeover Inlet. Tel: 1-866-617-4444. Web: www.bcseakayak.com |
Rainforest Kayak Adventures Tofino, BC Instruction
Get ready to take a quantum leap! Rainforest Kayak Adventures specializes in teaching the skills of seamanship. Develop your judgment by making real decisions in real conditions. The company is small and dedicated to excellence, with personalized instruction, superb organic menu and beautiful location. Group size limited to 8 with 2 leaders. They also offer SKGABC Assistant & Day Guide courses. Based in Tofino, BC, RKA is run by Dan Lewis and Bonny Glambeck. Tel: 877-422-WILD (9453). Web: www.rainforestkayak.com |
Saltspring Kayaking and Cycle Saltspring Island, BC Instruction
Saltspring Kayaking's wharf-side location is in the historic feed shed on Fulford Harbour. The calm, protected waters are a great starting point for new paddlers. Choose Basic Ocean Kayaking for Beginners or learn to roll on the warm waters of nearby Stowel Lake. Fun and informative tours too! Tel: 250-653-4222. Web: www.saltspringkayaking.com Email: sskayak@saltspring.com |
Sea Kayak Association of BC Instruction
SKABC is a volunteer-run sea kayaking club. Each year, members organize events at which they share knowledge, fellowship and good times, on and off the water. Club trips and training focus on safety, skill development and respect for the environment. From January to July each year, SKABC runs an intensive training period in preparation for the summer paddling season. Instructors are club volunteers—seasoned members teach newer kayakers. Courses include Beginners, Intermediate, Rescue Weekend, Navigation and Weather. Courses are for club members only. Web: www.skabc.org Email: info@skabc.org |
Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC Instruction
The Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC is a nonprofit society which upholds high standards for professional sea kayak guides and operators in BC. Through ongoing professional development and certification, the Alliance strives to ensure safe practices on an industrywide basis. For information on the SKGABC or becoming a Certified Sea Kayak Guide. Web: www.skgabc.com |
Sea to Sky Kayak Center North Vancouver, BC Instruction
Sea to Sky Kayaking School is now conveniently located in North Vancouver, on the lower Seymour River, just steps from the ocean. In its new location the school is able to complement its river kayaking lessons with a range of lessons and equipment available for the recreational (sea and lake) kayaker. Learn the “Balanced system of turning” and the “Sea to Sky Roll.” Don and Paula Jamieson. Tel: 604-983-6663. Web: www.seatoskykayak.com Email: info@seatoskykayak.com |
Sealegs Kayaking Adventures Ladysmith, BC Instruction
Sealegs Kayaking Adventures offers a CRCA Basic Sea Kayak Course including a 2 hr session in the community pool and a 4 hr beach session at Transfer Beach in Ladysmith, Vancouver Island, BC. Sealegs' guide team will also design custom skills clinics at the Beach—app't necessary. For workshops, private lessons and custom tours for school groups, Tel: 1-877-529-2522, 250-245-4096. Web: www.SealegsKayaking.com |
Ski & Surf Shop Comox Valley, BC Instruction
The only whitewater kayak instruction source in BC's Comox Valley, Ski & Surf Shop offers introductory lessons for people of all ages using recreational or touring kayaks, specializing in providing instruction on a solo or small group basis only. Lessons can be tailored to specific needs or requests of the customer (e.g. rolling or enhancing forward strokes for more efficiency and power, etc.). Tel: 250-338-8844. Email: skiandsurfshop@shaw.ca |
SKILS Victoria, BC Instruction
SKILS offers professional sea kayak guide training on Canada's west coast. Based in Victoria, SKILS has access to some of the best paddling in BC. Courses focus on developing knowledge, skills and experience for sea kayak guides. SKILS has established its reputation as an expert leader in training guides. The Assistant Guide and Day Guide courses are recognized by the SKGABC and follow the required steps to be certified as a SKGABC guide. Tel: 800-909-4233. Email: adventure@oceanriver.com |
Slipstream Wilderness First Aid BC and Alberta Instruction
40 and 80 hour Wilderness First Aid programs. Victoria, BC to Edmonton, AB. We can customize training to suit your needs. Call 1-800-760-3188 to reserve a spot as our courses book early. Book online and save at: Web: www.wildernessfirstaid.ca |
Sunshine Kayaking Sunshine Coast, BC Instruction
Sunshine Kayaking, located in Gibsons on BC's Sunshine Coast, only 90 minutes from Vancouver, offers the ideal setting to discover the pleasures of paddling. Introductory and rescue lessons as well as guided half, full and multi-day tours led by experienced guides and instructors are available from April to October. Special group programs available. Web: www.sunshinekayaking.com Email: info@sunshinekayaking.com |
Tofino Sea Kayaking Tofino, BC Instruction
From protected waters with moderate currents and tides to open ocean swell and surf, Clayoquot Sound is a paddler's perfect classroom. Sea kayaking courses are designed for those interested in learning sea kayaking basics or improving their skill level, and range from 1 day rescue clinics to 6 day camping experiences. Tofino, BC. Tel: 250-725-4222. Web: www.tofino-kayaking.com Email: paddlers@island.net |
Wilderness Kayak Institute British Columbia and Baja, California Mexico Instruction
WKI's Sea Kayak Touring Fundamentals course teaches core touring skills of navigation, weather theory, tides and currents and route planning on a trip in BC's coastal wilderness. Guide Leadership Course covers kayaking touring from the perspective of the group leader. This ACSKG course is for anyone planning a career in guiding or leading kayaking programs in a group or institutional setting. Tel: 877-724-1808. Web: www.wildernesskayak.net |
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Safety Gear
Brooks Paddle Gear Safety Gear
Wetsuits and drysuits provide exposure protection. To slow the onset of hypothermia when exposed to water, both decrease heat loss by minimizing the water's movement across your skin. Neoprene wetsuits are great insulators, while a shell drysuit requires you to layer undergarments suited to water temperature underneath. Sprayskirts prevent your boat from taking on water in rough conditions and big water. While not a replacement for adequate ballast, using a sprayskirt can definitely enhance the safety of your paddling experience, while keeping the cockpit of your boat much drier. Web: www.brookspaddlegear.com |
Gul Safety Gear
Gul is a UK-based manufacturer of kayak, board and marine clothing and accessories. Included in our kayak line-up is a Canadian Coast Guard approved kayak specific PFD, and we also have throw lines. You can get everything from dry and semi-dry cags and wetsuits for upper body warmth, to booties and gloves for your extremities. To see the entire line, visit www.gul.com. North National Outdoor Group – North American Distributor: 905-290-0724/888-234-0771. Web: www.gul.com Email: info@northnational.com |
Kokatat Safety Gear
Kokatat has a wide range of safety gear. Three items of note: (1) 'Touring Tow Tether', a compact and rapid-deploying system for rescue, in PFD Mount and Waist Mount versions, with storage pouch for the line and winding shuttle ($84US); (2) 'Expedition Drysuit' incorporating GORE-TEX IMMERSION Technology fabric, with storm hood, reflective tape, left sleeve pocket, relief zipper, socks plus an overskirt that keeps the cockpit dry ($998 / $1039 US); and (3) 'The Guide', a full-featured Type V rescue PFD with reinforced shoulders, harness, hardware and rescue belt ($180US). Tel: 800-225-9749. Web: www.kokatat.com |
Natural West Coast Adventure Gear Safety Gear
NWCA Gear is based in Victoria BC. We manufacture safety gear such as regular and oversized paddle floats, regulation throw bags, float sleeves for your pump that attach to your kayak, paddle bags for your spare paddle and rescue stirrups to assist in getting back into the boat, We have many other accessories to outfit your kayak, for details go to www.bckayaks.com. 250-391-0331. Fax: 250-391-0335. Web: www.bckayaks.com Email: nwca@kayak.bc.ca |
North Water Safety Gear
Safety, Comfort and Organization—the keys to success on the water. North Water combines an international network of expert instructors with decades of experience from all aspects of professional rescue and paddlesports, with top grade materials to produce functional and innovative design in a range of products to suit all of your Safety, Comfort and Organizational needs. Tel: 604-264-0827. Web: www.northwater.com Email: northwater@northwater.com |
Snap Dragon Safety-Off-Strap (S.O.S.) Safety Gear
In addition to the traditional grab loop, the S.O.S. (Safety-Off-Strap) incorporates a one inch wide, flat nylon webbing that is stitched to the sides of the deck and extends across the top of the Spray deck. Pulling up on the Safety Strap releases the deck on the sides of the coaming. A buckle for adjusting the tightness of the webbing keeps the strap taut along the top of the deck. S.O.S. is available on any Snap Dragon Neoprene Spray Skirt and the Nylon Glacier model. Tel: 425-957-3575. Web: www.snapdragondesign.com Email: info@snapdragondesign.com |
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