Level One Paddle Canada Sea Kayak course
Location: West Dover NS, near Shaw's Landing restaurant

https://www.facebook.com/events/476086120283887?ref=newsfeed

Instructor: Eleanor
For this course, you may rent a sea kayak and gear from me, OR bring your own.
This location, in West Dover Nova Scotia, is 45 minutes from Halifax. It offers beautiful sheltered coves plus the option of poking out into more dynamic waters near Polly's Cove and Dover Island. You may even see the Peggy's Cove lighthouse down the coast.

Paddle Canada Level One is a two-day course that moves participants beyond flat water kayaking and into the adventure of sea kayaking. Parts of the course are conducted in slightly wavier waters than Basic Kayak, aiming to develop the paddler’s comfort in class-1 waters. There is a strong focus on re-entry (rescue) techniques as well as the skills required to safely plan and execute a day trip with friends (for example, navigation & route planning, weather interpretation, proper clothing/gear.) No previous training required- as long as you are comfortable sitting/floating in a kayak- send me a message if you are wondering if this course is for you!

The course will run with a minimum of 3 participants, and a maximum of 6.
Course fees: $225 for the 2 day course, no tax.
Rental kayak/gear - $138 for the 2 days, no tax.
Note: There is no bathroom or place to change at this location - we will do as sea kayakers do - (change beside your car and find a private island).
To reserve a space in any of our Level One courses, please send this info either by facebook message to the page or by email:

• The make and model of your kayak if you are using your own,
• state the course date you want to book, and your Full Name, phone number and email address,
• and a $100 deposit for a Level One course to [email protected] (Eleanor Kure) by etransfer.

Call 902-981-6815 with questions.
Thank you!

Successful completion of course will provide participants with a Paddle Canada certification in Level One Sea Kayaking.
You will need to bring with you, or rent from us:

• a sea-worthy sea kayak (ask me if you're not sure) skirt, a paddling PFD, with whistle, paddle, pump/bailer, and 15m of buoyant line.
• Bring an inflatable paddle float and a compass if you have one. - A paddler should own both.
• Pack your own lunch, snacks, water bottle, sun block, paddling clothing/hat, booties, etc.
• We will be immersing in ocean water. (fun!)

You will learn:

• How to safely plan and execute a day trip in sheltered coves and bays in Nova Scotia, including judgement of weather, understanding marine forecasts and how that will affect choosing your paddling location.
• Boat design, the difference between types of sea kayaks and paddles, and how to choose your own kayak.
• Intro to navigation, marine charts, compass work, and how to understand the marine forecast.

Boat control:

• efficient forward stroke, reverse, and sweep strokes for turning.
• Draws, both sculling and T-draw (moving sideways), and hanging draw.
• Stern rudder - and when and why you will combine all of these strokes.
• Cold water safety, paddling clothing, paddling with a group/group dynamics and paddling etiquette, judgement of conditions and safety as a whole.
• Wet-exits: Capsizing on purpose to feel prepared and know what to expect.
• Assisted rescues - rescue your friend and be rescued - we can go over a few different methods.
• Self-rescues - so fun!
• We will focus on the paddle float method, but if time allows I will teach you the cowboy.
• Edging for boat control.
• Bracing to avoid a capsize.
• Contact towing.

This is a terrific course - by the time you're done, you will feel prepared to start having your own adventures!
Here is the national Paddle Canada site listings of courses:
https://www.paddlecanada.com/levels/sea-kayak/akasharkbow/
This event takes place on unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Mi’kmaq People. We are all Treaty People and have responsibilities to each other, this land and these beautiful waters.
We also understand that the kayak itself was invented by the Inuit and was an integral part of their survival and heritage.