100 Wild Islands - Norse Cove

This course is run from a base camp, which is included in the price!

Course Overview

The Level 2 Sea Kayaking Skills course is an intermediate program designed to help beginner kayakers advance to proficient sea kayakers. Set against the stunning backdrop of the 100 Wild Islands, this course focuses on refining paddling skills, enhancing navigation knowledge, improving seamanship, and building leadership abilities. By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped to confidently plan and prepare for your own overnight kayaking trips with friends.

This course is designed for paddlers who hold a Level 1 or equivalent certification. You should be comfortable with wet exits, basic re-entries, and a full day on the water. If you want to develop in a true coastal environment, this course is for you. 

Participants will gain hands-on experience by working on real-life scenarios related to on-water rescues, seamanship, and navigation skills. They can expect full days dedicated to hands-on learning and evening sessions that will focus on theoretical concepts. While meals are the responsibility of each participant, we will visit some fun pubs and food trucks for dining options if time permits.

What You Will Learn
Over four days, you’ll dive into the following topics:

• Navigation & Seamanship: Learn to navigate in coastal waters, handle tides and currents, and understand the art of seamanship.
• Knots, Tarps & Expedition Behavior: Master key knots, tarp setups, and the skills needed for extended kayaking trips.
• Risk Management & Weather Prediction: Gain the ability to assess risk, predict weather patterns, and respond accordingly on the water.
• Boat Handling & Rescue Techniques: Refine your boat-handling skills with advanced strokes, towing techniques, and on-water rescues.

Built for Lifelong Learning

Every Kayak Ontario course includes access to your personal online learning dashboard. This best-in-class system makes your training hybrid, offering clear preparation before the course, structured learning on the water, and continued support afterward.

You’ll see your course progress, complete short modules on preparation, gear, safety, and theory, and return any time to review lessons after the course ends.

Together, the dashboard and on-water instruction create a learning path that is unique in paddlesports—structured, supportive, and designed to keep you growing long after the weekend.

Alongside your online dashboard, you can add a Kayak Ontario Course Manual. Each manual mirrors the lessons from your course with step-by-step skill breakdowns, clear diagrams, and practical tips. It’s a durable, full-colour workbook you can take to the shoreline, mark up with notes, and keep as a lasting reference on your paddling journey.

Sample Trip Plan:

• • Day 1 - Norse Cove:** Safety debrief, skill reviews, and Level 2 rescue exercises.
  • Day 2 - Ship Harbour:** Navigation, seamanship and weather forecasting.
  • Day 3 - Owl's Head:** Coastal touring, kayak handling with L2 strokes and towing introduction.
  • Day 4 - Taylor's Head:** Rescue and Towing Scenarios, Rolling and course wrap up.

     

What to Expect

• Hands-On Learning: Full days of practical, on-water training, plus evening sessions focused on theory and discussion.
• Camping: Four nights of camping are included in the price. (Some rental camping gear is available if needed.)
• Meals: Participants are responsible for bringing their own food. We will visit local pubs and food trucks for meals, but camping meal prep is part of the experience!
• Rain or Shine: The course runs rain or shine, though we will reschedule if there are prolonged thunderstorms.
• Community & Fun: Connect with fellow kayakers at a similar skill level, with plenty of opportunities to share experiences and learn together.

Land Acknowledgment

Norse Cove Sea Kayak Centre is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people, whose traditional lands—known as Mi’kma’ki—span across Nova Scotia, including the Eastern Shore. We acknowledge and honour the enduring presence, knowledge, and stewardship of the Mi’kmaw Nation, past, present, and future, and recognize the ongoing responsibility to build respectful and reciprocal relationships with Indigenous peoples.