
Paddle Canada Level 3 - Deer Island Group, BC
Leadership Skills in Barkley Sound, BC
We will be travelling afield to find the best (and worst) conditions to test your limits where you can truly utilize your skills and knowledge for competent kayaking along an exposed shorelines with infrequent landing opportunities. In addition to the skills covered at Level 2, this course covers many aspects of group leadership and advanced rescue techniques. We will encourage you to learn more about handling your kayak in rough water, while rock gardening and surfing along the wild and beautiful Deer Island Group in Barkley Sound.
Pre Requisites:
- Paddle Canada Level-2 skills or equivalent.
- To obtain the award, there is an expectation that you can roll your kayak.
- A strong handle of the skills learned in Level 2.
- Experience paddling in rough water.
- You will have a turn leading the group through a scenario.
Sample Course Plan Day 1
- Safety debrief
- Risk Management presentation
- Level 2 Review
- Four Corners (turning under momentum) - Level 3 quality
- Sweep strokes
- Bow and cross bow rudder
- High and low brace turns
- Rescues in level 3 conditions
- Self rescue
- Assisted rescue
- Combat Rolling

Day 2
- Navigation presentation
- Coastal Touring and Navigation
- We will use charts, plotters and compasses to find shipwrecks and lighthouses.
- Launching and Landing
- Surfing
- Weather forecasting & interpretation
Day 3
- Daily weather interpretation.
- Coastal Touring and Navigation
- Towing recap
- Rescue scenarios
Day 4-6
- Daily weather interpretation.
- Ded reckoning exercises.
- Towing scenario
- Search for play
- Rock hopping into
- Launching and landing in tricky spots
- Tides & Currents presentation

For the purposes of this class, you will require: Full List
Included:
- A sea kayak, with 2 bulkheads.
- We have fiberglass NDK sea kayaks for rent.
- You will need a pump, a whistle, and a 15m floating rope. They are available to purchase.
- Meals are included but you must bring your own snacks and lunches.
- Transportation to the launch
- Dry suits are available for rent if required.
- A PFD is mandatory, you must bring your own.
- A paddle
- Camping gear - available for rent, please inquire.

This program includes 5 nights camping; please note that participants are responsible for parking permits.
We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gather (Known as Quadra Island) is the traditional territory of the Coast Salish Indigenous People, which includes the traditional lands of the Wei Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum Indigenous People.