Kayak Tripping Level 1 - Learn to Kayak Trip
Course Overview
Kayak Tripping Level 1 (KT1B) is the practical, on-water and on-trip component of the ORCKA Kayak Tripping Level 1 program. This course takes everything you learned in the online theory module (KTL1T) and applies it in real coastal environments through planning, travel, campsite setup, and group organization.
KT1B is designed for paddlers who want to learn how multi-day trips actually work: how decisions are made, how groups move on the water, and how to be a confident, contributing member of a coastal tripping team. Whether you're pursuing full KT1 certification or simply want to level up your trip-planning and expedition skills, this course gives you the experience to do it safely and thoughtfully.
What You’ll Learn
- Trip planning, route design, and daily decision-making
- Weather interpretation and applying forecasts to real conditions
- Risk awareness, hazard identification, and on-trip mitigation
- Campsite selection, setup, and backcountry logistics
- Efficient packing, group organization, and teamwork
- Low-impact coastal travel and environmental practices
- Kitchen systems, food planning, and managing multi-day travel
Who This Course Is For
- Paddlers who have completed (or plan to complete) the KTL1T online module
- Paddlers looking to understand multi-day coastal travel in a hands-on setting
- New or developing leaders entering the ORCKA tripping pathway
- Paddlers preparing for future KT2 and guiding opportunities
Format
- 2–3 day instructional tour
- Fully outdoors, coastal environment
- Practical application of all planning and safety concepts
Prerequisites
- KTL1T (Online Theory Module) is recommended before KT1B, and required for full certification.
- Kayak Ontario Level 1 skills (or equivalent comfort in coastal conditions).
Certification
You may take KT1B on its own for skill development and trip confidence.
To earn the full Kayak Tripping Level 1 certification, both components are required:
- KTL1T – Online Theory Module
- KT1B – Practical / Instructional Tour
Together, these two components give you the foundational skills and judgment for safe, well-planned multi-day coastal travel.
After completing KTL1T and one of our KT1B instructional tours, you can begin accumulating the experience required for KT2. Before taking the KT2 course, candidates typically have:
- 500 km of logged coastal paddling, gained across multiple trips
- About 25 nights of kayak tripping experience, built up gradually
- Six trips where they played a meaningful role in planning, logistics, leadership, or group support
- One near-wilderness trip of five days or longer
- ORCKA Coastal Kayaking Level 1 skills (or equivalent)
- Minimum age of 17 at the time of KT2 assessment
In practice, most emerging leaders take multiple instructional tours or multi-day trips while building their 500 km and leadership nights. It’s not a formal requirement to take several courses, but repeated guided experience helps develop the judgment, efficiency, and calm decision-making that KT2 expects.