Paddle Canada Level 2 - The Niagara Peninsula

THE CAROLINIAN FOREST, ICONIC SURF BREAKS AND MOVING WATER

This course is "Park and Play."

Paddle Canada Level 2 Sea Kayaking Skills course is an intermediate program designed to help beginner kayakers become proficient sea kayakers. Set on the Niagara River, this course focuses on enhancing paddling skills, navigation knowledge, seamanship, and leadership abilities. On this course, we have the opportunity to paddle in currents which simulate the effects of ocean tides.

This course is designed for individuals who have Paddle Canada Level 1 certification. This indicates that you are a relatively new sea kayaker with knowledge of re-entry techniques and can paddle forward for a full day of activities. If you want to develop your skills further in a coastal environment, this course is for you.

The Mighty Niagara is a challenging and misunderstood place to paddle a sea kayak. We will use the river as the venue for this one-of-a-kind program. We will also have a chance to visit a surf break home to the oldest freshwater surf club in the Great Lakes Region.

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.

Key topics include:

Navigation and Seamanship.
Knots, Tarps and Expedition Behaviour.
Risk management and weather prediction.
Boat Handling and Rescue Techniques.
Paddling in Current

Sample Trip Plan:

Day 1 - Frenchman's Creek:** Safety debrief, skill reviews, and Level 2 rescue exercises.
Day 2 - Fort Erie:** Paddling in Currents
Day 3 - Point Abino:** Navigation, seamanship, weather forecasting. Coastal touring, kayak handling with L2 strokes and towing introduction.
Day 4 - Pleasant Beach:** Rescue and Towing Scenarios, Rolling, and course wrap-up.

Equipment Needed:

A sea kayak (two bulkheads required; rentals available)
Safety gear: pump, whistle, 15m floating rope (available for purchase)
Dry suits (available for rent)
Camping gear (some rentals available)

Food is not included. The program consists of days of paddling, with participants responsible for parking permits at launch sites.

Other Information:

This program includes four days of paddling, which are included in the cost; participants are responsible for parking permits at the launch sites.
Food is not included.

We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gather (Known as Fort Erie) is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Attiwonderonk, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and Mississauga.

We are grateful for the knowledge shared with us by the Indigenous peoples of what is now known as Canada as well as the circumpolar region of the Northern Hemisphere.

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