Antigonish Level One Sea Kayak Course May 23-24, 2026
Schedule
Sat, 23 May, 2026 at 09:00 am to Sun, 24 May, 2026 at 05:00 pm
UTC-03:00Location
Antigonish Boat Club | Antigonish, NS
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Instructor: EleanorFor this course, you may rent a sea kayak and gear from the ABC,
or bring your own.
Location: Antigonish Boat Club and paddling the Antigonish Harbour.
May 23-24, 2026
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 and can stay upright in flat water - send me a message if you are wondering if this course is for you!
The course will run with a minimum of 4 participants, and a maximum of 6.
Course fees: $250 for the 2 day course, no tax. - payable to Eleanor
Rental kayak will be arranged by the Antigonish Boat Club. (ABC)
Note - ABC requires a $25 access fee for non-members.
Please see info below.
To reserve a space, please send this info either by facebook message or email or text to Eleanor -
-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 the course to [email protected] (Eleanor Kure) by etransfer.
Eleanor will connect you to rent your kayak from ABC if you need it.
call or text Eleanor at 902-981-6815 with questions.
Thank you!
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RE: Antigonish Boat Club access, rentals and membership info:
ABC Member Kayak Rental Rates: $100.00 Non-member Kayak Rental Rates: $150.00 + $25 ABC access fee Non-member (no kayak rental required): $25 ABC access fee *All kayak rentals come with the required gear: PFD, paddle, skirt.
Access fees help maintain the long road to the boat house, the parking, the grounds, the slip, the washroom, etc.
To arrange payment for rental and/or ABC access fees, please contact Roz -
[email protected]
ABC Membership is 85$ per person, annually.
The perks for members are reduced rates on courses, free participation in ABC social paddles, and to leave gear at the club.
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Re: Paddle Canada Level One Course:
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 ABC:
a sea-worthy sea kayak (ask me if you're not sure) skirt, a paddling PFD, with whistle, paddle, pump/bailer.
Bring an inflatable paddle float and a hiker's compass if you have one. - A paddler should own both.
Pack your own lunch, snacks, water bottle, sun block, paddling clothing/hat, booties, etc. (for warm and cold temps)
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.
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Where is it happening?
Antigonish Boat Club, 370 Seabright Rd, Antigonish County, NS B2G 2L2, Canada, AntigonishEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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