Sea Kayaking Leadership Programs

Since 2003, we have been offering leadership training through Canada’s most widely recognized organizations.

Paddle Canada Instructor Certification Courses

Paddle Canada leadership training focuses primarily on instructional skills and knowledge. These programs offer excellent training for student and club leaders, and for all professional instructors working along inland and coastal waters.

Learn more about Paddle Canada and their programs.

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Paddle Canada Basic Kayak Instructor

Designed for recreational kayakers, this course is perfect for those wishing to increase their skills and knowledge as well as for individuals wanting to become professional sea kayak instructors. We…

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Paddle Canada Rolling Instructor

Gain Paddle Canada certification as a Kayak Rolling Instructor through a mix of online and in person course work. Prior to meeting as a group, participants will need to complete…

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Paddle Canada Level-1 Instructor

This 5-day program builds on the skills introduced in the Introduction to Kayak Instructor, reviewing and adding to your practical group management, lesson plan, and assessment skills. The expanded content…

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Paddle Canada Level-2 Instructor

Our Level 2 Instructor course challenges instructors to diversify their tool box of skills and to teach complex theoretical knowledge such as compass based navigation, situational awareness, risk management, weather…

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Paddle Canada Level-3 and 4 Instructor

These awards are only available through mentorship with two Level 3 Instructor Trainers. SKILS staff mentor a few Level-3 and -4 instructors each year, and consider each applicant on an individual…

Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of British Columbia Guide Certification Courses

Canada’s oldest sea kayaking certification program is based in British Columbia. This program has set the standard for guiding in Canadian National Parks and has been influential in the development of a number of other programs around the world including in New Zealand, Chile, and Denmark. If you are looking to work as a sea kayak guide anywhere in the world, then check out these courses.

Learn more about the SKGABC and their programs.

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SKGABC Level 1 (Day) Guide

Participants will review a wide range of basic boat handling and rescue skills, record and interpret the weather, navigate by piloting, and refine group leadership, communication, and safety management skills.…

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SKGABC Assistant Overnight Guide

This course is designed for motivated individuals seeking to become certified Assistant Overnight Guides with the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC (SKGABC) and recreational paddlers seeking to improve their intermediate…

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SKGABC Assistant Overnight Guide Upgrade

The Assistant Overnight Guide Upgrade is accredited by the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC (SKGABC) and includes an Assistant Overnight Guide exam. It is specifically designed for individuals who…

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SKGABC Level 3 Guide Workshop

The Level 3 Guide Workshop is intended for Level 2 Guides or Assistant Overnight Guides preparing for their Level 3 Exam or as an early season refresher for Level 3…

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SKGABC Level 2, Level 3, Guide Trainer, Examiner

SKGABC proctors all Level 2, Level 3, Guide Trainer, and Examiner certification directly through practical examinations. Individuals interested in these levels need to contact the SKGABC directly for details. The Assistant…

International Sea Kayak Guide Association Programs

The ISKGA syllabus was designed to cover all aspects of guiding, which are sometimes lacking in other programs. It’s a modular system, so guides can be assessed in different areas at different times. The advantages to the student include extra qualifications that may be recognized more favourably in different countries and the opportunity to cover different ISKGA modules at a later date that are not part of the SKGABC syllabus, for example ‘Paddling in Ice’. All of our SKGABC guide training courses, our Paddle Canada Level 4 skills course and our Paddle Canada instructor courses are covering ISKGA training modules. Some SKGABC guides might decide to further their professional development by participating in more training modules from the ISKGA.

Learn more about the ISKGA and their programs.

Custom Programs

We can also design a custom program to meet your specific needs. Contact us for details.

More Information

Paddling Certification in Canada
Our Program Skill Levels