Experience Level Self Evaluator:

This document gives us a sense of your kayaking experience and is one of the tools we use to help us design that perfect trip for you.  Click on the button below, and fill out and submit the form:

Experience Levels Explained

What do we mean by BEGINNER?

Beginner kayakers must be able to meet the requirements of Paddle Canada Level 1.

To be able to take part in our Beginner trips you must be:

• Comfortable in and around the water and be able to swim short distances wearing a PFD.
• Able to perform a “wet exit” from your kayak and therefore be comfortable being underwater upside down for a few seconds under a capsized kayak.
• Able to perform a “un-assisted self-rescue” (get back into your own kayak with aid of a paddle float) and “assisted rescues” (get back into your kayak with the assistance of a partner, and be able to do the same for them).
• Comfortable with basic kayak strokes (forward, sweep, high/low brace, draw) and be able to paddle 3-4 hours a day (between 9-12 kms/day).
• Comfortable paddling in light winds (0-11 knots); sea state calm to light chop.
• Comfortable in currents <0.5 knots.
• Able to make short open water crossings (up to 5 kms).
• Able to carry an uploaded boat short distances (50 m) with a partner.
• Able to get in and out of your kayak by yourself, either on a beach or at a dock.
• Able to interpret a weather report and make good decisions about when andwhen not to travel.
• Understand local tidal conditions and the effects of tides, currents and winds on sea conditions.
• Able to read a chart and navigate line-of-sight distances.
• Aware of the different signaling methods to communicate and ask for help (flares, whistles, horns, radios).
• Have some first aid.  Beginner trips operate in areas with easy access to communications and emergency services.
• Familiar with the basics of wilderness “leave no trace” principles.

What do we mean by INTERMEDIATE?

Intermediate kayakers must be able to meet the requirements of Paddle Canada Level 2.

To be able to take part in our Intermediate trips you must be able to:

• Comfortable in and around the water and be able to swim short distances wearing a PFD.
• Able to perform a “wet exit” from your kayak and therefore be comfortable being underwater upside down for a few seconds under a capsized kayak.
• Able to perform a “un-assisted self-rescue” (get back into your own kayak with aid of a paddle float) and “assisted rescues” (get back into your kayak with the assistance of a partner, and be able to do the same for them).
• Comfortable with basic kayak strokes (forward, sweep, high/low brace, draw) and be able to paddle 5-6 hours a day (between 12-18 kms/day).
• Comfortable paddling in moderate winds (12-19 knots); combined sea state <1 m and moderate sea state.
• Comfortable in currents up to 3 knots (5 km/h); surf <1 m.
• Able to make open water crossings up to 9 kms.
• Comfortable paddling a moderately exposed coastline with frequent easy landing opportunities.
• Able to carry an uploaded boat short distances (50 m) with a partner.
• Able to interpret a weather report and make good decisions about when and when not to travel.
• Able to read a chart and navigate in island groups and complex marine terrain and interpret aids to navigation to determine potential hazards.
• Familiar with wilderness first aid.  Access to emergency medical services may be delayed.
• Familiar with the basics of wilderness “leave no trace” principles.