Kayak Instructor Level 1

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Course Overview

The Level 1 Kayak Instructor program is offered as a combined program with the Lake Kayak Instructor and an Intro to Current Instructor* in a 2 day training workshop followed by a 1 day evaluation. Instructor candidates learn to properly demonstrate, teach and correct beginner and intermediate flat water skills and the first introduction to current. The evaluation gives the option to be certified for only the Lake Kayak Instructor. The evaluation is separate from the workshop which allows Candidates to be evaluated when they feel ready (trained status never expires).

This course includes a Making Ethical Decisions component to helps instructors identify the legal, ethical, and moral implications within the instructional environment.

Please see the Course Manual to see the curriculum and evaluation guidelines for the Lake Kayak portion of the course.

*This is MKC’s addition to the CKC program as we are training our Staff with this program to teach a one day Intro to Kayak course where they need to progress to current (Class 1).

Who is this Course for?

Instructor Candidates must have previous flat water kayaking skills and interested in becoming whitewater kayaking instructors.

Must be 16 years of age to be certified, although those younger than 16 can still be trained.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Workshop

Day 2 - Workshop

Day 3 - Evaluation

Course Location

Our wilderness classroom is the beautiful Middle Madawaska River, located a short distance from our Resort, and just south of the town of Barry’s Bay, Ontario.

Costs

Instruction

$750

Certification

$36 – Whitewater Ontario annual membership (or another Provincial Sport Organization (PSO)

$120 – Canoe Kayak Canada 3 year membership

Rental Package

Available for free but please try and bring your own boat and gear (must be a creek / river running boat)

Accommodations + Meals

From $120-$555. See below for various accommodations & meal packages

Accommodations + Meal Packages

Cozy Lodge rooms, off-the-grid Cabanas, budget-friendly Dorms or wooded Campsites. Our Wilderness Resort offers something for everyone.

Not Included: Instruction, Rentals & HST

Shared Lodge Plan* | $555

Cozy Lodge Rooms based on double occupancy with either a Queen Bed, or 2 Twin Beds. Rooms are ground level with nearby washroom facilities (en suite not available). Meals, Bedding & electricity included.

Shared Cabana Plan* | $555

Enjoy our off-the-grid Cabanas tucked in the woods! Choose either a queen bed or 2 twin beds. Washroom facilities are a short walk away. Meals included. No electricity.

Shared Glamping Plan* | $555

Come glamp in MKC's forest! Our newest accommodation options are cozy, comfortable, canvas tents. Two twin beds with bedding can be converted into a single queen bed. Washroom facilities are a short walk away. Meals included. No electricity.

Dormitory Plan* | $465

Dorm room accommodation sleep up to six per room. Dorms are on the second floor with nearby washroom facilities. Meals included. Bring your own bedding.

Camping Plan | $420

MKC's wooded campsites are great for tents, trailers and campervans. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, onsite parking, and access to nearby washroom facilities. Meals included. No electricity.

Camping No Meals | $140

MKC's wooded campsites are great for tents, trailers and campervans. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, onsite parking, and access to nearby washroom facilities. Bring your own camping and cooking equipment to enjoy meals at your site. Dishwashing station available. No electricity.

Check In

The evening before your course between 7 & 10pm

Check Out

Sunday at 4:30 pm

*For those booking for one for the Cabana, Lodge or Dorm: it is likely you will stay with other students of the same gender. As a wilderness resort we have chosen to not expand too far into our surrounding forest and therefore have limited indoor accommodations. To book a private room as an individual is an additional cost.

About our Meals

We take pride in serving healthy, hearty and delicious meals. As a proud member of FeastON, we source locally when possible and add our special touch with herbs and edible flowers from our own garden. Meals start with breakfast the first day of the course and include: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners plus an après-paddling snack. Coffee, tea and juice are complimentary. BYOB.

Locally roasted specialty coffee and homemade snacks can be purchased from our Riverside Shop & Café.

Industry Discounts

Outdoor Industry professionals receive a discount.

Testimonials

An excellent and well designed course, with thorough evaluation of the potential instructors teaching and kayaking skills. The opportunity to teach real beginner kayak students rather than our peers was unexpected and greatly appreciated.

Chris Green

May 30-June 1, 2025

BOOK NOW

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