Canoe Instructor Prerequisites

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Course Overview

In order to join one of our Canoe Instructor Courses, each candidate requires Paddle Canada certified Tandem or Solo Skills at the appropriate level. To join an Intro Instructor course, Intermediate skills are required. To join an Intermediate Instructor course, Advanced skills are required.

The focus will be on honing and refining established carving, surfing, and boat control techniques. To see what we will cover, have a look through the Paddle Canada Tandem and Solo Skills Lists. Please visit the Paddle Canada website to learn more about course curriculum and requirements to receive Instructor status.

Who is this Course for?

Experienced canoeists, looking to take their skills to an advanced level of paddling, and those looking to become canoe instructors. The level of certification achieved is determined following 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

$475

Rental Package

$132 (for boat, paddle, helmet, life jacket). Individual items also available to rent

Accommodations + Meals

From $70-$360. See below for various accommodation & meal packages

All costs are in Canadian dollars & subject to 13% taxes

Accommodation + Meal Packages

Not Included: Instruction, Rentals & HST

Shared Lodge Plan* | $360

Our rustic Lodge rooms have everything you need! Choose either a queen bed or 2 twin beds. Rooms are at ground level with nearby washroom facilities (en suite not available). Meals included.

Shared Cabana Plan* | $360

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* | $360

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* | $300

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 | $260

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 | $70

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

4:30 pm on the last day of your course

*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: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 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 Discount

Outdoor industry professionals receive a discount.

May 3 - 4, 2025 - Intermediate Tandem Skills

May 10 - 11, 2025 - Advanced Tandem Skills

May 14 - 15, 2025 - Intro / Intermediate / Advanced Solo Skills

BOOK NOW

Can’t find your preferred date? Let us know and we’ll do our best to help. Contact Us.

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Reviews

5 star ratingWhite water canoe course I took a 5 day tandem white water canoe course with MKC. I went from learning on flat water to running grade 3 rapids!
What an amazing experience! Wonderful place beside the river. I camped. Very good facilities and comfortable lodge to relax in with open fire. Delicious food (I had vegetarian options). The staff were lovely- from domestic staff to instructors. Everyone mixed together with the guests. I went by myself and really enjoyed everyone I met. They all had an interesting story and were there for the love of the river.
My instructor was Regan. She was superb- lovely person, very patient and adjusted her teaching to individual needs. I learned so much- thanks Regan.
Would highly recommend MKC to anyone interested in canoeing, kayaking or rafting!
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foggieparks Avatar
foggieparks
7/17/2024
5 star ratingGreat family experience Amazing team. Excellent safety equipment and instructions. River is beautiful and was warm. The rapids are not too strong so was great first time experience.
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alexandretV6087PD Avatar
alexandretV6087PD
7/30/2024
5 star ratingA great time. I highly recommend MKC This was my 3rd, five day white water kayaking trip with MKC. It was another fabulous week.

I always choose the all inclusive option. I camp, but there are a number of indoor options for those who prefer that. I select the full meal plan, as I really don't want to do my own cooking before I paddle, or after a long day on the water. Don't let the young cooks worry you. (They're students working the summer months. Some of them are in culinary arts training.) The meals are better that a lot of restaurants. There's always vegetarian options at every meal. I like this because, and I like variety, and sometimes I want a change.

It doesn't matter what your skill level is, you'll have fun and will learn. On this last trip, there was a couple in their 80s, who wanted a new adventure to try out. How great is that. The instructors/guides always give positive feedback. You'll never hear you did anything wrong. (Typically, you all ready figured that out.) The guide will say something like: "Try this technique, and see how you like it." The guide will then demonstrate the technique a couple of times, and watch you trying it, while shouting encouragement to you. Plus, the rest of the people in your group will be cheering you on. When someone in the group does their first practice roll, or any combat roll, the cheers are thunderous. The grin on the person who just did the roll, says it all.

This year I was in seniors week. (I'm 73.) Virtually everyone had their own equipment. No worries if you need gear. MKC has excellent equipment, and will outfit you with everything you need, appropriate to your experience level. If you want to try a performance boat, they'll let you try one.

All in all, it's a great experience. I plan to return next year for my 4th time.

Give it a try!

Alan - Registered Maine Guide in Sea Kayaking
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Sky K Avatar
Sky K
9/08/2024
Wednesday November 27th

Early bird sale.

20% OFF

KAYAK AND CANOE PROGRAMS AT MKC

Please get in touch with us prior, so we can prepare your quote in advance.

early bird sale heron
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Must place deposit between 9am and 6pm EST November 27th to receive discount.

We cannot combine discounts.

March 4th - 8th 2024

10% off

5 day kayak + canoe courses

5% of all revenue from this week is donated to your choice of three organizations

We are forever grateful for the support we continually receive from our communities. To say a small thanks, we want to give back.

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