Description
Aim: Level-1 provides the skill and knowledge necessary for day-long sea kayaking trips in sheltered waters (non-wilderness areas). Successful completion of Level-1 indicates competence to paddle a sea kayak within a sheltered bay in the company of one or more paddlers with Level-1 or greater skill and knowledge.
Prerequisites: Paddle Canada Basic Kayak skills certification or equivalent skill and knowledge.
Course Length: 16 hours minimum.
Class Ratio: 1 instructor: 6 participants.
Location: Saturna Island, Southern Gulf Islands, BC, Canada
Sea Kayak in sheltered waters with uninterrupted easy landing options.(Saturna Island)
Conditions: Light winds (0-11 knots). Current (0-0.5 knots). Sea state calm to light chop.
Assessment: Activities focus on safety and gaining sea kayaking skills for a day trip within a large bay or sheltered shoreline. Issues of mutual safety between paddling partners and judgement of sea conditions throughout the day and out of sight along the shore are included. Paddlers will deal with the concerns for packing a kayak and the gear necessary for a comfortable day trip and solving problems in the field. Paddlers should leave the course encouraged to continue their learning and awareness of their limitations.
Rescue Skills: Unassisted re-entry, assisted re-entry, towing, communication/signals.
Paddling Skills: Forward stroke, low brace, sweep stroke, draw stroke, stern rudder and edge control.
Knowledge: Equipment, journeying and seamanship, safety and kayaking resources.
Lucas & Serene –
We took Level 1 with Ruth and loved it. Ruth is skilled, knowledgeable and very patient. It was wonderful to learn how to kayak well from someone who is passionate about the craft. She sent us helpful videos to prep before the course and spent extra time with us every day. She took time to get to know us, what we wanted to learn, and what we were nervous about. We were wary of being cold during immersion, and Ruth took the time to find warmer water for us to practice wet exits. She also took us to beautiful locations across Saturna to practice skills – it was such as treat to learn kayaking in such a beautiful place. We learned so much from her and gained the confidence to do multi-day kayak camping on our own. We will definitely be back to do tours and level 2!
Ruth –
It was great meeting you and paddling with you. We are excited about your progression and your kayaking journey. Looking forward to spending more time on the water with you!
Barb Ropars –
Ruth is an exceptional teacher .I was in a small group and Ruth gave us all her undivided time and attention to teach and help us practice the kayaking skills.
The course was an amazing experience and I recommend it to anyone wanting to spend time on the water with the skills and safety needed to create wonderful memories.
Ruth Daber –
Thank you Barb for taking the time to share your experience here. It was wonderful to have you on the course and support your progression.
Mary –
I took the basic kayaking course with Ruth in May. It was a fabulous experience. I would encourage anyone who has been thinking about taking the course, perhaps for years like me, to just do it. Ruth had the necessary patience to deal with my waffling and wondering if I was too old and too scared to do a wet rescue. She provided clothing when all I had was cotton:). She led us through to a deeper respect of the ocean waters and safely created an environment where we could learn and witness our own skill levels. Just a fantastic way to enjoy the sea and sky around Saturna. …..and I wasn’t too old to get back in. I did not get back in the kayak gracefully I might add but I’m thrilled to have had the safe opportunity to try it and know I could .
Thanks Ruth and Fred for this delightful service!
Ruth Daber –
Mary, thank you for sharing and encouraging others with your personal experience here. I look forward to paddling with you again soon. Thank you for being open to learn, explore, and expand your comfort zone in the process. Our pleasure to work with you.
Fernando Conejeros –
I took my L1 sea Kayaking course with Ruth and had an awesome experience. Ruth is a very knowledgeable and dedicated teacher and a badass kayaker. You can tell she actually enjoys teaching and spending time on the water.
Looking forward to do my L2 with them!
100% recommended!
Fred Shadian –
Thank you Fernando. It was great having you on the course. We look forward to more paddling with you soon. Ruth and Fred
James I –
Working with Fred to refresh my Level 1 paddling skills was an absolute pleasure and quite frankly, a lot of fun! It had been a number of years since I’d paddled (about 4 or 5 years), and even longer since I had previously obtained my PC Level 1 (about 8 years) so I was eager to shake off the cobwebs. Fred very quickly identified and corrected my forward stroke, making it far more efficient by undoing previous bad habits. I’m eager to continue working on the exercises and watching my cruising speed get faster and faster, only through better form.
So even if you’re like me and had taken your Level 1 years ago and think your forward stroke and paddling skills are “good enough”, or if it has been a while since you’ve practiced rescues, I’d highly recommend retaking the course with Fred. If you haven’t taken any formal paddling classes, what better place to take it than on the waters around beautiful Saturna Island? I am already planning to take Level 2 with Fred at KayakingSkills.com and push my skills even further!
Fred Shadian –
Thanks James
I was a pleasure having you in our course.
Thanks for being a team player.
Fred Shadian
Jennifer Tarbet –
Great Course! Beautiful location! I just finished my Level 1 with Fred and I’m so happy with his course….He’s really safe, patient and made sure he answered all of my questions. Even if I didn’t understand the first time. I had zero confidence, asked a ton of questions and feel so much more confident in my paddling technique and everything else I learned! I can’t wait to get over to Saturna Island again and take the Level 2 course. If you go, make sure you check out the cafe, Ruth makes delicious little pizzas, they have great coffee & treats and if you like ice cream -try one scoop of the chocolate and one of the black cherry! 😉 Soooo good
Fred Shadian –
Thank You Jennifer for the great feedback.
You are a tenacious learner, which makes for a great paddler.
Fred Shadian
Sarah L –
Even though kayak lessons are offered in my town, I decided to make the long trip to Saturna to take the course with KayakingSkills.
I was not disappointed: Fred and Ruth treated me to some of the best west-coast hospitality I’ve ever experienced.
I learned so much about kayaking in a short time: I felt safer, more confident, more efficient, and true to their motto, it was like I became one with the boat. They are great at personalizing the course to every student’s needs, and noticing exactly what’s going on for each individual on the water.
By the end of the course, Fred and Ruth are your friends, not just your instructors.
I know I wouldn’t have had such good customer service and such a great guest experience at a kayak club in a larger city.
Thanks for the Saturna-Island welcome and see you next time, Fred and Ruth!
Sarah L., Sooke, BC
Roger W –
Saturna Island is great location to learn Sea Kayaking.
Ruth & Fred Shadian are a wonderful teachers.
We had a great time, will be back next year for more advanced sea kayaking courses.
Little Woo –
I really enjoyed taking Level 1 kayaking with Fred Shadian of Kayakingskills.com!!! He is an excellent teacher who really cares about each student’s learning curve and was able to give individual attention to ensure we have the skills we need! When I asked for help with my paddling form, Fred took time to give me specific tips that would improve my form and avoid straining my wrists. And many thanks to Ruth Daber for taking many wonderful candid shots of our weekend!! This weekend training was very fun, engaging, thorough and safe! I feel inspired to continue kayaking in the city and highly recommend Fred’s training!!!
Vancouver, BC
Shane Gibson –
This past weekend I booked my family and I for Fred Shadian’s Level 1 Kayaking certification course.
It was both safe, fun and also a great adventure. I now feel confident to take my family and I kayaking in a way we can have fun and navigate BC waters effectively.
I’m looking forward to the next class. I highly recommend taking your next class or doing a kayaking tour with Fred and Ruth at Kayaking Skills.
An added benefit was Fred’s local knowledge which made both the day trip and seeing Saturna with a local more fun.
from…Vancouver.
Dawn Slykhuis –
Very knowledgeable and passionate.
Fred was able to teach a lot of content in a short period of time while boosting my confidence.
Highly recommend!
from…Vancouver.