Kayak #1 – Introduction to Sea Kayaking
This lesson will give you the skills and confidence to kayak safely along the shoreline. This lesson will teach you how to get in and out of your kayak on the shore as well as how to paddle effectively and efficiently. This course is perfect for those who are new to Sea Kayaking, or, have only been out a few times and want to brush up on their skills
This lesson is approximately 3 hours long and will include some land-based instruction as well as some paddling experience in a kayak. Participants are expected to bring a PFD, clothing that can get wet and shoes. Participants should be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.
A wetsuit or drysuit is highly recommeneded - even on a warm day the water is very cold! Although this is not a capsize course, capsizing is always a possibility when paddling a Sea Kayak.
Prerequisite: This a beginner lesson – there is no prerequisite.
This lesson will provide an excellent foundation to the basics of Sea Kayaking. Coop Members who wish to use the Coop Kayaks are required to take the Kayak #2 – Capsize and Re-entry Lesson (or equilivant).
Kayak #1 is only available to HSC Members. The Cost is $40.00, plus GST. Kayak #1 Lessons will be held on Sunday mornings on June 1st, July 6th and August 3rd from 9:00am to 12:00pm and on August 30th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Registration is restricted to a maximum of 6 people per lesson. Additional lessons may be added if there is sufficient demand. If the courses are full, please join the Waitlist. Participants must sign a waiver as part of the booking process.
Spring Deal! If you sign up for Kayak #1 and Kayak #2, the combined cost is only $60.00! (A savings of $20.00).
Use the discount code “KAYAK20” when you register for both courses. Please do not use the code if you only sign up for one course – your application will get cancelled.
Kayak #2 – Sea Kayak Capsize and Re-Entry
Sea Kayaking in the Burrard Inlet inherently has several environmental factors that can be challenging even to the most skilled paddler. Changing tides, winds, waves and currents are realities that every paddler must be prepared for and the risk of capsizing is inevitable under these conditions.
This lesson will give you the skills needed to safely exit your kayak after a capsize, empty it, and re-enter the kayak in a safe and controlled manner. This lesson will greatly increase your safety and confidence out on the water.
This course is approximately 3 hours long and will include some land-based instruction as well as some paddling experience in a kayak. Participants are expected to bring a PFD, clothing that can get wet and shoes. A wetsuit or drysuit is highly recommeneded - even on a warm day the water is very cold! Participants should be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.
Prerequisite: Kayak #1 – Introduction to Sea Kayaking or sufficient experience to confidently launch, recover and paddle a kayak.
Learning how to safely capsize and re-enter a kayak is a life-saving skill for paddlers of all experience levels and is a requirement for all members who wish to use the Coop Kayaks.
Kayak #2 is only available to HSC Members. The Cost is $40.00, plus GST. Kayak #2 Lessons will be held on Sunday afternoons on June 1st, July 6th, August 3rd and August 31st from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Registration is restricted to a maximum of 6 people per lesson. Additional lessons may be added if there is sufficient demand. If the courses are full, please join the Waitlist. Participants must sign a waiver as part of the booking process.
Spring Deal! If you sign up for Kayak #1 and Kayak #2, the combined cost is only $60.00! (A savings of $20.00).
Use the discount code “KAYAK20” when you register for both courses. Please do not use the code if you only sign up for one course – your application will get cancelled.
Kayak #3 - Advanced Maneuvers
Once you’ve mastered the basics of Sea Kayaking, it’s time to take your skills to the next level! Novice paddlers may find a Sea Kayak to be “tippy”. Intermediate paddlers learn to control that tippy feeling by bracing their knees in the cockpit and allowing the Sea Kayak to be an extension of their body. Advanced paddlers are able to exploit that confidence and intentionally tilt the Sea Kayak on its edge (in combination with advanced paddle strokes) in order to steer the kayak, or maneuver through waves.
Kayak #3 will also focus on various bracing techniques - using your paddle to prevent a capsize. You will also be taught various advanced paddling techniques, as well as some of the basics of navigation, risk assessment and reading the wind and the waves to predict changes in your paddling environment..
This lesson is approximately 3 hours long and will include some land-based instruction, as well as some paddling experience in a kayak. Participants are expected to bring a PFD, clothing that can get wet and shoes. A wetsuit or drysuit is highly recommended - even on a warm day, the water is very cold! Although this isn’t a capsize clinic, capsizing is always a possibility when paddling a Sea Kayak. Fortunately our Instructor is qualified to perform assisted rescues in the event of a capsize. Participants should be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.
Prerequisite: Kayak #1 - Introduction to Sea Kayaking, or sufficient experience to confidently launch, recover and paddle a kayak.
This lesson will provide you with advanced paddling techniques and greatly increase your confidence paddling a Sea Kayak. Coop members who wish to use the Coop Kayaks are required to take the Kayak #2 - Capsize and Re-entry Lesson (or equivalent).
Kayak #3 is only available to HSC members. The cost is $40 plus GST. Kayak #3 will be held on Sunday morning on August 31st from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Registration is restricted to a maximum of 6 people per lesson. Participants must sign a waiver as part of the booking process.
About Our Instructor
Martin Feuchtwanger has been teaching Sea kayak Courses as well as operating as a professional Sea Kayak guide around Metro Vancouver since 2017. As a Certified Sea kayak Instructor under Paddle Canada, Martin brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to HSC’s Kayak Courses.
Please note that, although Martin is a Certified Instructor under Paddle Canada, these courses will not result in Paddle Canada certification, as they are condensed courses customized for HSC.