Paddling Lessons

Lessons

Private lessons

Work one on one or with a small group with one of our trained instructors for a personalized paddling lesson. Learn at your own pace on your own schedule. Lessons can take place at our base or at a location that is convenient for you (a transportation fee will be added). We will cater to course to fit your needs- whether you are brand new to kayaking or want to work on more advanced skills. Private lessons are limited to 1 to 4 people.

*Price does not include food, equipment rental, tax, offsite instruction fee (if applicable) or gratuity

Paddling clinics

Monday basic paddling clinics from 6-8 pm. Tuesday advanced paddling clinics from 6-8pm. Topics range from strokes, rescues, rolls and navigation. Instructors work with small groups and start with the basics of each topic, but adapt to suit needs of clients throughout the progression. Prior experience required for advanced paddling clinics.

*Price does not include tax or gratuity

Half Day Introduction to Kayaking

These kayaking lessons are an introduction to kayaking with an emphasis on safe paddling practice. Skills include: wet exit, assisted re-entry, introduction to forward and turning strokes. (2 or more people required)

*Price does not include tax or gratuity

One Day: Introduction to Kayaking (Paddle Canada Basic Skills)

These kayaking lessons introduce the novice to paddling in enclosed shelters and calm conditions. Skills covered include an overview of forward, turning & bracing strokes, and an introduction to assisted and self-rescues.

*Price does not include tax or gratuity

Two Day: Sea Kayaking Fundamentals (Paddle Canada Level I)

These kayaking lessons provide the theory and skills for a daylong sea kayaking trip in sheltered waters and light winds. Includes: controlled wet exits, efficient forward and turning strokes, edging, introduction to bracing, unassisted and assisted rescues.

*Price does not include tax or gratuity

4 Day: Sea Kayaking Day Tripping (Paddle Canada Level II)

These kayaking lessons provide the theory and skills for proficient kayaking at sea in moderate open sea conditions. Includes: touring, risk assessment, efficient bracing, sculling for support, combined strokes, sustained paddling, introduction to rolling, kayak tripping with moderate winds and sea conditions

*Price does not include food, kayak equipment, tax or gratuity

Sea Kayak Adv. Tripping & Leadership (Paddle Canada Level III)

Prerequisite: Must have Paddle Canada Level II certification or equivalent experience.
These kayaking lessons provide the opportunity to develop leadership, risk-assessment, decision-making, judgment, group management and general seamanship in the content of a multi-day journey.

*Price does not include food, camping equipment, tax or gratuity

Booking and Cancellation policy: When booking, a 50% deposit is required. If you need to cancel your booking you will receive your deposit back minus a $25 administration fee if notice is given 1 month or more in advance of the date of the course. If you cancel within 1 month prior to course your deposit will be forfeited unless a suitable replacement is found

Coaching

Private lessons with Dave Adler

Dave is a former member of the US Canoe and Kayak Team, and has over 30 years of experience as a professional paddling instructor.

Dave Adler

He is a Paddle Canada Instructor Trainer in sea kayaking, white-water kayaking, and white-water canoeing, and has trained and certified most of the sea kayaking instructors in the region. Work one on one or with a small group with Dave on stroke technique, rescue skills, navigation, or paddling in exposed conditions. Learn at your own pace on your own schedule. Lessons can take place at our base or at a location that is convenient for you (a transportation fee will be added). Dave will cater the course to fit your needs. Private lessons are limited to 1 to 4 people.

*Price does not include food, equipment rental, tax, offsite instruction fee (if applicable) or gratuity

Instructor & Guide Training

Instructor Courses

2 Day Instructor Course (Paddle Canada Introduction to Kayaking Instructor certification)

Prerequisite: Paddle Canada SK Skills Level I certification

*Price does not include tax or gratuity

4 Day Instructor Course (Paddle Canada Level I Instructor certification)

Prerequisite: Paddle Canada SK Skills Level II certification.
Led by Paddle Canada Instructor Trainer Dave Adler and senior ECO Instructors, this 4 day course covers the skills you need to deliver a 2 day introductory sea kayaking course. The course spans 2 weekends; the second weekend includes an overnight.

*Price does not include tax or gratuity

Guide Training

Join East Coast Outfitters in a training program that will leave you with skills you will remember forever. We require no previous experience- we will teach you everything you need to know. We only require that you are a self identified leader, and that you are willing to challenge yourself. This is a comprehensive course which spans fall, winter and spring. Topics include:

Successful participants are eligible for national certification through Paddle Canada (Sea Kayak Skills Level 2) and employment at East Coast Outfitters. Sessions occur on weekends, and take place in the classroom, pool, and on the ocean. Contact us to learn more about this year’s program.

Cost:$1600 plus tax (Payment Plans Available)
Dates:  Begins first week in October and and runs periodically throughout until June. Check our calendar for detials.
Includes: kayak and all necessary paddling gear, instruction, course materials, pool sessions, Classroom sessions, night navigation seesion, open water rescues session.

Does not include Paddle Canada or provincial membership certification fee. For the Paddle Canada program details, click here.

Stand Up Paddling

ECO SUP Program

For thousands of years, people have stood up in small boats to paddle. In the 1950’s, the ‘Beach Boys of Waikiki’ would paddle out on their long boards with outrigger paddles to take pictures of the tourists learning to surf. The called it “Ku Hoe He’e Nalu” (“To stand, to paddle, to surf, a wave”).

Photography by Viviane Nishikiori, Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak Photographer

40 years later, Laird Hamilton introduced his daughter to surfing by putting her on the front of his long board and using a paddle to catch waves. In 2000, Rick Thomas is credited as being the first modern surfer to bring Stand Up Paddleboarding to the mainland as a way to train and to catch waves when the surf was down. Since then, Stand Up Paddleboarding has spread throughout the world.

East Coast Outfitters is pleased to offer a full suite of courses as part of the Paddle Canada’s SUP program.

Intro to Stand Up Paddling (3 hrs)

Introduces the novice to paddling in enclosed sheltered waters and calm conditions. Skills covered include a kneeling, standing on a board, forward & turning strokes, and safety awareness.

Successful participants will receive the “Introduction to Stand Up Paddling Skills Award.”

*Price does not include food, equipment rental, tax or gratuity

Advanced Flatwater Stand Up Paddling (3 hrs)

Advanced Flatwater Stand Up Paddling builds on the skills and knowledge gained in the Intro. SUP course. The participant will be introduced to paddling in more challenging conditions and to more advanced paddleboarding skills.

Successful participants will receive the “Advanced Flatwater Stand Up Paddling Skills Award.”

*Price does not include food, equipment rental, tax or gratuity

Stand Up Paddleboarding Coastal Journeying Skills Course (1 day)

Stand Up Paddleboarding Coastal Journeying introduces participants to paddling and navigating in a coastal environment. The emphasis is on knowledge, navigation and safety skills. The course expands on concepts introduced in the Advanced Flatwater course and applies them to a more dynamic coastal environment.

Successful participants will receive the “Stand Up Paddling Coastal Journeying Skills Award.”

*Price does not include food, equipment rental, tax or gratuity

Flatwater Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor (2 days)

The Flatwater Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor course is designed to provide a national certification in the instruction and administration of the Flatwater Stand Up Paddleboard Program.

Successful participants will receive the “Advanced Flatwater Stand Up Paddling Instructor Award.”

*Price does not include food, equipment rental, tax or gratuity