Getting lost or confused about your location can be worrying even for experienced kayakers.
To make matters worse, not knowing where you are makes hazards difficult or impossible to avoid. Navigation is not some mystical art only the few possess, we navigate every day, driving to a friends house to watch the game is a great example. In our everyday life we use landmarks such as roads, signs and traffic lights to navigate in our own community. Navigating a kayak safely on the water may seam challenging but really we are applying the same basic techniques.
This course is for any kayaker, expert or novice looking to make navigation when kayaking simple and error free; this course is unique because it includes both a theory session (classroom based) and a practical paddling session where your news skills can be tested on the water. You’ll practice and complete navigating exercises from the deck of a kayak not on the beach or in a wheel house!
All aspects relevant to kayak navigation are covered in this excellent workshop; piloting, reading nautical charts and maps, identifying hazards, checkpoints (fixes), hand railing, backstops and finally ‘Ded’ reckoning, the ability to navigate in poor or no visibility FOG!


Skill Level Required
No previous kayaking experience is required to take the classroom section of this course, however the afternoon is based on the water so participants will need to have completed the Paddle Canada "Basic" one day skills course which includes a wet exit and on water safety protocols. Navigation for Dummies is one of the instructor led theory topics covered and practiced on our Paddle Canada L2 skills course (see website for details)
Workshop Dates 2021
TBC