Skills are a crucial element for any successful wilderness paddle journey. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler looking to fine-tune and refresh your technique or a novice-intermediate paddler aiming to improve your abilities for your trip-of-a-lifetime, a paddling course can help you achieve your goal.
It’s important to find reputable canoe and kayak training provider who knows their stuff. And who can provide both quality instruction but also access to a river or lake environment that pairs well with your spectacular, northern trip destination.
This guide outlines who we think your best canoe and kayak training options are. We focus on those offering instruction in whitewater & flatwater canoeing for our mountain and tundra rivers, and sea kayaking for trips on Great Slave Lake.
We are aim to provide regional options across North America, and focus on providers known for their instructor excellence who can offer certified courses – often through the Paddle Canada program.
Our favourite canoe & kayak training providers are:
Blue Dog Kayaking is one of the top kayak course providers in the Canada. They are located on Vancouver Island, with two paddling centers located at Mill Bay and Port Sidney Marinas.
Blue Dog excels at intermediate and advanced sea kayak training on the majestic West Coast of Vancouver Island (and a bit on the East Coast). They offer the full range of Paddle Canada of courses for the beginner to advanced paddler. Their intro courses (Paddle Canada accredited) take places weekly at both of their locations.
Blue Dog started in 2015 with David Nichols providing Paddle Canada training for sea kayakers in the area. Amber Champion now leads the operation – one of the most accomplished and accredited female sea kayak instructors in the world.
Learn More: Blue Dog Kayaking
Both Blue Dog Kayaking or Ontario Sea Kayak Centre (below) would be good training providers for a kayak trip on Great Slave Lake.
Located in Georgian Bay, OSKC was voted by readers of “Sea Kayaker” Magazine as the best Sea Kayak school in Eastern Canada.
James & Dympna started OSKC in 2008, now over fifteen years after they met while kayaking on Lake Superior.
Ontario Sea Kayak Centre is one of Canada’s leading sea kayak schools. What sets them apart is the number of high-level instructors on their team.
OSKC hosts Paddle Canada kayak skills courses in multiple Ontario locations and sometimes on the East coast. In September they put on Canada’s longest-running traditional paddling event, Ontario Greenland Camp combined with their social Georgian Bay kayaking festival Paddlepalooza.
Learn More: Ontario Sea Kayak Centre
Don Cheyette has been adventuring in small boats since he was a small boy- one of his first responsibilities was rowing the family dog to shore while exploring the Inside Passage. Coaching and educating has grown to be a fundamental part of his life, taking him from Alaska, to Patagonia, to the UK, and beyond.
Don runs Seattle Adventure Sports, which offers custom paddling courses in the Pacific Northwest for sea kayaking, whitewater canoeing, and flatwater canoeing to fit your needs. Don has paddled extensively in the North (Lower Horton, Thaidene Nene, Red Cliff Island) and understands what you need for success on your canoe or kayak journey with us.
Don combines his experience and conscientious approach to safety for a one-on-one or a small group course that is as good as it gets.
Learn more: Seattle Adventure Sports.
Located in Fort McMurray on the doorstep to Wood Buffalo National Park, Dave Stirling is a full-time fire-fighter and paddler who continues to train and hone his rescue and medical skills.
Beyond Adventures provides rental and tours as well as custom courses for whitewater and flatwater canoeing, as well as whitewater rescue and wilderness first aid.
Dave has access to strategic teaching sites on Athabasca river and other local sites that are ideal for simulating conditions similar to our remote northern rivers, such as the Keele River (pictured below). His growing operation is well stocked with expedition-grade whitewater gear as your local expert in northern Alberta.
Learn more: Beyond Adventures
Paddler Co-op is a nonprofit, member-owned organization in business to build a better paddling community for everyone. They are located on the Lower Madawaska River, at Palmer Rapids, in Ontario.
They offer high-quality whitewater canoe instruction training at an affordable cost.
Their inclusively goes beyond accessible rates. They have worked hard to create an welcoming environment for paddlers of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. They have built an open paddling community that is truly open to all!
The Paddler Co-op also offers specific courses for northern river runners, check them out!
Learn more: The Paddler Co-op.
Planning on paddling a wild northern river? Or just looking to take your skills to the next level with better boat control?
Perhaps you are interested in paddling but have never canoed or kayaked before?
For rookie paddlers with big ambitions or experienced enthusiasts seeking a tune-up: we have a paddling course designed for you.
Our summer program covers both introductory and intermediate levels, on moving and flat water. All courses are in Yellowknife or within a driving distance. Let’s get outside, and have some fun!
Learn more about all of our paddling courses here.
