Coastal Development Program
Save 15% — applied automatically at checkout
when you buy through the bundle
A structured season of coastal skill development. Foundation Reset and the Navigation Series are your base. Add current, surf, or both — build the program that matches your goals.
Register for the program and you're locked into the two core weekends. Then add the clinics that interest you from the à la carte list. Every clinic is coached at 1:4 with published curriculum, and your coaches track your development across the entire series.
Done your L1 and not sure what comes next? This is the answer. A full season of progression with coaches who know your paddling.
Prefer to spread out the cost? A 25% deposit option is available — email us for details.
2026 Season Calendar
Date Clinic Location
May 8–9 Intro to Sea Kayaking in Current Niagara
Jun 13–14 Foundation Reset ★ Lion's Head
Jun 15–16 Navigator ★ Tobermory
Aug 1–2 Explorer ★ Tobermory
Aug 20–21 Intro to Sea Kayaking in Current Niagara
Sep 12–13 Dynamic Coastal Conditions Tobermory
Oct 17–18 Intro to Sea Kayaking in Current Niagara
Oct 24–25 Intro to Surfing & Forecasting Niagara
★ Core weekends — included with every program registration. All other dates are à la carte add-ons.
1:4Ratio
3–6Weekends
3Regions
Long-TermDevelopment
Included — Core Weekends
These two form the base of every Coastal Development Program registration.
INCLUDED WITH REGISTRATION
Foundation Reset
Two days rebuilding your L1 skills to a higher standard — stroke efficiency, boat control, bracing, and rescues with expert coaching. Not just enough to pass, enough to paddle well.
Lion's Head 2 days Sheltered
Kayak Navigation: Charts, Tides, and Safety
A two-weekend navigation series at Tobermory. Weekend one (Navigator) builds the skills — chart work, compass, environmental reading, route planning. Weekend two (Explorer) tests them under pressure — longer crossings, incident management, and decisions that matter.
Tobermory 2 × 2 days Moderate → Moderate+ + Learning Platform
À La Carte — Add to Your Season
Add any or all of these to your program. Each is a standalone weekend that layers with the core.
ADD TO YOUR PROGRAM
Surf & Dynamic Conditions
Two days in dynamic water — wind waves, reflected seas, clapotis, rock gardens, and surf zones. The conditions that flat-water training can't simulate.
Tobermory 2 days Moderate+
Introduction to Sea Kayaking in Current
Day one rebuilds flatwater skills and rescues. Day two puts it all in the Niagara River — ferrying, s-turns, peeling in and out. Progressive current exposure from manageable to challenging.
Niagara Peninsula 2 days Moderate+
Introduction to Surfing and Forecasting the Great Lakes
One evening of wave forecasting, two full days in the surf. Learn to read conditions, pick the break, and paddle into real Great Lakes waves.
Niagara Peninsula 3 days Dynamic
Every Clinic Includes
- 1:4 instructor-to-student coaching
- Published curriculum — consistent quality regardless of instructor
- Development tracking across every clinic in the program
- Social night at Las Chulas on Tobermory weekends!
- Kayak Ontario learning platform access with Navigation series
Available to Add
- Valley sea kayak + Nookie Drysuit rental — no boat ownership required
- Need a place to stay? We can help arrange camping in Tobermory — drop us an email
Prerequisite: Paddle Canada or ORCKA Level 1 (or equivalent). The program starts with Foundation Reset — no advanced experience required to register. Not sure? Get in touch.
Where this goes next: Coaches track your development across the entire program. When you're ready, they'll tell you — Level 2 or Level 3 certification with coaches who already know your abilities, rolling courses, Coastal Explorer touring days, Winter Stroke Lab, expeditions, or the instructor pathway.
Questions
What do I get when I register?
Foundation Reset (Lion's Head) and the full Kayak Navigation series (Navigator + Explorer at Tobermory) — 6 days of coached paddling across 3 weekends. Then add any à la carte clinics you want.
Do I need my own kayak?
No. Valley sea kayak and Nookie Drysuit rentals are available for all clinics.
What order should I take the clinics?
Foundation Reset first, then Navigator, then Explorer. The à la carte clinics can be taken in any order alongside or after the core weekends. Your coaches will recommend sequencing based on your development.
Can I just take the base without add-ons?
Absolutely. The core program — Foundation Reset plus the Navigation series — is a complete 6-day progression on its own. The à la carte clinics extend it into different environments if you want more.
How is this different from just booking the clinics separately?
The program guarantees your spots across the season, saves you money, and your coaches track your development as a continuous progression rather than isolated sessions.
Can this lead to Level 2 certification?
No. This is a skill development program — it builds ability, not certification. Certification is a separate process with its own requirements. That said, the skills you develop here are exactly what you'll need when you're ready to pursue it. Your coaches can point you in the right direction.
Is there a payment plan?
Yes. A 25% deposit option is available —
email us for details and we'll set it up for you.
What's the learning platform?
Our online system with structured modules covering navigation, weather, risk management, and rou
