1000 Islands, Gananoque
The 1000 Islands is where navigation gets real. Hundreds of islands, channels, and crossings on the St. Lawrence River: current, shipping traffic, and enough complexity to keep your chart and compass busy all day. This is a basecamp course with a different challenge every time you leave shore.
If you want your Level 2 in an environment that rewards good navigation and punishes lazy route planning, this is the course. Same curriculum and coaching quality as our other Level 2 locations, in a uniquely different environment to develop in.
| PC L2 Paddle Canada Level 2 | CK1 Coastal Kayaking Level 1 | 1:4 Instructor Ratio | 4 Days of Coaching |
One course, two awards. This is a Paddle Canada Sea Kayak Level 2, and that's the standard the course is built around. Because we deliver both the national and provincial streams, meeting it earns you an ORCKA Coastal Kayaking Level 1 as well. Two cards, one course, one price.
What You'll Learn
Full days of hands-on training, backed by theory in your online learning dashboard. Four skill domains across four days of coastal touring on the St. Lawrence.
Sample Instructional Progression
Locations and focus may shift based on weather and river conditions. That flexibility is part of the learning.
Built for Lifelong Learning
Every Kayak Ontario course includes access to your personal online learning dashboard, a hybrid system offering clear preparation before the course, structured learning on the water, and continued support afterward. Track your progress, complete short modules on preparation, gear, safety, and theory, and return any time to review lessons.
- ★ Online learning dashboard access included with your course
- ★ Full-colour Kayak Ontario Course Manual available as an add-on: take it to the shoreline, mark it up with notes, and keep as a lasting reference
What's Included
- ✔ Course instruction and assessment across four full days of on-water training
- ✔ Expert coaching at 1:4 instructor ratio
- ✔ Online learning dashboard access
- ✔ Assessment and certification for both Paddle Canada Level 2 and ORCKA Coastal Kayaking Level 1
Available to Add
- — Kayak + drysuit rental: Valley sea kayak and Nookie drysuit, available to book with your course. Own your boat? Bring it. Rental drysuits have latex seals, so if you have a latex allergy, talk to us before you book.
- — Course manual: full-colour workbook with step-by-step breakdowns and diagrams
- — Navigation and safety kit: order from our Level 2 Gear collection at least two weeks ahead, so it reaches you before you travel
Good to Know
- — The course operates from a basecamp at a conservation area. On-site camping is available. Local accommodation options including Airbnbs are also available nearby, arranged directly with the provider.
- — Participants are responsible for meals. We'll visit local pubs and food trucks when available, plus camping meal prep is part of the experience.
- — Participants are responsible for parking permits at launch sites.
- — The course runs rain or shine, though we reschedule for prolonged thunderstorms or conditions that pose a genuine safety risk.
Equipment Needed
Rent the two big items from us and bring the smaller kit yourself. It's the same kit you'll carry on every trip after this one, so it's worth having your own.
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✔ Sea kayak: with two bulkheads
Rentals available -
✔ Dry suit: for cold-water immersion training
Rentals available -
✔ PFD: one that fits snugly for paddling and rescue practice
Yours to bring -
✔ Navigation kit: Chart 1437, deck compass, square plotter, and map case
Yours to bring -
✔ Towline: with a one-handed quick release
Yours to bring -
✔ Safety kit: bilge pump and paddle float
Yours to bring -
✔ Camping gear: tent, sleeping bag, essentials for 4 nights
Yours to bring
New to this kit? Most people are. Once you book, we walk you through what each piece does and why you'll want it, and we're glad to help you choose. Our shop is in Ferndale, on the Bruce Peninsula, so order from our Level 2 Gear collection at least two weeks ahead and it will reach you in good time. The chart is the one piece we don't sell, so order that from a chart dealer. We don't keep loaner sets, so please have yours sorted before you travel.
Prerequisite: Paddle Canada Sea Kayak Level 1, or ORCKA Coastal Kayaking Level 1 or Flatwater Kayaking, or equivalent experience. You should be comfortable with wet exits, basic re-entries, and a full day on the water. Not sure? Get in touch and we'll point you in the right direction.
After your Level 2 → Continue building with the Skill Building Series clinics, explore a Coastal Explorer touring day, or start working toward Level 3. Your coaches already know your abilities, so the progression is seamless.
Questions
Do I need my own kayak or gear?
What certification do I get?
How is this different from the other Level 2 locations?
Where do participants stay?
What about meals?
What if the weather is bad?
I did my Level 1 a while ago. Am I ready?
Can I take my Level 2 somewhere else instead?
What's the online learning dashboard?
We acknowledge that our courses in the 1000 Islands region take place on the traditional territory of the Wendake-Nionwentsïo, Haudenosaunee, and Mississauga peoples. We are grateful for the knowledge shared with us by the Indigenous peoples of these lands and waters.
This acknowledgement, accompanied by action, includes contributions to Indigenous-led organizations that make a lasting impact.