Kayaking
Take our progressive paddling lessons, then practice on some of Western Canada's most beautiful rivers and lakes. Our guides are expert whitewater and sea kayakers and will teach you the skills to master each type of boat.
Whitewater Kayaking
Take pool clinics and paddling lessons with us on the Bow and Kananaskis. Then spend the summer paddling Alberta rivers and playboating on the whitewater.
Fundamentals and gear essentials: This 2-hour introductory course provides everything you need to begin your whitewater kayaking journey. Start with an overview of essential paddling gear before moving on to hands-on skills including kayak entry, wet exits, and self-rescue techniques. Learn basic paddling strokes and fundamental boat control in calm water, building confidence and comfort before progressing to moving water.
Building confidence for moving water: This 2.5-hour course is designed to build upon the kayaking knowledge and abilities you already have and introduce you to the exciting world of moving water kayaking. It offers the opportunity to increase your skill and knowledge on moving water at the Bowness eddies. The course focuses on developing skills including moving across currents, edging, eddy turns, and ferrying, as well as learning the basics for reading water and risk management. This is a great course to develop your confidence for moving water kayaking.
Prerequisite: Intro to Whitewater Kayaking
Refining river-running and manoeuvring skills: This full-day program focuses on improving your ability to manoeuvre through moving water with confidence and control. Develop advanced eddy turns, ferrying, and stability techniques while using natural river features to enhance efficiency. Gain a deeper understanding of river safety and hazard assessment and mitigation as you navigate moving water on the Bow River.
Prerequisite: Beginner Whitewater Kayaking
Precision paddling in Class II+ rapids: Take your whitewater kayaking skills to the next level in this advanced full-day course. Designed for experienced paddlers, this course focuses on refining river-running techniques, improving boat control in Class II & II+ rapids, and making use of water features for efficient manoeuvring. Develop your ability to read and respond to dynamic river conditions while practicing and honing playboating skills like surfing and ferry gliding through waves. This course is ideal for paddlers looking to develop and push their limits in technical whitewater.
Prerequisite: Intermediate Whitewater Kayaking
Sea Kayaking
Take an Intro lesson with one of our highly-trained and certified guides and discover the world of sea kayaking. Explore the region with day tours, and add to your knowledge with skill-building clinics in the off-season.
Building confidence and control on the water: This 2-hour introductory course is designed to familiarize you with sea kayaking essentials including equipment, basic strokes, and proper sea kayak entry and exit techniques. Spend time on the water practicing foundational paddling skills while gaining confidence in handling a sea kayak.
Be prepared to get wet and experience the beauty of local lakes as you build the skills needed for our Sea Kayak Lake Tour. This course is perfect for those new to sea kayaking or looking to refine their technique before exploring further.
Scenic exploration and skill development: Spend the day paddling across a beautiful lake as you refine your sea kayaking technique. The tour begins with a refresher on strokes and manoeuvres before setting off on a journey to a scenic lunch spot. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to improve your paddling efficiency and learn new techniques to enhance your sea kayaking experience.
After lunch, you’ll repack your gear and enjoy a relaxed paddle back, applying your newly developed skills in a real-world setting. This tour is ideal for those looking to enjoy a scenic day on the water while building confidence and efficiency in a sea kayak.
Prerequisite: Sea Kayaking Introduction or equivalent sea kayaking experience
