Paddle Canada Manuals

Paddle Canada River Kayak Program Manual

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Program Overview

The River Kayaking Program includes nationally recognized certifications in five skill levels and four instructor levels, earned through course participation.

A new whitewater kayaker would begin instruction at the Flatwater River Kayak level, concentrating on kayak fundamentals before moving on to a mastery of the skills required for safe and enjoyable whitewater experiences.

Skills Stream

Instructor Stream

Instructor Trainer Stream

River Kayak Program Recent Changes

See a complete list of recent changes to the program.

Key Policies for New Instructors

New instructors should take note of these key polices before running your first course or clinic. All instructors must make themselves familiar with our complete list of policies as well.

Acknowledgements

This Paddle Canada River Kayaking Program is the product of years of commitment by kayaking enthusiasts from across Canada. It was through the dedicated efforts of several individuals interested in the development of a national program that would produce safe, competent, and knowledgeable recreational kayakers. To those individuals, Paddle Canada extends a sincere “thank you”.

The process undertaken for the development of this program included the review of existing recreational kayaking programs from kayaking organizations in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The initial draft was forwarded to interested kayakers across Canada. Upon review of the comments received, the subsequent draft was also widely circulated. The resulting comments were reviewed before the final draft was completed by the Paddle Canada River Kayaking Committee and for subsequent approval by the Paddle Canada Board of Directors in October 1998.

This current edition incorporates the collective experience gained by paddlers, instructors, and instructor trainers since 1998. The River Kayaking Program Development Committee continues to work to refine and clarify the River Kayaking Program and this manual.

Published: October 22, 1998 Last updated: April 30, 2026