Paddle Canada is a community of trusted leaders that inspires connections to Canadians and nature through paddling. Our mission is to promote, educate and support the recreational paddling community, paddling instructors, and partners. Each year, over 10,000 students across Canada take canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding courses with certified Paddle Canada instructors.
Learn to Paddle
So, you want to learn to paddle? Read about the different courses we offer, and where you can start your journey.
We rely on membership fees to operate as a not-for profit organization. If you are not a Paddle Canada instructor, but would like to support us, please consider a Friends of Paddle Canada membership!
Our Sea Kayaking program begins with a Basic Kayak Skills course in calm sheltered conditions and progresses to advanced skills for open coastal touring in rough water conditions.
We offer four exciting levels in white water kayaking, beginning in calm, sheltered waters to acquire
basic skills to allow your learning to progress to Class I, II and III rivers.
Our Stand Up Paddleboard Program begins with the Basic SUP skills course in calm sheltered conditions and progresses in steps to advanced touring skills on open water in rough conditions. Additionally, the paddler can seek advanced skills in the river and surf
streams.
Beginning with a basic skills course in a frontcountry setting and progressing to a wilderness
environment, our camping programs can be taken as a course on their own, or incorporated with any of our
paddling programs to give students the knowledge and confidence to spend longer periods of time outdoors.