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Beginner -Advanced
Kayaking Courses

Monday Sunset Friends and Fitness Paddling Club!

Meet at Eaton's Dock ready for an evening paddle! Just for fun! No Charge! Each week we'll get together for a fun excercise paddle in Castine Harbor!
5pm-7pm Fitness/exercise paddle
June -Sept

Rentals available from Castine Kayak

Maine Sea Kayak Guide Training Course
Advanced Sea Kayak Skills  

Comprehensive Kayak Skills course
Fee: $475
Location: Castine, Bangor, Maine and nearby waters

Spring Training Session: Comprehensive 50 hour course
May 12 Saturday 10-5 Pool or Lake practical
May 13 Sunday 10- 5 On water practical
May 18, 19 and 20 Camping practical

To Register: complete Registration/release form here

Description: This in-depth course is designed to prepare future sea kayak guides, fresh water guides, and kayaking leaders and intermediate kayakers with essential skills necessary to teach kayaking, identify potential hazards, make informed decisions, plan trips and manage groups on the waters of Maine and beyond!
-Test expectations and scheduling will be included as part of the course.

*Experiential learning Includes: Pool Rescues, classroom and outdoor navigation, camping weekend, island ethics and on water scenerios.
In this interactive course you'll really experience what it is like to be a guide!

Additional Fees:
GUIDE APPLICATION FEE: $103 (to the State of Maine for testing)
ACA MEMBERSHIP: $10 (optional)
Prerequisites: Minimum of 50+ hours of kayaking or instructor permission
(Lake or Sea or WW)
Instructor: Karen Francoeur, Master Maine Sea Kayak Guide, Registered Maine Recreation Guide/ American Canoe and Kayak Assoc. Open Water Instructor, owner of Castine Kayak Adventures

Register by calling Castine Kayak 207-866-3506 or castinekayak@gmail.com
www.castinekayak.com

Kayak Rentals available $15 per day
Other Gear Rentals Available
Experiential learning: Includes Pool Rescues, classroom and outdoor navigation, camping weekend, island ethics and on water scenerios.
In this interactive course you'll really experience what it is like to be a guide!

course photos!

This course is for kayakers who learn best by implementing and practicing what they are learning. This course will take place on the ocean and includes an overnight camping trip for truly well rounded experiential learning. Course Manual is included.
Topics covered in course will include;  Navigation (Piloting and Dead Reckoning), essential equipment and its uses, guide requirements, trip planning, group management, wind, wave and weather dynamics, marine environment, stroke instruction and rescue clinics.  Experienced kayakers seeking on water skills enhancement but not pursuing guide license are also welcome with instructor permission. Upon completion of this course you may wish to enroll in our internship program to work with experienced guides teaching beginners to gain needed experience! see details

*Maine's Sea Kayak Guide license allows for guiding on marine waters of Maine up to head of tide.  Overnight camping inclusion with sea kayak license.   
** Additional Recreation Guide license is necessary to guide on inland lakes and rivers

Guide Application PDF click here to download

Maine Recreation Guide Training :
Dates TBA: 2 day course 9-5pm

Min 5/ Max 12

Prerequisite: Sea Kayak Guide Training Course or equivalent, Basic Paddling skills in recreational boats, canoes or sea kayaks or instructor permission

This course is designed to compliment the Sea Kayak Guide course to prepare future guides or current Sea Kayak Guides with the knowledge necessary to successfully pass the Maine Recreation Guide License which allows for guiding on fresh waters in Maine.

ACA Coastal Kayak Trip Leader Course & ACA Assessment Award
Offered as part of Sea Kayak Guide Training Course
June 4 and 5,
Time: 9am- 5pm
Fee: $250

This workshop emphasizes trip leading, safety education and rescue options and techniques. Content is geared toward trip planning skills, choosing appropriate equipment for conditions and paddlers for leaders in clubs, camps, scouts and other groups leading trips. Course will conclude with a written Exam to qualify for ACA Trip Leader Assessment. ACA Membership Fee $10
Prerequisite: Basic Coastal Kayak(ACA level 2 or equivalent skills)

FRESHWATER
1. Intro to Kayak Safety & Skills-ACA-Level 1, Bangor
5/31-6/9 Tues and Thursday (4 sessions)
5:30 - 7:30 pm, Bangor area Lakes and Rivers
Price: $145 pp w/own gear, $180pp(with gear provided)

SALTWATER
2. Intro to Sea Kayaking Safety & Skills-ACA-Level 1, Castine Area
6/14-6/23
Price: $145 pp w/own gear, $180pp (with gear provided)

Shorten the learning curve and get geared up for a summer of adventure! In this course we'll cover kayaking basics, from proper boat fit and entry, paddle size and use, rescue strategies and capsize prevention, what boat is right for you, essential equipment to paddle safely, where to paddle .

*Upon completion you will be prepared to paddle on ponds, lakes and slow rivers safely and efficiently.
*Qualifies participants to assess for ACA Level 1 Award

ONE DAY WORKSHOPS
Sign up for the entire series
$320 w/gear or $400 with gear provided(save $100!)

If you're ready to take your skills to the next level in preparation for a great summer of paddling these are the courses for you!

6/9 Saturday: ESSENTIALS OF KAYAK TOURING
10-4pm
Fee: $105 w/gear, $125 gear provided
Essentials of Kayak Touring course is designed to teach beginner paddlers to safely and enjoyably kayak on lakes, calm protected ocean environments, and other flatwater settings. (LEVEL 2)

6/10 Sunday: COASTAL KAYAKING STROKES AND RESCUE
10-4pm
Fee: $105 w/gear, $125 gear provided
Coastal Kayak Basic Strokes and Rescues course is designed to introduce basic coastal kayaking skills and safety. (LEVEL 3)

6/16 Saturday: OPEN WATER COASTAL KAYAKING SKILLS (LEVEL 4)
10-4pm
Fee: $105 w/gear, $125 gear provided
The Open Water Coastal Kayak course is designed to refine and increase coastal kayaking skills for use in open water. We'll practice a variety of skills including rescues at sea.

6/17 Sunday: COASTAL KAYAKING/TIDAL CURRENT SKILLS
(LEVEL 4)
10-4pm
This course will take us paddling in some coastal conditions including tidal currents, wind and waves. We'll fine tune your paddling skills to take them to the next level preparing you for a summer of exploration
Fee: $105 w/gear, $125 gear provided

6/23 Saturday: Coastal Kayak Strokes and Manuever Refinement
(Level 3)
10-4pm
Fee: $105 w/gear, $125 gear provided
This course will help you to fine tune the skills that you have and take the next steps to stroke refinement to increase efficiency, fluidity and control. This is a course you may want to take repeatedly as you'll gain new improved skills each time!

6/24 Sunday: Full Day Paddling Adventure:
Fee: $105 w/gear, $125 gear provided
Join us on a full day journey and put your skills to the test. This is a chance to assess your level and determine what you are ready for next!

If you plan to paddle on the ocean, even in small protected bays this is the series for you! You’ll learn about essential equipment, cold water risks and how to minimize them, stroke efficiency, how to maximize the effects of tides and currents and basic chart reading skills. Course on water
Upon completion you will be prepared to paddle safely and efficiently on the coast of Maine.
qualifies you for ACA Level 1-4 Awards

Sea Kayak Skills Camp:
Three day on water camping workshop!
Dates : TBA
3 days, 2 nights of camping!
Intermediate Paddlers $465 (meals and gear included)

* Refine your paddling technique, coastal navigation, tides and current, practice multiple rescue options, towing and dealing with wind and waves and of course island camping!

Location: Coastal areas near Stonington and Eggemoggin Reach
Challenge yourself and gain the skills necessary to paddle in a variety of Maine coastal locations and conditions.

Topics Covered
-Advanced Rescue and Rolling/ Navigation on water
am - Navigation from the cockpit
pm - Open water Rescue and Rolling

-Advanced Coastal Kayak:ACA Stroke Refinement and Open Water Skills
am session- Tidal Currents (ferrying, crossing currents, catching eddies and riding trailing waves)
pm session- Paddling skills in Wind and Waves: edging, sweeping, blade angle, cadence, route choice, upwind and downwind techniques

Upon completion you will be prepared to paddle extended day trips and overnights.
Allows participants to Assess for ACA Level 3 and 4 Award!

Kayak Rolling Clinic Sea Kayaks or WW Kayaks
by arrangement
Check for summer hours in Castine!
Fee: $50 each with min of 3pp (privates available)

Being a safe kayaker means preparing for the worst case scenario! In most cases in Maine that would be a capsize into cold water and the key to safety is knowing how to get back in your boat out of the water!The quickest and most efficient rescue is the Eskimo Roll. You'll learn a variety of assisted eskimo rescues that allow you to stay in your boat. Enhance your boat maneuvering skills while focusing on all the components of the roll.

 

What Now ? Capsize & Rescue Skills Clinic
6/25 Sunday
$20pp at Orland River Days
Bring your own kayak or rent one to use for $15

Kayak Capsize & Rescue workshop at Orland River Day
ORLAND – Castine Kayak will offer a Kayak Capsize and Rescue Techniques workshop as part of the Orland River Day festivities, Saturday, June 25, 1-3 pm. To be an independent kayaker an essential skill is self and partnership rescue! Be ready for the unexpected. Learn what you need to know to be a safe paddler so that you can explore in comfort! We'll practice wet exits, partnership rescues and self rescue methods. Special festival price is $20 per person. Contact Castine Kayak to reserve a spot, 207-866-3506, or castinekayak@gmail.com.

*Workshops available by appointment
Fee:  $50pp w/own equipment  Min 3pp
(boat rental available $15/session)  

OPEN POOL TIME
available at Husson College $5per person

check calendar for upcoming sessions
This is an opportunity to practice bracing, leaning, edging and rescue skills in the warm safety of a pool before going out into the cold Maine water.  Test your kayak and your skills. 
*stay tuned or call for private lessons offered at Husson University!

Designed for intermediate paddlers ready to venture safely on their own journeys!

to Register: 207-866-3506
or email us at castinekayak@gmail.com