Level

Experience needed

Likely conditions/skills covered

Leader/coach level

Intermediate

Familiar with support strokes to keep you stable; competent at deep water rescues; able to tow. Can roll or learning how to.

At about level of BC sea kayak award.

Approx 10-20 days on the water

Moderate. Swell and surf up to 1m, wind up to F4. Top tips given on handling surf and swell; rescue and rolling practice; journeys along the coast or to islands. Able to paddle approx. 20km and stay in the boat for an hour without a break. Be an active group member; competent at rescuing and being rescued in deep water. Learning to roll and self rescue; might be working towards leadership qualification.

Sea kayak leader (moderate water)

Intermediate Plus

Comfortable in moderate conditions; ready to progress to more advanced conditions

Working towards/at level of BC Coastal Sea Kayak Award

Approx 20-30 days on the water

Moderate/some advanced.

Including introduction to tide races and offshore islands; confident in rescues in conditions.

Ability to roll and self-rescue.

Swell and surf might be greater than 1m; may be no easy landing places for 2 or more hours. Required to paddle against F 4-5 wind.

Be an active member of the group.

Sea kayak advanced leader

Advanced

Able to paddle in and against F5 wind, in swell of over 1m. Fit and able to paddle at approx. 5km/hr for several hours. Experience of tide races and rescues in conditions. Solid skills at level of BC Coastal Sea Kayak Award.

Moderate/advanced –tide races, swell of up to 2m, surf of over 1m. May involve long distances without getting out of the kayak at about 5km/hr.

Ability to roll and self-rescue in conditions.

Good level of fitness required; active group member

Sea kayak advanced leader