This course is for paddlers who wish to gain the skills required to safely lead others on the water. Whether you plan to work as a guide, lead trips on meetup or simply wish to develop a more comprehensive skill set for paddling with friends and family, this course will cover all aspects of competent leadership so you can stay safe on the water. Material is reviewed while on the water and during shore breaks, covering navigation, trip planning, group management, incident avoidance/management, boat handling, towing, rescues, hypothermia, Leave No Trace Behind ethics, etc.

Day 1 is the training and Day 2 is the assessment. Participants who meet the standards of the ACA L2 Trip Leader Assessment may be awarded the Essentials of Kayak Touring Trip Leader award through the American Canoe Association. This award qualifies guides to lead beginner-level paddlers in calm coastal waters.

Participants for assessment should be competent paddlers in the coastal environment, with a familiarity with basic strokes and rescues.

Location TBD dependent on weather conditions. It is currently set for Odiorne Point State Park but may change.

Registration Options:

1. One Day Training ($125) only or Assessment only ($150)
2. Two Day Training and Assessment ($250)

Register here:

https://www.salemkayak.com/reserve/instruction-full-day