Kayak Lessons
We offer kayak lessons for beginners and intermediates. We can help you find the perfect starting point to gain the confidence needed to enjoy your next paddling adventure!
Paddle Canada Basic
When: 2026 Dates -
May 9, June 13, 27,
July 19, August 15, 23, September 5
Get 3-6 people and we can add dates during the week days
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Duration: 1 Day, 9-5pm
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Cost: $ 185 per person incl kayak + gear
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Where: Our Brentwood Bay Location
Perfect calm conditions!
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Intro Paddle strokes
When: Saturdays 9:30 am - 11:30 am
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Duration: 2 Hours
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Cost: $80 per person
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Where: Our Brentwood Bay Location
Private Lesson
When: By Request
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Duration: 1 or more hours
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Cost: variable
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Where: Brentwood Bay or Swartz Bay
Paddle Canada L 1 Skills
When: 2026 Dates -
April 18-19, May 2-3, 23-24, June 20-21, July 11-12, August 8-9, September 12-13, October 3-4​​
Get 3-6 people and we can add dates during the week days
Duration: 2 Days, 9-5pm
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Cost: $ 350 per person incl kayak + gear
(try a different kayak each day if you want )
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Where: Day 1 - Brentwood, Day 2 - Swartz Bay (Canoe Cove Marina)
What you Learn:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to confidently paddle in class-1 conditions in the company of one or more paddlers with similar skills or knowledge. The paddler should be self-reliant yet an asset to the group and an active participant, willing and able to assist others if they need assistance.​
Paddle Canada L 2 Skills
When:
June: Tuesday evenings (2,9,16,23), Saturday 13 & 27
July: Wednesday evenings (8,15,22,29), Saturday July 4 & 25
Get 3-4 people and we can likely add dates
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Duration: 4 Days (split over 4 evenings and 2 Saturdays)
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Cost: $625 per person plus kayak rental
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Where: Pacifica Swartz Bay & islands,
greater Victoria shores
What you Learn:
Building on the skills developed in Level-1, Level-2 provides paddlers with the intermediate skills they need to go sea kayaking in class-2 conditions along semi-exposed shoreline. This course can be done over 2 weekends.
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Leadership, incident management, open-water rescue, self-care and navigation are core parts of the curriculum.
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Bracing and Edging Clinic
When: Wednesdays at 5:00 pm
Duration: 2 Hours
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Cost: $85 per person
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Where: Our Brentwood Bay Location
Lesson Progression
Start with the Basics
If you are only wanting to paddle in easy areas such as Brentwood Bay, the in house lessons or PC Basic are the best options. We have split the in house lessons into 2 parts, so you can learn at your own pace, and take them a few weeks apart. It's also helpful for those wanting to brush up on a skill set, and only need the rescues or paddle strokes. If you have not practiced rescues in a year or more, the Wet Exit and Rescues lesson is a great refresher clinic.
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Taking the PC Basic Course rounds out your education, with theory sessions and a bit of extra time on the water, as compared to the intro strokes and rescue clinics combined.
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If you want to paddle confidently in areas like Swartz Bay and the Gulf Islands, or Trial Island, Chathams and Discovery Island off Oak Bay, take the PC Level 1 course, then level 2. This expands your boat handling skills and paddle stroke vocabulary, while adding knowledge of tides, currents, paddling conditions, route planning and navigation.
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Level 2 is where you really gain understanding of currents and how to deal with them. Level 1 is a great foundation of skills, and allows you to confidently cruise shorelines, with minimal crossings, avoiding currents. Continuing into level 2 makes you a much more capable paddler for the conditions we find around greater Victoria, the Gulf Islands and much of Vancouver Island.
Kayak Rolling Clinic
Ready to take your paddling skills to the next level?
Join Pacifica Paddle for a 2-hour Kayak Rolling Clinic designed to introduce and refine a valuable skill in sea kayaking - the kayak roll. Taught by experienced Paddle Canada Instructors.
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Dates: July 16th & 23rd, August 19 & 26
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Time: 6pm-8pm
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The clinic focuses on:
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Proper body positioning and hip snap technique
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Paddle placement and efficient rolling mechanics
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Building confidence while upside down
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Individual coaching with plenty of practice time
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Developing a reliable and efficient roll
Prerequisites:
This clinic is intended for paddlers who:
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Have prior rescue experience (Paddle Canada Basic or Level 1 Skills course or equivalent)
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Are comfortable performing wet exits
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Can confidently demonstrate the above skills if they have not taken a Paddle Canada course
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Spaces are limited to ensure plenty of one-on-one coaching, so book early!
Discounts if booking for 2-4 people together. Max 4 people per lesson.
Kids Lessons
We do not recommend registering children under 13 for the regular lessons, as they are primarily geared toward adult instruction. Instead, we recommend booking a private lesson - ideal for a family, or a group of kids (ages 8+).
Teens 13-15 can attend regular lessons with a parent.
16+ can paricipate on their own, with parent consent.
You can email us at: customerservice@pacificapaddle.com to find out more information on this.