Level 2 Instructor

Paddle Canada Level 2 Instructor This is the last instructor certification you can earn in a course format. From here, the instructor stream moves to mentorship. The Level 2 Instructor course prepares you to teach multi-day coastal kayaking in Class 2 conditions — exposed shorelines, moderate wind and waves, currents, and overnight logistics. 5.5 days of intensive professional development for experienced Level 1 Instructors ready to take the next step. 5.5 DaysDuration L3 + L1IPrerequisites LMSPre-Course PCCertification Blended Learning — Starts Before the Water At this level, on-water time is too valuable for classroom lectures. Our course begins weeks before you arrive through a fully functional Learning Management System. You show up with theory done and ready to teach. Come Prepared Advanced navigation, weather forecasting, risk management frameworks, and adult education theory — completed before the course starts. LMS access is sent to your email on registration. Case Studies Real-world incident management scenarios and decision-making exercises so you arrive with a solid theoretical baseline for Class 2 instruction. Go Deeper On the Water Because the theory is done, on-water time is spent on teaching practice, coaching feedback, and leadership development — not reading from a manual. A Lifelong Resource Your LMS access doesn't end when the course does. Lesson plans, evaluation rubrics, and course planning tools you'll use in your teaching career. What to Expect 5.5 days combining on-water skills at demonstration quality, teaching practice in dynamic conditions, and professional leadership development. This course is significantly more comprehensive than the Level 1 Instructor certification. Teaching in Conditions You'll teach and be assessed in Class 2 conditions — moderate winds and waves, light surf, and moderate currents. Demonstration-quality paddling skills are expected, not just competence. Coaching Complex Theory Navigation, weather interpretation, risk management, and expedition logistics. You need to teach these subjects effectively, not just understand them. Course Planning and Assessment You'll develop and present a complete Level 2 Skills course plan — lesson plans, skill benchmarks, timelines, teaching locations, and a full risk assessment and emergency response plan. Leadership Under Pressure Group management, improvisational teaching, and decision-making when conditions change. This is where your experience as an L1 Instructor is tested against a higher standard. Assessment Assessment is continuous throughout the course. You must complete all of the following: A minimum of three formal teaching demonstrations — at least two on-water sessions teaching Level 2 skills in Class 2 conditions Written and oral presentations demonstrating ability to communicate course content Successful completion of a written exam A detailed course plan for a complete Level 2 Skills course Continuous assessment of paddling skills at demonstration quality — Level 3 standard Continuous assessment of safety, group management, and leadership throughout the course Certification cannot be considered complete if skills were not demonstrated and assessed in Class 2 conditions. We schedule courses where conditions are expected, but weather is weather. Skills, Coaching, and Inclusion The physical demands at this level are real — you need to paddle competently in moderate wind, waves, and current for extended periods. But this is still not a fitness test. We prioritize technique, efficiency, and adaptability over raw power. Different bodies find different solutions to the same conditions, and understanding that makes you a better teacher of coastal kayaking. Who It's For You're an active Level 1 Instructor with significant teaching experience and strong personal paddling skills through Level 3. You've led multiple L1 Skills courses, you've paddled in a wide variety of conditions, and you're ready to teach at the coastal level. This course is demanding — candidates who arrive underprepared will struggle. Prerequisites (strictly enforced): Minimum age 18. Current Paddle Canada membership (and provincial membership where required). Paddle Canada Level 3 Skills — strictly enforced, must be completed before the course begins. Paddle Canada Level 1 Instructor. A minimum of two Level 1 Skills courses within the past three years, being the lead instructor on both. At least 15 days of logged instruction of Level 1 curriculum (courses or clinics). Significant paddling experience in a wide variety of conditions and locations. Restricted Operator Certificate — Maritime (ROC-M): not required for registration, but proof must be provided within one year after L2 Instructor certification is complete. Wilderness First Aid (16 hr) with CPR. All prerequisites must be completed before the course begins. No exceptions on L3 Skills or L1 Instructor. Our Standards We require LMS pre-work to be completed before arrival. Expect a readiness conversation before the course to confirm your teaching experience, paddling conditions exposure, and prerequisite documentation. This course has a minimum of three candidates enrolled — if that threshold isn't met, we'll work with you to find an alternative date. Certification: Successful candidates earn Paddle Canada Level 2 Instructor certification — authorizing you to conduct Waterfront Kayak, Rolling, Basic Kayak, Level 1 Skills, and Level 2 Skills courses and certify paddlers at those levels, and to assist a Level 3 Instructor on a Level 3 Skills course. Questions How is this different from the Level 1 Instructor course? Significantly more demanding in every dimension. L1I focuses on teaching flatwater skills in sheltered conditions. L2I requires you to teach in Class 2 conditions — moderate wind, waves, and current — and to plan and manage multi-day coastal courses including navigation, weather, expedition logistics, and risk management. Your personal paddling must be at demonstration quality through Level 3. This is the last instructor certification available in course format; from here, the instructor stream moves to mentorship. Why Kayak Ontario for L2 Instructor training? We know the Great Lakes. Our courses run on Georgian Bay's Saugeen Peninsula — exposed coastline, dynamic conditions, and the kind of environment you'll be teaching in. Our blended learning model means you arrive with theory done and spend 5.5 days on high-value teaching practice, not classroom time. The LMS, published coaching manual, and structured curriculum are tools you keep and use in your career. What's included? 5.5 days of instruction and assessment with a Level 2 Instructor Trainer. Full LMS access (before, during, and after the course) including lesson plans, evaluation rubrics, and course planning tools. Paddle Canada certification processing on successful completion. Base camp facilities at our Saugeen Peninsula location. Meals, personal gear, and accommodation are not included — a detailed logistics package is sent on registration. What do I need to bring? Your own kayak and personal gear suitable for Class 2 conditions, food, and camping equipment if using our base camp. A detailed gear list and logistics package is sent on registration. You should arrive with your own tow system, navigation tools, and safety equipment — this is an instructor course, and professional outfitting is part of the standard. What if I don't pass? Assessment is continuous and the Instructor Trainer will give you clear feedback throughout. If specific gaps remain at the end of the course, we offer consulting days at $350/day to address them — teaching demo refinement, course plan revision, assessment calibration. This is rare at the course level but the option exists with a clear, published cost. How many candidates are needed? Paddle Canada requires a minimum of three instructor candidates enrolled. If that threshold isn't met, the course doesn't run. We'll work with you to find an alternative date. This is why L2I courses are rare nationally — the candidate pool at this level is small. Does this lead to employment with Kayak Ontario? This course is not a direct path to employment with us. When opportunities arise, they're posted publicly on our website. Many graduates work independently, teach for outfitters, or build their own programs — and we're proud to see them contributing to the paddling community. What comes after L2 Instructor? The instructor stream moves to mentorship. Level 3 Instructor and Instructor Trainer certifications are earned through supervised placements on active courses, not standalone courses. We offer advanced mentorships for qualified candidates — see our Advanced Mentorships page for details.