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Custom Instruction and Personal Coaching for Kayaking or SUP

Overview

Custom instruction & personal coaching is a joy for those who like an efficient, streamlined approach to learning kayaking skills or stand up paddling skills; or for those who, due to their time-constraints, cannot join our regularly scheduled sessions. Coaching is customized to your needs, and can provide instruction ranging from foundational skills to advanced techniques.

Examples of types of coaching sessions that can be arranged include: Private Sea Kayaking, Racing Kayak and SUP instruction, Fitness Paddling, Maneuvering & Agility (also known as the ‘Zen of Kayaking’), Rough Water Paddling, Currents, Youth Camps, Coastal Kayak Tour, and Gulf Island Escape.

Itinerary

Confirm the date, time and location of your session with Ocean River Adventures. Refer to our full itinerary below for directions and parking instructions for your location. Please arrive 15 minutes early for your session so that it can begin on schedule.

Full Itinerary – PDF: Itinerary – Custom Instruction & Personal Coaching

Equipment List

Please refer to the full equipment list below, as it thoroughly indicates what gear and equipment we recommend for your session, including personal gear, clothing, and food and water. Ocean River Sports stocks many of the items listed. If you need advice or would like to purchase gear, please visit us or check out our online store!

 Kayak and Paddling Gear:

You will also need a sea kayak and paddling gear for your program! You can either rent these from us for an additional fee, or you can provide your own sea kayak and paddling gear if you already own or have access to these.

If you are renting a sea kayak and paddling gear from Ocean River Sports (or if a sea kayak and paddling gear are included in the price of your program), you will be provided with the following items as one complete package:

  • Sea kayak.
  • Paddle.
  • Sprayskirt.
  • PFD (Personal Flotation Device): Canadian Coast Guard approved.
  • Whistle.
  • Hand pump.
  • Throw-line (buoyant heaving line at least 15 meters in length).
  • Paddle float.
  • *Spare paddle (optional)
  • *Sponge (optional): for drying out hatches

If you are providing your own kayak and paddling gear for your program, you must provide the paddling gear listed above, and your sea kayak must meet the following requirements**: (1) is suitable for open sea conditions; (2) has positive buoyancy when capsized; (3) is able to adequately carry gear as required for the program; and (4) has perimeter lines. Please note: recreational kayaks that do not meet the above requirements are not suitable for our programs. If you have questions about the suitability of your kayak, please contact us. If your program takes place in an indoor pool, please ensure your kayak and gear are clean of dirt, sand, and debris.

**Exceptions: (1) whitewater kayaks are permitted on our Rolling clinic; and (2) surf skis or Olympic style kayaks with bulkheads or flotation bags are permitted on our Perfect Your Forward Stroke clinic.

Full Equipment List – PDF: Course Itinerary – Custom Instruction and Personal Coaching

Waiver/Medical Forms

Please review the following form prior to your program. Please sign/initial the form in the presence of your instructor/guide, who will act as your witness.

Ocean River Sports Waiver (PDF)

 

Testimonials
To read all of our reviews, click on the Trip Advisor logo below! TA_550x370

“Kayak Lesson”
5 of 5 stars – Reviewed 8 July, 2015      
My husband and I have some kayaking experience but wanted to improve our paddling and safety skills. The instructor was experienced and knowledgeable. He customized the lesson and gave us excellent feedback. It fun and productive and such a positive experience that we’ve signed up for the next level of lessons.

I had a kayak lesson with Janette today and I couldn’t be happier with how it went. Janette was patient, very informative and a lot of fun to learn from. I had a great time and look forward to getting out again. Thank you!

About Ocean River

Located in Victoria, British Columbia on beautiful Vancouver Island, Ocean River is one of the premier speciality kayak and adventure companies in North America. Brian Henry, the founder & current owner, has been running Ocean River since 1981, and Ocean River continues to be recognised as one of the most significant outdoor/paddlesports instructional & tours provider in North America.

More About Us

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