Introduction to Sea Kayaking

A great weekend of learning and paddling touring kayaks in stunning mountain locations. After completing this course participants can expect to have a good understanding of how to organize and implement a 1 - 2 day sea kayak trip in a mountain lake environment safely and with confidence. This a great program for those planning self-guided or guided trips on the ocean.

Quick Start

Participants will learn about essential kayaking gear, basic paddling techniques, weather considerations, safety practices, and rescue procedures, among other key skills.

Introduction to Whitewater Kayaking

The Intro to River Kayaking Weekend is held over two full days (Saturday and Sunday), tying flatwater and river kayaking into the progression. 

Introduction to Sea Kayaking

A great weekend of learning and paddling touring kayaks in stunning mountain locations. This a great program for those planning self-guided or guided trips on the ocean.

Introduction to Whitewater Evenings

The Intro to Whitewater Evenings course is held over 4 evenings and 1 full day, the course will take paddlers through a logical progression that maximizes skill development, confidence and enjoyment of this sport we are so passionate about.

Quick Start

This program is designed to introduce beginners to the fundamentals of recreational kayaking. Participants will learn about essential kayaking gear, basic paddling techniques, weather considerations, safety practices, and rescue procedures, among other key skills.

Kayak Touring Safety Skills 

The Kayak Touring Safety course is designed to teach rec/touring paddlers wet exits as well as basic solo and self-assisted deep water rescues. 

Introduction to the Kayak Roll

The Intro to Rolling is a pool-based session focusing on the concepts and mechanics of the whitewater kayak roll. This course includes three pool sessions over three weeks.

Rolling in the River

The Rolling in the River program is an evening session for those wanting to dial in their flat water roll in a moving water environment. 

River Safety and Rescue

The Swiftwater Rescue Weekend is held over two full days (Saturday and Sunday). Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive the CKC River Safety and Rescue certification.

Kayak Touring Safety Skills 

The Kayak Touring Safety course is designed to teach rec/touring paddlers wet exits as well as basic solo and self-assisted deep water rescues. 

Quick Start Plus

The aim of this program is to introduce participants to the basics of recreational kayaking both a flatwater and slow-moving water environment. 

Introduction to Adventure Rec Kayaking

For those looking to build their confidence and abilities for a scenic river trip, the Intro to Adventure Rec Kayaking course is designed as an evening and full-day skills progression tying in flat water and river kayaking in crossover-style kayaks.

Mountain Lakes Explorer

This course offers an exciting opportunity to explore the stunning mountain lakes of Kananaskis Provincial Park and Banff National Park while improving your kayaking skills. Participants will learn essential paddling techniques, including kayak rescues for those interested in enhancing their safety knowledge. 

Introduction to Whitewater Kayaking

The Intro to River Kayaking Weekend is held over two full days (Saturday and Sunday), tying flatwater and river kayaking into the progression. 

Introduction to Whitewater Evenings

The Intro to Whitewater Evenings course is held over 4 evenings and 1 full day, the course will take paddlers through a logical progression that maximizes skill development, confidence and enjoyment of this sport we are so passionate about.

River Kayaking: The Next Step

At this stage we are looking to have paddlers very self-directed in performing skills in Class II whitewater and introducing basic maneuvers in straightforward Class II+/III rapids. A key component of the course is leadership and safety training.

Harvie Passage Intermediate Skills Day

This Intermediate Skills course is an introduction to the left side of Harvie Passage.

Beyond The Next Step Evenings

After completing this course participants can expect to have a good vision of how skills learned up to this point can maximize efficiency when paddling more challenging whitewater. 

Kananaskis Intermediate Skills Day

The aim of this program is to start moving paddlers into self-directed Class III whitewater.  We start to work on a lot more combination moves to ensure smooth, efficient paddling and introduce some more complex safety/rescue situations.

Introduction to Creek Boating

The aim of this program is to introduce participants to the 'big picture' of creek boating. It is a super intensive course with very long days on the water full of drills, coaching and running rapids. 

Big Water Clinic - Kicking Horse River

The aim of this program is to introduce paddlers to the nuances and differences of big water paddling vs smaller rivers. In this course, the instructors will put participants through their paces on bigger pushier features with a strong focus on technical skill development and safety in this style of whitewater. 

5-Day Whitewater Kayaking Course

The AQ Outdoors Calgary 5-Day Whitewater Instruction-only program is a technical skills-focused progression for intermediate whitewater kayakers. After completing this course participants can expect to have improved on the skills they wanted to work on and, to have been introduced to and practiced many others. 

All About the Base

This is a very technical breakdown of the paddling skills required to be a confident and controlled Class III/IV paddler. After completing this course participants can expect to have a much better understanding of how to paddle with power, efficiency, and control in whitewater that is challenging to them. 

BC 5-Day Whitewater Course

Whitewater kayaking in British Columbia offers some of the most thrilling and scenic river experiences, with a variety of rapids set against stunning landscapes. Throughout the course, our instructors will polish current skills and introduce new ones, under the framework of fun and safety with the ultimate goal of improving participants' whitewater paddling ability. 

5 Day Technical Skills Progression

The aim of this program is to reinforce the importance of the often overlooked core paddling skills that are introduced and honed on flatwater. This program involves learning how we use the river to give ourselves more time to perform challenging moves, in turn allowing us to progress with control.

5-Day Freestyle and Halfslice Course

The course focuses on refining half-slice skills and introducing playboating/freestyle techniques. Led by expert instructors, the program combines fun, safety, and skill development to enhance paddling ability, boost technical performance, and explore new rivers. 

5 Day Women's Whitewater Retreat

The aim of this program is to immerse participants in whitewater kayak instruction for 5 days on amazing rivers in Alberta. This retreat is designed for women who want to build confidence, improve paddling skills, and connect with a supportive community in a stunning outdoor setting. 

Kootenay Raft Supported Kayak Trip

This Kootenay River trip is great for intermediate paddlers who are looking to explore some great multi-day, remote paddling whilst improving skills and comfort in your boat. This trip will allow you to become more comfortable in your boat and refine your skills on a river that is full of spectacular scenery, fun splashy whitewater, incredible teaching spots and world-class camping and fishing. 

Highwood River Paddling Retreat

The AQ Outdoors Calgary Highwood River Paddling Retreat is a week of paddling, relaxing and connecting with nature. Participants get to stay 4 nights at the beautiful River Retreat Kananaskis an adults-only boutique property located directly on the Highwood River. Before paddling enjoy a traditional breakfast made with locally sourced ingredients.

Beyond the Intro

The aim of this program is to reinforce and practise the skills learned on the Intro to Whitewater Kayaking Course and to elaborate on them as participants gain confidence in the basic skills.  

Beyond the Intro Evenings

The aim of this program is to reinforce and practice the skills learned on the Intro to Whitewater Kayaking Course and to elaborate on them as participants gain confidence in the basic skills.

Intro to the Kayak Roll

The Intro to Rolling is a pool-based session focusing on the concepts and mechanics of the whitewater kayak roll. This course includes three pool sessions over three weeks.

Rolling in the River

The Rolling in the River program is an evening session for those wanting to dial in their flat water roll in a moving water environment.