Level 1 - Online Companion
This is the same online course every Kayak Ontario Level 1 student trains with. Not a summary of it, not a lighter version built for resale. You get the full Level 1 Master Course: the video skill library, the theory lessons, and the resources our own students use before, during, and after their weekend on the water.
Maybe you took Level 1 with us a few seasons ago. Maybe you certified somewhere else and want a structured way to keep the foundations sharp. Either way, this is a self-paced way to revisit why things work the way they do, and to bring more awareness to every stroke.
One course, kept current. Because this is our live Master Course, you get every update we make to it. A few lessons cover logistics for students enrolled in an in-person Kayak Ontario course, like what gear to bring on course day. If you're studying on your own, skim past those. Everything else is for you.
What's Inside
On-Water Skills
Video lessons covering the full Level 1 skill set: the forward stroke, reverse strokes and stopping, stationary turning strokes, turning under momentum, draw strokes, edging and bracing, towing, rudders, and re-entry skills.
Theory
Weather forecasting and reporting, reading charts, piloting, risk management, trip planning, Leave No Trace, and the history and heritage of the boats we paddle.
Gear
Which kayak to buy, the parts of a kayak and what they do, and how a dry suit should fit. Straight answers to the questions that cost paddlers the most money to get wrong.
Who It's For
Past Kayak Ontario students who took Level 1 before the 2026 season, paddlers who completed Level 1 elsewhere and want to keep learning, and anyone who wants a structured refresh before moving toward Level 2.
Good to know. This is a learning resource, not a certification course. Completing it doesn't award a Paddle Canada or ORCKA certification, and online study never replaces on-water assessment. If you're booked into a Kayak Ontario Level 1 course, this content is already included with your course, so there's no need to buy it separately.
Access and Format
Self-paced and fully online, with ongoing access and no expiry. Works on desktop, tablet, and mobile, and includes links to the Kayak Ontario manuals and reference resources.
Ready for what's next? When the foundations feel solid and you want coastal water, bigger conditions, and overnight skills, that's Level 2.