Exemptions from Some Skills or Instructor Course Prerequisites

The instructor or instructor trainer may conduct prerequisite assessments as follows:

• In all cases, the instructor is responsible for the safe and effective conduct of a course and may require all participants to fully meet all prerequisite certifications and any additional requirements deemed necessary prior to enrolling in a course.
• Where prerequisites for skill courses call for certification or equivalent skill and knowledge, an assessment of those necessary equivalent prerequisite skills and knowledge may be conducted at the discretion of the instructor. No certification is issued for this assessment.

External Certification as Exemption from Some Course Prerequisites

Paddle Canada recognizes that there are other organizations around the world offering high quality canoe training. It is possible that candidates with prior learning can be exempted from some course prerequisites at the direction of the course director.

Please note that we do not allow for direct transfer of certification as Paddle Canada certifications must be earned through successful completion of the appropriate Paddle Canada course.

Discipline Specific Policies

Canoeing Programs

The highest entry level into the Paddle Canada Instructor Trainer program for canoeing is the Introduction Level.

Camping Program

The highest entry level into the Paddle Canada camping skills program is Wilderness Camping.

The highest entry level into the Paddle Canada camping instructor program is Wilderness Camping Instructor.

The highest entry level into the Paddle Canada Camping Instructor Trainer program is Wilderness Camping Instructor Trainer.

Sea Kayak Program

Where prerequisites for skill courses call for Basic, Level-1 or Level-2 certification or equivalent skill and knowledge, an assessment of those necessary equivalent prerequisite skills and knowledge may be conducted at the discretion of the instructor. No certification is issued for this assessment.

The highest entry level into the Paddle Canada skills program is Level-3 Skills. Level-3 must be completed before progressing to Level-4 Skills.

The highest entry level into the Paddle Canada instructor program is Level-2 Instructor; Level-2 Instructor course or mentorship must be completed before progressing to Level-3 Instructor.

The highest entry level into the Paddle Canada Instructor Trainer program is Level-1 Instructor Trainer. Level-1 Instructor Trainer must be completed by mentorship before progressing to Level-2 Instructor Trainer mentorship.

Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC Exemption from Paddle Canada Course Prerequisites

In conjunction with the SKGABC, Paddle Canada is very proud to announce a plan where those with current SKGABC certifications can gain advanced standing for Paddle Canada courses by using SKGABC certification and subsequent kayaking experience in place of some prerequisites.

In British Columbia there are several organizations that offer kayak training for professionals in the outdoors. While the guiding program offered by the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC is fundamentally different, it complements Paddle Canada’s program quite well.

The diagram below illustrates which SKGABC certifications can be used as prerequisites for Paddle Canada courses. For example, a candidate who is an Assistant Overnight Guide (AOG) should have the experience and sea kayaking skills to register for a Level-2 skills course. If the candidate decided to pursue instructor certification they would also have the necessary prerequisites to register for a Basic Instructor course without first being required to get their Level-1 skills.

Any certification achieved through these exceptions must be gained through successful completion of a course.

If you are a SKGABC member and interested in pursuing Paddle Canada certification, please contact the course director for the course you are interested in or the Paddle Canada head office. You can also review all individual sea kayak program syllabuses, including all prerequisites.

British Canoeing Exemption from Paddle Canada Course Prerequisites

Like the SKGABC exemption program, the following British Canoeing (formally British Canoe Union or BCU) certifications are similar to Paddle Canada levels and can be accepted as prerequisites.

• Paddle Canada Basic Kayak Skills > British Canoeing 1 Star Award
• Paddle Canada Level-1 Skills > British Canoeing 2 Star Award
• Paddle Canada Level-2 Skills > British Canoeing 3 Star Sea Award