Training

Get paddle ready with our mandatory new member orientation.

New Member Orientation & Training

All new Canton Kayak Club members attend an orientation training session taught by an American Canoe Association-certified instructor from KayakingMadeEZ prior to being granted access to use our kayaks and equipment. This allows for new members to fully understand our safety expectations and club rules, as well as ask any remaining questions.

Orientation sessions last approximately 3 hours and the cost is included in the membership fee. Orientation is required for all new members only once, as long as members continue to return each season. Sessions are typically scheduled on weekday evenings and Saturdays during the day depending upon demand and instructor availability. Orientation sessions usually begin about three weeks before the season formally opens (around May 1st), and continue throughout the season as needed.

Although orientation is tailored to anybody new to kayaking, many experienced kayakers learn something new from this very informative session. Many have noted that this training alone is worth the price of club membership.

Members learn the basic skills needed to get out on the water, including:

Kayak design and equipment terminology

Moving the kayaks from rack to launch site.​

Basic fitting and adjustment
of life jackets and kayaks​

Entry and exit techniques
launching kayaks from a beach/dock.​

Basic paddle strokes and kayak maneuvers​

Safety considerations and club rules​

Kayak design and equipment terminology

Moving the kayaks from rack to launch site.​

Basic fitting and adjustment
of life jackets and kayaks​

Entry and exit techniques
launching kayaks from a beach/dock.​

Basic paddle strokes and kayak maneuvers​

Safety considerations and club rules​

Attire

Members should come dressed ready to kayak, as they will practice launching and paddling. Classes are rain or shine. Advanced techniques, such as kayak rolls and rescue training are NOT part of the new member orientation.

Scheduling & Attendance

Due to the need to keep the student/instructor ratio at the proper level, there are a limited number of spaces available in each class. Each new member must be registered in advance for their session, “walk-ups” cannot be accepted and will be turned away. Failure to register will cause delays in gaining access to kayaks.

New members are contacted to schedule their orientation training. Sessions cannot be scheduled prior to paying the membership fee and sending a completed application and signed waiver. Those who join during the off-season will be contacted when we begin scheduling for the season and those who join after training has started will be contacted as soon as possible.

Completion

After training is successfully completed, new members receive a membership card and a welcome email with the access codes for our kayaks and equipment, and may begin enjoying time on the water! (Members who complete training before the season formally opens will be given the access codes when the club opening date is announced.)

Our goal is to get each new member into the earliest available class that fits their personal schedule to maximize the time available to paddle-ready members.

Register for Training

Full calendar of events coming soon!

FAQs

All members are required to complete orientation training provided by an ACA L3 certified instructor to demonstrate an understanding of club rules and safety procedures.

Many experienced kayakers have told us that they learned something new in the session and enjoyed the refresher.

This session is usually your first opportunity to get to know other CKC members and get to know the club.

New members are sent access codes within 24 hours of completing their orientation training, along with an invite to Slack.

Rescue Training (Optional)

Canton Kayak Club works with KayakingMadeEZ to provide several rescue training classes each season during the warmest months of July and August, and are generally held at our Island View location. For an additional fee, these classes are available to members who have completed the orientation.

In this class, members learn and practice new skills such as:

  • Wet exit (exiting from an overturned kayak)
  • Partner Rescue
  • Self-Rescue
  • Emptying a kayak when it takes on water.

This course greatly increases a paddler’s confidence on the water, and we highly recommend it. Sessions are announced as the classes are scheduled throughout the season.

Completion of rescue training allows members to apply to become Dock Captains or Paddle Leaders.

Become a member to access our kayaks at 9 locations, enjoy the water and make new friends.

Sign up now so you can get on the water right away when the season starts in May.
Give the gift of the great outdoors. Whether it’s for a birthday or just because, a CKC membership will bring a smile to any face.