Training
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 questions about the club or kayak locations.
Orientation is required for all new members only once, as long as members continue to return each season. Orientation sessions last approximately 3 hours and the cost is included in a new membership. Many have noted that the training alone is worth the price of club membership.
Although orientation is tailored to anybody new to kayaking, many experienced kayakers have told us that they learned something new from this very informative session.
Sessions are scheduled at least once a week starting mid-April and run through mid September. The club opens in early May and runs through the end of October. If you complete training after Labor Day, your membership includes the next season.
Sessions are typically scheduled on weekdays in the evening and Saturdays during the day based on demand and instructor availability. Training locations are limited, but alternate to help new members without cars.
Just let us know if you find that the training session times or locations do not work for you.

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
- There are no upcoming events.
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.
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.