Course C3: Wilderness Kayak Instruction Weekend
Lake Superior, 3 days

This course is designed for kayak owners with previous experience and training. Includes night navigation, high bracing, Eskimo rolling, and surf landings in the wilderness setting of Lake Superior Provincial Park.

While paddling to our wilderness campsite, you will learn new skills along the way. The course offers training equivalent of Level 3 (BCU or Paddling Canada)

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Itinerary

Itinerary

You should plan to arrive at the Voyageurs' Lodge (705-882-2504), 60 km north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, or Pancake Bay Provincial Park the evening prior to the tour. We will meet at the Voyageurs' Lodge at 9:00 a.m. on the first morning. From there we will transport you by van to Gargantua Harbour (two hours) where we pack the kayaks and paddle to Warp Bay or Indian Harbour for two-nights, and three-day campout. Training will take place within this wilderness setting.

Note: you need to bring personal gear/clothing, tenting equipment, meals; (see equipment list below).

This course is for kayak owners with previous experience and training (approximately one hundred hours of paddling).

The course objective is to polish skills, such as paddling strokes, braces, sweeps and rescue skills (both solo and group). In addition you will be instructed in surf landings, eskimo rolling, and night navigation. All will take place in a wilderness setting, where you will learn about kayak equipment required for various conditions.

Day 1

EQUIPMENT YOU SUPPLY FOR WILDERNESS CAMPING TRIPS

Clothing: It may appear from the following list that you will be preparing for an arctic adventure! However, these clothes should keep you comfortable under poor weather conditions. Minimum of: warm jacket (i.e., for fall conditions) or windbreaker with pile/fleece (e.g. Polartec) liner or wool sweater, two long-sleeved shirts, two t-shirts (one of each for day-trips), two pairs of warm wool or synthetic socks, one pair of pants, shorts, swim suit, undergarments, rain suit, small towel.

Paddling gear: Cap, sun glasses, paddling jacket (synthetic windbreaker or rain-suit preferably with elasticized cuffs), short pants of synthetic material, neoprene booties or water sandals (e.g. Tevas) or running shoes, synthetic long underwear (top and bottom), plastic water bottle, head strap for glasses. Wet or dry-suit where water temperature falls below 55 F. Optional: Hand-held sighting compass

Note: Paddling clothes should be synthetic, or with minimal cotton.

Personal Gear: Sleeping bag, sunscreen, chap stick, bug dope, toilet paper, matches or lighter, small flashlight or headlamp, toothpaste, soap, etc. water bottle

Camping Gear:  tent, sleeping pad, cookery, cookstove, sleeping bag.

Meals: cookstoves, cookery, all meals

Kayak and Accessories: fully equipped sea kayaks, including: sponge, paddle and spare, boat pump, whistle, spray skirt, poggies or neoprene gloves, personal flotation device (lifejacket)

Other:  Clothing and food will be stowed in sealed bulkhead compartments, but you must also store clothes in waterproof bags. Many small bags are better than a few large bags. A package of freezer grade, large ziplok bags (10.5 in x 11 in) are excellent for most clothing (bring an extra package in case some rip. We provide two large dry bags for your sleeping bag and bulky clothing, and smaller dry bags as required.

EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES SUPPLIED BY CARIBOU EXPEDITIONS

Outfitting If you require outfitting, we can supply kayaks, wet suits, and camping equipment (at 40% off the full daily rate).

Meals: NOT PROVIDED. However, particularly for those who arrive by air, we can purchase and pre-package your meals for you. Just sent us your food list and we will purchase and have it ready for you.

Safety Equipment: First aid kit, marine radio, satellite or cell phone, compass, tow lines, 19 ft. shelter tarp., water filter

Instruction: Packing the kayak, advanced paddle strokes, rescues

Experienced Guide:
One guide per six clients. Your guides are experienced sea kayakers with training from the B.C.U. (British Canoe Union), C.P.R. and Wilderness First Aid. As well, your guides are experienced outdoors people who will help identify and interpret the flora, fauna and geology around you.

Transportation, Permits: return transport from Voyageuers Lodge to put-in, back-country permits, and all camping fees