[Will Cullen]

Hi Folks,

I am very much an ‘in-person’ learner and I see that Simply Sailing is, in April, offering a Basic Coastal Navigation Classroom Courses (for Certification Sail Canada Basic Coastal Navigation Standard).

I am wondering if this would be a good course to take as a kayaker..?

Thanks in advance.

Topic

[Nick Heath]

SKABC plans to offer our annual  Nav course that is specific to recreational kayakers –  but no date is set yet for 2026 – typically in the April – June period on a weekend. I agree with Katya and Mike that the aim and focus Coastal Nav for sailors /boaters is not an ideal fit for paddlers, altho’ there is considerable overlap with our curriculum.

[Will Cullen]

Thanks folks!

I reached out via the training email for dates (I looked for dates on the claendar but didn’t see any as of yet…I hope I didn’t just miss them!?!).

[Kevin Amos]

You can find info here about SKABC courses including Nav here.

About our Courses

You can find our Training Officers here if you have questions.

Club Officers, contact info and feedback form

[Yekaterina Yushmanova]

Hi Will,

I have taken that particular course for sailing purposes. It is a fairly intense course if you have not done any nav before and has a lot of information that is not applicable to kayaking. I took it after taking kayaking navigation, and with lots of currents and tides calculation experience and it still took a bit of work. You will spend a lot of time learning about hazards that are critical in sailing like shallow water, navigation aids, and adjusting for both variation and deviation (the latter is not applicable in kayaking). I would not recommend it as an intro to nav for kayaking. SKABC typically offers a Nav course and a Weather course in May, those would be the best start and the most practical. The courses are taught in the field in a hands on environment. Please reach out to our training officer to see when the courses will be posted.

Katya

[Mike Gilbert]

Hi Will.  I am sure it is a good course.  Have you checked if a Navigation clinic has been set up by SKABC?  As good as the sail boat course would be a navigation clinic specifically to the needs and uses as kayakers would be better.
if the is no such clinic set up within SKABC training yet I could certainly offer to put one on for the club and its members.
Mike Gilbert.

mgilbert@pacanticriskmanagement.com

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