Oceanplay Instructional Series

The Kayak Centre's Oceanplay Instructional Series is designed to help you get the most out of your paddling experiences. Whether you are looking to learn the basics, or how to rescue in surf, our Oceanplay series will equip you with the skills needed.

Taught by experienced American Canoe Association (ACA) and British Canoe Union (BCU) instructors, our courses lay the proper foundations necessary to experience kayaking to the fullest, and allow for individual learning and progression at each level.

Our Oceanplay Series began in 1995 and continues to be our most popular programs. The learning experience is unsurpassed and the instructor student ratio is no more than 1:5, providing a personalized learning experience.

All Oceanplay courses include:

• Equipment
• Instruction
• Lunch

The cost is $135 per person.

Classes begin at our Wickford waterfront promptly at 9am and conclude around 4:30pm.

The Kayak Centre offers a $25 discount on any Oceanplay course with a kayak purchase from the Centre and an additional $10 discount if the participant brings their own equipment (equipment should include appropriate kayak, PFD, paddle and sprayskirt). Please note that all clinics and tours are subject to minimum participation requirements. Participants should be at least 15 years of age.

 

Oceanplay 1
Essential Kayak Skills

The journey begins here! This is our full-day gateway course to the sport of sea kayaking. Oceanplay 1 introduces essential sea kayaking skills and safety to the beginning paddler. The first half of the day will be spent on learning and refining essential paddling strokes and the wet exit.

Following lunch, we'll embark on a short paddle to practice newly acquired skills and learn group and self rescues as well as bracing. Other topics covered include the proper way to empty a boat, launching, pre-paddle checklist and boat nomenclature. The course is taught in calm, protected water and by day's end you'll feel ready to head out on your own excursion!

 

Oceanplay 1 Women
Essential Kayak Skills-Taught by Women for Women

If you're anxious to get into kayaking or want to brush up on your skills in a supportive environment with other women paddlers, here's your chance! Our full-day gateway course to the sport of kayaking introduces essential skills and safety for a day out on the water geared to a women's perspective.

Oceanplay 1 Women covers the same skills as our regular Oceanplay 1 course but is for women only! The course is taught in calm, protected water and by day's end you'll feel ready to head out on your own excursion.

 

Oceanplay 2
On-Water Skills

Building on the fundamental skills learned in Oceanplay 1, Oceanplay 2 focuses on more advanced strokes and a variety of rescue techniques including T rescues, paddle float and unassisted rescues performed in moderate conditions. This course will get you ready for more advanced paddling techniques like rolling or advanced paddling conditions.

Discussion of wind, weather, waves as well as safety concerns, hypothermia and basic first aid are also touched upon. Basic stroke technique is refined and we introduce finesse and combination strokes including edging, sculling, and hanging draw are performed.

Athletic beginners or those with some prior kayak instruction are welcome to join even if you have not taken Oceanplay 1 with us.

Ability to wet exit with a sprayskirt or Oceanplay 1 is a prerequisite for the course.

Oceanplay 3
Crossings, Rescues & Wind

Oceanplay 3 introduces more advanced boat handling skills in moderate conditions with wind and current. This full day course is a must for any paddler looking to become competent in on water navigation including using nautical charts as well as performing rescues in conditions.

Oceanplay 3 builds upon stroke technique to maneuver through rocky shorelines and includes an open water crossing. High braces and towing techniques are also covered.

Oceanplay 1 and 2 or equivalent experience is a prerequisite for this course, along with discretion of the instructor. This course can be paired with Oceanplay 2 for those looking to get their learning on the fast track in a weekend.

 

Oceanplay 4

Ocean Surfing

Are you looking to expand your kayak surfing skills into moving water? This is the ideal course for you. 

This course introduces you to safely paddling in the surf zone. Leaving the protected waters behind, we'll cover surf landings, wave formation and breaking surf as well as surf zone etiquette and safety in this full day course. Using mid or full size sea kayaks, we'll show you the thrill of catching a sweet one and riding it in! 

A confident wet exit and Oceanplay 1 or 2 is a prerequisite for this course

Oceanplay 5

Play, Rocks & Surf

This course is designed for paddlers with open water experience who are looking to expand on those skills even further. Oceanplay 5 exposes you to tidal areas and rocky shorelines - a great venue for practicing advanced boat handling techniques in rough water.

Topics include ferrying across current, landing in rocky shorelines, breaking in and out of eddies and paddling along rock gardens. Group communication skills, towing, rough water rescues and other safety exercises are integral components of this course.

Oceanplay 1, 2 and 3 or equivalent experience are prerequisites for the course along with discretion of the instructor.

Picture This - Video Clinic

This class will allow the intermediate paddler the opportunity to practice strokes under various circumstances and master maneuvering their boats while receiving individualized feedback of their technique using video.

The class will start with a brief review of edging and boat control.  Strokes to be covered and video taped may include the forward stroke, 360 turn, reverse stroke, advanced stern rudder, low brace turn, bow rudder, hanging draws, low brace and high brace.  An obstacle course of buoys is a great way to practice and refine these strokes.  After practice students will be filmed individually doing all of these stroke in succession, followed by a classroom session with time for review and individualized feedback. 

 

Oceanplay for Kids

A kayaking course for kids 9-14 years of age that emphasizes fundamental kayak skills, safety and FUN! Using smaller kayaks and paddling gear appropriate for young people, this full-day clinic uses games and water-play activities to engage and expand the skills of young paddlers.

Includes: Equipment, Instruction and Lunch
Time: 10am - 4pm
Cost:  $90