Paddling Certifications
&
Experiences

developing safe, competent, and knowledgeable recreational paddlers

What Makes Us Special

Local Expert Guides

ORCKA certified instructors that focus on safety, inclusion, paddling and FUN!

Handpicked Adventures

Courses tailored to the group to match special accommodations

Earn tools to Explore

Develope the skills you need to paddle on your own with confidence.

What We Offer

ORCKA Basic Paddling

Level 1

Launching and Removing; Entering and Exiting; Pivots; Sideward Displacement; Forward Straight Line and Stop; Landing; Lifts and Carries

Level 2

Turns; Circles; Landings; Reverse Straight Line

Level 3

Introduction to the 5 Core Flatwater Skills: Pivots, Landings, Circles, Sideward Displacement, Forward and Reverse Straight Line plus Stopping

Level 4

Intro to Solo Paddling

Voyageur Canoeing

Book Michipechu for an hour or more

Paddle with up to 8 friends

Learn Voyageur stories and traditional paddling songs, and skills as we tour Peterborough and the Lift Locks

An excellent team-building exercise for co-workers, families, wedding parties, tourists, or any group

Voyageur Courses are available

Level 1: Learn the Milieu position

Level 2 Learn Avant and Gouvernail skills

Level 3: Become a Trip Leader

Canoe Tripping 3 with Moving Water 1a and/or Canadian Style Paddling 1a

Canoeing; Portaging; Lining

Food and Menu Planning

Navigation

Knots, Lashings, Ropes

Risk Management and Emergency Response

Progression:

Level 1: Introduction

Level 2: Intermediate

Level 3: Advanced

Moving Water 1a (tandem) includes: River Morphology, Carving, Eddy turns, S-turns, Ferrying, and more. It is a prerequisite for CT3.

Canadian Style Paddling 1a (tandem) includes: Canoe dance, Triangular course in the wind, Canoeing dynamics and more. It is a prerequisite for CT3.

ORCKA Kayaking

Level A

Wet Exit; Peer Rescue; Entering & Exiting; Forward & Reverse Paddling; Stopping; Pivoting; Turning; Lifts and Carries; and more.

Level B
Capsize the Kayak; Assisted Roll Rescue; Sideward Paddling; Edging; Bracing; Securing; Equipment Knowledge; Kayaking History; Landing, Exiting & Removing the Kayak; Communications; Risk Management; Access; Planning; and much more

Upcoming Courses

Flat Water Kayaking Levels A & B

Date: May 23 & 24, 2026, Time: 9 am-4 pm

bring a life jacket/pfd and your friends
Cost: $300 + $150 for kayak and equipment rental
Location: Boat-launch at Beavermead Park, 2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough, K9L 1P8

Canoe Tripping 2 &

3

This course is combined to teach canoe tripping and white water skills. Meet me on the Spanish River, or design your own trip.

Date: July 4-10, 2026

Fee: $1,200
Location: Lower Madawaska River
7-day course

Basic Canoe Instructor Program

Date: June 27- July 1, '26

Place: Beavermead Campground, 2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough, K9L 1P8.

Cost: $500 plus rental fees

This 5-day course will include a CSP 1 (A&B) course.

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Basic Paddling 1-4

May 16-17, 2026

Fee: $220/day
Location: 3599 Nassau Mills Road, Peterborough, ON K9J 6Y1
On Saturday we will run levels 1-3. On Sunday we will run level 4. Each day we will paddle from 9 am to 5 pm with a 30 minute lunch break.
Discount: Save $40 when signing up for both days!