Difficulty Ratings
Our Adventure Paddling trips are rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult. This is our own rating system that is similar to the ACA or BCU systems of awards, but does not follow these schemes exactly. We do recommend specific ACA and BCU trainings, or an equivalent level of skill, in order to guide you into the right trip. During the trip, we will offer training at the designated level of paddling difficulty. When reading the trip level descriptions, please keep in mind that you will be paddling with some of the finest coaches around, who are with you on these trips to ensure your safety and that the conditions are appropriate for you to be paddling in.
Level 1 (Novice)
Paddling on calm, flat water in winds not exceeding 5 knots. Scenic estuaries, calm bays, flat water rivers and other protected waterways are the destinations for these trips. Paddlers should be comfortable paddling forward at a 2 knot pace, using forward and reverse sweeps to turn the boat, launching and landing on shallow grade beaches, and swimming next to a boat upon capsize. We recommend taking our “Intro to Kayak” course or an equivalent level of training/paddling skill to feel comfortable paddling on these trips.
Level 2 (Beginner)
Paddling on water ranging from flat to waves 1 foot or less, and winds not exceeding 10 knots. Along shore paddling and small crossings (2.5nm or less) are typical for this type of trip, but crossings and shoreline exposed to waves and winds higher than 2 feet and 10 knots, respectively, are out of the normal parameters of the trip. Paddlers should be comfortable paddling at a 2 knot pace in calm conditions, rotating their boats 360 degrees with sweep strokes, performing a wet exit, and re-entering their boat with assistance. Paddlers should also have the beginnings, but not mastery, of strokes such as the low recovery, controlled reverse paddling, and drawing. We recommend taking either of our ACA L2 training or BCU 2 Star training courses or an equivalent level of training/paddling skill to feel comfortable paddling on these trips.
Level 3 (Adv. Beginner to Low Intermediate)
Paddling in seas to 3 feet and winds to 15 knots. Paddling along semi-exposed coastline, crossings up to 5 nautical miles, and in tidal areas are what makes these trips fun for paddlers starting to develop intermediate paddling skills. While these trips include rough water paddling, they are not advanced conditions trips. Paddlers should be comfortable paddling at a 3 knot pace in moderate conditions, have solid boat handling skills on flat water, be able recover from capsize using a hip snap and brace, reverse paddling, drawing, performing a Eskimo rescue, t-rescue and self rescue on flat water. Paddlers should also have the beginnings of the following skills, which we will work on during the trip: using a tow rig, a roll, bow rudder turn, low brace turn, draw on the move, hanging draw, and the stern rudder as well as some experience paddling in small waves. We recommend taking either of our ACA L3 or BCU 3 Star training courses or an equivalent level of training or paddling skill to feel comfortable paddling on these trips. Also recommended is our Beginner Sea Kayak Surfing workshop or some experience paddling in small waves (seas to 2 feet).
Level 4 (Intermediate)
Paddling in seas to 5 feet and winds to 20 knots. Paddling along exposed coastlines with crossings up to 8 nautical miles, tidal currents to 3 knots, navigating by chart and compass, and starting to learn good judgment and leadership while at sea are all part of our level 4 trips. Paddlers should be comfortable paddling at a 3-4 knot pace in moderate conditions, have the beginnings of good boat handling skills in rough water, using a tow rig, be able to roll, prevent capsize with a brace/hip snap, perform paddle, bow and stern presentation Eskimo Rescues, and have good awareness of other boaters in surf. During the trip, coaches will work with paddlers on rough water boat handling skills, navigation, and sea kayak leadership. We recommend taking either of our ACA L4 or BCU 4 Star training courses or having an equivalent level of training or paddling skill to feel comfortable paddling on these trips. We also recommend our Advanced Sea Kayak Surfing Workshop or experience paddling in moderate conditions (seas 3-5 feet and winds to 15 knots).
Level 5 (Advanced)
Paddling in seas to 8 feet, winds to 25 knots and training for leading intermediate paddlers in advanced conditions. Paddling along exposed coastline, tidal races, overfalls, and making crossings to 10nm for training in personal skills. For leadership skills, we’ll be looking at navigation, rough water rescue, route finding and making decisions while out at sea. Paddlers must have their BCU 4 Star award or ACA Open Water Instructor Certification, and we recommend having a 5 star training under their belt before enrolling in one of these trips.
Symbols (+/-)
Similar to the whitewater rating system, these symbols are used to describe a level of ease or difficulty within a rating. For example, a trip that receives a 3+ rating would mean that this trip is a Level 3 trip, but that conditions that we expect to incur are at the top of that level. Conversely, a “-” attached to a rating would mean that it is at the “easy” end of the spectrum within that rating. Please call with any questions regarding our trip levels.
