- 30 May to 31 May, 2026 - 1000 Islands National Park, 2 days
- 22 August to 23 August, 2026 - 1000 Islands National Park, 2 days
Duration: 2 Days (0900 – 1700 hrs daily)
Overview: It’s time to take your navigational theory off the page and onto the water. Over two full days of hands-on, on-water training, you will apply your foundational skills in the dynamic and spectacular environment of the 1000 Islands National Park. We will meet each day at 0900 (9am), spend a bit of on land time, planning our route, and prepare our boats and gear. We will do lunch on one of the amazing islands (lunch included in cost) and carry on after lunch returning to our put in around 1700 (5pm)
Key Topics:
- Practical Pilotage: Learn to accurately identify islands and intricate shoreline features from the low-profile vantage point of a paddle craft.
- Compass Proficiency: Get hands-on practice with both handheld and deck-mounted compasses to confidently take, follow, and travel on precise bearings.
- Dynamic Sighting: Practice taking on-water bearings using local islands and landmarks to confirm your position while on the move.
- Reading the Water: Identify and interpret real-world on-water navigational aids, including buoys and channel markers.
- Heading Management: Plot and maintain accurate headings while actively managing light, local boat traffic.
- Strategic Route Selection: Find safe, shallow-draft passages that keep you well clear of the deep-water commercial shipping channels.
- Cockpit Navigation: Track your real-time progress efficiently using a deck compass and a deck-mounted chart case.
- Triangulation: Combine visual landmarks, marine charts, and intersecting bearings to pinpoint your exact location on the water.
What’s Included:
- Navigation 101 Classroom Course (Ottawa & Toronto): Selection of location during registration. Ottawa – 11 & 18 Apr 2026 and Toronto – 02 & 03 May 2026
- Nautical Charts & Navigation Tools: Includes all necessary course materials such as Chart 1, rolling & parallel rulers, compass/dividers, and square protractors.
- All Necessary Equipment: Paddlecraft (Canoe, Kayak, 6 person-canoe) and all required safety equipment are provided.
- Compasses & Deck Compasses
- Lunch: We can accommodate most dietary allergies with advance notice.
Prerequisite:
Navigation 101 Classroom theory or equivalent
Minimum Introduction or Basic paddlings skills course (canoe, kayak or SUP) or equivalent
Information about the Thousand Islands region
The 1000 Islands region is an integral part of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, a member of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. As well, the 1000 Islands National Park consists of about 120 of the islands where research is done on the local environment so we can preserve this local treasure. They have also made several of these islands available to the public so that campers can enjoy the experience of the islands