The Navigator’s Path: Paddle Craft Navigation
This comprehensive training program is designed to take canoeists and kayakers from basic chart literacy to advanced expedition planning in complex archipelago environments. This multi-part program includes classroom theory sessions and practical paddling days in various locations, making it a great way to learn, build, or practice navigational skills.
The Path: Core Curriculum
Part 1: Nautical Navigation (101) (Ottawa & Toronto Locations)
2-Day Classroom (16 hours)
- Focus: This course is designed to provide paddlers and sailors with essential skills and knowledge for safe and confident navigation. Whether you’re preparing for coastal expeditions or looking to improve your kayaking or sailing skills, this course covers the basics of nautical navigation.
Part 2: Navigation 102: Putting Theory to Practice
2-Days Training in Thousand Islands National Park
- Focus: 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).
Part 3: Electronic Navigation (Optional) (103)
1-day workshop (6 hours)
If interested please email – activity@nanookexpeditions.com
- Focus: An introduction to modern electronic navigation aids including GPS, smartphone apps, and Garmin inReach. We cover practical use cases, system limitations, and the differences between devices.
Part 4: Intermediate Nautical Theory (201)
1-Day In-Class / Indoor session (8 hours)
- Focus: Building heavily on Parts 1 and 2, we dive deeper into route planning in more dynamic environments. Topics include managing tides and currents, night and low-visibility navigation, and handling high-traffic areas safely.
Part 5: Intermediate Navigation Expedition – Georgian Bay (202)
4-Day Practical (30,000 Islands Georgian Bay)
- Focus: Practical navigation in a more complex, exposed archipelago environments.
Prerequisites & Certifications for Part 5:
- Requirement: Minimum Paddle Canada Skills certification (or equivalent) is required to participate.
- Certification: Paddle Canada Wilderness Camping Certification awarded upon completion (if all requirements are met).
Coming 2027 paddling Season:
Part 6: Start to Finish Navigators Plan – To be planned (301)
2-Days of planning sessions (Winter 2027)
4-10 day expedition. (Summer / fall 2027)
- The culmination of everything learned up to this point. Participants will put everything together to plan an expedition from start to finish—and then execute it..
- Course Details:
- The Planning: 2 days (online or in-person). We will determine the location, assign roles, set a budget, decide the duration, and build a comprehensive expedition plan.
- The Location: The group will select the final destination from a curated list based on the agreed-upon duration and budget.
- Prerequisites & Certifications for Part 6:
- Requirement: Minimum Paddle Canada Skills certification (or equivalent) is required to participate.
- Certification: Paddle Canada Leadership Camping Certification awarded upon completion (if all requirements are met).
- Course Details:
Map & Compass (Orienteering, land navigation, topographical maps)
Topographical Land Navigation (Map & Compass) Theory and Practical (501)
1-Day in Class, 1-day Practical in field (16 hours total)
- Focus: Designed to provide participants with essential skills and knowledge for using topographical (orienteering) maps and compasses. Whether you’re preparing for a simple day hike or a multi-day land expedition, this course blends in-class theory with practical field use to build absolute confidence in your land navigation.