Coastal Maine Kayak provides high quality instruction by Registered Maine Guides.  Our instructors have years of experience teaching kayak instruction at all levels.  We feature Rescue Clinics, Navigation Workshops, Maine Guide class, Rolling Clinic, and Private Instruction.  So join us for a fun, safe learning experience. 

All classes meet at the kayak shop.  Click here for Directions and a list of What to Bring.  Contact Coastal Maine Kayak to reserve your spot in the next class.

Jump to Class: Select Class Rescue Clinics Navigation Workshops Maine Guide Class Rolling Clinic Private Instruction

Rescue Clinics

Be prepared to help yourself and fellow paddlers!  Learn basic safety and rescue techniques in this ½ day class.  Attendees will learn:

• wet exists and Capsize recovery
• Basic rescue techniques
• Self-rescues with paddle floats and slings
• Re-entry and roll
• Assisted rescues, including T-rescue, X-rescue, and two kayak rescues
• Towing another kayak
• Safety equipment & preparedness

Join us at near-by Cape Porpoise for a fun-filled, learning experience.  Bring your own kayak, or use one of our boats.  Expect to get wet!

3 Hour Course
Fee:  $99.00

Navigation Workshops

Learn navigation skills in a relaxed environment.  We will spend time in a classroom setting, then head to the water to practice what we have learned.  Class includes:

• Chart and compass
• Navigational aids
• Finding and keeping track of position
• Plotting courses
• Weather, conditions, tides, drift
• Trip planning
• Navigating at night, in traffic and in fog

Fee: $99.00

Maine Sea Kayak Guide Preparatory Course

Being a Registered Maine Guide is one of the most respected licensures that one can have. A Sea-Kayaking Maine Guides License allows you to lead tidewater sea-kayaking day and overnight trips in the State of Maine.

Learn about Navigation, Lost Sea-Kayaker, Watercraft Laws, Trip Planning, Safety, Risk Management, Camping, Rules and Regulations, and much more.  This course provides the required tools to take the State of Maine administered written test and oral boards, but does not guarantee passing. Testing and State of Maine license fee not included in course tuition.

40 Hour Course, with two on-water days
Fee: $399.00 per person

Rolling Clinic

Nailing a kayak roll helps the paddler gain confidence in their skills, as well as serving as an important self-rescue technique.  Learn from a Registered Maine Guide the body, paddle, and boat position necessary to achieve a roll.  Practice in a protected setting until you are ready for more advanced conditions.

Optional gear:  Mask, nose plugs, paddle float, wetsuit

4  -  2 1/2 hour sessions
Fee: $99.00

Private Instruction

We offer instruction for individuals or groups.  Lessons are provided by a Registered Maine Guide.  Learn the foundation of skills needed for safety and enjoyable recreational pursuits.  Begin a lifetime of kayaking, or join us to polish your skills. 
Private instruction allows you the opportunity to focus on the skills you need help with.  Lessons can be integrated into private tours, to include bird watching or island visits, full or half-day.  Families and groups welcome!

All classes include:

• Paddling safely and use of equipment
• Basic paddle strokes needed to efficiently move a kayak through the water. 
• Launching and landing the kayak
• Introduction to how body, boat and blade all work together
• Basic body mechanics and efficiency of stroke
• Forward and reverse paddling
• Sweep strokes
• Draw strokes
• Turning strokes

We encourage students to practice a deep water wet exit and an assisted re-entry.
Intermediate and advanced classes include:

• Stroke Work – technique and maneuvers for efficiency
• Turning on the move
• Edging while turning
• Advanced maneuvers
• Capsize Recovery
• Deep water assisted re-entries

Fee:  $99.00

Contact Coastal Maine Kayak to schedule your private instruction.