Basic course in sea angling (Paddler 1) is a great way to safely explore sea kayaking and start a new hobby. The course focuses on paddling techniques and paddling safety and will give you a good grounding in the basics of sea paddling, as well as the skills for independent expeditions and training.

The course will take place in a field trip setting in the Archipelago Sea National Park. So you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery and learn to be a seaman at the same time. No prior knowledge is required for the kayaking course.

The basic course in sea kayaking at the Canoeing Academy follows the content recommendations of the Finnish Canoeing and Rowing Federation (Meloja 1) and the Finnish Kayaking Association (Kayaker). The duration of the course is approximately 12 hours, most of which is spent on the water in the Saaristomeri National Park. We keep the group size small (max 8), ensuring that each participant receives quality instruction. After completing the basic course, the paddler will be able to paddle in normal conditions and participate in guided paddling trips and paddling exercises.

Course time: Wednesday and Thursday 10.-11.7, 11.00 - 17.00.
2 days, 12 hours in total.

Location: Korpoström Archipelago Centre, Korppoo (Korpoströmintie 832, 21720 KORPOSTRÖM).
See more detailed travel advice to Korppoos here

Course content:

Practical paddling skills
- Getting in and out of the kayak
- The basics of forward paddling (correctly adjusted kayak, sitting upright, grip on the water, body rotation)
- Tilting and supporting the kayak (lower support)
- Turning and steering a kayak (arc pull, paddle steering, basic undercarriage turning)
- Going sideways
- Stopping the kayak
- Backwards paddling
- Going in to the craft and leaving the craft

Safety skills
- Basics for safe navigation on water (personal awareness and attitude, route planning and weather conditions, map reading, other water traffic, rules of the sea)
- Falling over and swimming with a kayak to the beach
- Pair rescue (acting as both rescuer and swimmer)
- Equipment for sea kayaking
- Paddling as a group
- Basic kayaking first aid

See here for more detailed course content [pdf ]

Price: 140€ (incl. VAT)

The price includes: training, sea kayak, paddle, opening cover and paddling vest and course certificate. On completion of the course, you will receive a card to show that you have mastered the basic skills of kayaking (Kayaker / Paddler 1). This certificate is required, for example, for renting a kayak, joining a kayaking club and participating in kayaking trips.

Trainer: Gabriel Sydänvirta. Official sea angling guide of the Finnish Sea Angling Association and the Finnish Canoeing and Rowing Federation. Gabriel lives in the archipelago.

Overnight stay: The course is a two-day course. You can stay in an island hotel if you wish. Island centre in Korpoström or view other accommodation in Korppo here.

Take with you: Weather-appropriate outdoor clothing, a change of clothes packed in a waterproof dry bag or plastic bag, a water bottle, sunglasses, lunchbox and snacks to take with you.