Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayaking Surf Zone Skills Course

Skills Course Overview

The Coastal Kayak Surf Zone course is designed to teach paddlers the necessary skills to safely launch and land a kayak in the surf.

Course Objectives

Participants will be introduced to:

Surf zone dynamics, etiquette, and hazards
Group communication and safety in surf
How to swim in surf
How to brace in breaking waves
Launching and landing techniques
Basic boat control and positioning on the wave

Skills Course Prerequisites

Acknowledgment of personal compliance with the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
Completion of Level 3: Coastal Kayaking Basic Strokes & Rescues skills course, Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayaking skills course equivalent skills

Minimum Personal Equipment for the Course

Sea kayaks, whitewater kayaks, or sit-on-tops (all boats with flotation), helmets, lifejackets (PFDs), and paddling clothing appropriate to water temperature.

Course Duration

The course duration should be adjusted to best fit the needs and goals of the participants. Suggested time: Half a day to one day (4-8 hours).

Course Location / Accessible Venues

The selected venue should consist of a beach break with average surf height of 2-3 foot (0.6 to 0.9 meters), ideally spilling. Winds should not exceed 15 knots. Safe landings within 2 nm must be available at all times.

Course Size:

5 Participants : 1 Instructor; with an additional qualified assistant, the ratio can be 10 : 2.

For additional details, see SEIC Policy Manual Chapter 6.