GUIDE COURSE FAQS
Garden Faire Campground on Rainbow Rd. offers nice sites and showers plus it is located just outside of Ganges. Since we venture to different locations daily, this gives you a central location to all the launching locations we utilize during the course.
gardenfaire@saltspring.com
Duck Creek Farm has some nice sites but it is a little further away from the town amenities. If you have a vehicle it is only an extra 5-7 minute drive and you might enjoy the lovely active farm atmosphere.
duckcreek@gmail.com www.duckcreek.ca
Ruckle Provincial Park is a walk-in campground with few amenities but a spectacular oceanfront location. There are many campsites and the cost is less than the other two offerings mentioned above. Take note that it will be a farther drive each day to and from the ocean accesses that we use after the first day on Cusheon Lake.
Mowhinna Creek Campground: 250 537 7861 - 515 Fulford Ganges Road. Just out of town, about a 25 min walk.
camphost@mowhinnacreekcampground.com www.mowhinnacreekcampground.com
We have a large trailer and can transport all boats for the Level 1 course and for those who rent kayaks from us during the AOG Upgrade courses, you may be subject to transporting the boat yourself if we are already full. You are welcome to inquire if we might have space if you are bringing your own boats but there is no guarantee that we can accommodate you, plus we are not held liable for any personal boats or risk involving transportation. Please make early arrangements for boat transportation as often, on West Coast trips, we run out of space and you will need to transport your own kayaks and gear.
We usually have space for one or two extra passengers to our various ocean launch spots on the Level 1 course. Please inquire well ahead of time if you are in need of transportation. We also try to have you network with other registrants who may be at the same campsite or be able to pick you up en route.
We are unable to commit to having space for extra passengers until we determine which vehicle we will be using on a particular course. You are welcome to make a request and we will follow up a week or two before the course start date.
Always bring your own snacks and water! For the Level 1 Course, you provide yourself all of your food
AOG course we assign meal tasks to each person to practice cooking for a group. We will send you an email with more details about this. (if you are taking the full AOG course vs the AOG upgrade, the L1 portion rules apply the same)
Level 1 courses start daily at 08:30 at our various put in locations. The first day is at our base on Cusheon Lake--118 Natalie Lane.
After that, we will let you know at the end of each day where we will be launching the following day but the start time will remain the same. We hope to be ending each day by 17:00 to allow for time to relax, study and work on theory during the evenings.
AOG Upgrade we meet at 09:00 at the Tofino kayak Launch at the end of 1st Street.
If you are in the AOG Upgrade or Full AOG, you will need a helmet for paddling in current and for surf landings and take offs.
Wetsuits and drysuits are both used on our courses. A drysuit is a big investment but a nice way to keep dry because you can wear layers underneath.
We do rent wetsuits and booties but not drysuits.
You definitely need good footwear as you will be lifting boats up over rocks with barnacles. Flip flops are not an option; Tevas, Chacos or other technical water-friendly sandals that grab your foot all around, are recommended. You always want a change of footwear that is dry for when you get to camp.
Yes, it is necessary to do all the work in the Online Campus prior to arrival. This is applicable for all levels. If taking the AOG courses, you will need to ensure you are proficient at Secondary Tides and Currents and have studied the weather modules and passed the quizzes. By doing these studies ahead of time, it allows you to relax more during the course and concentrate on the practical learning.
If you are taking a guides’ course as a stepping stone to becoming an accredited kayak guide, you must take out a membership in the SKGABC, prior to the course. If you are taking the course for personal skill acquisition, you are not required to have the SKGABC membership.
All the courses that we offer include a written and a practical exam. You must obtain a minimum of 75% on both of these in order to pass. If time allows, we may offer a second scenario option if you have been close to the 75% benchmark.
Once you have passed both the written and practical sections of the exam, your guide examiner will send in the marks and the evaluations, to the SKGABC. Your responsibility is to send in your valid First Aid certification, CPR–C ticket, up to date logs and handheld marine radio certification to the SKGABC. If you already have up to date certs in your file, you only have to send in the ones that need updating. Note: the Marine Radio certificate is good for life and does not need updating.
Gear/Clothing Lists
Level 1 | AOG Upgrade | Full AOG

It is expected that you come with some essential equipment. If you do not have these items, please ensure that you obtain them before the start date. We have rentals available for kayaks, (which includes safety gear) and wetsuits. Please let us know well ahead of time if you will require any of these rentals.
Items Needed:
- Kayak with front and stern bulkheads
- Two kayak paddles
- Float rescue pad
- Chart 3442 plus a Current & Tide Atlas printed out
- Tow line
- Stirrup
- Handheld Compass
- Wetsuit or Drysuit
- Change of clothing & a drybag for it
- Paddling clothes
- Manual handheld bilge pump
- "Rite in the Rain"/dry erase booklet & pen
Optional but recommended if you already have them:
- Handheld Marine Radio
- Flares
Level One Course & AOG Upgrade Course Clothing List
Note: Cotton clothing gets wet quickly and becomes heavy, cold and dries very slowly. Wool or synthetic apparel acts like a wick and moisture is drawn to the outer layers. Jeans are not appropriate pants for a guides' course. Wearing layers including wool and synthetic is best for our climate.
Clothing
- A good sunhat with a brim and a toque
- 4/5 pairs underwear
- 4-6 pairs wool/synthetic socks
- Swimsuit/Swim shorts
- 1 lightweight towel (PackTowl is best)
- 1 pair of long underwear, top & bottoms (synthetic or wool)
- 2-3 T-shirts (synthetic or wool are best; cotton blend is okay)
- 1-2 long-sleeved synthetic shirts/pullovers (fleece, etc.)
- 1 set of good, waterproof rain gear: jacket & pants
- 1 warm synthetic puffy/insulation jacket that packs down nicely
- 2-3 pairs of shorts
- 2 pairs of long pants (preferably not full cotton)
- 1 pair of sturdy, water friendly sandals, water shoes or booties (flip flops are not appropriate water shoes)
- 1 pair of light hiking boots or runners
Other gear
- Synthetic sleeping bag - not down filled or cotton/flannel lined, which absorb moisture and don’t insulate well in a coastal environment (we have extras, they have a $20 + GST cleaning fee)
- Thermarest/inflatable sleeping pad or insulated pad (we have extras, they have a $15 + GST cleaning/maintenance fee)
- Shelter: Tent, Hammock, Tarp
- Sunscreen and sunglasses with straps, Zinc sticks for face – please ensure all sunscreen is reef friendly.
- Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, brush/comb, face cloth, hand towel, Toilet kit (tp, packout bag) contacts/glasses, etc.
- Flashlight or headlamp (with an extra set of batteries)
- Medication – It is mandatory to bring extra set of medication for the instructor to pack in case they get spoiled, wet or need to be administered by guide trainer - example 2 x epi pen 1 for you, 1 for instructor
- 1 L water bottle
- 2 -drybags (mid size, not over 15L; 10 litres is best for packing)
- 1-2 Buffs/neck tubes/neck warmers
- "rite in the rain"/waterproof journal/pen for note taking. These should be small; 5” X 2.5 “ is perfect for packing in a pocket though lightly larger is fine as well.
- Paddling gloves, pogies (neoprene over-mitt) or neoprene gloves if your hands get cold.
Optional/Notes
Please limit electronic equipment (eg. laptops, handheld gaming devices). Iphones do make good cameras and usually are waterproof.
- A camera that is not part of your phone is optional. Cameras should be waterproof, as even the humid saltwater ocean conditions can negatively affect them. Instructors will have a camera and will send via email to share.
- Bug spray can be helpful, however some people are sensitive to it and many brands - particularly those containing DEET - are highly toxic. Please use bug spray with care, or consider a natural brand or bug net.
If you have any questions or concerns please call us for suggestions: 250 731 2000