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 

www.gardenfaire.ca

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. 

camphost@mowhinnacreekcampground.com www.mowhinnacreekcampground.com

Yes, 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 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. 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.

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.  

A drysuit is a big investment but a really nice way to keep dry.  Wetsuits work well but do create a bit of chafing.  Dry suits must have good seals and fit well. It would not be wise to borrow someone's drysuit as you might have narrower wrists or a thinner neck than the owner and discover that it does not work all that well.  

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.  Your guides will know how well you have done in the Online Campus as they can login and view the amount of time you have dedicated to it.  By doing these studies ahead of time, it allows you to relax more during the course and concentrate on the practical learning.  There will be time for asking questions about what is taught online during all the courses but there will be no evening sessions on the Level 1 course.

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.  

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.  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.