Pacific Northwest Sea Kayaking Instructor Course

This Instructor Course will not be running in 2025.  

Please contact  [email protected]  with any questions you might have.

The waters of coastal British Columbia provide a dynamic and beautiful environment for this course. The travel here will prepare you to work in  NOLS’ sea kayaking course areas, from Alaska to Baja. The expedition will focus on teaching, as well as learning, the NOLS curriculum: you and your coursemates will provide each other feedback on your teaching techniques throughout the course. The course will be shaped by the experience that you and your peers bring to it.

Technical kayaking skills will be emphasized on this course, from rescues and emergency procedures to navigation and weather awareness. Wilderness living skills will also be a critical component of the course as you focus on teaching novices how to stay warm, dry, and happy in this maritime environment.  A wide range of flora and fauna abound here, from the surrounding forested hills to the tidal pools on the rocky shores. While there will be a lot to cover, you will be able to enjoy this environment and potentially try your hand at fishing.

*Update on Home Location: One aspect of prioritization for selection to the NOLS Field Instructor Course is the applicant’s home location. We will prioritize those whose home location is in regional proximity to NOLS’ operating locations (eg: United States, Chile, Mexico, India, East Africa, and New Zealand.) This does NOT mean we will only enroll people who live in these countries. It does mean we will examine your proximity to these NOLS locations in relation to your skills resume and the course skills offered at each of these locations.  If you are curious if your home location and skill set fit into our priorities, please reach out to [email protected].