Kayaking Proficiency Exam

This exam allows club members who are experienced paddlers to become certified to use our kayaks without taking lessons. The exam lasts about an hour and requires you to demonstrate self-rescue and assisted rescue. Please dress appropriately. No instruction is provided and the member will become certified at the instructor’s discretion. The cost is $51, and up to 3 members can share that cost among themselves by taking the exam at the same time.

To arrange a proficiency exam, submit a kayaking resume to lessons@ubcsailing.org with the following details:

• When, where and with whom did you learn how to paddle an ocean kayak, and when was the last time you were in one?
• How many hours of paddling experience do you have?
• How many overnight paddling expeditions have you been on (dates & locations)?
• How many times have you performed a wet-exit, an assisted rescue and a self-rescue?
• Any prior kayaking courses and/or kayaking certification?

Upon reviewing your kayaking resume, the Lessons Coordinator will contact you to arrange your exam. If you fail the exam or do not meet the above requirements, you must complete a kayak lesson (beginner or intermediate) prior to being able to use the kayaks.

If you have any doubt about whether you should take an exam or a lesson, please take a lesson.