Price: $1500 + gst

Dates: May 4-8, 2024

Location: Tofino, B.C.

Meeting Location: 9:00 am May 4th, 2024 Savary Island Pie Company/Grice Park and Kayak Launch

Pre Requisites

  • Flatwater/Dynamic Water Paddling Experience. This is not a beginner course and although there will be some calmer paddling sections, we will also be paddling in more challenging weather and dynamic west coast paddling conditions. Send Norm a message at explore@normhann.com to make sure this is the right course for you.
  • Multi day/overnight paddling experience is recommended.

What’s Included

  • 4 nights and 5 days of sup touring & leadership skills training.
  • Guides Norm Hann and Neil Gilson
  • Paddle Canada Touring 1 & 2 Skills Certification.
  • NHE Expedition Journal
  • Ahousaht First Nation Land Permit

Not Included

  • Transportation to and from Tofino, B.C.
  • Food
  • SUP Touring Equipment

Cancellations

Read about our cancellation policy here. Please email explore@normhann.com if you need to cancel at any time. Space is limited in training courses and your spot is not guaranteed until we have received a deposit or full payment.

Coastal Touring and Leadership Training On Vargas Island

This 5 day sup touring training course is for those paddlers who want to spend time immersed in a west coast ocean environment in order to build overnight sup touring and expedition skills experience. It has also been designed for those Paddle Canada Flatwater Instructors who would like to work towards their touring instructors with the goal of leading others on day and multi day trips. The course focus is on group management, coastal navigation and decision making, technical paddling skills, weather forecasting, overnight tripping, safety and rescue and building a strong guiding, instructional and leadership skill set.

After packing up our boards on the morning of Day 1 we head into the waters of Clayoquot Sound and the traditional waters of the Tla-0-quiaht First Nations for a circumnavigation, weather permitting of Vargas Island. Vargas Island located just north of Tofino is a perfect place for our touring course that offers, rugged and dynamic paddling conditions, spectacular white sand beaches and calm, protected inlet paddling.

This will be a fun and challenging five days of expedition training and we look forward to helping you accomplish your paddling goals.

PACKING LIST

Paddling Equipment

  • Inflatable or Hard Touring Board appropriate for ocean touring and carrying gear for multiple overnight days.
  • Paddle or adjustable paddle
  • PFD with rescue belt(jacket style, no waist belts)
  • Coil or quick release touring leash.

Safety and Learning Equipment

  • Chart #3685
  • Compass
  • Communication device
  • First Aid kit
  • Instructional equipment to support teaching topics if you are wanting to work towards your instructor training.

What to Wear for Paddling (suggested)

  • Clothing Option 1: Drysuit, I suggest the Mustang Survival Hudson Drysuit. It will keep you warm and dry but may be too warm if it’s hot. Depending on weather we could be wearing a drysuit or wetsuit for most of the time, especially on the west coast. 
  • Clothing Option 2: Farmer Jayne or John with waterproof paddling jacket overtop. 
  • Neoprene Booties with a good sole or a water shoe like an Astral Hyak.
  • Fleece or synthetic hooded mid layer jacket
  • Waterproof jacket and pants
  • Mid Layer with extra down jacket
  • Baseball Cap and Toque
  • Paddling gloves for cool days or if hands are sensitive
  • Buff

Other Clothing

  • Pair of synthetic shorts
  • Pair of pants
  • 2 long sleeve shirts
  • 2 short sleeve shirts
  • 1 sweater or sweatshirt
  • 2 pair of wool/synthetic socks
  • 2 sets of long underwear
  • 2-3 pair of underwear

Personal items

  • Toiletries
  • Sun screen
  • Sunglasses with a retainer
  • Prescription eyeglasses or contacts
  • Spare eyeglasses or contacts
  • Wet Wipes
  • Synthetic camp towel
  • Medication
  • Spare medication
  • Insect repellent
  • Book
  • Headlamp and batteries
  • Camera (optional)
  • Extra digital storage and batteries
  • 1-2 litre water bottle
  • thermos for hot drinks

Camping Gear

  • 1-2 person lightweight tent
  • Compressible warm 3 season sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad or Thermarest
  • Small packable pillow
  • Small camping stove/Jetboil/MSR Whisper Lite.
  • 5ooml Butane or 1 litre white gas
  • Cooking pot (if you are not using a Jetboil)
  • knife, fork, spoon
  • mug
  • 10 L Dromedary Bag for water. MSR Dromedary Bags work great.
  • Pristine or Aquatabs water treatment

Food

You will be bringing and packing your own food for day trips and overnight trips. Make sure your meals are filling and nutritious to support you on your paddling days. Freeze dried food bags are light, delicious and work well for sup camping. Bring snacks and easily accessible bars in case paddling days are longer.

What to Wear & What to Pack