This is What We Do.
Custom Offerings
Below find the many trips and trainings we offer on request.
Scroll to the next section or visit our calendar to see our scheduled events.
Contact us today to schedule an experience.
Group pricing available for clubs and organizations.
-
Learning Journey Series
Come play and learn in our back yard!
The goal of our Learning Journeys series is a kayak trip that blends teaching you about kayaking while sharing knowledge of ecology.
One of our favorite destinations is Anclote Key State Park Preserve off Tarpon Springs, where you’ll see the historic lighthouse and explore the island’s pristine beaches and mangrove habitat with a Florida Master Naturalist. Along the way we can work on a variety of kayak skills.
We will also do Learning Journeys to other destinations on the Suncoast in addition to Anclote Key. Contact us if you have a place you’d love to see by kayak.
$75/person for half-day, $100/person for full day.
Basic paddling kit included. -
All About Rescues!
Take a half day or full day to learn and master a variety of sea kayak rescues.
We will work on self-rescues and techniques to rescue other kayakers. This is a critical skill to make you a safer paddler and help you gain independence in your kayaking goals.
Self-rescues will include building block elements that help those who aspire to roll their kayak progress from the basics.
For advancing paddlers, we build on basic rescues by tackling more complex situations in rough water conditions.
$100/person.
Approximately 4-hour experience.
-
L1-L4 Skills Assessments
We offer one-day American Canoe Association formal skills assessments for Levels 1 through 4.
Are you planning to attend an ACA instructor development workshop (IDW) with another instructor trainer (IT)? With successful completion of this course, we will record the assessment on your ACA profile, which is often a prerequisite for IDWs and trip leader trainings.
Even if you are not going for trip leader or instructor certification, formal assessment is a great way to demonstrate your skills. You can use these also to set performance goals to work toward. Last, some paddling clubs and organizations may require an assessment for you to participate in their events.
Note: participation does not guarantee a passing assessment.
$150/person for assessment.
-
L1-L4 Coastal Kayak Camping
Note: We are acquiring equipment to offer fully outfitted overnight trips soon. In the meantime, if you have your own kayak camping kit and are looking for a guided learning experience to master camping and other kayak expeditioning skills, then we are ready for you!
In our Coastal Kayak Camping Course, participants learn the basic skills required to plan and prepare overnight trips in coastal environments. You will learn about proper equipment and how it is used, how to select a camp location, food transportation and preparation, and to follow leave no trace principals throughout the trip.
This course can be delivered as a separate course just for camping and expedition skills, or we can set it up to run in conjunction with another course, such as camping during a trip leader training or blending it with one of our skills courses.
This course can be tailored also to group or individual kayaker ability to incorporate conditions from Level 1 up to Level 4.
Pricing is based on course duration and location. Contact us to get started on a quote.
Ask about group rates for paddling clubs or organizations. -
L1-L4 Kayak Rolling Lessons
Learn the art handed down from the Inuit of Greenland. Build confidence for taking on rough water, knowing you can self-rescue. Impress your friends!
Please be aware, many paddlers will not get their roll after the first lesson. Instead, many require a series of lessons with personal practice time in between.
These lessons are also great for experienced paddlers to add additional rolls, refine technique and build a “bombproof” roll. Rolling lessons are available in a variety of conditions from calm water to surf.
We use a simple progression to build muscle memory for a consistent and reliable roll. Video coaching analysis is also available.
Is your Level 3 trip leader or instructor certificate award pending due to a “contingency” assigned because you are missing your roll or re-enter and roll? We can help you get there and we will work with your IT (instructor-trainer) to get you checked off.
$100/person for approximately 3-4 hours.
-
L1-L4 Coastal Kayak Navigation
Learn to navigate coastal waters by kayak using chart and compass. Prepare for upcoming personal or group expeditions. Plan for tides and weather while you build your float plan. Full day and multi-day options available. Shore-based and on-water practicals included.
This course can be tailored to the knowledge of participating paddlers from beginner to advanced, and can be conducted in a range of paddling conditions.
$150/person.
Full day experience.
-
L1 Introduction to Kayaking
Begin your kayaking journey with a full day of lessons aimed to give you the basics to get out on the water safely and have fun. Use this lesson to learn your new boat or paddle one of ours before you buy. This ACA Level 1 course is designed as a short program emphasizing safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition for entry level individuals. The course will be held in flat water, protected from wind, waves and outside boat traffic, with current less than 0.5 knots, and within swimming distance of shore.
$150/person for full day.
-
L2 Essentials of Kayak Touring
This experience is designed to teach beginner paddlers to safely and enjoyably kayak on lakes, calm protected ocean environments, and other flatwater settings. You’ll learn about equipment, strokes, maneuvers, safety considerations, and how to rescue yourself or other paddlers. In ACA’s five levels, this is a Level 2 training course.
$150/person for full day.
Can be combined with a skills assessment.
-
L2 Essentials of Kayak Touring Trip Leader Training
The purpose of the Level 2 Essentials of Kayak Touring Trip Leader training is to prepare individuals who intend to lead other paddlers, either recreationally or professionally, in protected waterways. The emphasis of the training is on leadership. While this is not a teaching award or instructor certification, L2 trip leaders will also be prepared to provide basic tips to paddlers. A formal skills assessment is required following this training course for a kayaker to be recognized as a Level 2 Trip Leader. The one-day assessment may be schedule concurrently with this two-day course or at a later date.
$300/person for two days.
$150/person for additional assessment day.
Ask about group rates for paddling clubs or organizations. -
L3 Coastal Kayak Trip Leader
The purpose of the Level 3: Coastal Kayaking Trip Leader training is to prepare individuals who intend to lead other paddlers, either recreationally or professionally, in coastal environments. The emphasis of the training is on leadership and group management.
Training Overview: The training exposes an individual to the technical, trip planning, group management and leadership skills required to lead other paddlers in the Level 3 venue. While this is not a teaching award, L3 coastal kayak trip leader should also be able to provide basic tips to paddlers, as appropriate, to help them through the environment.
A formal skills assessment is required following this training course for a kayaker to be recognized as an L2 Trip Leader. The one-day assessment may be scheduled concurrently with this two-day course or at a later date to allow practice time.
$300/person for two days.
$150/person for additional assessment day.
Ask about group rates for paddling clubs or organizations.
-
L3 Coastal Kayaking Skills
Coastal kayak skills courses take paddlers from calm protected waters and move into coastal regions exposed to wind and waves. In ACA’s five levels, coastal kayaking is a Level 3 course. We can structure skills development here a few different ways:
One is our Coastal Kayak Basic Strokes and Rescues course, designed to introduce basic coastal kayaking skills and safety. Kayakers will improve on their basic strokes and be introduced to additional more advanced strokes. Participants will also learn and improve upon self-rescues and rescuing others.
Another is our Coastal Kayak Strokes and Maneuvers Refinement course, a companion and progression experience to our Coastal Kayaking Strokes and Rescues class. It can be scheduled to run concurrently or as a series. This experience builds upon strokes and rescues adding nuance to increase efficiency, fluidity and control.
These courses are easily tailored to participant goals, so can also be taken multiple times to continue working on a range of skills in various conditions such as wind, weather, current, tides and surf.
$150/person for full day.
Can be combined with a skills assessment.
-
L4 Open Water Coastal Kayaking Skills
This series of courses are offered for advancing paddlers to further develop established skills in bigger conditions and further from shore. A major focus is on adding nuance, finesse, or blending strokes to increase the paddler’s capability and confidence.
The venues we use will feature access to open water and at least one or more of the following: 10-15 knot winds, 2-4 foot waves or chop, and/or 2-4 knots of current. This will allow participants to take skills in paddling, leadership, and rescues and apply them in challenging conditions. Possible focused single-day courses at this level include:
Open water skills
Paddling in wind/waves
Paddling in tidal currents
Surf zone skills sessions
Rough water rescues and towing
Cleaning up contingencies assigned by an instructor trainer at your certification exam.
$150/person for full day.
Can be combined with a skills assessment.
-
Instructor Development and Certification Workshops
Would you like to gain certification as an ACA kayak instructor? Kayak ANT works regularly with partner instructor-trainers who offer instructor development workshops (IDWs) and instructor certification exams (ICEs). You will see many of those workshops listed on our calendar. We can also help you prepare for your upcoming workshop or exam with focused instruction at any of our levels or skill areas.
Contact us directly for registration, pricing and other questions.
What do all these “Levels” and “L” numbers mean?
The ACA Guide: Our instructors and coaches are certified by the American Canoe Association. The ACA uses a series of five levels to guide curriculum development and course offerings. The levels refer not only to the expectations of what skills a kayaker demonstrates or is training toward, but also the venue, weather and water conditions. Below are descriptions of venues and conditions that may be experienced at different levels for the courses we offer.
It’s Only a Guide: We use these levels simply as a guide as we develop custom curriculum. Many of our offerings will include a range of conditions. Participants should not expect the same conditions throughout an experience and not all conditions may occur simultaneously. We do our best to tailor all of our experiences to the skills of the kayakers participating and to individual paddling goals.
Learner Development Terms: We have correlated Levels 1-5 with paddler development descriptives, “novice” through “expert.” We have placed those here only to aid with understanding on our courses. These terms are not from ACA, but rather from theories of educational psychology on the development of expertise. There are many other models of learner development. Further, a kayaker could certainly be an “expert” in one aspect of paddling, yet still beginner at another, such as an “expert” navigator and backcountry camper whose rescue skills fall within the “competent” range.
Level 1-5 Descriptions:
Level 1: Novice paddlers. Flat water, protected from wind, waves and outside boat traffic, and within swimming distance of shore. Current 0.5 knots or less.
Level 2: Advanced Beginner paddlers. Protected water with access to safe landing and within .5 nautical miles from shore. Wind speed 10 knots or less, current 1 knot or less, waves/chop 1 foot or less, no surf and shore break 1 foot or less.
Level 3: Competent paddlers. Lakes or coastal waters with potential areas of exposure to mild wind and wave conditions, with constant access to safe landing and within 1.5 nm from shore. Wind speed 10-15 knots, current 2 knots or less, waves/chop 2 feet or less, surf 2 feet or less.
Level 4: Proficient paddlers. Access to open water and at least one set of conditions within the following ranges, with constant access to safe landing and within 2 nm from shore. Wind speed 10-20 knots, current 2-4 knots, waves/chop 2-4 feet, surf 2-4 feet.
Level 5: Expert paddlers. Access to open water and at least three of the four conditions within the following ranges, with constant access to safe landing and within 2 nm from shore. Wind at least 15 knots, current at least 4 knots, waves/chop at least 3 feet, surf at least 3-4 feet.
Upcoming Experiences.
Anytime we have a preplanned special event with set dates, we’ll post it below.
If this space is blank, it means we don’t have anything specific scheduled at the moment, but we are happy to work with you and get out on the water.
Visit our calendar to see available days or contact us.
“Meet the Bump” or “Beat the Bump”
KayakANT is a guest coach at these event. Contact us directly for registration and referral information.
What is “Meet the Bump?” This ACA Level 3 sea kayak skills instruction event is a great opportunity for intermediate paddlers to learn and practice strokes and rescues, as well as safely manage movement through open water challenges such as surf, rough water, and current. This is a great opportunity for rising L3 paddlers to ‘push the envelope’ with plenty of qualified coaches on hand for safety.
What is “Beat the Bump?” This ACA Level 4 sea kayak skills instruction event is a great opportunity for all intermediate level to advancing paddlers who are interested in learning how to paddle safely in open water or the more challenging ocean environment. We plan to follow ACA guidelines and cover topics such as safety, paddling in groups, navigation, towing and rescues. We will be focusing on reading conditions, identifying safe zones and matching the challenge to the paddler. This location provides a great opportunity for intermediate paddlers to learn and practice strokes and rescues, as well as safely manage movement through open water challenges such as surf, rough water, and current.
Both of these courses are also designed to provide aspiring sea kayak instructors the opportunity to teach and earn credit for instructor development workshops (IDWs), instructor certification exams (ICEs), as well as certification updates and skills assessments.
All classes at these courses are offered ‘a la carte’ style, where participants may select each day the skills they want to work on.
What you may learn at the skills workshops:
What you may learn and need to demonstrate for instructor certification options:
About our St. Augustine venue:
2022 Florida Gulf Coast International Sea Kayak Symposium
Kayak Ant will attend this marquee event sponsored by Sweetwater Kayaks of St. Pete. The event features a variety of classes, trainings, and assessments for beginners through advanced paddlers with many excellent guest coaches.
Sea Kayaking for Adults
Kayak Ant is leading this course sponsored by North Carolina Outward Bound School for adults age 30 and up. Find out more at Outward Bound.
From N.C. Outward Bound School: “On this course, students will be navigating the Florida Everglades, carrying everything they need in the hull of their sea kayak. Both single and tandem kayaks will be used and students will have the opportunity to spend time in both vessels. Depending on the wind and weather, the level of difficulty will vary from day to day. Crews will practice marine expedition risk assessment and management, route planning, navigation, paddle stroke techniques, kayak-based rescues and equipment use and its care. Once beached, the crew will practice cooking and Leave No Trace camping before tucking in for the night.”
If you are interested in a trip like this for your group privately with KayakANT, outside of our work with Outward Bound, Contact Us to talk about scheduling.
ACA Kayak Instructor Workshops
KayakANT is a partnering guest instructor at this ΑCA Level 2/Level 3 Instructor Development Workshop (IDW), which also features opportunities for instructor certification examination. Contact us directly for registration and referral information.
The event schedule:
January 20: L2/L3 skills assessments and ‘warm-up’ (optional)
January 21-23: L2 instructor development workshop
January 24-25: L3 instructor development workshop
Also check out our additional offering, Sea Kayak Navigation, on January 26 after this workshop.
What you should know coming in:
What you will learn in the development workshop and what you need to demonstrate for certification:
About our St.Pete venue:
Sea Kayaking for Veterans
Kayak Ant is leading this course sponsored by North Carolina Outward Bound School for military veterans. Find out more and register or wait list at Outward Bound.
From N.C. Outward Bound School: “This six-day coastal sea kayaking course will take you and your crew through a maze of lush mangrove tunnels in a land of contrast: between tropic and semi-tropic, land and sea and salt and fresh water. As a team, you will work together to navigate with tide charts and maps, explore fragile and unique ecosystems, cook and set-up camp on white sandy beaches under the stars and paddle to new areas each day within the Ten Thousand Islands. You will also learn about what makes the Everglades famous worldwide, the environmental value the area adds and how we can better take care of it. Outside of the time spent being physically active and brushing up on your backcountry living skills, you and your veteran crew mates will share stories, validate experiences and develop trust and compassion as you pursue common goals together.”
If you are interested in a trip like this for your group privately with KayakANT, outside of our work with Outward Bound, Contact Us to talk about scheduling.
ACA Kayak Instructor Workshops
KayakANT is a partnering guest instructor at this ΑCA Level 2/Level 3 Instructor Development Workshop (IDW), which also features opportunities for instructor certification examination. Contact us directly for registration and referral information.
The event schedule:
November 11: L2/L3 skills assessments and ‘warm-up’ (optional)
November 12-14: L2 instructor development workshop
November 15-16: L3 instructor development workshop
Also check out our additional offering, Sea Kayak Navigation, on November 17 after this workshop.
What you should know coming in:
What you will learn in the development workshop and what you need to demonstrate for certification:
About our Jekyll Island venue:
Outward Bound!
I’m leading trips for N.C. Outward Bound during this period and won’t be available to paddle. Check out our other offerings or contact us to schedule something later. Please be patient and we’ll answer emails as soon as we paddle home!
Outer Banks Sea Kayaking for Veterans
This is a North Carolina Outward Bound School sponsored trip for military veterans that KayakAnt is co-leading. For information about this and other Outward Bound Veterans Program courses, visit https://www.ncobs.org/programs/veterans/.
Off on an Adventure
When we say Out of Office, we mean it! Sorry, but this period is unavailable for scheduling. Please check our other offerings or contact us to schedule a private experience. We’ll respond as soon as we can, but please be patient while we paddle back to shore!