Sea Kayak Instructor Qualifications
Sport & Recreation
A course by
AdventureWorks
Pathway of instructor qualifications for sea kayaking covering leadership, instruction, and advanced professional practice for outdoor recreation professionals.
Blended study
This is a mix of online learning & face-to-face sessions
AdventureWorks, Auckland
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Plan and lead sea kayaking activities
Develop and implement plans for leading safe introductory group sea kayaking in flat-water environments under indirect supervision.
Respond to emergencies and manage risks
Assess emergency situations and implement appropriate responses in sea kayaking, applying safety and risk management principles.
Instruct participants and develop their competence
Teach participants the skills required for safe, positive, and educational sea kayaking experiences, ensuring progression and safety.
What You're Signing Up For
This comprehensive pathway includes Level 4, Level 5, and Level 6 Sea Kayak qualifications designed for those seeking leadership, instructional, or advanced professional practice roles in outdoor and adventure recreation. The qualifications equip graduates with competencies for planning, leading, instructing, and mentoring in sea kayaking, emphasizing safety management, group leadership, cultural and environmental responsibility, and instructing in both sheltered and exposed water conditions.
Course Content
- Sea kayak safety and emergency response
- Leadership and group management in outdoor recreation
- Instructional skills for sea kayaking
- Safety management systems and risk assessment
- Planning and organising outdoor group activities
- Environmental responsibility and kaitiakitanga
- Cultural awareness—local iwi and hapū, wahi tapu, land access
- Interpretive skills: flora, fauna, natural history
- Equipment knowledge and maintenance
- Teaching and learning theory for instructor development
- Advanced skills for exposed/open water kayaking
- Mentoring and feedback for instructor trainees
What you need to know first
Level 4: At least 40 hours sea kayaking (flat-water, closed deck kayak) and 5 sessions as co-leader/assistant leader.
Level 5: At least 50 days sea kayaking experience (incl. personal, instructing, multi-day trips/theory sessions). Maritime VHF Radio Operators Certificate and Coastguard Boating Education - Day Skippers Certificate required before assessment.
Level 6: NZ Certificate in Outdoor Leadership (Instruction) (Level 5) and 90 days sea kayaking experience (personal, instructing/guiding multi-day trips in open/exposed waters). Coastguard Boating Education – Boatmasters qualification required prior to assessment.
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Outdoor Recreation
Adventure Tourism
Sport & Recreation Education
Future employment opportunities might be
Outdoor adventure instructor
Sea kayak tour leader
Outdoor education leader
Sea kayaking instructor/guide
Recreation programme coordinator
Coming Soon: Nexties Explorer
Our AI-powered Explorer is almost ready. Soon, you’ll be able to build a dynamic profile of your skills, goals, and strengths, and get a curated selection of courses just for you.
More details