Surf Mission: Montreal

Oct 6 - 8

$795.00

Need a payment plan? Email aaron@kayakmaritimes.com and we will set up payments.

Our end-of-season mission. Three days on the St. Lawrence, building from gentle current to standing wave surf in a sea kayak. It's challenging, it's social, and it's the best way to close out a paddling year.

This course builds on skills you already have. You'll need solid sea kayak experience at Level 2, reliable re-entry skills, and Introduction to Sea Kayaking in Current, run by our sister brand Kayak Ontario, under your belt. From there we build step by step, with the coaching and safety net in place so you can focus on progressing and having fun.

3 Days

Montreal St. Lawrence

Advanced Exposure

Rentals Available

The Three Days

Each day builds on the last. The progression is deliberate: start with the fundamentals, end with wave time.

Day 1, Current Fundamentals

Safety talk, warm-up paddle, then into gentle current. Build the foundation you'll need for the rest of the weekend.

→ Ferrying: angle, speed, and reading the water
→ Eddy turns and peel-outs
→ Rescues and group management in moving water
→ Control moves and boat handling in current

Day 2, Stronger Features & First Rides

Step up to stronger current and timing, then move to the standing wave. First rides with full coaching support.

→ Reading current lines and features
→ Working with stronger flow and timing
→ Standing wave entries and first surf rides
→ Group debrief to solidify the learning

Day 3, Wave Time

More time on the wave. Refine your entries, trim, exits, and linking rides, with space to follow your own progression.

→ Wave entries and positioning
→ Trim and balance on the wave
→ Exits and linking rides
→ Closing circle and season send-off

Who It's For

✔ Paddlers with Level 2 skills or equivalent coastal experience
✔ Comfortable with reliable re-entry skills, self and assisted
✔ Paddlers who've completed Introduction to Sea Kayaking in Current and want to build toward surf and Level 3

What's Included

✔ Three full days of coaching at a low instructor ratio
✔ Online learning dashboard access for pre- and post-course progression
✔ A supportive, social environment: industry-leading safety with space to push your limits

Not Included

— Food
— Transportation
— Kayak rental (see FAQ below)

Gear Required

This course requires a sea kayak that surfs well: short waterline, rocker, responsive. Long touring kayaks aren't suitable here.

✔ Sea kayak: NDK Romany, P&H Delphin, Valley Gemini, or similar. Not sure if your boat works? Ask us.
✔ PFD and helmet: both mandatory. Helmets available to rent.
✔ Paddle, pump, tow line, and standard safety kit
✔ Immersion clothing: dress for being in the water, not on it

Why Montreal

Montreal is one of the only places where you can safely surf a standing wave in a sea kayak. Combine that with the city's culture and the energy of late-season paddling, and you get the perfect mix: a serious classroom and a memorable gathering to close out the year.

Where This Fits

After Level 2 there are three missions. Take any of them, in any order. None is a prerequisite for another.

River current · You're here Surf Mission: Montreal

Three days on the St. Lawrence. The current runs one way, and the features stay put.

Tide Tidal Mission: Pembrokeshire

Five days on the Welsh coast. The tide turns, and the features move with it.

View Pembrokeshire →

Open coast Coastal Mission: Cape Breton

Four days on Cape Breton's open coast. The weather sets the terms, and the landings are few.

View Cape Breton →

Prerequisite: Paddle Canada Level 2, or equivalent coastal experience, with reliable self and assisted re-entry skills, plus Introduction to Sea Kayaking in Current, run by our sister brand Kayak Ontario. This course builds on those current fundamentals toward stronger features and surf. Not sure if you're ready? Get in touch.

Where this leads → Surf and current skills are core to Level 3 development. This course builds the experience, judgment, and confidence you'll need for advanced certification pathways, and your coaches already know your abilities from the weekend.

Questions

Do I need current experience?

Yes. This is the intermediate course, so you'll need Introduction to Sea Kayaking in Current first, along with Level 2 sea kayak skills and reliable re-entries. Day one refreshes the current fundamentals before we progress to stronger features and surf. New to moving water entirely? Start with the introduction and come to this one next.

What kind of kayak do I need?

A sea kayak that surfs well: short waterline, rocker, responsive hull. Think NDK Romany, P&H Delphin, Valley Gemini, or similar. Long touring kayaks with little rocker won't work on the wave. Not sure about your boat? Send us a message and we'll tell you.

Is kayak rental available?

Kayak rental is not included in the base price but can be arranged. Contact us before the course to discuss options.

Do I need a helmet?

Yes, helmets are mandatory for this course. Helmets are available to rent if you don't own one.

How physical is this course?

Three days of current and surf paddling is demanding. You should be comfortable with a full day on the water and have the fitness for repeated efforts in moving water. The progression is coached to the group, but it's not a light weekend.

Can this count toward Level 3?

The skills and experience developed here are directly relevant to Level 3 requirements. Contact us to discuss your certification pathway.

We acknowledge that our courses in Montreal take place on the traditional territory of the Kanien'kehá꞉ka (Mohawk), a founding nation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. This land has long served as a meeting place for many First Nations, including the Algonquin and Huron-Wendat.

This territory is historically covered by the Great Peace of Montreal (1701), an agreement between the French and over thirty First Nations.

This acknowledgement, accompanied by action, includes contributions to Indigenous-led organizations that make a lasting impact.