“...the positive feedback and individual attention was very important in building self-confidence.”

Trips, Courses, Beginners to Novice, Novice to Intermediate, Advanced Professionals, BOOK YOUR COURSE

Come get a paddle wet

Maine Island Kayak Co’s traditional on water courses are designed to provide effective learning of boat handling skills, safety and seamanship with an awareness of the magic of our marine environment. Regardless of your level of commitment, safe sea paddling requires good seamanship and effective decision-making for your group. Any MIKCo course is available for private booking with your group of 4 or more.

SEA KAYAKING FUNDAMENTALS 1
The Foundation

This quick moving introduction is designed to provide the beginning kayaker with an overview of the skills, knowledge and understanding for developing safe paddling on protected waters. We will cover basic maneuvering strokes, wet exits, assisted rescues, kayak and equipment options and design, their fit and use, what to wear and overall safety planning.

SEA KAYAKING FUNDAMENTALS 2
Effective Strokes and Beginning Seamanship

Building upon Fundamentals I we’ll introduce the fundamentals of reviewing the weather and sea states, what is going on with the tides and currents, wind and anticipated wave shapes for your day trip. We’ll think like Captains of our ships as we plan, prepare and paddle. We’ll navigate off our charts by simple piloting and experience a variety of mild conditions and the effects of landforms. We’ll continue development of basic bracing and recovery, and finish up with additional self and assisted rescue techniques and methods.

PRACTICE DAY, FUNDAMENTALS 1 & 2

This class is designed for those who are wondering what to do after practicing the Fundamental 1 and 2 skill sets. If you are not sure of your abilities, if you are not quite ready for the next class, or you need a refresher, this supervised practice session will give you the opportunity to review the skills you were introduced to in Fundamentals I & II

FASTTRACK COURSE - 3 and 5 Day

Designed for the athletic beginner, novice and intermediate paddlers who want to "really go for it" - MIKCo’s Fasttrack intensives have been the rave for years. This course will push you farther, faster and cover the basics of Fundamentals I to IV with additional emphasis on navigation, expeditioning and appropriate surf and rock garden practice. We use course specific teaching methods for these quick learners and prior paddlers wanting to work for their skills.

THE ENVIRONMENT
The Gulf of Maine Environment by Sea Kayak

The Natural and Cultural History of the Gulf of Maine. Join MIKCo for this in-depth 14 to 21 day college level study of the marine, natural and social environment of the Gulf of Maine by sea kayak. This course combines academic and physical exploration and exhilaration. With the sea kayak as your learning platform, we will immerse into the fundamentals of expedition sea kayaking on a trip interspersed with the following additional adventure studies: Geology - Granites to Glaciers; Oceanography - a Local Perspective; The H2O Cycle and the Gulf of Maine Watershed; Humans, Fishing and the Forest, and Applied Meteorology. This course will invigorate both your mind and body as we develop our paddling skills and learn how dramatically our Gulf of Maine has changed during the last 12,000 years. Be ready to camp out on the magical islands of Maine! No pre-requisites, traditionally has been available with 4 college credits.

Paddling Toward Ecology, Casco Bay

Study the Gulf of Maine systems on-line or on-water. Spend your days exploring and studying the natural, marine and social history of the Gulf of Maine, one of the principal fisheries on Earth. Between paddle stroke and seamanship work, our chats will focus on the science of the Gulf and the ecological, political and economic realities of our interaction with the sea. This is an exciting study of the real reasons why many of us sea kayak - to understand and appreciate the marine world around us. We hope that you’ll consider spreading the word on our use of the seas.