Sydney Harbour Kayaks
Three Hour Kayak Safety Course
Paddle Safe. Paddle Smart.
Knowing how to paddle a kayak is only part of the equation.
Knowing what to do when things don't go according to plan is what transforms a beginner into a confident and competent paddler.
Our FREE Kayak Safety Lesson builds on the skills introduced in our Introduction to Kayaking Course and focuses on the practical safety techniques that every paddler should know.
Whether you paddle occasionally, regularly explore Sydney Harbour or are preparing for longer adventures, the skills taught during this lesson can significantly improve your confidence, safety and enjoyment on the water.
The Paddle Safe Paddle Smart Safety Lesson is designed for paddlers of all abilities and focuses on preventing incidents before they occur, while also teaching the techniques needed to respond effectively should a capsize or emergency situation arise.
At Sydney Harbour Kayaks, we firmly believe that education is one of the most important safety tools any paddler can have.
What You Will Learn
During this practical, hands-on lesson you will learn:
✔ Bracing techniques to help prevent capsizes
✔ How to safely exit your kayak if you capsize (the "wet exit")
✔ Assisted rescue techniques
✔ Self-rescue techniques
✔ Contact towing methods
✔ Line towing methods
✔ Understanding weather and changing conditions
✔ Hazard identification and risk management
✔ Decision making on the water
✔ How to paddle safely within your ability level
Why Safety Skills Matter
Many paddlers spend years on the water without ever practising a capsize recovery or rescue technique.
The reality is that when something unexpected happens, your response will be determined by the skills you have practised—not the skills you intended to learn one day.
This course provides a safe and supportive environment to develop these important skills under the guidance of experienced instructors.
Our goal is simple:
To help paddlers avoid incidents where possible and respond confidently if they occur.
Who Should Attend?
This course is suitable for:
✔ New paddlers looking to build confidence
✔ Recreational kayakers
✔ Sea kayakers
✔ Surf ski paddlers
✔ Anyone who has never completed formal kayak safety training
✔ Experienced paddlers wanting to refresh their skills
Even experienced paddlers benefit from revisiting rescue techniques and practicing their safety skills regularly.
You are welcome to attend this lesson multiple times to continue improving your confidence and proficiency.
Antarctic & Arctic Expedition Preparation
This course is also highly relevant for paddlers preparing for one of the world's great adventure travel experiences.
Many Arctic and Antarctic expedition cruise operators require participants to demonstrate a basic understanding of kayaking safety, capsize procedures and rescue techniques before joining their guided paddling programs.
Upon successful completion of this course, participants may request a Sydney Harbour Kayaks Certificate of Completion, confirming participation in our Paddle Safe Paddle Smart Kayak Safety Lesson.
While this three-hour course provides an excellent introduction to kayak safety and rescue techniques, we strongly recommend that anyone preparing for an Arctic or Antarctic kayaking expedition follows up with a 1 or 2-hour private coaching session.
These private lessons allow additional time to focus on:
✔ Wet exits and capsize management
✔ Assisted rescues
✔ Self-rescue techniques
✔ Communication on the water
✔ Working effectively as part of a guided paddling group
✔ Paddling and rescue techniques using double sea kayaks
Most expedition cruises utilise double sea kayaks, which handle differently to many recreational kayaks and require specific teamwork and communication skills between paddling partners.
A private follow-up lesson provides valuable additional practice and helps build the confidence required for what may truly be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Many expedition travel operators and guides strongly encourage participants to undertake additional practical training before travelling, particularly if they have limited kayaking experience.
When you're paddling amongst icebergs, glaciers and some of the most remote coastlines on Earth, confidence and preparation become part of the adventure.
Pricing
Rent a kayak from Sydney Harbour Kayaks
The Paddle Safe Paddle Smart Safety Lesson is FREE when you rent a kayak from Sydney Harbour Kayaks.
Kayak Rental: $65 per person
This includes:
✔ Premium kayak
✔ Paddle
✔ Lifejacket
✔ Safety equipment
✔ Professional instruction
Bring Your Own Kayak
If you would prefer to use your own kayak and equipment:
Lesson Fee: $55 per person
Course Size
To ensure personalised instruction and a high-quality learning experience:
Minimum Participants: 4
Maximum Participants: 8
Small group sizes allow plenty of time for individual coaching, practical exercises and repetition of key rescue skills.
Winter Conditions
This course involves practical on-water rescue exercises and capsize training.
During the cooler months, we strongly recommend wearing a wetsuit or appropriate thermal paddling clothing.
You should expect to spend time in the water during many of the exercises.
We do have a hot shower available after the course - bring a towel.
Knowledge Creates Confidence
The most confident paddlers are not always the fastest or strongest paddlers.
They are the paddlers who understand their equipment, understand the conditions and know how to respond when challenges arise.
The purpose of this course is not simply to teach rescue techniques—it is to help paddlers make better decisions, paddle more safely and enjoy the water with greater confidence.
Knowledge creates confidence.
Confidence creates safety. Safety creates great adventures.
Supported by Paddle Safe Paddle Smart
This program is proudly supported by Transport for NSW through the Paddle Safe initiative.
Our aim is simple: to help more people enjoy paddling safely while building the confidence and knowledge needed to enjoy a lifetime of adventures on the water.
Safety Partner
