Guide Requirements
CLASS I: A minimum of one certified Full Guide.
CLASS II: A minimum of one certified Full Guide and one certified Assistant Guide.
CLASS III: A minimum of one certified Class III Full Guide and one certified Assistant Guide.
Canadian Coastal Waters Classification:
A classification of coastal waters that considers topography,
bathymetry, fetch, tidal action, marine traffic and any local
anomalies that would affect sea kayaking safety. Areas are identified on a Master Classification Map developed by the ACSKG.
CLASS I: Protected Waters
CLASS II: Open Coastal Waters
CLASS III: Stretches of very high energy coastline with minimal refuge
| RATIOS |
| DOUBLES | SINGLES | MIXED |
| CLASS I | 1:6 / 2:7 to 10 | 1:4 / 2:5 to 8 | 1:5 /
2:6 to 10 |
| CLASS II | 2:10 | 2:6 | 2:8 |
| CLASS III | 2:8 | 2:4 | 2:6 |
Ratios are defined here as guide to client
Maximum group size is the two guides plus the maximum number of clients (e.g. 10 clients in double kayak fleets in Class II waters).
In mixed kayak fleets, the Full guide must be in a single and there must be a minimum of one guide kayak for every three client kayaks in Class I and II waters.
In double kayak fleets, one of the guides may be in a single.
Personal Flotation Devices
Coast Guard Approved PFDs must be worn at all times.
Conduct on the Water
Groups shall travel in the manner recommended by the ACSKG Leadership Course Core Curriculum. Clients must remain between the two guides and within vocal range of the guides while on the water. Minimal deck loads are required in order to maximize the seaworthiness of each kayak.
Conduct on the Land
Groups shall conduct themselves on land in accordance with the ACSKG Minimum Impact Standards.
Regulations
Groups shall abide by all regulations and laws in effect in the jurisdiction of operation.
Equipment Requirements
Each kayak must have the Transport Canada Minimum Safety Equipment Requirements:
- One (1) lifejacket or PFD for each person on board.
- One (1) buoyant heaving line at least 15 m (49' 3") long.
- One (1) reboarding device - only required if the vertical height that must be climbed to reboard the boat from the water is over 0.5 m (1' 8").
- One (1) bailer or manual bilge pump or bilge-pumping arrangements.
- If boat is over 6 m: One (1) watertight flashlight.
- If boat is over 6 m: Six (6) flares of Type A, B or C.
- One (1) sound-signalling device or appliance.
- Navigation lights - only required if the boat is operated after sunset, before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility (fog, falling snow, etc.).
- One (1) magnetic compass - not required if the boat is 8 m (26' 3") or less and operated within sight of navigation marks.
- One (1) radar reflector - see additional information below:
Radar reflectors are required for boats under 20 m (65' 7") and boats that are built of mostly non-metallic materials.
A radar reflector is not required if:
- the boat operates in limited traffic conditions, daylight and favourable environmental conditions, and where having a radar reflector is not essential to the boat's safety; or
- the small size of the boat or its operation away from radar navigation makes having a radar reflector impractical.
Additional equipment required for each trip:
- Comprehensive repair kit with parts, supplies and tools.
- Comprehensive wilderness first aid kit.
- One tow line per guide, with at least 50 feet of buoyant line attached to a quick release system.
- Combination of hand held flares, parachute flares and smoke flares.
- Radar reflector which can be raised at least 4 feet above the deck of a kayak when in areas of high boat traffic and crossing navigation channels.
- Waterproof container holding a marine VHF radio capable of sending a distress signal (Ch. 16) and receiving weather information, an extra waterproofed battery pack and a telescoping radio antenna.
- PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) and satellite phone in Class III and in areas with poor VHF reception.
- One sprayskirt per cockpit.
- One spare paddle per kayak.
- All kayaks must have secure buoyancy such that the boats can be re-entered and paddled when awash (e.g. sea socks, watertight bulkheads, inherent buoyancy, floatation bags).
- Other appropriate gear for clients and guides as recommended by the ACSKG Leadership Course Core Curriculum.
If discrepancies exist between ACSKG printed material and material published on the ACSKG website, the online content will be considered valid. The most up-to-date content is published at: ACSKG.ca