Registration required for all events.  Click each event to learn more.

coastal kayaking instructor certification workshop

Level 3
Mayville, NY
June 12-16, 2021
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Evergreen Outfitters is proud to be joined by Dale Williams of Sea Kayak USA for a five-day Coastal Kayaking Workshop in beautiful Chautauqua County, NY. If you are an intermediate level kayaker interested in paddling and/or teaching others in open-water conditions, this event is for you! 

Paddling venues on Chautauqua Lake and Lake Erie provide an excellent opportunity for intermediate paddlers to learn, practice, and teach strokes, rescues, and group management through open-water challenges such as moderate waves, surf, and current. There will be multiple Level 3+ Instructors present for safety and coaching, so you will be able to focus on pushing the envelope and learning in a "challenge by choice" environment.

This course is also designed to provide the aspiring sea kayak instructor the opportunity to develop and refine teaching skills in an American Canoe Association (ACA) Level 3 Open Water Kayak Instructor Development Workshop (L3 IDW), and to take the L3 Instructor Certification Exam (ICE).

Cost per person: $125 per day. (Bring a friend: 20% group discount available!) A limited supply of rental boats and/or gear are available upon request for an additional fee.

For more info, contact Evergreen Outfitters by calling 716-763-2266.

Dale Williams of Sea Kayak USA is an ACA-certified Level 5 Advanced Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer Educator (the ACA's highest certification).
​
Mike Kingsley of Evergreen Outfitters is an ACA-certified Level 4 Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor on the path to becoming an Instructor Trainer.
Call now to reserve your spot.

​​Find more kayaking workshops here.

summer tours 2021

Chautauqua Lake & Lake Erie
See descriptions below for our weekly & monthly outings

lessons

Lessons available every Saturday Memorial Day thru Labor Day
Click photo to go to our lessons page

kayaking workshops

Take a trip.  Learn a skill.  Surf the waves.
If you've ever wanted to take your kayaking to a new level, these workshops with our ACA certified instructors are for you.

level 1

Calm water, protected from wind, waves, & boat traffic.

level 2

Protected water near shore. Winds up to 10 knots, waves up to 1ft, current up to 1 knot.

level 3

Two of the following: 10-15 knot winds, 1-2 ft seas, 1-2 ft breaking waves (surf) 1-2 knot current.

Level 4

Three of the following: open water, 11-16 knot winds, 1-3 ft seas, 1-3 ft surf, and 1-3 knot current.
Call now to reserve your spot.
September 24-26, 2021

​essentials of kayak touring:
​ INSTRUCTOR WORKSHOP



Lake jocassee, sc

LEVEL 2 ICW
READ COVID-19 SAFETY GUIDELINES HERE.
read more
If you would like to get more comfortable kayaking, this training event is for you!

Lake Jocassee provides an excellent venue for paddlers to learn and practice strokes, rescues, and teaching newer paddlers to enjoy the water safely.  There will be plenty of experienced instructors around for safety and coaching, so you will be able to focus on pushing the envelope and learning in a "challenge by choice" environment.

This course is also designed to provide the aspiring sea kayak instructor the opportunity to teach and earn credit for an ACA Level 2 Essentials of Kayak Touring Instructor Development Workshop (L2 IDW), Instructor Certification Exam (L2 ICE), Update, Skills Assessment, or Trip Leader Assessment.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. A limited number of spots are available. To register, please contact Evergreen Outfitters at 716-763-2266. 

COST: $125/day. Group discounts available. A limited number of kayaks and equipment are available for rental upon request.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS:
Tom Nickels is an ACA-certified Level 4 Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer.
Mike is an ACA Level 4 Open Water Kayak Instructor on the path to becoming an Instructor Trainer.

November 12-16, 2021

Coastal kayaking
​Instructor workshop



jekyll island, ga

LEVEL 1-3 ICW
READ COVID-19 SAFETY GUIDELINES HERE.
read more
If you are an intermediate level kayaker and would like to get more comfortable in open-water conditions, this training event is for you!

Jekyll Island, GA provides an excellent venue for intermediate paddlers to learn and practice strokes and rescues, as well as safely manage movement through open water challenges such as moderate waves, surf, and current.  There will be plenty of Level 3-4 Instructors around for safety and coaching, so you will be able to focus on pushing the envelope and learning in a "challenge by choice" environment.

This course is also designed to provide the aspiring sea kayak instructor the opportunity to teach and earn credit for an ACA Level 3 Open Water Kayak Instructor Development Workshop (L3 IDW), Instructor Certification Exam (L3 ICE), Update, Skills Assessment, or Trip Leader Assessment.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. A limited number of spots are available. To register, please contact Evergreen Outfitters at 716-763-2266. 

COST: $125/day. Group discounts available. A limited number of kayaks and equipment are available for rental upon request.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS:
Tom Nickels is an ACA-certified Level 4 Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer.
Mike is an ACA Level 4 Open Water Kayak Instructor on the path to becoming an Instructor Trainer.
​
December 3-7, 2021

meeting the bump/Beating the bump
coastal kayaking
​instructor workshop



St. augustine, fl

LEVEL 3-4 ICW
READ COVID-19 SAFETY GUIDELINES HERE.
READ MORE
This is an excellent opportunity for kayakers of intermediate level or higher to learn how to paddle and lead groups safely in open water, surf, and tidal currents.

Topics covered include navigation, reading conditions, identifying safe zones, intermediate strokes, bracing, rolling, surfing, towing, and rescues. The stellar group of instructors, coming in from all over the country, will work directly with you to help you meet the challenge.

This event is also designed to provide the aspiring sea kayak instructor the opportunity to teach and earn credit for a Level 3-4 Skills Assessment, Trip Leader Assessment, Instructor Certification Workshop (ICW) or Update.
Whether you'd like to become an instructor, are already on that path, or you just want to take your skills to the next level, this event is for you!

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. A limited number of spots are available. To register, please contact Evergreen Outfitters at 716-763-2266. 

PREREQUISITES for SKILLS STUDENTS: Successful completion of L3 skills course, or equivalent experience with approval.

PREREQUISITES for IDW: Successful completion of L3-4 Coastal Kayak Skills Assessment and current ACA member. (See our calendars or contact us for scheduled Assessments.) 

COST: $125/day. Group discounts available. A limited number of kayaks and equipment are available for rental upon request.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS:
Tom Nickels is an ACA-certified Level 4 Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer.
Mike is an ACA Level 4 Open Water Kayak Instructor on the path to becoming an Instructor Trainer.

summer tours

2021 Season
Our summer tours range from beginner to intermediate level and run from Memorial Day through Labor Day

reservations required. if there are no reservations, we won't show up.
we reserve the right to cancel an outing due to poor weather conditions.

Call now to reserve your spot.

monday morning paddle
prendergast point
​(alternating mondays)

Explore beautiful Chautauqua Lake with the joy of the morning sun over the water.  This paddle is appropriate for all levels of paddlers, including beginners!
Cost:  $25.00 w/ rental; free with your own gear
Date: Alternating Mondays (see calendar)
Meet Time: 8:00am
Location: Prendergast Point Boat Launch

monday night paddle
cassadaga Lakes
​(once a month)

Paddlers of all experience levels are welcome to join us on this new guided paddling tour!  Come out and enjoy the beautiful Cassadaga Lakes where you will see lots of water fowl, including a pair of swans.  
Cost:  $25.00 w/ rental; free with your own gear
Date: One Monday/month (2021 dates: June 7, July 12, & Aug 9)
Meet Time: 6:30p
Location: Dale Dr. public boat launch

tuesday night paddle
lake erie @ barcelona

This is a guided paddling tour of the many faces of Lake Erie.  Enjoy a peaceful sunset paddle or charge towards shore as you surf along the waves.  It's certain to be fun whatever the conditions! 
Cost:  $25.00 w/ rental; free with your own gear
Date: Every Tuesday 
Meet Time: 6:30p
Location: Barcelona Boat Launch, Westfield







​

wednesday night paddle
Chautauqua outlet

Join us for a serene flat water tour suitable for paddlers of all levels.  We'll help beginners learn to kayak, canoe, or paddleboard while experiencing the sights and sounds of a wide variety of wildlife. More experienced paddlers can share their knowledge with others, or form a group of "travelers" to set a faster pace and see more by going farther. Then, if you worked up an appetite paddling, meet up at Big Tree Soft Serve and treat yourself to some of the best around!

Cost:  $25.00 w/ rental; free with your own gear
​Date: Every Wednesday 
Start Time: 6:30p
Location: McCrea Point Park on Jones & Gifford Rd in Jamestown, NY

thursday night paddle
erie, pa

Paddlers of any experience level are welcome to try paddle boards and canoes, as well as kayaks as we paddle along the shoreline of Lake Erie in Erie, PA. 
Cost:  $25.00 w/ rental; free with your own gear
Date: Every Thursday
​Meet Time: 6:30p
Location: East Avenue boat ramp
​



​

Saturday night
​moonlight paddle
(once a month)

The only thing as beautiful as the sun setting on the lake is the moon rising out of it.  For a chance to experience Chautauqua Lake at its best, join us for one of our monthly full moon paddles.  If you own headlamps or deck lamps, please bring them; limited number of deck lamps are available.  
Cost:  $25.00 w/ rental; $5 with your own gear
Date: One Saturday/month (2021 Dates: June 26, July 24, & Aug 21)
​Meet Time: varies based on sunset
Location: varies
See calendar for details
Call now to reserve your spot.

personalize your adventure

Allow us to help you  personalize your trip.  If you want to be involved in a women-only trip, special badges for Scouts, Corporate outings or just some special time with the family, we can help!  Calling is the first step to a grand adventure.  A minimum of 4 people is required.  Pricing is dependent on length of trip.

store hours:

Memorial Day thru Labor Day
Mon-Sat: 10a-6p
Sun: 10a-4p

Labor Day thru Memorial Day
Mon-Wed: by appointment only
Thur-Sat: 10a-6p
​Sun: 10a-4p

EVERGREEN OUTFITTERS
61 WATER STREET
MAYVILLE, NY 14757

​
​MIKE@EVERGREEN-OUTFITTERS.COM
716-763-2266