Sea Kayak Baja Mexico

CRK's sister company south of the border is also

Mexico's only BCU-Endorsed Center
and Nigel Dennis Expedition Centre!

programs on this page
Sea of Cortez Courses
Expedition Primer
Island Expedition
Three Islands of the Marine Park
Four Island Circumnavigation
Baja Pacific Surf Camp
BCU courses in Baja
Unguided and Custom

General Info
Travel & Registration Info

link to photos of
Baja Pacific Surf Camp and Journey
Sea of Cortez Trips

informacion en Español
Cursos para Guias Mexicanas
en Kayak y de Primeros Auxilios

We've been paddling, surfing, and guiding in Baja for a decade now,
and are excited to offer world-class paddling and coaching for the first time in performance skegged boats.
Come develop your skills in Mexico! Here are programs and places we'd love to share with you.

Baja Sea of Cortez Programs

What better place is there to do some winter paddling than Mexico?

The Sea of Cortez is the world's youngest ocean, and the richest with life. Mile-high mountains frame the western vista of the National Marine Park of Loreto, whose islands and coastline and waters are the objects of our exploration. Come experience Mexico in modern British single kayaks with other experienced paddlers and with skilled, experienced leaders.

Sea Kayak Baja Mexico's courses challenge paddlers' skills. Learn through experience and coaching in the beauty of Mexico's Baja Peninsula. Choose the skill level that best suits you, and come play! Curriculum is based on the British Canoe Union star award requirements. Paddlers of all traditions are welcome.

Expedition Primer
New BCU 2-star skills.

Expedition in a single kayak as a contributing member of your group!

Route includes crossings of up to 4 miles, paddling days up to 12 miles, and layover days for custom coaching and exploring.
Danante Island, Carmen Island, and the Sierra la Giganta coast.
For paddlers with foundational boating skills and little or no independent expedition experience,
Expedition Primer builds skill and well-founded confidence through development of paddling technique, seamanship, and groupmanship.

Expedition Primer Sample Itinerary Day 0 Travel to Loreto, meet in evening to fit-test boats; briefing may be finished at a local restaurant. Day 1 Taxi ride to launch. Company gear division and boat packing. Short paddle to camping beach. Introduction to desert camping. Afternoon exploration and/or skills workshop. Days 2, 3 Full day paddles with stops at interesting beaches. Optional moonlight or evening paddles. Day 4 Layover for custom coaching, paddling empty boats, hiking, snorkeling, or just lying on the sand and soaking in the moment. Day 5 Optional sunrise paddle. Mid-morning crossing to Danzante Island or coast. Day 6 Morning paddle to take-out. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to hotels/campground for that well-deserved shower. Meet for farewell dinner. Day After. Fly out, or choose to stay and relax a while!

Expedition Pirmer Curriculum covers making the most of forward and steering strokes boat packing food and meal management paddling in 10-15kts wind and 1-2' wind waves (as available) bracing, rescues, roll expedition decision-making contributing to group safety run by BCU level 4 coach

6 days on the water
In the National Marine Park of the Bay of Loreto
New BCU 2-star curriculum
Prerequisites: Full day intro to kayaking course including wet exit, moderate physical fitness.
Sea of Cortez Trip Pix

Dates and prices:
November 10-15, 2008. Six paddling days. $1,200.
Subject to change; please email or call to confirm.
Travel & Registration Info

Island/Coast Expedition
New BCU 3-star skills.

Relish the freedom of expedition paddling in a stunning landscape!

Route includes crossings of up to 5 miles, paddling days up to 20 miles, and layover days for custom coaching and exploring.
Danante Island, Carmen Island, and the Sierra la Giganta coast.
Designed for paddlers with solid flatwater skills and overnight experience, Expedition Course focuses on refining boat handling techniques to handle moderate conditions. Provides expedition experience as a foundation to developing judgement.

Island/Coast Expedition Sample Itinerary Day 0 Travel to Loreto, meet in evening to fit-test boats; briefing may be finished at a local restaurant. Day 1 Taxi ride to launch. Company gear division and boat packing. Paddle to island. Evening introduction to desert camping. Days 2, 3 Full day paddles exploring the remote east side of Carmen Island Day 4 Layover for custom coaching, playing in empty boats, hiking, snorkeling or just lying on the sand and being peace. Day 5 Full day paddle down Carmen Island and crossing to Danzante. Day 6 Layover on Danzante Island for circumnavigation. Day 7 Morning paddle to take-out. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to hotels/campground for that well-deserved shower. Meet for farewell dinner. Day After. Fly out, or choose to stay and relax a while! Curriculum covers boat packing refining boat control in 10-18kts wind and 3' wind waves (as available) food and meal management bracing, rescues, roll engaging the core expedition decision-making sharing in group leadership and safety run by BCU level 4 coach

6 -14 days on the water
In the National Marine Park of the Bay of Loreto
Actual number of islands visited depends on weather conditions.
New BCU 3-star curriculum
Prerequisites: BCU 2-star award or equivalent with coach approval. Moderate physical fitness.
Sea of Cortez Trip Pix

Dates and prices:
TBA
Subject to change; please email or call to confirm.
Travel & Registration Info

Three Islands
of the National Marine Park of the Bay of Loreto
Developing New BCU 4-star skills.

Travel with a competent, self-sufficient band of paddlers to see the highlights of the Loreto Park.

Coronados Island, Carmen Island, and Danzante Island.
Designed for paddlers with reliable boat-handling skills in light conditions, good fitness, and overnight experience, Three Islands Course incorporates a significant open water crossing (8 mi), paddling days of up to 20 miles, and layover days for custom coaching and exploring. Builds competence in open water conditions through development of paddling technique, seamanship, and groupmanship.

Three Islands 10 day Sample itinerary Day 0 Travel to Loreto, meet in evening to fit-test boats; briefing may be finished at a local restaurant. Day 1 Launch & paddle to Coronados. Introduction to desert camping. Day 2 Circumnavigation of Coronados Island past sea lion colony. Day 3 Crossing to Carmen Island, 8 NM. Day 4 Layover for custom coaching, playing in empty boats, hiking, snorkeling or communing with cacti. Day 5 Full day paddle down Carmen Island's picturesque west side, visiting an ancient cardon cactus forest. Day 6 Explore Carmen Island's southeast tip with its marine fossils. Day 7 Paddle to coast for view of islands. Day 8 Paddle to Danzante Island, visiting 3 sea stacks en route. Day 9 Layover on Danzante Island for circumnavigation. Day 10 Morning paddle to take-out. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to hotels/campground for that well-deserved shower. Meet for farewell dinner. Day After. Fly out, or choose to stay and relax a while! Curriculum covers engaging the core refining boat control in conditions navigation food and meal management paddling in 10-20kts wind and 4' wind waves (as available) situation management in conditions expedition decision-making contributing to group safety, sharing in group leadership run by BCU level 4 coach

8 - 12 days on the water
In the National Marine Park of the Bay of Loreto
New BCU 4-star curriculum
Prerequisites: BCU 3-star award or equivalent with coach approval. Good physical fitness.
Sea of Cortez Trip Pix

Dates and prices:
TBA
Subject to change; please email or call to confirm.
Travel & Registration Info

Four Islands Circumnavigation
of the National Marine Park of the Bay of Loreto
Enhancing BCU 4-star skills on a 20-day journey.

Join the rhythm of the sea and the stars. Visit some of Loreto Park's most remote places. Live free on the sea!

Curriculum covers navigation food and meal management paddling in 10-25kts wind and wind waves 5'+ (as available) bracing, rescues, rolls, and fine boat control in conditions expedition decision-making pacing for multiple long days of paddling contributing to group safety, sharing in group leadership run by BCU Level 4 coach

20 days on the water
In the National Marine Park of the Bay of Loreto
Actual number of islands visited depends on weather conditions.
New BCU 4-star curriculum
Prerequisites: Training at BCU 4-star level, very good physical fitness, enjoyment of camping.
Sea of Cortez Trip Pix

Dates and prices:
March 2009. Twenty paddling days. $3,000.
Subject to change; please email or call to confirm.
Travel & Registration Info

Baja Pacific Programs

Baja Pacific Surf Camp
Developing and playing with BCU 4-star skills.

A 10-day basecamp on Baja's ruggedly beautiful Pacific coast. Sandy beaches provide an excellent surf introduction or review. Rocky headlands and offshore islands offer challenge and interest.

Sample Surf Camp Itinerary Day 0 Arrive in Guerrero Negro via plane or bus Day 1 Group rental van from Guerrero Negro to surf camp (1 hr 20 mins) or meet at camp via rental car. Unload gear, camp orientation, surf break etiquette & safety, boat fitting, surf play, short kayak explorations of the nearby coastline. Group dinner and workshop overview. Day 2 Safe body position, surf applications. Evening weather and swell session. Day 3 Optional sunrise surf session. Afternoon wind exercises. Evening basic compass theory. Day 4 Morning trip to island. Afternoon launching/landing practice at various beach types. Risk management discussion. Day 5 Optional sunrise surf session. Midmorning siesta. Hike to petroglyphs. Evening journey planning. Day 6 Journey to Punta Rocosa or beyond. Evening off. Day 7 Reasonable rock hopping. Discussion: risk management applied to coastal journeying. Day 8 Journey to Sta. Rosalillita, surf play. Day 9 Coastal playday. Farewell bonfire. Day 10 Morning paddle. Afternoon transportation to Guerrero Negro for flights, or to highway for bus. Curriculum covers surf zone and ettiquite relaxing and playing in the surf zone strategies for crossing the surf zone paddling in 10-20kts wind (as available) conservative rock hopping contributing to group safety on the sea run by BCU level 4 coach

10 days on the water
on the Pacific coast of Baja in the unique Viscaino Biosphere Preserve
New BCU 4-star curriculum
Prerequisites: BCU 3-star award or equivalent with coach approval, and good physical fitness.
Pacific Surf Camp Trip Pix

Dates and prices:
October 2008
May 2009
$2,500.
Subject to change. Please call or email for confirmation

Logistics: Guerrero Negro is the nearest town with modern services, and we'll be based an hour north of that.
Modern, comfortable bus from San Diego is less than $100, and should take about 10 hours.
We can also suggest teaming up to rent a van from San Diego.
Travel & Registration Info

BCU Courses in Baja
Winter courses with the only BCU-endorsed center in Mexico!

These trainings and assessments were originally geared towards Mexico Kayak Guides, but everyone of appropriate skill level is welcome. It is a kayaking and a cultural experience together. Communication will be bilingual as necessary, and set in that pinnacle of paddling venues, the Sea of Cortez. Course will run usually 9am to 5pm, with some evening gatherings. Coaching and use of a quality British-design boat are included. Lodging, transportation and food are not included, but we'd be happy to help you figure it out.

2008 - 2009

New BCU 2* Workshop Nov 2008 exact dates TBA
New BCU 3* Workshop Nov/Dec 2008 exact dates TBA
New BCU 4* Leadership Training Dec 2008 exact dates TBA
New BCU Coach Level 1 Course (5 days including Canoe Safety Test) Nov/Dec 2008 exact dates TBA

Discovery Program
Unguided and custom events

What would you like to create?

Sea of Cortez

With the Discovery Program, we offer the opportunity to create and run your own expedition, with or without a safety guide or private coach. To go without a safety guide or coach, all members must provide, at minimum, evidence of training at the 4-star level. At least one member must have a 4-star award. An hour of trip consultation (phone, internet, or in person) is included in the unguided option. Similar certifications will be honored, for example in ACA: Trip Leaders, Open Water Instructors and IT's.

Discovery Program Pricing--Sea of Cortez per kayak per day--Nigel Dennis Kayak fiberglass	$60
per kayak per day--Wilderness Systems or Valley rotomolded	$50
kayak rental includes PFD, paddle, spray deck, pump.
consultation (per hour min 1 hour for unguided programs)	$50
(opt) arrangement of logistics--cost of transportation and park fees plus	$50
(opt) safety guide per day up to 6 people in group	$200
(opt) coach, level 4 per day up to 6 people in group	$300
(opt) coach, level 5--check for availability and pricing
(opt) arrangement of hotel reservations--per room per stay	$5
(opt) kitchen gear rental, with fuel, per day	$20
(opt) entire custom trip, inclusive. per person per day, 6-9 ppl. min 5 days	$220

Pacific Coast

General Course Info

The number of days noted is the number of actual paddling days. Travel and relaxation time is additional.
Travel & Registration Info