Get on the Sea with LZ
Ready to learn how to kayak or take your skills to the next level? Let’s get on the water! This is where I post all of my upcoming trainings, courses, events, and more! I also offer courses through Sea Trek and frequently cross-post them here.
ACA L4 Open Water Coastal Kayak Skills Assessment
Date: Saturday, January 16, 2027
Cost: $250
Min 2, max 4 candidates
A one-day assessment against the ACA Level 4 Open Water Coastal Kayaking skills criteria, held at Horseshoe Cove/Travis Marina or Bolinas depending on conditions.
ACA L4 Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor Certification Workshop (L4 ICW)
Dates: February 1-4, 2027
Cost: $800
In this 4-day instructor certification workshop, you’ll have the chance to train and assess in an open coast environment with large swell, fast currents, and quick-changing conditions.
American Canoe Association L3 Coastal Kayak Instructor Development Workshops and Instructor Certification Exam
Take your paddling from a personal skill to a group one. The ACA’s Coastal Paddlesports Leader certification prepares you to lead day trips on lakes and coastal water, from calm outings to more exposed conditions with wind and waves. You’ll build the on-the-water management, decision-making, communication, trip planning, risk management, and rescue skills to run a full day safely, while still making it a good time for the group.
Ready to step into leadership in dynamic coastal environments? This ACA Level 5 Advanced Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) offers experienced instructors the opportunity to level up their coaching and leadership in conditions that meet or exceed L5 certification standards.
This Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) is held separately from the IDW (happening May of 2027 in Washington), allowing candidates time to develop and practice between the two events and test their coaching in a different environment. Held in the San Francisco Bay Area, where big swell, fast currents, and changing weather combine to create a powerful testing ground.
I joined the incredible Anna Levesque on The Discomfort Zone podcast to talk about fear, surrender, play, and why the only way out is through.
I talked with John Chase of the Paddling the Blue podcast about Fearless Formosa, the sea kayaking expedition Kelly Henry and I took in Taiwan.
In 2022, the ACA named me its Instructor of the Month for June, just a month after the ACA California Chapter honored me as a Paddle Hero for Leadership in Instruction.
Deciding whether to become a kayaking instructor or get certified to coach at the next level? The answer is yes. Here’s how.
Kelly Henry and I teamed up with Simon Osborne of Online Sea Kayaking on Playing in the Rocks, a rock hopping course filmed in Cornwall, Anglesey, Marin, and Mendocino. Use code Laura for 10% off.