Sea Kayak Courses Switzerland
We make you feel the learning: Professional Sea Kayak Coaching.
At Hightide Kayak School, we believe in coaching the individual. Our courses are designed to meet you at your current skill level and guide you toward your personal kayaking goals. Whether you’re looking to build confidence on the water, paddle more efficiently for long-distance expeditions, or master advanced sea kayaking techniques, we tailor our instruction to your needs.
Expert Coaching for Every Kayaker
With our extensive experience on the ocean and in-depth knowledge of sea kayaking, we provide expert coaching that ensures real progress. All of our instructors are qualified sea kayakers with a deep passion for both paddling and teaching. We’ve spent years refining what truly makes a difference in learning this sport—and we deliver it in a way that makes you “feel the learning” firsthand.
Your Journey in 5 Levels
To help you find the right challenge and ensure long-term growth, we have structured our training into five progressive levels. This journey takes you from the calm of the lake to the dynamic energy of the sea.
Our goal isn’t just to teach—it’s to create the right conditions so your development continues even after the course ends. Find the level below that fits your goals and join us on the water to take your kayaking to the next level!
Level 1
Get the right feel for stability and control. Learn essential paddling basics, efficient steering, and safe rescue techniques to build your confidence for a relaxed start on the water.
Focus: Lake Brienz, basics & safety.
Level 2
Go from just "paddling" to clean, controlled boat handling. We refine your stroke and edging techniques, helping you stay efficient and save energy even in wind and small waves.
Focus: Technical refinement & tour preparation.
Level 3
Step out of your comfort zone and build trust in wind and waves. Learn to "read" the conditions, improve your efficiency in choppy water, and master group rescue skills.
Focus: River adventures & coastal intro (Liguria).
Level 4
Dive into the world of coastal kayaking. We teach you how tides affect the coast, how to plan trips with currents, and how to handle your boat with precision in rougher seas.
Focus: Advanced navigation & seamanship.
Level 5
The ultimate challenge for experienced paddlers. Master complex environments, tide races, and open water crossings. Focus on risk management, team performance, and keeping a cool head when things get "spicy."
Focus: Expeditions, tide races & leadership (Brittany).
Our courses
Sea Kayak on the Lake
On the lake we offer three main courses in order to work on your skills progression. We have the perfect course for you whether you want to gain confidence to get out on your own, to develop and consolidate or to master the skills in more challenging conditions and become one with your boat.
See Kayak on the River
In Switzerland we have some of the most beautiful river journeys and some of the best white water in Europe. Although they might seem intimidating, they offer in the same way fantastic scenery, plenty of challenges and lots of fun for us sea kayakers too. We love to surf the waves and it will help you to become more fluid and dynamic in your boat.
Sea Kayak on the Sea
Every course on salt water feels a bit like coming home for us and we are always happy to share this feeling with guests and friends. The skills we practice on the lake and river can be deepened on the sea and transferred into practice between rocks, wind and waves.
Sea Kayak Theory & Planning
Our theory courses are aimed at all paddlers and guides who want to deepen their skills in planning trips in coastal areas with tides and gain more confidence. We look at weather, wind and swell forecasts and consolidate the use of compass and charts. Your next trip is awaiting you.
Sea Kayak Guide Training
We have a range of courses to support you in taking the step in leading others on the water, whether running it’s for running trips with friends, club members or professionally on the Sea. We have courses on the lake and the sea looking at fine tuning your rescues, planning abilities, group management and leadership skills.
Kids Kayak Training KKBEO
- Wednesdays (2h)
- CHF 25 / Session
- 6-12 years
Off to the water! Come rain or shine, we take your little pirates out for an adventure on the water! In a fun and playful environment, they’ll learn how to handle a kayak with confidence.
Our 2-hour kids’ paddle sessions take place every Wednesday afternoon. You’re welcome to try one or two sessions for just 25 CHF each before deciding on a membership with the Kanu Klub Berner Oberland (KKBEO) and joining our regular training program.
Our films
Meet our Coaching Team
Jolien Gekiere
Our partners
We work with a great set of partners, including Swiss Canoe, British Canoeing and PluSport. Click the button below for more information.