At Komodo Kayaking, we have always believed that great adventures begin with great guides.
When guests join us on the water, they trust us to lead them safely through an environment that is constantly changing. Conditions can shift, weather can change, and every group is different. We believe that responsibility deserves more than experience alone. It requires training, leadership, and a commitment to continuous learning.
That belief is what started our kayak training journey.
It Started with Our Local Guides
In 2022, long before we offered training courses to the public, we began investing in the professional development of our own kayak guides.
Every member of our kayak team comes from Manggarai. They grew up alongside the ocean and have a deep understanding of the local environment. However, we wanted to provide more than local knowledge. We wanted to create professional sea kayak guides who could meet internationally recognised standards while remaining deeply connected to their communities.
Over the following years, our team trained extensively in paddling techniques, rescue skills, navigation, expedition planning, leadership, and risk management. Every trip became an opportunity to learn, improve, and refine our skills.
Most importantly, we built a culture where learning never stops.
A Milestone in 2026
After years of training and preparation, our guides officially completed their professional sea kayak guide certification through OSIS (Outdoor Schools Integrated Systems) in April 2026.
This was a proud moment for our team.
The certification recognised years of dedication and confirmed our commitment to raising professional standards for sea kayaking in Indonesia. More importantly, it reinforced our belief that investing in people is the best investment we can make.
Today, we are proud to be among the pioneers helping develop professional sea kayak guiding in Indonesia.
Sharing Sea Kayaking with the Community
While our guides were progressing through their training, we wanted to do something equally important.
We wanted to introduce sea kayaking to our local community.
Together with OSIS, we offered free Level 1 Recreational Paddler training to community members who were interested in learning more about kayaking and water safety. Participants came from many different backgrounds, including Indonesian Waste Platform, senior local divers, Search and Rescue Labuan Bajo, vocational school trainees, outdoor enthusiasts, and tourism professionals.
For many participants, it was their first time in a sea kayak.
The goal was not to create professional guides overnight. Instead, we wanted to build awareness, promote safe paddling practices, and create opportunities for people to experience a new outdoor activity.
By the end of the program, participants successfully achieved their Level 1 as Recreational Paddlers.
Watching people from different backgrounds learn together on the water remains one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
Becoming an Official OSIS Partner
Our partnership with OSIS has continued to grow over the years.
Today, Komodo Kayaking is proud to be an official OSIS Partner in Indonesia. This allows us to deliver internationally recognised kayak training and certification programs directly through our own training centre.
What started as an investment in our guides has now become an opportunity to support paddlers, outdoor professionals, students, tourism workers, and adventurers from Indonesia and around the world.
We are now officially able to offer OSIS training and certification programs to the public.
The Training Pathway
Our kayak courses are designed to support paddlers at every stage of their journey.
Level 1 : Recreational Paddler
Duration: 2 Days
The Level 1 certification focuses on fundamental paddling techniques and safety skills for recreational paddlers. It is ideal for beginners and anyone looking to build confidence on the water while developing a strong foundation in sea kayaking.
Level 2 : Expedition Paddler
Duration: 2 Days
The Level 2 certification is designed for paddlers who want to progress beyond day trips and develop the skills needed for multi-day kayak expeditions.
Participants learn navigation, trip planning, leadership, risk management, advanced rescue techniques, and decision-making in coastal environments. The course prepares paddlers to travel further, paddle more independently, and take part in longer journeys.
Level 3 : Kayak Guide
Duration: 3 Days
The Level 3 certification focuses on inshore expedition leadership, advanced rescue techniques, group management, and leadership skills.
This level is designed for experienced paddlers who are preparing for guide-level responsibilities and greater leadership roles on the water.
Looking Ahead
Our vision extends far beyond running kayak trips.
We want to help grow sea kayaking in Indonesia. We want to create opportunities for local communities, develop professional guides, and encourage more people to explore the outdoors safely and responsibly.
Every guide we train, every paddler we certify, and every person we introduce to kayaking helps move that vision forward.
Since 2022, we have seen what is possible when local knowledge, professional training, and community support come together.
We are proud of how far we have come, but we are even more excited about what comes next.
If you would like to begin your own kayaking journey, develop expedition skills, or work towards professional guide certification, we invite you to join us.
Visit our Kayak Course page to learn more about upcoming training and certification opportunities.
