Do you want to learn to kayak? Or do you want to learn to paddle more efficiently or more safely? This course includes over 9 hours of classroom instruction, 2 hrs in the swimming pool, and two days of on-the-water instruction. You will learn a bit about navigation, seamanship, kayaks and equipment, health issues, paddling with the Mountaineers, and conservation principles as well as basic capsize recovery and the basics of boat control: i.e. how to make your kayak go where you want it to g... More
Do you want to learn to kayak? Or do you want to learn to paddle more efficiently or more safely? This course includes over 9 hours of classroom instruction, 2 hrs in the swimming pool, and two days of on-the-water instruction. You will learn a bit about navigation, seamanship, kayaks and equipment, health issues, paddling with the Mountaineers, and conservation principles as well as basic capsize recovery and the basics of boat control: i.e. how to make your kayak go where you want it to go.
Participants who successfully complete the course are eligible to go on appropriate level Mountaineer paddle trips with any of the Mountaineer branches.
Classroom and pool sessions will be on April 6 and 7 and open water sessions will be on April 13 and 14.
Kayaks and most equipment will be provided for the pool session on April 7. (Talk with me if you want to use your own boat / gear at the pool session.)
For the open-water sessions on April 13 and 14, each student will need a single sea kayak (no doubles) with floatation in both ends and deck perimeter lines, a personal floatation device, a spray skirt, paddle float, pump, appropriate footwear, a dry suit, appropriate insulation under dry suit, gloves, and a kayak paddle for the on-the-water sessions. If you have your own kayak and would like to use it, check with me to ensure it will meet the requirements. If you do not have your own equipment, you can rent everything you need. Let me know what equipment you would like to rent. We encourage folks who do not yet own kayaks or gear (with a few exceptions) to NOT buy any until, at the very earliest, after the weekend of classroom / pool instruction.
This course is limited to 15 students.
One must be a Mountaineer to take this course.
To complete the course, one must do the following: (1.) Swim 50 yards without flotation. (2.) Attend all classroom sessions on April 6 and 7. (3.) Successfully complete pool session on April 7 and the open water sessions on April 13 and 14. (4.) Successfully participate in two Mountaineers' paddles of at least 7 miles no later than September 30, 2013. (5) Participate in a Mountaineer sponsored Conservation activity no later than September 30, 2013.
Cost of the course is $180.00 and will be paid to the Mountaineers on line. The cost of renting a kayak and all required gear for the second weekend is $138.00. Students may also just rent the dry suit package or just rent gear ala carte, so to speak. The cost of renting gear will be collected via a check once it is determined what equipment each student will need to rent.
The club will provide snacks and coffee, tea, etc. (Bring your own cup, there won't be any disposables.)
No cancellations after March 31, 2013.
Contact Vern Brown at hohfern@gmail.com or 360-626-3963 prior to registering online (we need to communicate before you register for the course.) or to find out more about the course.
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