ACA Level 2 Essentials of Kayak Touring

Course Overview: The Essentials of Kayak Touring course is designed to teach beginning paddlers to safely and enjoyably kayak on lakes, calm, protected saltwater environments, and other flatwater settings. This course is designed to follow and/or reinforce the concepts and techniques covered in the Mountaineers' "Sea Kayaking Basics" class.

Essentials of Kayak Touring is a one-day seminar focused on helping the student learn to paddle safely and enjoyably on lakes and other flatwater settings. Instruction provided on launching and landing, basic paddling strokes, directional control of the kayak, and safety and rescue procedures. Emphasis on understanding the basics of tides and currents, use of a compass to take safety bearings, rules for paddling in channels with and without boat traffic, and use of a VHF radio, weather radio and other emergency/safety equipment. Topics also include developing a safety mindset, understanding risks of hypothermia and dehydration, and hazards such as wind, waves and weather. Instruction provided by an ACA Coastal Kayaking instructor on a lake, or other calm protected flatwater environment. Sea kayaks with bulkheads or other approved floatation are required for this Mountaineers seminar.