2 Day Private Personalized Beginners Kayak Intensive (Maximum 3 people)

Day 1: Flatwater skills and roll Practice On Lake Whatcom

Costumer Considerations:

Personal ability, Swimming ability and Fitness
conditioning and warm up
Safe paddle and boat handling
Safety and rescue considerations
Personal equipment (reviewed by Instructor)
Judgment.
In addition to learning hard skills, the importance of developing personal judgment and group responsibilities

Getting started Talk:

Equipment:

Kayak:types & parts
Paddle: types, parts, length and hand position
Life jackets (PFDs): fit and regulations
Appropriate clothing: comfortable / protective
Additional Personal and Group Equipment: Extra paddle, dry bags, water, food, sponge, hat, eyeglass strap, whistle, foot protections, bug spray, sunscreen, first aid kit and location of equipment.
Warm up to reduce injury

Off The Water Skills:

On The water Skills:

Rescue:

All participants are to be asked to demonstrate a controlled capsize and an appropriate rescue.
Water comfort and confidence
Controlled capsize / wet exit Swim the boat to shore (short distance)
Emptying a kayak
Deep water exit / re-entry
Assisted Rescues - T / X-rescue

Others Maneuvers:

Spin: boat pivots in place
Abeam: boat moves sideways without headway
Forward: boat goes forward in a reasonably straight line
Stopping: boat stops within a reasonable distance
Strokes: Forward Back (stopping) Draw Sculling draw/brace Sweep (including Stern Draw) Reverse Sweep Rudder
Low brace to avoid capsize

Kayak Roll:

Acquaint student with proper hand placement and indexing of paddle
Student rolls to the on-side (instructor supports student by PFD just above water surface and guides paddle from the setup to the sweep position
Allow student to set-up and sweep on their own with your support
Student rolls away from the instructor in the proper setup position (instructor awaits for paddle to surface and then helps guide paddle into proper sweep position and provides support for hip snap)
Putting it all together
Guide paddle into position by lightly supporting thes weeping blade ensuring proper blade angle and orientation
Minimally assist by standing at stern and twisting boat upright if needed
Revisit any previous step to further develop needed skills
Carefully observe students for fatigue and confusion
Encourage students to work with partners when they are awaiting their one-on-one time
Provide and encourage breaks

Day 2: Whitewater Skills on Class 1-2 River

Getting Started Talk:

Equipment:

Life Jackets (PFDs): types, fit
Kayaks: types, materials, parts (including safety features such as flotation)
Paddles: types, materials, parts, length, blade size & shape, hand position.
Spray skirts: types & material, grab loop!
Care of equipment
Personal equipment: water, food, shoes, hat, sunscreen, bug repellent, sun glasses, eyeglass straps, protective clothing for heat or cold, sponge, bailer/pump, whistle, knife, light
Optional equipment and outfitting

Skills:

River Reading: Current speed, direction and changes caused by streambed features
Safety & Rescue: Exercising judgment, safety as a state of mind.
Principles of Rescue Priorities: first people, then boats, finally other gear
Responsibilities of the victim Responsibilities of the rescuers
Responsibilities of the group
Types of Rescue
Self Rescue
Boat assisted rescue, towing or bulldozing a tired swimmer, towing or bulldozing a capsized boat Shoreline
Rescue: Extension rescues, use of throw ropes/bags
Maneuvers: J-lean /
Heeling the boat
Paddling in a reasonably straight line.
Spins
Stopping
Ferries
Eddy
Turns
Peel Outs