Classroom
Presentations
Adjusting Boat Fit
For efficient energy transfer between body, boat, and blade, a kayak needs to fit well. Unfortunately, kayaks are not one size fits all, nor are they usually custom built to fit your body. Bring your kayak to this class on Thursday and learn how to "pad it out" for that custom fit and become "one with your kayak" for the rest of the weekend.
Navigation
(classroom & on-water)
This class will cover the basics of Navigation in a kayak. It will discuss the problems involved in navigating in a kayak as well as practical solutions. We will talk about charts, compasses, and other tools to use for navigation. We'll discuss ranges, dead reckoning, and other methods of piloting. Then we'll go out and apply these concepts in a short on-water exercise.
Clothing
& Hypothermia
Develop
your kayak fashion sense. Gain insight into what it takes to be safely and
comfortably dressed for a variety of paddling conditions.
The signs and effects of hypothermia will be explained.
Kayak
Design with Steve Sherrer
Come discuss some basics of
kayak design with renown kayak designer, Steve Sherrer, how different shapes
translate to how the kayak performs in the water, and various materials that
are used to build kayaks. Essential features of a safe sea kayak will be
presented, and various designs will be compared.
Rules
of the Road & Aids to Navigation
Do
you know who has the right-of-way when you're on the water with other
watercraft or how to tell if you are on a collision course with another,
larger boat? This presentation
will explain how waterways are marked, what the different color of buoys and
day boards and flashing light characteristics mean, how to safely navigate
amongst other, bigger boats. These include all types of aids to navigation
used in North America.
First
Aid
Kayaking
presents some special first aid problems. We will discuss first aid issues of
particular interest to paddlers in this seminar.
Transporting
Your Kayak
1)
How do you move your boat across terra firma safely?
We will look at different systems of car topping a kayak and how to
safely move a kayak from a car to the water.
2)
Your kayak is on the beach sitting next to a mountain of gear. How do
you fit it in? We will discuss
some strategies for fitting all of that stuff into your kayak.
Basic
Seamanship
The
wind is howling, the waves are rolling what do you do? This class will talk
about what causes wind and waves, and what effect they have on kayakers.
It'll discuss open water and shoreline paddling, and the effect of tides and
tidal currents. It will provide paddlers with some basic techniques to improve
paddling skills and judgment.
Backcountry
Gourmet
With limited space and
materials, you can still whip up culinary masterpieces when you're camping
in your kayak. This class will show you how.
Backcountry Baker
Even in the backcountry
it's possible to bake up a storm, especially when you can carry oven
accessories for you stove. Come
learn how to bake breads, rolls, cakes and more.
Signaling
How
do you communicate with fellow paddlers on the water? How do you attract the attention of other boaters or rescue
personnel? This class will cover basic methods of communication while paddling
with a group. Signaling gear and
its proper use for communicating the need for assistance and for guiding
others in finding your location will be discussed. In addition to the
classroom presentation, a hands-on demonstration in the use of flares is open
to all participants on Friday, 6:15pm-7:15pm at the beach.
This is a great opportunity to learn about shooting flares…safely.
Alaska's
Greatest Hits…All Around the Kenai Peninsula
Come
hear and see about paddling in one of the most beautiful places on earth,
Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, home of bald eagles, bears, salmon, and glaciers.
Winter
in Honduras…Coral Reef Paddling
Take
a virtual trip to a tropical paradise in Honduras, a winter destination just
teeming with wildlife in the jungle, on the beach, and beneath the sea.
Paddle where the water is warm and clear and totally relaxed.