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On Water Classes

Introduction to Kayaking: Getting In & Out of Your Kayak (On Shore & In the Water)

This class is designed for the kayaker who is brand new to paddling and will prepare you for the rest of the symposium. This class will cover the essentials for safely getting started with kayaking: equipment and proper fit, getting in and out of a kayak on shore and on water's edge, and wet-exits (what you do when you tip over).  Open to those new paddlers who want to paddle with a traditional paddle or a Euro paddle.  Come prepared to get wet!

 

Beginning the Adventure: Comprehensive Start to Kayaking

This class is designed for the beginner who is just starting the adventure of paddling.  Preparation and training for an adventure are a must to ensure safety and fun.  This class will cover the essentials for safely launching into the adventure of kayaking: equipment and proper fit, getting in and out of a kayak on shore and at the water's edge, basic strokes, and rescues.  Lunchtime will afford the opportunity to talk about trips, the weather, and other considerations.  The venue for this adventure is Grand Sable Lake, a 630 acre inland lake, just 3 miles southwest of Grand Marais with stunning views of the Grand Sable dunes and the surrounding woods and marshes.  A kayak trailer will be available to transport boats to and from the site.  This class is open to those new paddlers who want to paddle with a traditional (Inuit, Greenland) paddle or with a modern (Euro) paddle.  Participants should come with drinking water, lunch, and a change of clothes including a windbreaker.

 

Expanding the Adventure: Introduction to Overnight Kayaking

Interested in venturing overnight in your kayak?  This class will simulate an overnight kayak trip.  Participants will be shown how to load their boats with the necessary camping gear, paddle to a nearby beach destination, set up camp, purify water, cook a meal for lunch, break camp, and paddle back to the harbor beach. Participants should come with drinking water, paddling cloths appropriate for the water temperature, and a change of clothes.  Participants may also want to bring camping gear to load in their own kayaks.

 

Propulsion & Maneuvering with the Modern (Euro) Paddle

This class is designed for the beginning paddler who is knowledgeable about equipment, its fit and use.  Students will learn to move the kayak in various directions safely and effectively using the forward, reverse and sweep strokes

 

Propulsion & Maneuvering with the Traditional (Inuit or Greenland) Paddle

Do you want to learn the basics of traditional paddling?  Are you wondering about those kayakers who appear to be using a 1x4 board or heavy stick as a paddle?  Participants will learn basic history and mechanics of the traditional paddle, the forward, reverse, and sweep strokes, and techniques to continue stroke development on their own.

 

Basic Rescues

This class will cover self rescue and group rescue techniques.  The self-rescue utilizes an essential piece of equipment—a paddle float—to help you get into your boat should you capsize and no one is available or able to assist you.  The T-rescue or X-rescue is used to assist a capsized paddler back into a boat.   Several adaptations of the basic rescues may be demonstrated.  Additional variations of the T-rescue will be covered with considerations for assisting paddlers who may be disabled.  Time permitting, other rescues will be introduced such as the bow rescue, paddle over, the scoop, and the hand-of-God.  A solid repertoire of rescues is essential for safe paddling.

 

Towing

Anyone who has ever kayaked with a group can understand the importance of towing with regards to safety and group management.  Towing techniques for short and long distances will be covered.  Students will learn how to safely engage and disengage from a tow and how to provide additional support to the person being towed and for the person doing the towing.

 

Bracing, Recovery, & Rolling

So you've been knocked over by a boat wake or a breaking wave?  This class will help you to develop your low and high braces/recovery strokes so you stay upright when conditions are more than just calm, flat water.  Low and high bracing/recovery strokes are very necessary skills for safe paddling and the foundation for rolling.  Students will be helped to develop a good hip-snap essential for rolling.  OK, rolling looks cool BUT it is an important self-rescue technique to add to your safety repertoire.  Instructors will work one-on-one with students to develop a roll.  Basic rolling with both the modern and traditional paddles will be taught.  Skull caps, nose plugs or face masks are helpful and be sure to dress for the water!

 

Traditional Rolling

Whether or not you have a basic roll already, if you want to learn what it's all about rolling with a stick, this is the class for you!  Based on the interests of the students, techniques taught can include the basic sweep roll, forward ending and back ending rolls, special traditional rolls used for various situations, the sculling brace, and the balance brace.

 

Advanced Traditional Strokes

Do you have the traditional paddling skills?  This class is designed to refine your skills for more effective and powerful traditional paddling.  The skills taught will include: sweep stroke, reverse stroke, stopping, sculling draw, bow rudder, stroke combinations.

 

Advanced Rescues

This class is designed for the paddler who has had some training in the self-rescue and the T-rescue.  Additional variations of the T-rescue will be covered with considerations for assisting paddlers who may be disabled.  Other rescues will include the bow rescue, paddle over, the scoop, and the hand-of-God.  A solid repertoire of these rescues is essential for safe paddling.

 

Advanced Towing

Knowledge and ability of the basic towing techniques will be the foundation for more advanced techniques such as towing in surf and tandem tows.  Scenarios may be used to emphasize the many facets involved in a towing situation.

 

Fast Touring with a Wing Paddle

A wing paddle can improve your speed and ease when paddling.  This class will show you how to use a wing paddle correctly.  A limited number of wing paddles will be available for use by students, but you are encouraged to bring your own.

 

Becoming One with Your Kayak

This is an experimental learning class, which explores the benefits of "playing with your boat."  In addition to some silly fun, class members will become more comfortable with balance, their kayaks' secondary stability, maintaining edge and group cooperation.  You won't stay dry in this class.

 

Beyond the Basic Strokes

This class is designed for the paddler who is able to effectively use the forward, reverse and sweep strokes.  The basic strokes will be reviewed and refined.  In addition, students will learn low and high brace and recovery strokes, draw strokes and low brace turns.  Edging the boat for more effective handling will also be introduced.

 

Bracing & Recovery (Prerequisite to Rolling)

So you've been knocked over by a boat wake or a breaking wave?  This class will help you to develop your hip-snap essential to rolling and low and high braces/recovery strokes so you stay upright when conditions are more than just calm, flat water.  Low and high bracing/recovery strokes are very necessary skills for safe paddling and the foundation for rolling.  Techniques for continued practice on your own will also be addressed.

 

Rescue Scenarios (Advanced)

This class is designed for the paddler who is knowledgeable and able to perform the various rescues in Introduction and Advanced Rescues.  Scenarios such as all paddlers in the water will be used to create situations that will require students to think and react to a rescue scene using their knowledge of rescue techniques.

 

Advanced Strokes

This class is designed for the paddler who is proficient in the skill listed in Beyond the Basic Strokes.  Edging the boat, using inside and outside edges for more effective boat handling will be emphasized.   Advanced strokes such as the bow rudder, stern rudder, hanging draw and combination strokes will be taught.