Jan-Mar 2009
Homer Community Schools: Winter 2009 January 6 to March 12
Kayak Gamez.Learn fundamental skills common to all disciplines of kayaking: wet exit, balance, forward paddling, turning, towing, and lots of rescues in a program that uses games, races, competitions, and fun as motivators to learn safe kayaking. This course is ideal for anyone interested in kayaking, regardless of skill or experience level. Eight 1.5-hour pool sessions will allow students to learn at their own pace. The expected outcomes are real jumps in skill, efficiency and confidence, plus excellent rescues practice. Use river kayaks to develop skill and sea kayaks to practice rescues. All equipment provided.
When: 8-10 PM, Tuesdays
January 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17, 24, March 3, 10
Where: Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center, Homer High School
Pre-requisites: can swim and follow verbal instructions
Ages: 12 y.o. and older
Cost: $160 per person + Community School fee of $15 per person
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090, alaskakayskchool@gmail.com (online registration)
Kayak Safety.Learn rescue theory, and practice and develop a wide array of kayak safety and rescue skills in the comfort of a warm pool. This is not the same as taking a kayak safety and rescue course outdoors, but it is the next best thing given that it’s dark and winter in Alaska. Learn or tune efficient boat control skills useful when doing rescues, and develop crisp rescue skills for a wide array of river and sea kayaks. Includes use of throw bags and towlines as well as solo and assisted sea kayak rescues. This class teaches fine details of kayak control and efficiency, so having fundamental skills is helpful, but not essential. Course consists of nine-1.5 hr. pool-sessions. All equipment provided.
When: 8-10 PM, Wednesdays
January 14, 21, 28, February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11
Where: Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center, Homer High School
Pre-requisites: can swim and follow verbal instructions
Ages: 12 y.o. and older
Cost: $180 per person + Community School fee of $15 per person
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090, alaskakayakschool@gmail.com, (online registration)
Balance, Bracing and Eskimo Rolling. Eskimo rolling and bracing. You have developed your intermediate skills, including your balance and bracing, and you may have started to develop your Eskimo rolling skills, but your “roll” is not 100%, even in flat water. Develop a keen awareness and the safe practice of the details of Eskimo rolling, the ultimate self-rescue for kayakers. Ideally, this is a class for paddlers that have developed their wet exits, Eskimo rescues, efficient sweep strokes, sculling skills, and paddle blade control. It takes time to develop functional bracing and rolling skills, and this is a course that focuses on these useful but counter-intuitive skills. Course consists of eight-1.5 hr. pool-sessions. All equipment provided.
When: 8-10 PM, Thursdays
January 15, 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5, 12
Where: Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center, Homer High School
Pre-requisites: fundamental kayaking skills, no exceptions.
Ages: 12 y.o. and older
Cost: $160/student + Community School fee $15 per person
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090, alaskakayakschool@gmail.com, (online registration)
Sea Kayak Rescues Jamboree – Watch experienced sea kayakers demonstrate rescue skills in the pool. They will rescue for speed and success, and you get to watch sea paddlers work their magic. If you wanted to learn more about sea kayak rescues, this is your chance to see what they are, and how they work. Want to try your hand at rescuing a sea kayak, and be rescued, then this is also your chance. All equipment provided.
When: 8-10 PM, Friday
March 13
Where: Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center, Homer High School
Pre-requisites: Can swim and follow verbal instructions
Ages: 12 y.o. and older
Fee: Adults $10, youth $5
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090, alaskakayakschool@gmail.com, (online registration)
Spring Break Splash: Youth Kayaking.Youngsters 10-18 years old will benefit from the games approach to learning kayaking where fun and competition focus on safe kayaking habits, including a safe capsize & recovery, and lots of boat control skills. Pool games of kayak tag, basketball, and slalom races (just like at the Olympics) reinforce useful kayaking skills in a fun setting. Adults are welcome, but must promise to have fun. This is great fun for parent-child teams. Four consecutive nights of kayaking will build some serious skills, and peg the fun meter. Hope you can join.
When: 8-10 PM, March 16-19, Monday thru Thursday
Where: Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center, Homer High School
Pre-requisites: can swim and follow verbal instructions
Ages: 10 y.o. and older
Cost: $65/paddler + $10 HCS fee
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090, alaskakayakschool@gmail.com, (online registration)
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Service High School Pool
Winter kayaking Skills Series and Kayak Competitions
- Fundamental Kayaking Skills
- Kayaking Skill Refinement with Rescues
- Sea Kayak Rescue
- Eskimo Rolling and Bracing
- “SUPER KAYAKER” Competition
- FREE Cold Water Safety Workshop
- FREE Kayaking Skills and Rescue Demonstration
- Kids Kayaking and Parent-Child Kayaking Workshops
- Pool Kayaking supervised practice session
Pool training, the premise: The massive fun that can be had learning kayaking skills in a pool in winter can pay off in spades during the paddling season, i.e., our Alaska summer. For six years we’ve been training paddlers in Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage pools and have seen the results over and over again. If you are a developing paddler, you get to discover skills to use in summer by training in the pool during winter. If you are an experienced paddler, you get to improve and maintain your skills so you can go “bigger” next summer. Alaska Kayak School instructors are fun hogs that love having fun on the water, and have made a lifestyle out of it, so if you want to know more about paddling, you’ve come to the right folks. OK now just for fun, check out the ONLINE VIDEO LIBRARY link in the news on the home page, hope you enjoy. In the meantime, here’s our 2007-08 Service Pool program description. All instructors have been professionally trained and assessed by the American Canoe Association (www.americancanoe.org) and/or the British Canoe Union (www.bcuna.com), two of the most prestigious certifying bodies in the history of paddling.
* Reservation/Cancellation policy: We consider a reservation with payment and a completed registration form to be final. If you must cancel, and you can find a replacement student, you can receive a full refund; otherwise we will transfer your fees to a program on a different date. Any cancellations after the Friday before a program can receive no refund; your best bet is to sell your spot to a friend. Feel free to contact us for more details, (907) 235-2090.
Fundamental Kayaking Skills @ Service High School Pool. Develop or review the foundation of safe and efficient kayaking skills using small maneuverable river kayaks in the comfort of a heated pool. Professional instructors help you develop important skills common to all kayaking disciplines: posture and safe use of the body, hypothermia and cold shock avoidance, forward, stop, back, spin, turn, rudder, move sideways, group awareness and communication, and simple rescues. These skills are the foundation of more refined techniques that rely on the simple building blocks included in this introductory course. Each course is a 4-hour stand-alone program that prepares you for additional training. All kayaking equipment provided; just bring a swimsuit, drinking water and snacks, and lots of enthusiasm for fun !!!
Days: Saturday
Dates: November 15, December 13, January 17, February 14, March 7, March 28, April 11
Times: 230 PM – 630 PM
Location: Service High School Pool, Anchorage
Cost: $110 w/ card, $105 check or m.o.
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603. info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
Pre-requisites: can swim and follow verbal instructions.
Kayaking Skill refinement with Rescues @ Service High School Pool. Refine and review your fundamental kayaking skills, add to your comfort and confidence in a kayak, and develop refined boat and paddle control. This class consists of a review of the fundamental skills and the addition of refined skills and more involved rescues than in our introductory course. Efficient forward paddling, turning, edging, sculling, Eskimo rescues, bracing and balance, stern rudder, back paddling under control, refinement of the draw stroke, are just a few of the possibilities. This fun class is a great preparation for our Eskimo rolling and bracing course, and the sea kayak rescue course. Each 4-hr. course is a stand-alone program that prepares you for additional training and paddling. All kayaking equipment is provided; just bring a swimsuit, drinking water and snacks, and lots of enthusiasm for fun !!! Professional instructors help you develop important skills common to all kayaking disciplines: sea, whitewater, surf, polo, etc. Get important training for “super Kayaker” competition.
Days: Sunday
Dates: November 16, December 14, January 18, February 15, March 8, March 29, April 12
Times: 10 AM – 2 PM
Location: Service High School Pool, Anchorage
Cost: $110 w/ card, $105 check or m.o.
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603. info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
Pre-requisite: Fundamental Kayaking Skills
Sea Kayak Rescues @ Service High Pool. Learn and practice efficient and safe sea kayak rescues in the comfort of a warm pool. Try the simple and immediate “yank” rescue and the useful t-rescue, but also dabble in: Eskimo rescue, inside and outside scoop, paddle float rescue, re-enter and roll, and much more. We teach over 30 sea kayak rescues for a variety of situations and conditions; all are appropriate and most efficient for their intended use. How many do you know? Alaska Kayak School instructors are professional kayak coaches and assessors of kayaking skills and water safety, and are qualified to train and assess paddlers of all levels of experience - novices to advanced paddlers. Have you ever thought of rolling a double kayak? This is your chance to try without having to wear protective coldwater clothing. Sea Kayak rescue is undoubtedly our most fun and perhaps most useful course for sea paddlers once they develop their balance and boat handling skills. All kayaking equipment is provided; just bring a swimsuit, drinking water and snacks, and lots of enthusiasm for fun !!! This is a “must-do” class to have a good chance to win in the “Super kayaker” competition on May 3rd !
Days: Saturday
Dates: November 15, December 13, January 17, February 14, March 7, March 28, April 11
Times: 10 AM – 2 PM
Location: Service High School Pool, Anchorage
Cost: $110 w/ card, $105 check or m.o.
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603. info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
Pre-requisites: As a minimum, Fundamental Kayaking Skills, and Skill refinement w/ rescues is preferable.
Eskimo Rolling and Bracing@ Service High Pool. One of the benefits of paddling a decked kayak is the ability to roll back up after capsizing. This means that you loose and regain balance while paddling by using your body efficiently to right the kayak without wet-exiting. Pretty cool !! This class is an opportunity for paddlers to develop their balance, bracing and Eskimo rolling skills. We focus on drills and exercises that are safe and effective in order to help you develop and learn better balance, recovery, and bracing skills, as well as the all powerful self-rescue, the Eskimo roll. Learning how to roll can be confusing and is fraught with the very real possibility of serious shoulder injury. We focus on the reliable “sweep roll” which is useful for both river and sea paddlers alike, and provides a safe technique that protects your shoulder if you follow a reasonable and logical skill progression. It can take time to develop your rolling skills, but it is so worth the effort. Rolling is essential for kayaking rivers and desirable for sea kayaking (especially in cold water). Besides, it’s really fun !! We often use video analysis to help you develop your rolling skills. All kayaking equipment provided; just bring a swimsuit, drinking water and snacks, and lots of enthusiasm for fun !!! Professional instructors help you develop your skills. Each class is a 4-hr. stand-alone session.
Days: Sunday
Dates: : November 16, December 14, January 18, February 15, March 8, March 29, April 12
Times: 230 PM – 630 PM
Location: Service High School Pool, Anchorage
Cost: $110 w/ card, $105 check or m.o.
Registration-Reservation*: Call the Kayak School, 235-2090, or register online; send checks payable to: Alaska Kayak School, PO Box 3547, Homer, AK 99603, email for more information.
Pre-requisite: intermediate skills training, such as BCU 2-3 star, or Skill Refinement w/ rescues, or permission of the instructors.
“Super KAYAKER” Competition, 12 April 2009.
How good are your all-around kayaking skills? Do you have an efficient forward stroke, can paddle really fast, and are you a steady paddler? Do you pride yourself in your rescue skills? Well the Super kayaker competition is your chance to prove you’re worth your salt. Training is provided by all Alaska Kayak School courses. The Super kayaker competiton, May 3rd, will give you a chance to show your stuff and win some great prizes !!!! YOU compete in your own age/gender/experience class, so you have a great chance to win!! But the goal is to teach fast and efficient rescue skills and super effective paddling technique.
This is your chance to:
1) Demonstrate Speed and Accuracy in a slalom kayak race- you race against the clock, accuracy, and other paddlers in a pool slalom race in which you can expect to improve your forward paddling and kayak control skills to a fine art. As in slalom racing, penalties are assessed for missing gates and gate “taps”. Total time elapsed is your score. You get 2 runs and take the best time to score.
2) Demonstrate safety Skills through Rescue Efficiency and Speed – perform solo and assisted sea kayak rescues in the pool against the clock. Water remaining in the kayak after the rescue is completed will be used generate penalty points.
Days: Sunday
Dates: : April 12
Times: 230 PM – 630 PM
Location: Service High School Pool, Anchorage
Cost: $35 entrance fee
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603. info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
Pre-requisite: open to the public
**** CONTACT THE KAYAK SCHOOL FOR A LIST OF PRIZES AND RULES IN THE COMPETITION ****Kayak Scwagg, and free instruction.
FREE Cold Water Safety Workshop in Anchorage: Theory and practice, plus a gear show and tell. Learn, understand and manage the risks of paddling on cold water oceans, lakes and rivers. Risks and consequences of cold water immersion and submersion will be discussed along with a show and tell of immersion clothing, sea kayak safety features and sea kayak safety gear: towlines, flares, strobes, lasers, and more. Education is the first step towards safe paddling. Free kayak safety handouts from the American Canoe Association.
Time: "7-8 PM"
Date: "22 January 2009"
Where: "Loussac Library, Anchorage"
FREE
Kids Kayaking, and Parent-Child Kayaking Workshops. Youngsters 10-18 years old benefit from the “games”-approach to introducing safe kayaking. In this course, games, and competitions focus on safe kayaking habits, especially a safe capsize, the wet exit. Pool kayak games reinforce the skills in a fun and familiar setting. Adults are welcome, but must promise to have fun. This is great fun for parent-child teams. Minimum of 9 participants needed.
When: Saturdays, by arrangement, 1130 AM – 2 PM
November 15, December 13, January 17, February 14, March 7, March 28, April 11
Where: Service Pool. Abbott Loop Rd.
Pre-requisites: can swim and follow verbal instructions
Ages: 10 y.o. and older
Cost: 60$/participant w/card, $55/participant w/ cash, ck, mo
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603. info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
Supervised practice sessions. To enhance you’re the learning by Alaska kayak School students, we offer supervised practice sessions so you can practice the skills you learned in the training programs and thus consolidate your skills and experience.
When: Wednesdays/Saturdays
Times: To be Announced
Where: Service Pool, Abbott Loop Rd., Anchorage
Cost: $5 for Pool, $15 for kayak* for 1.5 hr. session
*Includes paddle, helmet, skirt, & kayak
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Soldotna Community Schools Pool Kayaking Skills Series: Winter 2008-09
The premise: The massive amount of fun that can be had learning kayaking skills in a pool in winter can pay off in spades during the paddling season, i.e., our Alaska summer. For seven winters we’ve been training paddlers in Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage pools and have seen the results over and over again. If you are a developing paddler you get to discover skills you get to put to use in summer by training in the pool in the winter. If you are an experienced paddler, you get to improve and maintain your skills so you can go “bigger” next summer. Alaska Kayak School instructors are fun hogs that love having fun on the water, and have made a lifestyle out of it, so if you want to know more about paddling, you’ve come to the right folks. Just for fun, check out the ONLINE VIDEO LIBRARY link in the news on the home page, hope you enjoy. In the meantime, here’s our 2007-08 SoHi Pool program description. All Alaska kayak School instructors have been professionally trained and assessed by the American Canoe Association and/or the British Canoe Union, two of the most prestigious certifying bodies in the history of paddling.
Fundamental Kayaking Skills
Learn the basics of kayaking in a 4-hour course that combines a 30-minute lecture and a 3.5 hour pool kayaking skills training session in river kayaks in the comfort of a heated pool. Topics covered include selecting a kayak, kayak fit and posture, safe carrying and launching, the paddle, safe capsize and recovery, hypothermia cold-shock and clothing, group dynamics, and strokes and maneuvers (forward, back, stop, spin, turn, rudder, balance and bracing, simple
towing and basics of rescues). These are generic skills shared by all types of kayaking: sea, white water, surf, marathon, polo, etc. Regardless of your interest or experience in kayaking, these fundamental skills will improve or awaken the kayaking skills you already have. A final assessment of your skills will give you direction for future training and skill development. Professional kayak instructors are your coaches. Course covers British Canoe Union 1-2 star skills, American Canoe Association level 1 and 2 skills. This is an ideal course if you’ve never had kayaking instruction. All equipment is provided. Course taken as a single session, with follow up instruction in the “Beyond the Basics” course offered Saturday afternoons.
WHEN: Saturdays
DATES: Nov 8, Dec 6, Jan 24, Feb 28, Mar 21, Apr 18
TIME: 9 AM - 1 p.m.
WHERE: So Hi Pool, Soldotna
FEE: $80/person/4 hr. session, repeat students get $5 off/session
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603. info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
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Beyond Fundamentals – Kayaking Skills Refinement w/ Rescues
Build on your fundamental kayaking skills and develop refined strokes and maneuvers, balance, bracing and rolling, crisp efficient rescues, and a detailed awareness of the sport of kayaking. Strokes and maneuvers emphasized include efficient forward and back paddling, sculling draw, low and high braces, sculling for support, Eskimo rescues, assisted rescues, and development of Eskimo rolling skills. These are generic skills shared by all types of kayaking: sea, white water, surf, marathon, polo, etc. Four-hour sessions include 30-minute lecture and 3.5 hour skills training in the pool each session. This course will include kayak maneuvering skills and sea kayak rescues. Professional kayak instructors are your coaches. Course focuses on British Canoe Union 2-3 star skills and American Canoe Association level 2-3 skills. All equipment is provided. Fundamental kayaking skills are a prerequisite for this class. This syllabus is a large body of skill; many students repeat the course at least once.
WHEN: Saturdays,
DATES: Nov 8, Dec 6, Jan 24, Feb 28, Mar 21, Apr 18
TIME: 1:30-5:30 p.m.
WHERE: So Hi Pool, Soldotna
FEE: $80/person/4 hr. session, repeat students get $5 off/session
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603. info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
* Reservations policy: We consider a reservation with payment and a completed registration form to be final. If you must cancel, and you can find a replacement student, you can receive a full refund; otherwise we will transfer your fees to a program on a different date. Any cancellations after the Friday before a program can receive no refund, your best bet is to sell your spot to a friend. Feel free to contact us for more details, (907) 235-2090.
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Spring Splash in Seward - Pool Kayaking Skills Training
Seward HS Pool: 25, 26 April, 2009
Saturday 25 April
9 AM - 1 PM, Fundamental Kayaking Skills
130-530 PM, Skill Refinement with Rescues
Sunday 26 April
8 AM - 12 PM, Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue
1230-330 PM, Eskimo Rolling and Bracing
Fundamental Kayaking Skills Learn fundamental skills common to all disciplines of kayaking: wet exit, balance, forward paddling, stopping back paddling, moving sideways, turning, rescues and group awareness. This course is ideal for anyone interested in developing effective kayaking skills. The expected outcomes are safety, fun, confidence and fluency in beginner kayaking skills. This 4-hr. course is a stand-alone program that prepares you for additional training and paddling. All kayaking equipment is provided; just bring a swimsuit, drinking water and snacks, and lots of enthusiasm for fun !!! Professional instructors help you develop important skills common to all kayaking disciplines: sea, whitewater, surf, polo, etc.
When: Saturday April 25, 2009, 130-530 PM
Where: Seward High School Pool, Seward AK
Pre-requisites: can swim and follow verbal instructions
Ages: 12 y.o. and older
FEE: $80/person w/ card, $75 w/ check,
additional $5 off if previous student in 2009
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090
info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
Skill Refinement with Rescues.
Refine and review your fundamental kayaking skills, add to your comfort and confidence in a kayak, and develop effective boat and paddle control. This class consists of a review of the fundamental skills and the addition of refined skills and more simple rescue skills. Efficient forward paddling, turning, edging, sculling, Eskimo rescues, bracing and balance, stern rudder, back paddling under control, refinement of the draw stroke, are just a few of the possibilities. This fun class is a great preparation for our Eskimo rolling and bracing course, and the sea kayak rescue course. Each 4-hr. course is a stand-alone program that prepares you for additional training and paddling. All kayaking equipment is provided; just bring a swimsuit, drinking water and snacks, and lots of enthusiasm for fun !!! Professional instructors help you develop important skills common to all kayaking disciplines: sea, whitewater, surf, polo, etc. If you’ve had instruction before, this class is a great tune up and skills expander.
When: Saturday April 25, 2009, 130-530 PM
Where: Seward High School Pool, Seward AK
Pre-requisites: fundamental kayaking skills or a confident wet exit, no exceptions
Ages: 12 y.o. and older
FEE: $80/person w/ card, $75 w/ check,
additional $5 off if previous student in 2009
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090
info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue. Learn and practice efficient sea kayak rescues in the comfort of a warm pool. Try the simple and immediate “yank” rescue and the useful t-rescue, but also dabble in: Eskimo rescue, inside and outside scoop, paddle float rescue, re-enter and roll, and much more. We teach over 30 sea kayak rescues for a variety of situations and conditions; all are appropriate and most efficient for their intended use. How many do you know?
Alaska Kayak School instructors are professional kayak coaches and assessors of kayaking skills and water safety, and are qualified to train and assess paddlers of all levels of experience - novices to advanced paddlers. Have you ever thought of rolling a double kayak? This is your chance to try without having to wear protective coldwater clothing. Sea Kayak safety and rescue is undoubtedly our funnest and perhaps most useful course for sea paddlers once they develop their balance and boat handling skills. All kayaking equipment is provided; just bring a swimsuit, drinking water and snacks, and lots of enthusiasm for fun !!! Class is a 4-hr. stand-alone session.
When: Saturday April 26, 2009, 8 AM – 12 PM
Where: Seward High School Pool, Seward AK
Pre-requisites: fundamental kayaking skills or a confident wet exit, no exceptions
Ages: 12 y.o. and older
FEE: $80/person w/ card, $75 w/ check,
additional $5 off if previous student in 2009
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090
info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
Eskimo Rolling and Bracing. One of the benefits of paddling a decked kayak is the ability to loose and regain balance while paddling by using your body efficiently to right the kayak without wet-exiting the once you’ve capsized. Pretty cool !! This class is an opportunity for paddlers to develop their balance, bracing and Eskimo rolling skills. We focus on drills and exercises that are safe and effective in order to help you develop and learn better balance, recovery, and bracing skills, as well as the all powerful self-rescue, the Eskimo roll. Learning how to roll can be confusing and is fraught with the very real possibility of serious shoulder injury. We focus on the reliable “sweep roll” which is useful for both river and sea paddlers alike, and provides a safe technique that protects your shoulder if you follow a reasonable and logical skill progression. It can take time to develop your rolling skills, but it is so worth the effort. Rolling is essential for kayaking rivers and desirable for sea kayaking (especially in cold water). Besides, it’s really fun !! All kayaking equipment provided; just bring a swimsuit, drinking water and snacks, and lots of enthusiasm for fun !!! Professional instructors help you develop your skills. Each class is a 3-hr. stand-alone session.
When: Saturday April 26, 2009, 1230-330 PM
Where: Seward High School Pool, Seward AK
Pre-requisites: skill refinement class or permission of insructors.
Ages: 12 y.o. and older
FEE: $70/person w/ card, $65 w/ check,
additional $5 off if previous student in 2009
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090
info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
* Reservations policy: We consider a reservation with payment and a completed registration form to be final. If you must cancel, and you can find a replacement student, you can receive a full refund; otherwise we will transfer your fees to a program on a different date. Any cancellations after the Friday before a program can receive no refund, your best bet is to sell your spot to a friend. Feel free to contact us for more details , (907) 235-2090.
Spring 2009 – April & May 2009
Homer Community Schools: Spring 2009
Kayak Gamez. Learn fundamental skills common to all disciplines of kayaking: wet exit, balance, forward paddling, stopping back paddling, moving sideways, turning, rescues and group awareness. This course is ideal for anyone interested in developing their kayaking skills. Six 1.5-hour pool sessions will allow students to learn at their own pace. The expected outcomes are safety, fun, confidence and fluency in beginner kayaking skills. All equipment provided.
When: 8-10 PM, Tuesdays
March 24, 31; April 7, 14, 21, 28
Where: Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center, Homer High School
Pre-requisites: can swim and follow verbal instructions
Ages: 12 y.o. and older
Cost: $130 per person + Community School fee of $15 per person
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090, alaskakayskchool@gmail.com (online registration)
Kayak Safety. Learn rescue theory, and practice and develop a wide array of kayak safety and rescue skills in the comfort of a warm pool. This is not the same as taking a kayak safety and rescue course outdoors, but it is the next best thing given that it’s dark and winter in Alaska. Learn or tune efficient boat control skills useful when doing rescues, and develop crisp rescue skills for a wide array of river and sea kayaks. Includes use of throw bags and towlines as well as solo and assisted sea kayak rescues. This class teaches fine details of kayak control and efficiency, so having fundamental skills helpful, but not essential. Six-1.5 hr. pool sessions.
When: 8-10 PM, Wednesdays
March 24, 31; April 7, 14, 21, 28
Where: Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center, Homer High School
Pre-requisites: can swim and follow verbal instructions
Ages: 12 y.o. and older
Cost: $130 per person + Community School fee of $15 per person
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090, alaskakayakschool@gmail.com, (online registration)
Balance, Bracing and Eskimo Rolling. Eskimo rolling and bracing. You have developed your intermediate skills, including your balance and bracing, and you may have started to develop your Eskimo rolling skills, but your “roll” is not 100%, even in flat water. Develop a keen awareness and the safe practice of the details of Eskimo rolling, the ultimate self-rescue for kayakers. Ideally, this is a class for paddlers that have developed their wet exits, Eskimo rescues, efficient sweep strokes, sculling skills, and paddle blade control. It takes time to develop functional bracing and rolling skills, and this is a course that focuses on these useful but counter-intuitive skills. Nine 1.5 hr. pool sessions.
When: 8-10 PM, Thursdays,
March 26; April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Where: Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center, Homer High School
Pre-requisites: fundamental kayaking skills
Ages: 12 y.o. and older
Fee: Adults $205, youth 12-18 y.o. $185 + Community School fee $15 per person
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090, alaskakayakschool@gmail.com, (online registration)
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American Canoe Association Coastal Kayak Trip Leading Assessment Course @ Halibut Cove, Alaska – Perfect for would-be guides or any individual interested in developing trip leading skills in mild conditions, i.e., winds 10 knots or less, waves 1.5 ft. or less. This 2-day course will a the follow-up to skills training May 9 and 10, and will provide additional rescue training appropriate for guides, skills tuning, safety awareness, trip planning, navigation, leadership, and course assessment. American Canoe Association membership and other fees apply if you want to get the Trip Leading certification. This is not an instructor course; it is a trip-leading course. A written exam is required for the certification.
What is provided: all instruction by ACA instructors. You can save some $$ if you have your own kayaking gear, including drysuit, sea kayak and all safety gear, please contact us for a gear list.
You provide: water taxi fee (or your own transportation), camping gear, your own food, and personal clothing.
Logistics: Water taxi to Halibut Cove in time to make camp and cook dinner on Friday 8 May and spend 4 nights, 4 days camping and sea kayak training in Halibut Cove and Halibut Cove Lagoon. Water taxi back afternoon of Tuesday 12 May 7 PM.
When: May 11-12
Where: Halibut Cove
Cost: Instruction - 2 days $195 + tax and $15 Community Schools fee
Trip Leader Certification $195 + tax, $65 ACA fees + $15 CS Fee
Equipment fees $30/day + tax or $100 for 4 days
Prerequisites: ACA Coastal Kayak Level 2 test, Ocean Training Program @ Halibut Cove 2009, or permission.
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090, alaskakayakschool@gmail.com, (online registration)
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Personal Sea Kayaking Skills Training
@ Halibut Cove, Alaska
Session I: May 1-3 (4)
Session II: May 8-10 (11)
Session III: May 15-17 (18)
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Become a Competent Sea Kayaker
Ocean Training Program
Develop your personal sea kayaking skills by tuning the skills you have, and building new skills while paddling the varied environments in Halibut Cove, Alaska. Develop efficient flat-water skills and apply them in moving water, wind and waves. We use effective progressions to help you achieve proficiency through drills, games, and rescue scenarios. Paddling sea kayaks in fast current is the high point of this fun course. This training is ideal for the British Canoe Union 3 Star Sea Kayak test or the American Canoe Association Level 3 Coastal Kayaking Assessment (see Notes below). Evening lectures on cold-water injury and prevention, tides and currents, navigation, and personal risk management highlight your learning. This course is suited to paddlers of any level of experience, but is best suited for anyone that has developed wet exit skills. Coaching is individualized, you will be coached at your level of skill; we specialize in simultaneously coaching paddlers of different levels of skill in the same group.
To take advantage of what the Personal Sea Skills course has to offer, some previous kayak skill training is desirable, especially the wet exit.
Don’t have a confident wet exit and want to come to the courses? Please contact us for remedial coaching ideas.
What is provided: All kayaking gear including dry suits, kayaks, paddles, etc. and all instruction by experienced coaches and instructors in the BCU and ACA. To save $$ you can provide your own gear.
You provide: Water taxi fee (or your own transportation), camping gear, food and personal clothing.
Logistics: Friday 1 May - Water taxi to Halibut Cove in time to make camp and cook dinner. Spend 2-3 nights and 1-3 days camping and taking sea kayak skills training in Halibut Cove. Can be taken as 1, 2, or 3-day course.
When: Session I May 1-3 (and 4)*
Session II May 8-10 (11)*
Session III May 15-17 (18)*
* Can be taken as a Can be taken as 1, 2, or 3-day course.
Where: Halibut Cove, Kachemak Bay, Alaska
Cost: Instruction – $105/day + tax; Kayaking gear $30/day + tax
$105/day if you provide your own kayak, dry suit, etc. Please contact us for an equipment list.
Prerequisites: A confident wet exit, fundamental kayaking skills, or permission of the Kayak School.
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603. info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
Notes:
British Canoe Union 3 Star Sea Kayak Syllabus can be found here: http://bcuna.com/pages/Main-Pages/Literature.shtml
American Canoe Association Coastal Kayaking Level 3 Syllabus can be found here:
http://www.americancanoe.org/instruction/kayak_instruction2.lasso
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British Canoe Union 3 Star Sea Kayak Assessment.
This is the BCU assessment that establishes your skills, knowledge and experience for competency as a sea kayaker in moderate conditions. Moderate conditions include: Sea state 4 (waves to 1 meter in open water), winds Force 4 (11-16 knots), tidal streams of up to 2 knots in open water, paddling in open water with land no more than 1 nautical mile in any direction (2 mile crossings), and launching and landing in surf to 1 meter. This is an excellent standard for safety and freedom on the sea. Further, successful completion of the 3 BCU Star Sea kayak Assessment qualifies you to attend the training course for the BCU Four Star Leader award, a true guiding award for sea kayak leadership in a moderate tidal environment (Sea 4, Wind force 4, 2 mile crossings, 2 knots of current in open water, launch and land in 1 meter surf). The 3 Star Sea Assessment will take place on an ocean day trip with winds up to and including Force 4 and sea state 3. Although there is no specific requirement for dedicated training to take the 3 Star Sea Assessment, it is a good idea to take dedicated training for this level of performance in order to. For a copy of the BCU 3 Star Sea syllabus see: http://bcuna.com/pages/Main-Pages/Literature.shtml
When: 20 May 2009, 8 AM – 5 PM
Where: Kachemak Bay, Homer, Alaska
Pre-requisites*: BCU 3 Star Sea Training or equivalent
Cost: $135 per person + sales tax; successful candidates pay $25 for the award if not BCU members, BCU members pay $15
Registration/more information: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090, alaskakayskchool@gmail.com (online registration)
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Summer 2009 June - July-August-September
SUMMER 09 - JUNE
Instructional Tour in Kachemak Bay with Alaska Kayak School coaches and Sean Morley
May 28-June 1, 2009
Consecutive days of sea kayaking instruction are the fast track to improving your sea skills and delivering you into the realm of becoming a competent sea kayaker. Instructional tours are appropriate for paddlers of all levels from novices to intermediates. If you want to learn how to paddle, or improve your paddling, this is your ticket to skill development. This is an opportunity to discover that sea kayaking is about much more than paddling forward. This us ideally designed for beginner and intermediate paddlers, have worked on your fundamental skills and want to improve your navigation, tripping, and rougher water skills; not for novices.
Learn and practice strokes and maneuvers, rescues and recoveries, navigation and trip planning, and leadership on the water. Become a competent sea kayaker by establishing a level of proficiency to paddle in wind and waves in open water, and the moving water of tidal streams. Develop your knowledge of safety, tides and currents, marine weather, risk management & decision making, cold-water injury prevention, sea kayak camping skills, Alaska’s natural history and much more. Courses are designed to provide training for the BCU 3 star sea kayak skills and the ACA Coastal Kayak level 3 tests. BCU 3 star sea assessments and ACA level tests are available with prior arrangement.
All instructors are BCU coaches and or ACA instructors with over 8 years experience guiding and teaching sea kayaking in Alaska. All guides have Wilderness First Responder medical skills.
Itinerary: Leave the Spit by water taxi late afternoon May 28th, paddle and camp our way East through Kachemak Bay State Park to Glacier Spit and Halibut Cove Lagoon for a water taxi prick up late afternoon 1 June.
We provide: sea kayaks and gear, including dry suits cold-water protective gear, all instruction and safety.
You provide: clothing, food, water, & camping gear as needed, tent, rain tarp, cooking gear, etc.
Pre-requisites: a wet exit, fundamental skills and a willingness to learn, the ability to swim, and the ability to follow verbal instructions.
Costs: 4-night/4-days $525/person**
$420 for instruction
$105 for sea kayaking gear
** Local sale taxes apply, 7.5%, no water taxi fees are included, and prices based on a minimum group size of 4.
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090, alaskakayakschool@gmail.com, (online registration)
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Alaska Kayak School Kings Bay Expedition 2009
Prince William Sound
5-12 June, Whittier, Alaska
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Explore scenic Derickson Lagoon, and the rugged coast of Port Nellie Juan on the way and venture deep into Kings Bay. Paddle with and experienced Alaskan sea kayak guide and instructor to develop your expedition paddling skills along the journey. This is remote wilderness and we recommend you have basic paddling skills to get the most out of the experience. Your local guide & instructor will coach you along the way to enhance your enjoyment of the very scenic paddle deep into the wilderness of Kings Bay. Expect rain or sun and you’ll be ready for the weather. It can really rain in Prince William Sound when it chooses, so bombproof rain gear is not a bad idea. For a preview of Kings Bay and Derickson Lagoon paddling check out the online video trailer: http://www.downstreammedia.net/kayakjournal/KJTV2007-09-25.mov , or see it all on KayakJournal.com # 5: Alaska.
What to expect: Very remote setting, jaw dropping scenery, glaciers, black bears, coastal forests, granite, more granite, more glaciers, probably some rain, mostly calm sea conditions. Days in 50-60’s nights in the 40’s; water temperature varies from high 40’s in the fjords to high 30’s near the glaciers and among the bergy bits. You will see few, if any other paddlers. Snow can lay late deep in the fjords, so being prepared for cooler weather and damp camping conditions is not a bad plan.
When: June 5-12, 2009
Where: Whittier & Prince William Sound, Alaska
Sample Itinerary
June 5 - meet in Whittier, ready to board water taxi to Derickson Lagoon, camp on moraine.
June 6 -Paddle to Kings Bay, camp
June 7 - Kings Bay
June 8 – Kings Bay
June 9 Kings Bay – Derickson
June 10 Derickson
June 11 Derickson Deep Water Bay day trip
June 12 water taxi pickup Derickson
What is provided? High quality sea kayaks and gear along with Kokatat dry suit and other protective gear for cold water paddling. Leadership, guiding and instruction: strokes and maneuvers, group awareness, navigation and trip planning, seamanship, decision-making, rescues and recoveries, and water taxi to remote Nellie Juan Fjord and back. Your guide is a Wilderness First Responder and BCU kayak coach and leader, as well as an American Canoe Association Coastal Kayak Instructor. *** Note:
If you want a fully guided trip, where we provide meal service and tents, and we can accommodate you for another $500.
What you provide: You provide your own clothing and camping gear, food* and cookware, personal hygiene and first aid, medications, etc. We will send you a packing list upon registration.
Cost: $1820/person (Credit card), check discount $1755 (check/mo); based on minimum of 4;
fully guided trip w/ meals and tents $2400 (credit card), check discount $2255 (check/mo).
Reservation: 50% deposit, balance due 30 days before trip.
* Fully guided trip w/ meals and tents is always an option we’re happy to provide.
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090, alaskakayakschool@gmail.com, (online registration)
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Whittier Whiplash
Sea Kayaking Skills Weekend
6-7 June 2009, Whittier, Alaska
www.AlaskaSeaKayakers.com
(877) 472-2534, (907) 472-2534
info@alaskaseakayakers.com
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Saturday 6 June, 9 AM – 5 PM
Sea Kayaking Skills Instruction
Sunday 7 June, 9 AM – 6 PM
Day trip in Passage Canal
Co-sponsored by AlaskaKayakSchool.com & Paddler’sRealm.com
$165/day • $300/weekend
Fundamentals Training and Tuning. Learn or practice @ safety features and design of kayaks and kayaking equipment, fit to boat, wet exits, and paddling without a rudder, turning and spinning the kayak, back paddling, stopping, ruddering, moving sideways, edging, balance and bracing, and solo and assisted rescues. All equipment can be provided including: sea kayak, paddle, skirt, PFD, dry suit, and more. You provide your own clothing, food, water, and other necessities. An equipment list will be sent upon registration.
Training appropriate for Novice, Beginner and Intermediate Paddlers
Rescues, Towing and Touring. Learn and practice solo and assisted rescues and towing, while touring on a day trip in Passage Canal. The goal is to do a day trip in which you can apply the skills learned or tuned the day before, and add a series of rescues and towing skills to your paddlers’ tool box in the context of a day trip. This day will include a short trip-planning primer and a series of rescue scenarios in addition to paddling in open water, weather permitting. Also included are wildlife watching practices and ethics. The bad weather option for this day is a day of rescues and towing with scenarios in flat water. All equipment can be provided.
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090, alaskakayakschool@gmail.com, (online registration)
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Sea Kayak Safety Primer @ REI Paddle Fun Day: 14 June 2009, Goose Lake, Anchorage
Wear a Kokatat dry suit and practice capsizing and re-entries for 2 hours as part of the REI Paddle Fun Day in Anchorage.
This is an REI event and we’ll be providing FREE 2 hr safety sessions on a first come first served basis for 8 students at a time.
All equipment provided: kayak, Kokatat dry suit, helmet, paddle, skirt, etc.
All kayak and safety instruction provided by Alaska Kayak School instructors and coaches.
You provide quick-drying and insulating layers for wearing in the dry suit, a willingness to capsize and enthusiasm for learning. Silicone ear plugs recommended for ear protection, eyeglass retainers recommended for all us 4-eyes.
When: 14 June 2009, 11 AM-4 PM; sessions start @ 11:15 AM and 1:30 PM
Where: REI Paddle Fun Day, Goose Lake, Anchorage
Pre-requisites: Can swim and follow verbal instructions.
More information: Cheryl Piazza @ REI, (907) 272-4565,
cpiazza@rei.com, Tom Pogson @ Alaska Kayak School, (907) 235-2090,
alaskakayakschool@gmail.com
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Sea Kayaking Skills Weekends in Kachemak Bay
Discover the fascination of sea kayaking at your own level
June 20-21 or 27-28
July 25-26
August 29-30
*** Courses can be run on any two consecutive days by appointment.
Sea Kayaking Skills Training for
Novices, Beginners, Intermediate or Advanced Paddlers
Homer is a fabulous destination for any paddler, but for students of sea kayaking, our local waters offer an infinity of learning environments: freshwater lakes, protected bays, scenic fjords, accessible open water, tidal streams and surf beaches.
Take a weekend to develop or expand your sea kayaking skills and experience, and learn at your own level in a small group of no more than 6 students while using the best cold-water protective clothing and excellent kayaks. Certified instructors and professional coaches are your guides to learning the art of sea kayaking: strokes and maneuvers, rescues and recoveries, navigation and tripping skills, group awareness and leadership, and much more.
We provide: all kayaking gear and instruction, including Kokatat Gore-tex dry suits and other cold water protective gear. American Canoe Association instructors and British Canoe Union coaches.
You provide: Layered synthetic clothing, drinking water, lunch, and personal clothing such as rain gear and a warm change of clothes. Drybags for your gear (if you have them.)
Programs for Paddlers of all levels
Beginner Weekend – (ACA level 1 and 2 training)
$295/person + sales tax
Develop a confident wet exit and basic boat control and rescue skills in flat water on day 1, and paddle in Kachemak Bay State Park on day 2, putting your skills to work, water taxi needed on day 2. Minimum number of students 3, maximum 6.
Pre-requisites: ability to swim and follow verbal instructions.
Intermediate Weekend – (ACA level 2 and 3 training)
$270/person + sales tax **
Develop technical sea kayaking skills such as effective forward paddling, draw stroke, sculling, bracing, bow rudder, side slip, and increased edging for turning and control in flatwater on day 1, and paddle in open water near the Homer Spit, or water taxi into Kachemak Bay State Park on day 2.
Minimum number of students 3, maximum 6. ** - Weekends with water taxi billed at $295/person. Pre-requisites: wet exit and previous sea kayak training.
Open/Moving Water Weekend – (ACA level 3, BCU 3 star training) $270/person+sales tax **
Develop group awareness, strokes and maneuvers, navigation and trip planning skills, rescues and towing, and get out in the bay and find waves and or current to hone your skills. Learn about marine weather, and tides and
currents. Includes flatwater skills and rescues tuning and open water training in wind and waves. Open Water near the Homer Spit on day 1, and paddle or water taxi into Kachemak Bay State Park on day 2. Minimum number of students 3, maximum 6. - Weekends with water taxi billed at $295/person.
Pre-requisites: wet exit and previous intermediate sea kayak training.
Times: 9-5 (or 6) generally
Locations: to be arranged
Registration: Call (907) 235-2090, email info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration) Alaska Kayak School, PO Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603
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SUMMER 09 - JULY
Introduction to Whitewater Kayaking Weekend, 4-5 July, Saturday-Sunday, Kasilof River. 
Learn river paddling !!! Transfer fundamental kayaking skills to the river and learn about the river as a paddling environment. Safety on shore, safety on the water is the emphasis of this course to introduce you to the basics of river paddling. This course is designed for students of paddling that have basic skills such as wet exit and fundamental strokes and maneuvers that want to explore the river environment. Paddling in current, safe swimming in the river, ferries, peel-outs, eddy turns, simple wave surfing, water reading, and much more is covered in this weekend course at the Kasilof River.
Where: Kasilof River, Alaska.
When: 10 AM – 6 PM Saturday 4 July, 10 AM – 6 PM Sunday 5 July
Pre-requisites: wet exit and basic skills and permission of instructor
Costs: $300 + 3% tax, discounts if you have your own gear
Registration: Call 235-2090, info@alaskakayakschool@gmail.com, (online registration) , Alaska Kayak School, PO Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603
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Placid Water Kayaking Tours
Experience the Essence of Kayaking on 3-5 hour tours
No experience required for this calm water kayaking experience
Variety of Kayaks with and Without Rudders
Cold Water Protective Clothing Provided
*** 3 HR. LAKE TOUR; $75 + tax, by appointment. Paddle protected freshwater in morning or evening when winds are minimal, enjoy the peace of kayaking on still waters.
***** 5 HR. BAY TOUR; $185 + tax, by appointment. Water taxi to a protected fjord or lagoon in Kachemak Bay Park, and enjoy the scenic views and abundant wildlife.
To register contact the Alaska Kayak School
(907) 235-2090, info@alaskakayakschool.com
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Sea Kayaking Skills Primers + Sea Kayak Demos
Learn Sea Kayaking using Nigel Dennis, Valley, and Prijon Sea Kayaks, a model to suit every style, rudders or skegs
Enjoy 4- or 8-hour sea kayaking skills and safety primers guided by your interests and our instructional team. Use our cold water protective gear to experience and safe capsizes. These sessions are flexible and can be as comprehensive or general as your interests and goals will guide the program. We will coach you, your friends, and family at your level of skill, even if there are diverse skill levels in your group. Paddlers of all levels get useful skills they need for effective & safe paddling. We can cover all strokes and maneuvers, rescues and recoveries, towing, navigation and trip planning. Training and assessment to the BCU 3 star sea and ACA levels 1-3 possible. Demo sea kayaks to fulfill your long your short-term paddling goals and learn more about the sport.
We provide all cold-water protective clothing, kayaking gear, & instruction.
You provide under clothing to wear the drysuits: wicking layers that are non-absorbent such as quick drying capilene, poly, and insulating layers such as fleece (no cotton), drinking water, food or snacks, and extra warm clothing in a dry bag. Rain gear may be advisable.
When: June 10, July 1, 8; August 15, 26, or by appointment, please call
Times: to be arranged, generally 9 am – 5 pm, but 10 am – 6 pm OK
Pre-requisites: willing to capsize, can swim & follow verbal instructions.
Cost:
4 – hr. session $75 + tax per person;
8 hr session $135 + tax per person
Registration: Alaska Kayak School, (907) 235-2090, info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration)
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SUMMER 09 - AUGUST
Instructional Tour in Kachemak Bay: August 18-22
Consecutive days of sea kayaking instruction are the fast track to improving your sea skills and for delivering you into the realm of becoming a competent sea kayaker. Instructional tours are appropriate for paddlers of all levels from beginers to intermediates. If you want to learn how to paddle, or improve your paddling, this is your ticket to skill development. This is an opportunity to discover that sea kayaking is about much more than paddling forward. This course is ideally designed for beginner and intermediate paddlers. In other words, you have worked on your fundamental skills and want to improve your navigation, tripping, and rougher water skills; not for novices.
Learn and practice strokes and maneuvers, rescues and recoveries, navigation and trip planning, and leadership on the water. Become a competent sea kayaker by establishing a level of proficiency to paddle in wind and waves in open water, and the moving water of tidal streams. Develop your knowledge of safety, tides and currents, marine weather, risk management & decision making, cold-water injury prevention, sea kayak camping skills, Alaska’s natural history and much more. Courses are designed to provide training for the BCU 3 star sea kayak skills and the ACA Coastal Kayak level 3 tests. BCU 3 star sea assessments and ACA level tests are available with prior arrangement.
All instructors are BCU coaches and or ACA instructors with over 8 years experience guiding and teaching sea kayaking in Alaska. All guides have Wilderness First Responder medical skills.
Itinerary: Leave the Spit by water taxi late afternoon August 18h, paddle and camp our way East through Kachemak Bay State Park to Glacier Spit and Halibut Cove Lagoon for a water taxi prick up late afternoon 22 August.
We provide: sea kayaks and gear, including dry suits, cold-water protective gear, all instruction and safety.
You provide: clothing, food, water, & camping gear as needed, tent, rain tarp, cooking gear, etc.
Pre-requisites: a wet exit, fundamental skills and a willingness to learn, the ability to swim, and the ability to follow verbal instructions.
Costs: 4-night/5-days $650/person**
$500 for instruction
$150 for sea kayaking gear
** Local sale taxes apply, 7.5%, no water taxi fees are included, and prices based on a minimum group size of 4.
Kenai Fjords Expedition 2009 Invitational Expedition
2 – 13 August 2009
Meet in Homer & drive to Seward to water taxi out
Advanced paddling at the BCU 3-4 star level, or ACA levels 3-4
Cost/paddler: $1700 + tax
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This is a 4-5 star tour of the open coast of Kenai Fjords with forays into fjords as needed to camp and explore. You must have big water sea kayaking experience and multiple sea kayak camping trips or expeditions under your belt, and have a logbook showing your training and paddling history or equivalent. This trip is ideal for paddlers that have taken their BCU “new” 3 star sea kayak assessment or the old 4 star sea kayak award. And ACA equivalents great! If you’ve had BCU 5 star training, or the new BCU 4 Star Leader training course you’ll enjoy the trip as well, and will get to practice some leadership.
What to expect? Flexibility is the name of the game. On this expedition, we hope to travel the outer coast of the Kenai Peninsula on our terms. If we didn’t know so (too) much about the weather and sea conditions of the Outer Coast, we’d paint a glorifying picture of steep scenic cliffs, a lovely swell rising and falling, untold views of glaciers, and abundant wildlife; all of which is true. All of which is true except I can say that in 10 years of paddling the outer coast we’ve had our ears boxed by storms on 5 out of 6 of our 11 trips there. Having said that, we’ve also experienced stunning, calm, and beautiful conditions that are the sea paddlers dream; enough swell to feel the power of the North Pacific, and calm enough to fall asleep in your boat in open water; rafted up, of course. The North Pacific storms on the outer coast last 1-3 (rarely 5) days, are well predicted, and arrive on time to rip and tear at your camp, shred tents, and dump unfathomable quantities of rain in a short period of time. Imagine cockpits filling in 24hr with nylon cockpit covers on. Cool nights (40-50s) and warmish days (60’s) are possible, and colder wetter nights (40’s) and cooler (low 50’s) days are also. Prepare for sun and rain, you’ll be ready. Rubber boots, serious raingear, tarps and 4 season tents. Northern lights are a possible attraction by the end of the trip on a clear night.
What’s included? Sea kayak and gear (as needed, but not drysuits – see below) lodging before and after, water taxi to Kenai Fjords from Seward, leadership and instruction, emergency satellite telephone, gas to Seward, and any odd camp items needed we can provide if we have them, including tarps, etc. If you need a 4-season tent, ask, we can rent you one.
What you provide: Personal Paddling and camping gear, food, dry bags, navigation gear, etc. plane fare to Alaska, transport to Homer and back, etc. Dry suits are available for rent if you don’t have one. We can help you price out the ground transport, etc. Just ask.
Sample Itinerary (w/ and w/o water taxi):
1 August – travel to Homer, B&B
2 August – pack in Homer, drive to Seward, B&B
3 Aug drive Seward + launch or take water taxi into the Fjords, camp
4 Aug Paddle Kenai Fjords Outer Coast, camp
5 Aug Paddle Kenai Fjords Outer Coast, camp
6 Aug Paddle Kenai Fjords Outer Coast, camp
7 Aug Paddle Kenai Fjords Outer Coast, camp
8 Aug Paddle Kenai Fjords Outer Coast, camp
9 Aug Paddle Kenai Fjords Outer Coast, camp
10 Aug Paddle Kenai Fjords Outer Coast, camp
11 Aug Paddle Kenai Fjords Outer Coast, camp
12 Aug Return to Seward, B&B
13 Aug Return to Anchorage, fly home or continued travel in Alaska.
Pre-requisites: You’ve paddled at the BCU 3 and 4 star level (or ACA level 3 and 4) for a while, and have done 3 or more multi-day sea kayaking trips, some in big water and open ocean conditions. Logbook and personal references, and/or completed successful assessments showing your training and paddling history.
Registration: Use online form or contact the Alaska Kayak School, (907) 235-2090, PO Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603, info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
Reservations: A completed registration form, terms and conditions form, confidential medical form, and a 50% deposit can establish your reservation. Balance is due 30-days before departure. For a copy of the refund policy, please contact us: (907) 235-2090 or
info@alaskakayakschool.com
AUTUMN 09 - SEPTEMBER
British Sea Kayak Weekend in Halibut Cove, 25-27 September
American Canoe Association Coastal Kayak Instructor Training and Exam, Sept 3-9 *
*Postponed until summer 2010
Kodiak Sea Kayaking Skills Courses 3-7 September 2009
Introduction and Purpose. Following the fun week we spent on Kodiak in July 2009, we’re excited to return for a September event, 3-7 September. Returning students can take it to another level and new students (we’ve heard) can get in on the fun they missed in July. Thanks for the interest and enthusiasm, Kodiak and the Island Trails Network (islandtrails.org). Rob Avery (ACA Open Water Instructor and BCU Level 3 Sea Coach) is ready to come back and so is Tom (ACA Open Water Instructor and BCU Level 4 Sea Coach). We are offering a structured program from 3-7 September and may stay to offer more programs the next weekend as demand allows. Contact us ASAP with any questions, 235-2090,
Registration & More information: Register by phone @ Alaska Kayak School, PO Box 3547, Homer, AK, 99603, (907) 235-2090, alaskakayskchool@gmail.com (online registration)
Course Schedule
September ’09 Kodiak September Sea Skills
Sep 3 - Coastal Instructor Development; 9 am - 4 PM
Sept 5 - Fundamentals 1 (intro) & Fund 2, tuning (intermediate); 9 am - 5 pm
Sept 6 - Sea Rescues 1 and 2; 9 am - 5 pm
Sept 7 - Nav and Open Water 1 and 2; 9 am - 5 pm
Sept 8 – ITN Trail work party
Sept 10th – Paddling in conditions (surf?) near town
Sept 12 - Parent-teenager sea kayaking skills
Sep 13 – Open Water day trip?
Sep 14-17 Upon Demand: Parent-teenager sea kayaking skills, Fundamentals and Fund tuning, rescues, navigation and open water, rough water paddling, Pool, evening tuning sessions and paddles, duplicate courses for those that missed Labor Day and want more, we’ll play it by ear.
Costs
1. ACA Development & Repair and maintenance sessions- FREE to July 09 students, daily course fees as below.
2. Other Courses:
A. July 09 Alumni: $125/person/day with all gear ($120 ck or cash); $350 for 3 days ($345 ck or cash). July alumni with your own gear pay $105/person/day ($100 ck or cash); $285 for three days ($275 ck or cash). July students ala Carte: $115/day instruction, $20/day dry suit, $15/day sea kayak and gear; check/cash $5 off each unit; $110, $15, $10, respectfully.
B. New students - $450/person 3 days all inclusive; $165/day/person all-inclusive; $155/day cash/check; New students with their own gear $125/day/person ($120 cash/check). New students ala Carte: $125/day instruction, $25/day dry suit, $20/day sea kayak and gear; check/cash $5 off each unit; $120, $20, $15, respectfully.
Impromptu short courses and evening paddles priced per event, no more than $55/person/event with all gear cash/ck; $45/person if no gear needed.
Registration & More information: Register by phone @ Alaska Kayak School, PO Box 3547, Homer, AK, 99603, (907) 235-2090, or register online (online registration). E-mail: info@alaskakayakschool.com
Equipment provided (as needed): Sea kayak with waterproof compartments in each end, deck lines and end toggles, drysuit, paddle, skirt, pump, helmet, helmet liner, gloves, booties, towline.
Equipment needed: Sea kayak with waterproof compartments in each end, deck lines and end toggles, drysuit, paddle, skirt, pump, helmet, helmet liner, gloves, booties, towline. Lunch and drinking water, spare warm appropriate clothing and other personal effects in dry bags such as needed for a day trip in prevailing conditions.
Course Descriptions
1. American Canoe Association - Coastal Kayak Instructor Development
How do we learn? What are the stages of learning? What level of skills do we need to demonstrate for best student performance? What are the strokes and maneuvers we teach for sea kayaking? What is the best modeling technique for the skills we teach? What level of care and safety do we have to our paddling students? What is your base level of sea kayaking skill in relation to the ACA Coastal Kayaking Level System? What personal equipment do coastal kayaking instructors need to carry? What are the most important attributes of a paddling instructor? What are the hydrodynamics of a sea kayak, and how can we adapt our skills and performance to get the most out of our boats and paddles? What are the most necessary, effective, safe, and fun sea kayaking skills and maneuvers? What are the down and dirty mechanics of coastal kayaking skills and maneuvers? How does your body interact with your boat and paddle to achieve safe and effective performances? What is the best way to give students feedback? If you are interested in teaching paddling and developing as an instructor, or are interested in understanding more about how to learn and develop your paddling skills, you might enjoy this 2-day workshop. This is excellent preparation for taking ACA Coastal Kayaking Development Workshop and Instructor Certification Exam, coming to a waterway near you in 2010.
When: September 3, Thu, 9 – 4 PM
Where: Kodiak, Location to be announced
Pre-requisites: Kodiak Skills Symposium or other formal sea kayak training, or permission.
2. Fundamentals of Sea Kayaking I
Safe lifting and carrying, warm-up and rom before and after paddling, launching and landing, design-function and safety features of sea kayaks, safe wet exit, effective strokes and maneuvers, group awareness, and an introduction to sea kayak rescues, assisted and self.
When: September 5, Saturday, 9 – 5 PM
Where: Kodiak, Location to be announced
Pre-requisites: Can swim and follow verbal instructions, wiling to capsize and learn/practice wet exit.
3. Fundamentals of Sea Kayaking Tuning II
Revisit flat-water sea kayaking skills and move your fun into open water, wind and waves. Refine your sweep stroke and edging skills, improve your forward paddling and control in wind and waves, learn and practice the bow rudder, stern rudder, side-slid (aka hanging draw), draw on the move, low and high brace and bracing on the move. Paddle in wind and waves, and contemplate rock garden play session. Tune your rescues and towing.
When: September 5, Saturday, 9 – 5 PM
Where: Kodiak, Location to be announced
Pre-requisites: 09 Kodiak Skills Symposium, other formal sea kayak training, or permission.
4. Sea Kayak Rescues and Towing I
Lean and practice numerous variations of assisted and self-rescues in sea kayaks. Improve your strokes and maneuvers for more effective performance as a rescuer. Assisted rescues: t-rescue, yank rescue, scoop rescue, paddle float rescue, cowboy scramble, re-enter and roll with paddle float, and variations on towing (single tow, rafted tow, in-line tow, fan tow, push tow, carrying swimmers on your kayak and more)
When: September 6, Sunday, 9 – 5 PM
Where: Kodiak, Location to be announced
Pre-requisites: Can swim and follow verbal instructions, wiling to capsize and learn wet exit.
5. Sea Kayak Rescues and Towing II
Review, and practice sea kayak rescues in conditions: wind and waves no more than sea state 3, risk management for challenging rescues, and more, included anchored tows and rescues. Take all your rescue and towing skills into conditions.
When: September 6, Sunday, 9 – 5 PM
Where: Kodiak, Location to be announced
Pre-requisites: 09 Kodiak Skills Symposium, other formal sea kayak training, or permission.
6. Navigation and Open Water Paddling I – Introduction
Basics of chart and compass, trip planning, tides and currents, marine weather, and more, including making a trip plan for the afternoon. Classroom and theory in the morning is a set up for an afternoon group trip. Lay a bearing and set a course, follow bearing, group awareness and communication, risk management and more, such as the effect of wind and current on your paddling.
When: September 7, Monday, 9 – 5 PM
Where: Kodiak, Location to be announced
Pre-requisites: Can swim and follow verbal instructions, wiling to capsize and learn wet exit.
7. Navigation and Open Water Paddling II – Application of skills
Review basics of trip planning and navigation, analyze the effect of tide and current on your trip plans, practice trip-planning skills and do a group trip in a more challenging setting, such as force 3 winds and sea state 3.
When: September 7, Monday, 9 – 5 PM
Where: Kodiak, Location to be announced
Pre-requisites: 09 Kodiak Skills Symposium, other formal sea kayak training, or permission.
Other programs possible by popular demand 9-16 September
8. Sea Kayak Maintenance and Repair – evening session (9 September)
9. Parent-teenager Introduction to Sea Kayaking – 1 day (12 September ??)
Wet exits and basics of sea kayak control and rescues, working as a team, roles of parents and teens in sea kayaking groups.
9. Sculling, bracing and rolling in pool – evening session (by arrangement).
10. Introduction to the Surf Zone in Sea Kayaks – 1 day (13 September?)
Waves and surf dynamics, safety in the surf zone, balance and bracing, safe launching and landing in surf, surf play in sea kayaks, rescues in the surf.
11. Paddling Sea Kayaks in Moving Water and tidal streams – 1 day (14 September?)
12. Evening Paddles near town (as time allows), evenings with no daytime programs.
13. Suggestions?? Write us and suggest a plan, if it’s workable, we’re excited about it. Or call Tom @ 907.299.0061,
info@alaskakayakschool.com.
Registration: Use online form or contact the Alaska Kayak School, (907) 235-2090, PO Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603, info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
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WINTERPOOL KAYAKING 2009-2010
Alaska Kayak School offerings @ Homer Community Schools
Fall 2009 : OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2009
- Youth Kayaking Skills Development
- Kayak Basics
- Balance, Sculling, Bracing and Rolling
- Turkey Community Pool Slalom Race for Food
More information and Registration: Call the Alaska Kayak School, (907) 235-2090, e-mail: info@alaskakayakschool.com, or register online. Payment is required for registrations and reservations.
1. Youth Kayaking Skills Development – the Cross-stream Challenge. Kayaking is an ideal activity for 11-18 year olds, helping develop safety awareness, confidence, motor skills for effective paddling, and tremendous fun messing around in boats. We’ll use weekly 2 hr. sessions in the pool learning all the safety and paddling skills needed to navigate a series of varied pre-set kayaking courses in small maneuverable river kayaks. Professional coaches of the British Canoe Union and American Canoe Association are the instructors. Many current National and Olympic paddlers all began their kayaking careers in pool programs like this one. This is a small step to providing a youth education program in paddling as a basis for future skills development. Besides, it’s a ton of fun.
Where: Homer High School Pool
When: Session I. Wednesdays, 6-730 PM October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4 (or continuation of session 1); Session 2 November 11, 18, 25, December 2, & 9.
Pre-requisites: can swim and follow verbal instructions, ages 11-18.
Cost: $15 Homer Community Schools fee + $108 class and equipment fee per 5 week sessions, tax included
2. Kayak Basics. Learn the basics of kayaking in the comfort of a warm pool using fun, maneuverable river kayaks that enhance you skills development. Effective strokes and maneuvers, rescues and safety skills are all covered in this classic Alaskan-style learning opportunity. Winter offers the chance to “become a kayaker by spring” by taking advantage of the dark & cold winter nights to develop your balance and the efficient paddling for fun and excitement on the water next summer or your paddling winter vacation. These courses transform your kayaking skills. Professional kayak coaches are your instructors.
Where: Homer High School Pool
When: Tuesdays, 830-1000 PM, Session 1: October 6, 13, 20, 27, & November 3; Session 2: November 17, 24 & December 1, 8, and 15.
Pre-requisites: can swim and follow verbal instructions
Cost: $15 Homer Community Schools fee + $165 tax included/person/session (5 classes/session).
3. Balance, Sculling, Bracing and Rolling. You have developed your basic skills but want to have more confidence to paddle rougher waters or rivers safely? Developing your balance, sculling, bracing and rolling skills is a great way to increase your proficiency and comfort in paddling any conditions. Step by step progressions for learning these counter-intuitive skills will have you progressing towards your goals. Video analysis used in this class greatly enhances your learning and success. Professional kayak coaches are your instructors.
Where: Homer High School Pool
When: Thursdays, 830-1000 PM, October 8, 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19, December 3 & 10.
Pre-requisites: fundamental kayaking skills and comfortable capsizing
Cost: $15 Homer Community Schools fee + $208 tax included
4. Turkey Community Pool Slalom Race for Food. Come pit yourself against the rest of the kayak racer heads in the community on this traditional Holiday competition of speed and accuracy. Regulation slalom gates hung in the pool will give you a chance to strut your stuff and prove your skills to yourself and other racers. Must bring a Holiday food donation to benefit the Homer Community Food Pantry. Come do your best and give generously.
Where: Homer High School Pool
When: Wednesday 25 November, 8:30-10 PM,
Pre-requisites: fundamental kayaking skills
Cost: $21.50 tax included + $5 Homer Community Schools Donation
* Reservations policy: We consider a reservation with payment and a completed registration form to be final. If you must cancel, and you can find a replacement student, you can receive a full refund; otherwise we will transfer your fees to a program on a different date. Any cancellations after the Friday before a program can receive no refund, your best bet is to sell your spot to a friend. Feel free to contact us for more details, (907) 235-2090.
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Alaska Kayak School offerings @ Soldotna Community Schools
Fall 2008 : NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2009
Course List
- Fundamental Kayaking Skills for Kids and Adults
- Beyond Fundamentals – Intermediate Kayaking Skills
Fundamental Kayaking Skills for Kids and Adults.
Learn the basics of kayaking in a 4-hour course that combines a 30-minute lecture and a 3.5 hour pool kayaking skills training session in river kayaks in the comfort of a heated pool. Topics covered include selecting a kayak, kayak fit and posture, safe carrying and launching, the paddle, safe capsize and recovery, hypothermia cold-shock and clothing, group dynamics, and strokes and maneuvers (forward, back, stop, spin, turn, rudder, balance and bracing, simple towing and basics of rescues). These are generic skills shared by all types of kayaking: sea, white water, surf, marathon, polo, etc. Regardless of your interest or experience in kayaking, these fundamental skills will improve or awaken the kayaking skills you already have. A final assessment of your skills will give you direction for future training and skill development. Professional kayak instructors are your coaches. Course covers British Canoe Union 1-2 star skills, American Canoe Association level 1 and 2 skills. This is an ideal course if you’ve never had kayaking instruction. All equipment is provided. Course taken as a single session, with follow up instruction in the “Beyond the Basics” course offered Saturday afternoons.
WHEN: Saturdays
DATES: November 21, December 5th
TIME: 9 AM - 1230 p.m.
WHERE: So Hi Pool, Soldotna
FEE: $75/person/3.5 hr. session, repeat students get $5 off/session;
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603. info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
Beyond Fundamentals – Intermediate Kayaking Skills
Build on your fundamental kayaking skills and develop refined strokes and maneuvers, balance, bracing and rolling, crisp efficient rescues, and a detailed awareness of the sport of kayaking. Strokes and maneuvers emphasized include efficient forward and back paddling, sculling draw, low and high braces, sculling for support, Eskimo rescues, assisted rescues, and development of Eskimo rolling skills. These are generic skills shared by all types of kayaking: sea, white water, surf, marathon, polo, etc. Four-hour sessions include 30-minute lecture and 3.5 hour skills training in the pool each session. This course will include kayak maneuvering skills and sea kayak rescues. Professional kayak instructors are your coaches. Course focuses on British Canoe Union 2-3 star skills and American Canoe Association level 2-3 skills. All equipment is provided. Fundamental kayaking skills are a prerequisite for this class. This syllabus is a large body of skill; many students repeat the course at least once.
WHEN: Saturdays,
DATES: Nov 21, December 5
TIME: 1-4:30 p.m.
WHERE: So Hi Pool, Soldotna
FEE: $75/person/3.5 hr. session, repeat students get $5 off/session
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603.
info@alaskakayakschool.com, (
online registration).
* Reservations policy: We consider a reservation with payment and a completed registration form to be final. If you must cancel, and you can find a replacement student, you can receive a full refund; otherwise we will transfer your fees to a program on a different date. Any cancellations after the Friday before a program can receive no refund, your best bet is to sell your spot to a friend. Feel free to contact us for more details, (907) 235-2090.
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Alaska Kayak School offerings @ Service Pool, Anchorage
The Alaska Kayak School has been offering comprehensive kayak education programs for over 10 years. Our pool kayaking education has simply raged during the last 8 winters in Homer, Seward, Soldotna & Anchorage; these programs are conducted according to safety and risk management standards of the American Canoe Association and the much larger British Canoe Union. Take advantage of the skills and experience of instructors and coaches with thousands of hours of teaching in Alaska for Alaskans. Hundreds of happy paddlers roam the Alaska’s waters each summer having developed safety awareness and skills through the Alaska Kayak School’s programs. We teach transferrable skills common to all disciplines of kayaking that help any kayaker take their skills to the next level. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to develop or improve your kayaking skills over the winter and be ready to enjoy effective and safe kayaking at your own level next spring and summer. See you at Service High School Pool this winter, hope you don’t miss the (chance to) boat (with us).
Winter offers the chance to “become a kayaker by spring” by taking advantage of the dark & cold winter nights to develop your balance and efficient paddling for fun and excitement on the water next summer or your paddling winter vacation. The skills you can develop over a winter in the pool are transferrable to any environment specific training such as sea kayaking instruction, river kayaking instruction and kayak surfing. These courses transform your kayaking skills. Professional kayak coaches are your instructors.
More information and Registration: Call the Alaska Kayak School, (907) 235-2090, e-mail: info@alaskakayakschool.com, or register online. Payment is required for registrations and reservations.
1. Youth Kayaking Skills Development – Paddle Power. Kayaking is an ideal activity for 11-18 year olds, helping to develop safety awareness, confidence, and motor skills for effective paddling. Plus it’s tremendous fun messing around in boats. We’ll use 2 hr. sessions in the pool for learning the water safety and paddling skills needed to navigate a series of varied pre-set kayaking courses in maneuverable river kayaks. Professional coaches of the British Canoe Union and American Canoe Association are the instructors. Many current National and Olympic paddlers all began their youth kayaking careers in pool programs like this one. This is a small step to providing a youth education program in paddling that forms the basis for future skills development. Besides, it’s a ton of fun.
Where: Service High School, Pool, Anchorage. All kayaking equipment provided, participants just need a bathing suit.
When: Saturdays, 12-2 PM
November 14, December 12, January 16, February 13, March 13
Pre-requisites: can swim and follow verbal instructions, ages 10-16.
Cost: $80/session, check/cash discount $75
Pre-registration: Pre-registration and payment are needed to reserve spots in the program, late registrations possible on a space-available basis.
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603. info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
2. Kayak Basics. Learn the basics common to all kayaking disciplines in the comfort of a warm pool using fun maneuverable river kayaks that enhance you skills development. Effective strokes and maneuvers, simple rescues and safety skills are all covered in this classic Alaskan-style learning opportunity. Cold water awareness, wet exits, posture, effective use of the body for safety and power, forward paddling, stopping, back paddling, turning, spinning 360º, and intro to balance and draw stroke plus the stern rudder are all on the menu. This is a very fun introduction peppered with games and effective drills for kayaking skill development. Professional instructors and coaches are your guides to learning this rewarding sport that is so apropos for Alaska residents. All equipment provided, but if you have your own PFD, please let us know and consider using it.
Where: Service High School Pool, Anchorage
When: Saturdays 3-630 PM November through March; NOTE time change in April: 11 AM - 230 PM
November 14, December 12, January 16, February 13, March 13, April 10 & 24.
Pre-requisites: can swim and follow verbal instructions
Cost: $110/session, $105 check/cash discount
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603. info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
3. Beyond Basics – Skills development and refinement. You have developed and confident wet exit and have moderate control of a maneuverable river kayak, and you want to develop more effective skills such as a core-based torso action for forward paddling, and disconnecting the actions of upper and lower body for crisp turns and maneuvers. In this action-packed class, you will review wet exit and basic safety procedures, practice deep water rescues, refine the stern rudder, draw stroke, sculling and bracing, and play a bunch of great games to enhance your skills development and learning. Includes a primer on balance and bracing, which is a class in and unto itself. All equipment included, but if you have your own PFD, please let us know and consider using your own.
Where: Service High School Pool, Anchorage
When: Sundays 11 AM – 230 PM; Saturdays 330-700 PM in April
November 15, December 13, January 17, February 14, March 14, NOTE: Change of day and time in April; April 10 & 24.
Pre-requisites: Confident wet exit with a skirt, basic skills (see no. 2 above).
Cost: $110/session, $105 check/cash discount
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603. info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
4. Balance, Sculling, Bracing and Rolling. You have developed your basic skills but want to have more confidence to paddle rougher waters or rivers safely? Developing your balance, sculling, bracing and rolling skills is a great way to increase your proficiency and comfort while paddling in any conditions. Step by step progressions for learning these counter-intuitive skills will have you progressing towards your goals. Video analysis used in this class greatly enhances your learning and success. Professional kayak coaches are your instructors. Course is limited to 6 students. Suggested reference material: Performance Video DVD: The Kayak Roll (we sell it to students for $25)
Where: Service High School Pool, Anchorage
When: Sundays, 330-630 PM November to March; NOTE: Time change in April, 11 AM – 2 PM.
November 15, December 13, January 17, February 14, March 14, April 11 & 25.
Pre-requisites: pre-registration and payment, a confident wet exit with a skirt, beyond basic skills, or permission of instructors. This is not a course for first or second time students of Alaska Kayak School Programs.
Cost: $130/session, $125 cash/check
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603. info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
5. Kayaking Skills Supervised Practice Sessions. You have taken some Alaska Kayak School pool training courses recently and just want some time to “mess around in boats” with a little support from the Kayak School team in Kayak School kayaks and gear. This is a chance for a kayak rental with gear for you to take some to time to socialize and practice the skills you’ve been trained in – also known as skill consolidation. Really, it’s the msotest and funnest part of the winter pool activities, and this is a 3 hr. session for your fun and entertainment. You will share the pool with the rolling students who will be doing submersion studies in the one end of the pool. Pre-registration required just like for a class, it’s so we can save you a boat.
Where: Service High School Pool, Anchorage
When: Sundays, 330-630 PM
November 15, December 13, January 17, February 14, March 14, April 11 & 25.
Pre-requisites: pre-registration and payment, a confident wet exit with a skirt, basic skills. This is a program for current students, not a chance to old students or non-students to rent boats and mess around.
Cost: $50/session, $45 cash/check
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603. info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
6. Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue Skills. Learn and practice assisted and self-rescues for sea kayaks in the comfort of a warm pool. Experienced sea kayakers can pick up hot tips from professional sea kayak instructors and coaches, while less experienced paddlers, particularly recent Alaska Kayak School students can develop a variety of rescue strategies that will give them confidence once spring and summer sea paddling starts.
Where: Service High School Pool, Anchorage
When: Sundays, 330-630 PM; April 11 & 25.
Pre-requisites: pre-registration and payment, a confident wet exit with a skirt, basic skills or beyond, or permission of instructors. This is not a course for first or second time students of Alaska Kayak School Programs.
Cost: $125/session, $115 cash/check
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603. info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
7. Supervised skills practice during open pool. Alaska Kayak School students can rent kayak, paddle, skirt, PFD and helmet to practice during open pool sessions @ Service, which usually start after 1 January each year. This year the sessions will be Tuesday nights 7-830 PM or Wednesday nights 8-930 PM, the Muni has not made a decision yet, so stay tuned.
Where: Service High School Pool, Anchorage
When: To be announced
Pre-requisites: pre-registration and payment, a confident wet exit with a skirt, basic skills or beyond, or permission of instructors. This is not a course for first or second time students of Alaska Kayak School Programs.
Cost: to be announced
Registration: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603. info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
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Winter Weekends in Homer, 2009-2010
First Scheduled: October 31 & November 1 - Halloween Sea Kayak Weekend
Winter Sea Paddling Fun - Homer & Kachemak Bay
Download this program info as MS Word or Adobe Acrobat
Welcome• What is it about? • Fees • What might you learn? • Tidal Play Spots on the Spit• Group Size • Car Pooling & Lodging • Other AKS program news for 2009-2010
Hi all you paddling fans and Alaska Kayak School students and Alums -
Halloween 2009 is the first in a series of winter paddling weekends that will be offered in Homer for Alaska Kayak School students that have taken outdoor courses and shown some interest, aptitude, and development of skills for sea kayaking in Alaska. Watch the AKS calendar and your emails for future winter paddling dates in Kachemak Bay.
What is it all about? Warm up to winter paddling !!
As you know, in Homer sea kayak students of the Alaska Kayak School paddle year round, and we have for the last 11 years. Our activities are well documented in our videos, published by KayakJournal.com, editions 1, 2, & 4, as well as on YouTube at watermama67's channel. These weekends offer a chance to paddle in Kachemak Bay, based on the Homer Spit. Days are short, and we'd be meeting around noon, selecting the best venue given the conditions and paddling as a group either Saturday and/or Sunday; if it blows easterly, we paddle on west side of the Spit, if it blows westerly, we paddle on the East side. If moderate weather, winds are forecast, which is common, we can even do a night paddle, which is super fun.
Fees
1) Instruction + kayak + dry suit and other accessories: $85/day* or $150* for the weekend
*Local sales taxes apply, 7.5% in Homer.
We can accommodate you if we have a dry suit and kayak in your size, please call or send in a registration form with your needs.
2) Instruction + kayak only (includes skirt, paddle, and PFD, helmet, etc. id needed):
$70/day* & $130* weekend
*Local sales taxes apply. Please contact us to see if we have a kayak to suit you.
3) You have all your own gear **– $45/day*; $80* for the weekend
** Gear list - sea kayak with 2-3 bulkheads, waterproof compartments, deck lines, & surf toggles; dry suit, PFD, skirt, paddle, helmet, helmet liner, gloves, extra clothing in dry bags, warm clothing, etc. as per the BCU 3 star syllabus, contact us if you need more details here.
What might you learn? Other than the fact that sea kayaking is year round fun in Homer ?
Winter clothing and paddling skills: paddling in wind & waves, paddling sea kayaks in moving water, possible introduction to surf, rough water paddling skills, towing, navigation, group dynamics and leadership and whatever presents itself in relation to the conditions.
Halloween 2009. On this weekend we are building up to spring tides, and we're expecting an 18.7' high tide @ 1:30 PM on Saturday, and a 19.8' high tide @ 1:01 PM on Sunday November 1st. How? You might ask can the high tide on the afternoon of November first be earlier than the high tide on 31 October? Daylight savings ends at 2 AM on 1 November , "fall back". The skills you'd work on are in the realm of the BCU 3 star sea kayak award and the ACA level 3 Coastal Kayak Syllabus, check bcuna.com or americancanoe.org for these skill lists.
Winter 2009-2010 Paddling Schedule
Halloween Spring Tides
October 31, Saturday, mid-day tide High 18.72 ft. @ 1330 hrs.
Sunrise 925 hrs. Sunset 1814 hrs.
November 1, Sunday, mid-day tide High 19.80 ft. @ 1300 hrs.
Sunrise 827 hrs. Sunset 1711 hrs.
Thanksgiving Spring Tides
November 28, Saturday, mid-day tide High 16.90 ft. @ 1100 hrs.
Sunrise 932 hrs. Sunset 1617 hrs.
November 29 Sunday, mid-day tide High 18.06 ft. @ 1142 hrs.
Sunrise 934 hrs. Sunset 1615 hrs.
Pre-Christmas Spring Tides
December 19, Saturday, mid-day tide High 18.01 ft. @ 1544 hrs.
Sunrise 1002 hrs. Sunset 1605 hrs.
December 20, Sunday, mid-day (?) tide High 17.28 ft. @ 1622 hrs.
Sunrise 1003 hrs. Sunset 1606 hrs.
10thAnnual New Year’s Day Paddle & New Year’s Spring Tides
January 1, Friday, , mid-day tide High 21.71’ @ 1426 hrs.
Sunrise 1003 hrs. Sunset 1617 hrs.
January 2, Saturday, mid-day tide High 21.79’ @ 1514 hrs.
Sunrise 1003 hrs. Sunset 1618 hrs.
January 3, Sunday, mid-day tide High 21.79’ @ 1604 hrs.
Sunrise 1002 hrs. Sunset 1620 hrs
February Eve Spring Tides
January 30, Saturday, mid-day tide High 21.99’ @ 1418 hrs.
Sunrise 921 hrs. Sunset 1720 hrs.
January 31, Sunday, mid-day tide High 22.26’ @ 1506 hrs.
Sunrise 1719 hrs. Sunset 1620 hrs.
March Eve Spring Tides
Golden Gate Sea Kayak Symposium
San Francisco, California
26-28 February 2010
www.ggsks.com
Spring Equinox Tides
March 20, Saturday, mid-day tide High 15.67’ @ 1822 hrs.
Sunrise 0808 hrs. Sunset 2021 hrs.
March 21, Sunday, mid-day tide (?) 14.21’ @ 1912 hrs.
Sunrise 0805 hrs. Sunset 2024 hrs.
Easter Sunday Paddle
April 4, High tide 14.36’ @ 1936 hrs.
Last Winter Paddling Weekend of 2009-2010
April 17, Saturday, mid-day tide High 17.04’ @ 1730 hrs.
Sunrise 0645 hrs. Sunset 2128 hrs.
April 17, Saturday, mid-day tide High 15.99’ @ 1816 hrs.
Sunrise 0642 hrs. Sunset 2131 hrs.
Tidal Play Spots on the Homer Spit. There are 2 tidal play spots on the Homer Spit, both are lagoons that fill on big tides and drain as the water drains following high water. If Poseidon and the Zephyrs cooperate there can be some nice (or nasty) surf conditions on the west side of the Homer Spit. When surf, even small surf, interacts with the falling tide streams, we get some fun standing breaking waves, great conditions to work on your sea kayaking skills. See KayakJournal.com no. 4 for the Beluga Slough tide race video, available from Penstock Productions, PO Box 7007, Asheville, NC 28802, penstock@mac.com.
Group size is limited to 6 participants. We have invited those of you we feel are up to this activity, if you have friends that have good skills, please run it past us first before inviting them, we've had some safety issues in the past with "friends" that were said to have the skills for our invitational weekends.
Car Pooling and Lodging. If you get together and car pool, plus consider using our kayaks (ask for the kayak only rental fee) and bring all your other gear (contact us for a list of stuff you need), you can drive down to Homer as teams in 1-2 vehicles to save on your carbon footprint. The Driftwood Inn has a big house with lots of rooms and creature comforts that rents for $285/night, it is centrally located and walking distance to all your needs (including the beach). They also have smaller rooms, reasonably priced. The Pioneer Inn has large rooms with bath and living room and kitchenettes for $50 !!/night.
If you can't make this weekend, we'll miss you. But don't worry, there will be more winter sea paddling weekend fun here at the Alaska Kayak School in Homer ... If you do want to come down for the Halloween Spring Tides, please send a registration form (see below) or call 235-2090 for more information.
Register online: Alaska Kayak School (907) 235-2090,P.O. Box 3547, Homer, Alaska 99603. info@alaskakayakschool.com, (online registration).
Other Alaska Kayak School program news:
• Winter pool schedules for Homer, Service, & Soldotna are done, look for them on our website here:
• Weekends in Halibut Cove in May already scheduled, stay tuned for the line up
• ACA Day Trip Leader Assessment Course, already scheduled for mid-May, stay tuned
• 2010 Kachemak Bay Immersion Sea Kayaking Skills Symposium scheduled for Memorial Day weekend in Halibut Cove, based on Right Beach, We’re leaving the industrial barge basin for good !!
• ACA Level 4 & 4 Coastal Kayak Training and Coastal Kayak Instructor Development Workshop
• BCU and ACA Level 3 and 3 star training weekends all summer of 2010 in Kachemak Bay
• Kachemak Bay 4-night/5-day instructional tours focusing on navigation & tidal planning are scheduled for spring tides each month of the summer.
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2009 Calendar of Events, Trips and Courses