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2008 Guided Trips and Expeditions
• Honduras in February and March 2008 w/ Uncommon Adventures
• June 1-7 Prince William Sound - Kings Bay (Beginner-Intermediate)
• June 15-22 Kenai Fiords National Park (Intermediate)
• July 12-19 Prince William Sound - Icy and Whale Bays (Beg-Intmdt)
• August 5-14 Shuyak and Afognak Islands - Advanced
• Custom Trips 2008
• September 11-13, 18-20 – Open Water Skills and Whale Watching
** Full Descriptions will appear in the Kayak School Calendar by early November, check back in or contact us for more info email or call (907) 235-2090
2008 Sea Kayaking Skills Courses
• May 2-6 Personal Sea Kayaking Skills @ Halibut Cove
• May 9-12 ACA Trip Leader Training and Assessment
• May 16-19 Personal Sea Kayaking Skills @ Halibut Cove
• May 23-27 Immersion Sea Kayaking Skills Symposium, Homer
• June 27-29 & July 25-27 Sea Kayaking Skills @ Kasitsna Bay
• June-August, 1-2 Wed./month Sea Kayak Demo and Skills day
• July 4 weekend Sea Skills Jamboree, 3 days of skills
• August 23-24, Sea kayaking Skills Weekend, Homer
• August 29-31 Intmdt.-Adv Training - Sea Kayaks and Tide
• September 4-6 Personal Sea Skills @ Halibut Cove
• September 11-13, 18-20 – Open Water Skills and Whale Watching
• Sept 25-27 Rough Water Training
** Full Descriptions will appear in the Kayak School Calendar by early November, check back in or contact us for more info email or call (907) 235-2090
Gordon Brown's book, Sea Kayak - a manual for intermediate and advanced sea kayakers is a must have for anyone interested in becoming an independent sea paddler, coach, instructor, or gude. Gordon is a high level coach and instructor in the british canioe Union and the Americam Canoe Association, in which he uses almost 2 decades of experience to share some of the "nuggets" of his knowledge an experience.
For sale at the Alaska Kayak School, $32 + postage.
Kayak Journal no. 5, the Alaska edition, released 25 October 2008 and featuring video from the Alaska Kayak School trips from 2007 and much more, to be released 25 October 2008, go to kayakjournal.com for subscription and purchase information.
Pool kayaking instruction in fundamental skills, skill refinement with rescues, Eskimo rolling and bracing, and much more will continue this winter in Homer, Soldotna, and Anchorage area pools. The fall '07 Homer and the winter 07-08 Soldotna schedules are posted on our calendar now. The Anchorage schedule will include courses 1 weekend a month from November to March and 2 weekends in April, all probably at West Pool, the schedule will be finalized soon, so check back in the near future.
Kayak Journal 5, the Alaska edition trailer
Alaska Kayak School featured in Kayak Journal video magazine, issue no. 4, winter surfing, Beluga Slough paddling, cold water clothing, and a fast sea kayak rescue, see trailer and subscribe here
Used Seda Tangos for Sale, $1100-$1500 ($3300 new) , contact Alaska Sea Kayakers, (907) 472-2534, info@alaskaseakayakers.com
Cold Water Paddling Clothing – script for Kayak Journal - Read HERE
The Alaska Kayak School continues collaboration with Penstock Productions' "Kayak Journal". For the latest AKS contribution to Kayak Journal, check out the "Yank Rescue" podcast . Stay tuned to Alaska Kayak School.com and Kayak Journal for more rescue and safety tips.
Forty-one racers raised over $15,000 in the pool kayaking slalom race held as a benefit to support Max Haggerty in his quest for a double lung transplant. Thanks racers and sponsors !!! For race results and more information about Max, visit www.WeLoveMax.org.
Max's Race, a fundraising benefit pool kayaking slalom race for Max
Haggerty (Mako Haggerty's son) in his quest for a double lung transplant,
will be held March 3, 2007, at the Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center in Homer, for
more information, call Tom 299-0061, and visit www.WeLoveMax.org. WE
NEED RACERS AND SPONSORS - If you can paddle a kayak down the pool and back,
you can race. Please get involved.
Spring Courses - Sea Kayaking Courses start in Homer in late March with
the Applied Sea Skills courses, Sundays in Kachemak Bay with immersion wear.
Ideal for pool skills students eager to start paddling on the ocean. Check
the calendar
May Sea Kayaking Courses - Every weekend in May we feature sea kayaking
skills courses in Homer: Personal Sea Skills, ACA Guide Training,
Intermediate and Advanced Skills (paddling in current) and the typical
Kachemak Kayak Fest Skills Symposium; check the calendar for details. All
equipment provided: dry suits, kayaks, paddles, etc.
American Canoe Association Guide Training Course - First time ever
offered in Homer; a training and assessment with written exam for getting
skills and "certification" to lead day trips in easy conditions for novice
and beginner paddlers. See the calendar for May.
Summer Trips and Expeditions - Bainbridge (outer coast of southern Prince
William Sound, offered in early June and late August), Kachemak Bay Yurt
trip, Kenai Fiords (2 expeditions in July) and southern Prince William Sound
Whale and Icy bay trip in early August - please check the calendar for details. Custom
adventures are our specialty, contact us for details.
New Products in 2007 - P&H/Venture, Werner, Liquidlogic; don't fret we
will still have all our old standards: Nigel Dennnis Kayaks, Valley, Lendal,
Kokatat, Palm/MTI, Snap Dragon, etc.
- P&H/Venture - We are in the process of getting some
of the fabulous P&H and Venture plastic sea kayaks (Easky 13 & 15), Capella
16 and 166, and perhaps Skye and Titan great price point $$, 3-layer hard
plastic and dry hatches.
- Werner Paddles - We are the new Werner paddle
dealer for Alaska. Looking for an upper end or just a fantastic sea paddle,
think Werner, many new and innovative designs.
- Liquidlogic Kayaks - by April we'll have some
of the fabulous LLK river boats in our teaching fleet, for the best in river
kayaks, Liquidlogic.
- Valley - New from Valley in plastic: Nordkapp RM,
Aquanaut HV RM, and the new surf kayak, the Storm!
- New from NDK - Romany surf, a 16' sea kayak for
moderate sized paddlers. We will have a large stock of NDK kayaks in 2007,
used and new. Looking to buy the best sea kayaks on the market, buy NDK.
- Thinking of buying in 2007!! - Order soon !!! (or at least call to find out
how to order). We will have very limited stock of most models, so if you're
thinking of buying a kayak for summer 2007, get in touch soon - demand is
high and it takes time to get kayaks to Alaska from our suppliers. Please
contact us for details. Payment plans available for new kayaks.
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| Fifth annual winter skills series, will add Saturday 6-9 PM sessions on Eskimo Rolling and Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue to the Sunday 11 AM - 230 PM Fundamentals, and 3 - 7 PM Skills Refinement Courses we offer 1-2 times per month @ Service High School Pool. Read more |
 Kenai
Fiords Expedition - June 4-11
2006. Beth
Baker and Carmen Urias (Anchorage),
Brian Moore (Boulder), Robert
Stark (Houston), Randy Keller and Tom Pogson ff(Homer). Four
glorious sunny days early in the week seriously
bent into a Gulf of Alaska storm, 2.5 days of heavy rain, strong winds and big
seas kept our pickup from happening on time, and we were delayed one day. Glacier
viewing, wildlife sightings, flat and open water skills training, and surf and
rock garden play, and we weathered a storm that filled each of the cockpits of
the kayaks to the brim (w/ cockpit covers on), say over 20" of rain in 24 hours.
No tents blew down, that's the good news. When asked if the participants would
trade the weather in favor of bugs, unanimous response: "weather". Image of open
water rescue with an anchored tow. |
 Shuyak Island Expedition, 19-24 June, 2006. Tom
Nickels (South Carolina), Kevin
Hill (Ontario), Jon Pumplin and
Michael Gray (Michigan), Eric
Granquist (Texas), Kevin Black
(Viginia), Ken Tappen (New Jersey)
and Tom Pogson (Alaska). We successfully
circumnavigated Shuyak Island
counter-clockwise (with the winds,
mostly) in 4 days of paddling.
Overcast skies and light rains
(off and on) made for pleasant
paddling in the first half of
the trip; North winds and large
building seas (breaking on the
4th day) made for an exciting
challenge at the end of the trip.
The best day may have been playing
in the large rock gardens on
the East coast on day 3. A Brown
Bear in attendance at the Carry
Inlet cabin made for some up
close and personal bear viewing
the last day. |
| Prince William Sound Expedition,
1-8 July 2006. Icy Bay and
Knight Island Passage. Barbara
and Dennis Asmussen, David
and Deb Strike (Minnesota),
Betsy Merck, Diane Carr and
Michael Gray (Michigan), Toni
Locker (Oregon), Ed Todd and
T. Pogson (Alaska). Overcast
skies and variable winds made
this almost rainless 4th of
July trip to the Sound a dream.
Saw no Bears and only a few
whales, but the scenery, smaller
mammals (otters, harbor porpoise)
and the great company made
for a super trip. Chenega Glacier
graciously allowed a visit
on a "warm" and rainless day, with
little ice in Nassau Fiord
(easy in, easy out). Sunny
weather at our pick up location
at Pt. Nowell spawned a fun
and playful rescues and a rolling
session. We saw a few boats
over the 4th weekend, but otherwise
a very peaceful trip |
| American Canoe Association Coastal Kayak Instructor Program 3-9 May Steve Scherrer, ACA Coastal Instructor Trainer Educator from Washington will be in Homer 3-9 May for an Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and an Instructor Certification Exam (ICE). Check the calendar for for information and registration information. |
| British Canoe Union weekend 12-15 May Follow 1 day of flat water (1-3 star) skills training and honing with 2 days learning open water paddling skills in Kachemak Bay. Training and preparation for the Introduction to the Sea (Advanced) skills (BCU 4 star sea kayak test). Take the required 1 day self-contained training and assessment for theory and practice of rescue and lifesaving on the water (15 May). This weekend bundles together the best of the best of the BCU's sea kayaking program for paddlers of any persuasion. If you've done the Alaska Sea Kayak Symposium, this is your next step. |
| May Sea Splash in Seward, May 19-21 Develop your sea kayaking skills in the Seward area using the successful learning progressions that the Alaska Kayak School has developed over the last 7 years. We've specialized in teaching Alaskans hot to enjoy Alaska's marine waters safely from the seat of a kayak. Novices, beginners and advanced paddlers all will be challenged in courses of the appropriate level of skill and difficulty. Our courses are discounted on this weekend intended to home your sea kayaking act. This is the start of an annual event. A cool kayaking gear swap and kayak demos (on Sunday) ought to sweeten the weekend's offerings. Don't miss this fantastic event. Be there or be square. |
| Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue, Servce Pool, Anchorage; March 18th, April 15th, Saturdays, Two 3-hr. Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue course in the comfort of a warm pool. see our Calendar for detail and to register. |
| Take advantage of great prices on modern sea and whitewater kayaks that are in great shape and save by buying the first kayaks and getting a free paddle!! |
| Circumnavigation of Shuyak Island, Alaska, June 16-25 2006. A trip for solid open water paddlers (BCU 4 star or equivalent). The "best of the best" of coastal Alaska. Start in Homer, cross the Gulf of Alaska by boat, paddle back in time, and see some of Alaska's roughest waters. Do a trip few other paddlers (or outfitters) have done. Abundant wildlife and stunning scenery, the best food. Team effort - Michael Gray and Uncommon Adventures are back for a second year of Alaska fun." Check the Calendar for more details and other trip listings. |
Eskimo Rolling Workshops added to Pool Series in Anchorage and Soldotna -
We have added an Eskimo rolling workshop to the content of every intermediate skills workshop in the Pool Series in both Anchorage and Soldotna. The intermediate skills will dovetail well with the skills needed for rolling and will help students develop a sound Eskimo roll (the ultimate self rescue in a kayak) and tune their rolls if they already have one. See Anchorage and Soldotna Pool series in our calendar for more information. |
| On Saturday, January 14 we will be offering an Introductory Skills course 1030 AM to 130 PM, and an Intermediate Skills Course with Eskimo Rolling Workshop, from 2 - 6 PM at the Seward Pool. Each course is $75, or take both for $145. This is probably the first of a series of 5-6 courses we hope to have in Seward before summer 2006. See our Calendar for details. |
Pool Kayaking instruction in Homer, Soldotna and Anchorage
Learn fundamental kayaking skills in instructional pool sessions October to April each year. NEW! Soldotna Pool Series. We will offer three 3-hour instructional pool courses 1 Saturday a month in the Soldotna High School Pool from November 12 to April 8th (see the October 2005 - April 2006 Calendar): introductory skills, intermediate skills and sea kayak safety and rescue. Anchorage Pool Series will be held at Service High School one Sunday a month from 20 November 2005 to 16 April 2006, including 3.5 and 4-hr. introductory skills, intermediate skills and sea safety and rescue (see Anchorage Pool Series in Calendar). Homer Pool-Homer Community Schools skills courses include Monday Introductory Skills Course 830-1000 pm, Tuesday Intermediate Skills 830-1000pm, Thursday Rolling Workshop 830-1000 pm. We will offer intro, intermediate, rolling, sea safety and rescue and Guide Training starting in January 2006. |
Coast Magazine column
We've been sending a monthly column on paddling safety to Coast
Magazine since March, and hope to make it an ongoing item. Check it out,
Coast is FREE. Ask for it at a retailer near you, or contact
www.coast-magazine.com |
British Sea Kayak to be raffled at 2005 Kachemak Kayak Fest!
Valley Skerray XL, fiberglass, used but in great condition, with all the
safety features: surf toggles, deck lines, 3 waterproof compartments,
integral hand-operated bilge pump, and retractable skeg. Turquoise deck,
black trim and white hull. Buy tickets, this is a fantastic value, $2900
new |
ACA Coastal Kayak Instructor Workshop in Homer a success!
"Steve Scherrer, ACA Instrutor trainer educator in Coastal Kayaking led 6
instructor candidates and one instructor trainer candidate through 3 fun and
stimulating days of stroke modeling, "mock" teaching, rescues and
recoveries, navigation and leadership, personal equipment needs, and
teaching techniques for the first ACA Coastal Kayak Instructor workshop in
Homer. Greg Thomas and Gillian Edwards came from Southeast Sea Kayaks
(Ketchikan), Ryan Collins from Alaska Sea Kayakers (Whittier), Matt Smith
(Anchorage), Brian Totten (Homer), and Tom Pogson and Laura Pomeroy from
Alaska Kayak School (Homer). The impromptu pool session really added to the
value of the program for bracing and rolling techniques and teaching |
April 16-17 Chugiak courses moved to Service HS, times change
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have moved the Chugiak Pool
Series for April to Service HS Pool AND changed the times: Saturday Intro to
kayaking now 1030-2 pm on 16 April, Sunday Intermediate Kayaking Skills now
1030-230 pm, and we have also scheduled a spillover course for Sunday
afternoon, Intro/Intermediate Skills 3-7 pm. See you at Service. |
Trip Program
In 2005 we are reviving our instructional trip and expeditions program,
check our summer schedule on the calendar for 2005 trips to Shuyak Island,
Kenai Fiords National Park, Prince William Sound and Kachemak Bay |
Kayak Sale - Sea and Whitewater
Buy or order a new kayak - sea or whitewater - and get 10% off
all
accessories, OR 10% off of three days of instruction (not at Kayak Fest). We are temporarily suspending our sale of used fiberglass kayaks until the
latter part of the 2005 summer or early fall. We will take many of our used
river boats to the Alaska Kayak Gear Swap, great deals to be had at the
swap! |
LVM Video
This winter we sent a sweet film clip of sea paddling in Homer to LVM video
for their new kayak touring production. Some of our lower 48 and UK friends
have seen it and say its great! Look for the alaskakayakschool.com clip at
an LVM premier near you or write LVM (lvmvideo.com) for more information |
| Tom passes 5 star sea kayak assessment - In later October 2004, Tom passed his British Canoe Union 5 star sea kayak assessment in San Francisco (hosted by RiptidesandRapids.com), achieving the level 4 Sea Coach award, "demonstrated the ability to lead and coach in advanced conditions". This was the first 5 star sea assessment held in the U.S., and the first 5 star
to be assessed by an all woman assessing team! The night paddle in San Francisco Bay was held entirely during the recent lunar eclipse, wild! |
| 2004
- 2005 Anchorage Pool Series - Click
the link to read about the
courses being offered in
Anchorage this winter. |
Lendal Fusion's just in! - New Whitewater blade shape in carbon/nylon hybrid. Made for control during tight surf and aerial moves - river and sea. Very light, very responsive, reasonably priced!
Bomber! 2 pc or 4 pc w/ locking joints. Modern Paddle Technology at its best! www.lendal.com |
| New Schedules Posted on
the Courses Page. The fall Pool schedule is now online!
Check out ways to work
on your kayaking skills
in the dark of winter! Fall Pool Courses |
Liquid Logic Boats: New Liquid Logic boats the Hoss and Lil Joe! Great combination between play and river running features, super comfortable, and good storage area to carry a little gear. Can't wait to get them on the river. Visit www.liquidlogickayaks.com to get a view, take a pool course or arrange a demo to paddle one.
**Also Session and Session + boats new $625, $799 w/ flotation, skirt and paddle. Call tom @ 907 235 2090 |
| Big savings for fall on Sea and Whitewater kayaks,
plus all the gear to go with them! |
| Critical
Judgment- Understanding and preventing Canoe and
Kayak fatalities. A report by the American Canoe Association. |
| Know
Your Rolls - an article about Eskimo Rolling kayaks |
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| (907)
235 - 2090 |
Homer,
AK |
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web design by: photism.com |
