The goal of this course is to help participants develop the technical
and judgment skills necessary for leading trips among the Atlantic coastal islands.
The importance of safety will be emphasized throughout the course, as will the
various approaches to instructing and guiding. A certificate of completion detailing
the skills and procedures covered will be will be issued to all those who have
satisfactorily completed the program. BCU, CRCA and AECSKO certification will
be available to those who have attained the requirements of the various programs.
Note: Weather and water conditions are a major influence on sea paddling and
we reserve the right to alter the schedule as needed.
| Day 1 | AM | Equipment: Kayaks (design, construction, fit, etc) |
| Techniques: Basic paddling strokes | ||
| PM | Techniques: Basic paddling strokes (cont’d) | |
| Assisted rescues (e.g., Eskimo, TX, curl, all in) | ||
| Evening |
Slide presentation: Sea Kayaking in Europe | |
| Day 2 | AM | Equipment: Paddles |
| Techniques: Basic paddling strokes (cont’d) | ||
| PM | Self rescues (e.g., cowboy, paddle float; learn/improve Eskimo roll) | |
| Evening | Discussion: Navigation | |
| Day 3 | AM | Discussion: Navigation (cont’d) |
| PM | Practice various skills | |
| Down time | ||
| Evening | Discussion: Communication | |
| Trip Planning | ||
| Day 4-6 | JOURNEY | |
| During this trip we will emphasize the practical concerns of leading an extended sea kayaking tour along an exposed coastline. | ||
| The various topics will include: | ||
| - Basic paddling strokes under trip conditions - Navigation and route selection - Night paddle - Deep water rescues - Various towing methods - Landing/launching under various conditions - Reading the sea/land boundary; rock hopping - Campsite selection, meal preparation - Wilderness ethic - Group leadership & decision making - First Aid & evacuation procedures |
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| Day 6 | PM | Debriefing |