Additional Trip Details
ADVANCED KAYAKING SKILLS
Max 8 people taught by James and Dympna.
Please understand that this class is for people who have their self and assisted rescues dialed in, or can at least get up to speed quickly after a quick review of each. Ideally it would be best if participants ran through a quick review of their rescues the weekend, or week before this session. There will only be eight people in this class so that the students can move quickly through skills that you already know, and move on to more advanced instruction, leadership scenarios, and rolling practice. The entire afternoon will be spent first rescuing and then rolling so please dress accordingly.
Morning session
Strokes
OK, so you've been taught your bow rudder, your hanging draw, edging, sweeping and bracing, but do you know how to incorporate them into your everyday paddling? The advanced skills sessions will start by building on all of your level 2/3 strokes and making sure you understand efficient maneuvering techniques. When, where, why you use them, and how to help them become second nature to you.
Communication
We will be bringing a full set of VHF radios for the class so everyone will have one. We will first make sure you understand which button is for what and how to maintain your VHF radios. We will then go through on-water communication techniques. The group will discuss incidents that sometimes happen on trip and how we can use our radios when leading groups to mitigate incidents. We'll also discuss how to manage incidents that do arise with good communication.
Tow system deployment review
Just before lunch we will have a quick review of everyone's towing systems to make sure everyone knows how to quickly and safely deploy them. Please bring whatever system you use.
Afternoon Session
In the afternoon we will set-up some common scenarios that can happen on sea kayaking trips. With the use of good communications, rescue skills and if needed towing systems we will work on and increase our understanding of when and how to use certain rescue techniques. We'll also review the rescue techniques needed to quickly save ourselves and others. We will then take a quick break to come back to shore and get our kayaks ready for rolling practice.
To finish off the day we will work together as a group to practice rolling. Perhaps you're new to rolling and would like to learn the basics of how to begin practicing on your own, with a friend, or in a group. Or perhaps you've had your roll a while ago and have lost it, let's get back to basics and muscle memory and work on getting that roll back again. Or perhaps you have a roll but would like to tidy it up, or learn a re-enter and roll, or learn some sculling for support. We will run through as much as we can in an afternoon of rolling and rescue fun.
James and Dympna are experienced kayak instructors and guides and are happy to tailor the day to the wishes of the group.
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