Back to Registration page

The Kayak Rodeo

Sea Kayak and Recreational Kayak

Lessons and Workshops Weekend

Date: Saturday June 25 - Sunday June 26, 2022

Location: Guelph Lake Conservation Area, 7743 Conservation Road, Guelph. Google Pin 43°36'13.6"N 80°15'34.6"W 

Meeting Place: Island Beach Public Boat Launch (see map) 


Arrive Time: 8:30 am, course begins 9:00 am sharp each day


Weekend Includes:

  • Lessons - 2 @ ½ Days (Saturday & Sunday)
  • Workshops - 2 @ ½ Days (Saturday & Sunday)
  • Sea kayak & gear rental (additional $25) or bring your own sea or recreational kayak/gear NOTE: Recreational kayaks are NOT available to rent. Inflatable kayaks are not allowed.

  • Catered group dinner Saturday night

  • Social - Saturday mix and mingle after lessons 

  • Access to hot outdoor showers and restrooms

  • RAIN OR SHINE 

Weekend does not include:

  • Camping
  • Park entrance fee
  • Lunches, snacks, water

The lessons and workshops are based on a rotational schedule between morning and afternoon schedule. 

Lessons and workshops offered both Saturday and Sunday and begin at 9:00 am sharp, finished 3:30 pm.

Lessons are provided by Paddle Canada Certified Instructors from Ontario Sea Kayak Centre.

Workshops are instructed by fellow Halton Outdoor Club Paddlers. 

  • Lesson Descriptions:

  • BASIC KAYAKING SKILLS

  • Part One - Saturday

  • In this session we will introduce you to all the parts of a kayak, all the required safety gear you need before heading out on the water, and all the gear you need to make it a comfortable experience. We will cover appropriate clothing options, footwear options, basic recommended gear such as a paddle float and safety stirrup, and then all the little extras based on where you are paddling and for how long. We’ll share tips to help you outfit your kayak so you can hold onto your favourite items like your camera and water bottle. We’ll also give you a quick buyer’s guide to kayaking, different types of kayaks and the materials they are made of, as well as different types of paddles. We’ll show you how to wear your pfd properly, adjust foot pegs and seats and hold the paddle correctly. 

  • Once we are all set, we will head out on the water and get a feel for the kayak. We will go over the correct way to get into a kayak and launch it from the beach. The first thing we’ll teach you is how to hold your body correctly in the kayak so you don’t fall in! We’ll then go over the basic strokes. Forward and reverse sweeps, then combine them to perform a pivot turn. We will also work on the correct mechanics of a forward stroke and how to reverse and stop your kayak.

  • Part Two - Sunday

  • In part two we will meet out on the water immediately so everyone should now know how to get in and out of their kayak and adjust the foot pegs and seat for themselves. We will demonstrate a wet exit, with and without a skirt. We’ll then go over the basic rescue that everyone needs to know before joining the Halton Outdoors Club on any paddle and that is an assisted rescue. Once we’ve demonstrated, we will all head to shore and you will begin your first wet exits. When you are first performing a wet exit, our instructors will stand beside you and go over the steps individually. As your comfort level increases, you can then pair up and work on the assisted rescues together with our instructors monitoring your rescues. If we have time at the end of the session we will start to play with edging and we will cover the low brace which is essential to stop you from tipping and even needing a rescue in the first place!

  • INTERMEDIATE KAYAKING SKILLS

  • Part One - Saturday

  • The intermediate skills sessions are for paddlers who have either completed their level one skills or have equivalent skills. We will begin the session with a quick review of launching and landing skills and a wet exit. Once we have seen everyone complete a wet exit, it’s time to play. We’ll begin with an intensive strokes review class exploring using edging to complete more effective turning of your kayak. We’ll then learn a few level two strokes such as the bow rudder and hanging draw. We’ll spend time really dialing in everyone’s low brace and playing with low brace turns which are needed in the current, but are also fun to do and look really cool. So this session will be all about blending strokes together to have more fun in your kayak and become a more effective paddler.

  • Part Two - Sunday

  • Having an effective forward stroke is perhaps one of the most important skills to have when going on a longer day trip or on a multi-day kayaking trip. We’ll begin this session with a dry land demo where we will provide one on one coaching to correct or improve your forward stroke. We’ll then head out and discuss how and when to edge your kayak on a windy day and how to use it with the forward stroke effectively. 

  • We’ll then get into a rescue bonanza beginning with a review of the assisted rescue and playing with alternative ways to help someone back into their kayak. Once everyone is back in again, we’ll work on our self-rescues, with and without a stirrup. We also play with the scramble rescue and techniques and tricks to use to make it available to you.


Cost: $275 plus optional $25 SEA kayak/gear rental (NOTE: Recreational kayaks are NOT available to rent).

Spots:

36 Sea Kayak paddlers

12 Recreational Kayak paddlers (Inflatable kayaks are NOT allowed)

Please be sure to join the wait list if the spots are full

Registration opens May 1, 2022 

Cancellation Policy: Payment in full. No refund unless we can fill your spot. If we can fill your spot a refund less the club processing fee of $25.00 will apply. If your plans change, please contact the Club Manager at info@haltonoutdoorclub.ca to cancel so that other HOC members may take your spot.

Contact sdbnay1@gmail.com with questions 

What to bring:

  • Paddle clothes (avoid cotton)
  • Rain jacket/pants/umbrella
  • Bug spray, sun care lotion
  • Hat
  • Camp/beach chair
  • Paddle, PFD, whistle, pump, float
  • Paddling clothes, swim suit, beach towel 
  • Personal clothes 
  • Food: lunches, snacks, water


Registration Details


Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software