Essentials of kayak touring
The course is certified by the American Canoe Association and given by certified instructors who will teach you the basics of coastal kayaking so that you can go further.
We run complete workshops all year long as we have a mild climate.
You might also want to improve specific skills before you take the examination.
The main skills you will learn are the following:
- Module 1 – Getting started
Warm-up and stretching
How to pick up and carry a kayak safely
Car topping: loading and unloading, racks, straps
Launching and landing
Boarding, three points of contact, weight kept low, etc.
Posture, safety, comfort, effectiveness, rocking, balance
Spray skirts
Water comfort and confidence: wet exits – capsize & effectively exit
Wet exits in two ways: (1) utilizing the spray skirt grab loop and (2) releasing the skirt off the hip
Self-rescue
How to empty a kayak
Basic terminology
Types of strokes (covered in this course): power, turning
Stroke components: catch, propulsion, recovery (CPR), control, correction
Safe and effective body usage
- Module 2 – Strokes
Forward
Back (stopping)
Draw
Sculling draw
Sweep (including stern draw)
Reverse sweep
Stern rudder
Low brace
Low brace turn
- Module 3 – Rescue
Rescue sequence: reach, throw, row, go (RETHROG)
Rescue priorities: people, boats, gear
Demonstrate/participate: T-rescue
Deep-water re-entries, assisted and solo, with sling, including scoop and paddle float rescues
Boat assisted rescue, assisting a tired swimmer (pushing or pulling to shore)
Towing or bulldozing a capsized boat
- Module 4 – Manoeuvres
Forward
Back
Draw
Sweeps
Low Brace
- Module 5 – theoretical session
Paddling Environment
Personal Preparation
Equipment
Safety and Rescue
Trip preparation
- Coastal kayaking trip
10km paddling trip
Debriefing