Learn the basics of coastal sea kayaking taking a certified course!

Learn coastal sea kayaking taking the Essentials of Kayak Touring course certified by the American Canoe Association. You will learn the basic paddling skills, strokes, manoeuvres and rescue technics.
The course is made of 5 modules, a theory session and a longer kayak trip.
Start to enjoy coastal kayaking while achieving worldwide recognised certification.
Our instructors are qualified by the ACA (American Canoe Association) and will teach you the Essentials of Kayak Touring.

In case you have some experience already, you can take a skill course to improve your skills in a specific area or take part of a sea kayak day tour or expedition.

You can use the calendar in your right to choose the date of your first class. For more info, get in contact.

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION	BORK Store, Oeiras Marina
DEPARTURE TIME	Please arrive 10 minutes before session start.
RETURN TIME	Approximately 2 hours/ session.
WEAR	Bring a swimming suit, hat and sunscreen.

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