Learn about sea kayak design, equipment, paddle strokes, rescues and navigation. The course includes three hours of classroom instruction and six hours of on-water practice. Recommended: swim mask or goggles and nose plugs. Bring your own kayak and paddle or rent from Caribou Expeditions ($30.00 + tax).

This course is offered through Sault College (course CED1628). To register, contact Sault College at 705-759-0016, or go directly to Sault College

The first hour of each session will be in-class instructionm, followed by two hours of pool session.

All you need to bting is bathing suit, towel, goggles, nose plugs (see equipment list below).

Friday (7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.)

• Introduction, Kayaks and Accessories (classroom)
  
  
  • Anatomy of kayak, exterior and interior, hull design, deck layout
  • Paddle design: length, size, selection criteria
  • Safety equipment: PFD, pump, tow line, signalling and communication devices, first aid kit
  • Cold weather equipment: dry tops, wet suits, dry suits, dry socks, hoods
  • The four lines of defense against a paddling incident
    
    
• On water Instruction
  
  
  • Getting in and out of kayak
  • Installing spray skirt
  • Wet exit
  • Paddle Strokes: forward, reverse, stopping, draw strokes, turning, low brace turn
    
    

Saturday

• Navigation and Seamanship (classroom)
  
  
  • basic chart use and route planning
  • Basic seamanship: waves, clapotis, shore-influences on waves
    
    
• Stability Paddle Strokes
  
  
  • low brace, scull for support,
    
    
• Rescues
  
  
  • Assisted, Eskimo rescue, T-rescue
  • Solo Rescues: paddle float, Eskimo roll (demonstration only)
    
    

Sunday

• Review (classroom)
  
  
• Paddling and Safety, cont.
  
  
  • Practice low brace
  • Practice Rescues
  • Towing: 1 and 2 person; short tow, long tow, contact tow.