Essentials of kayak touring

The course is certified by the American Canoe Association and given by certified instructors who will teach you the Essentials of Surfski 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. Here’s the course overview.
The main skills you will learn are the following:

• Introduction, Expectations, and Logistics:
  Welcome, introductions, paperwork;
  Student and instructor course expectations and limitations;
  Course itinerary and site logistics;
  Review waiver, assumption of risk, challenge by choice, medical disclosure;
  About the ACA.
  Personal Floatation Device (PFD) policy (always wear on water);
  Appropriate personal behavior;
  No alcohol / substance abuse;
  Proper etiquette on and off the water;
  Respect private property;
  Practice Leave No Trace ethics.

• The Paddling Environment and Venue:
  Wind;
  Waves;
  Weather (Current and forecasted);
  Water usage (Boat traffic, fishing…);
  Assessing relevant existing and approaching environmental conditions including: tides, weather, time of day, water and air temperature, traffic, and accessibility.

• Personal and Group Ability:
  Personal ability;
  Swimming ability;
  Water comfort and confidence;
  Fitness, conditioning, and warm up;
  Personal and group dynamics (managing a variety of skills, equipment, group makeup, emotional concerns, logistics, and leadership).

• Safety Preparation and Equipment:
  Safe paddle and boat handling;
  Safety and rescue considerations;
  Basic safety equipment Personal Flotation Device (PFD), leash, whistle, proper clothing, footwear, and a roll of tape;
  Group equipment: water, food, first aid kit, rudder repair kit, and wet/dry suit;
  References including guidebooks, maps/charts, local knowledge;
  Knowing personal limits and developing sound judgement.

• Planning:
  Float plan and notifications;
  Emergency response plan (Contact details for local rescue authorities);
  Communications protocol.
• Getting Started:
  Warm-up and stretching;
  How to pick up and carry a surfski safely;
  Car topping: loading and unloading, racks, straps;
  Launching and landing;
  Boarding, three points of contact, weight kept low, etc;
  Posture, safety, comfort, effective body use, rocking, balance;
  Basic Terminology and hand/paddle signals.
• Paddling Equipment:
  Personal equipment (reviewed by Instructor, including the use of boat and paddle leashes);
  Personal Flotation Device (PFDs): types, fit;
  Leashes (boat and paddle);
  Surfskis: types, materials, parts, care (including safety features such as inherent flotation), bailers, and rudders;
  Paddles: types, materials, parts, length, blade size, shape and offset, hand position;
  Care of equipment;
  Personal equipment: water, food, shoes, hat, sunscreen, bug repellent, sun glasses, eyeglass straps, protective clothing for heat or cold, whistle (or other approved sounding device), knife, light;
  Optional equipment and outfitting for improved control.
• Safety:
  Exercising good judgment, safety as a mind-set, etc;
  Cold Water Shock / Hypothermia: Heat Escape; Lessening Posture (HELP)/Huddle, clothing;
  Dehydration/ hyperthermia: hydration, clothing;
  Hazards: wind, waves, weather, current, rocks, bridges, piers, dams, strainers, traffic;
  Do’s and don’ts of leashes;
  Paddling as a group;
  Signaling;
  Interactions/ sharing water with non-powered and powered traffic;
  Emergency procedures;
  “If in doubt, legs out”.
  
• Rescue – Self and Assisted:
  Falling off (controlled and uncontrolled);
  Righting a flipped surfski;
  Rescue priorities: people, boats, gear;
  Deep-water re-mounting, assisted and solo;
  Boat assisted rescue, assisting a tired swimmer (pushing or pulling to shore);
  Rescuing a surfski.
• Maneuvers:
  Paddling in a reasonably straight line;
  Using the rudder to effectively turn;
  Stopping.
• Strokes:
  Stroke components: catch, propulsion, exit and recovery;
  Forward;
  Back (stopping);
  Draw (In and out of water);
  Forward Sweep;
  Slap Brace.
• Conclusion and Wrap Up:
  Importance of additional instruction, practice, experience;
  Group debrief / Individual feedback;
  Course limitations;
  Importance of First Aid and CPR;
  Demo advanced maneuver;
  Life sport / Paddling options;
  Local paddling groups / clubs;
  Handouts / Reference materials;
  ACA Membership (online);
  Course evaluation;
  Participation cards;
  Importance of appropriate level of safety and rescue training.