Sea Kayak Mini – Clinics (3 hours or less):

Assisted Capsize Recoveries: Water is dynamic. In a blink of an eye, it can change from being a placid, inviting, and relaxing environment to one that is unfamiliar, unpredictable, and threatening. Don’t wait for the unexpected capsize to happen before you learn the necessary skills to take care of yourself and others. In this class, students will learn rescue procedures and assisted capsize recovery techniques (i.e. T Rescue, Bow Rescue, Hand of God, Paddle Rescue, All In, etc.)

Solo Capsize Recoveries: Whether you are paddling by yourself or with others, being proactive and having the skills to take care of yourself, in the event of a capsize, is essential. In this class, students will learn rescue procedures and solo capsize recovery techniques (i.e. Paddlefloat with and without a sling, Re-enter and Roll with a Paddlefloat, etc.)

Bracing and Rolling: Good braces make for good rolls and prevent you from going over in the first place. High and low braces, the unison of body and blade to right the boat, will be practiced and refined. After developing an effective hip snap, proper body positioning and paddle placement, we’ll progress into rolling (one of the best forms of self-rescue). We’ll match the right roll to the person and their boat – C to C, Sweep, Extended Paddle, etc.

Kayak Rolling Clinic: Whether you are new to rolling or in need of a tune-up, this clinic will help paddlers develop and refine their kayak rolling technique (C to C, Sweep, Extended Paddle, etc.).

Basic Greenland/Traditional Kayaking: In this class students will be exposed to Inuit history and the skills associated with traditional style paddling. This may include the touring and sliding stroke, sculls, balance brace, rescues and the different rolling techniques used.

Sea Kayaking - Paddling with Finesse and Efficiency: In this workshop we'll begin by revisiting the basic strokes - fine tuning and polishing them for greater effectiveness. We’ll then move onto leans and braces. By the end of this class you’ll be steering your kayak with ease and leaning your boat with confidence.

Advanced Stroke Technique for Kayakers: What separates good paddlers from great paddlers? Usually, it’s in the details. During this class, designed for intermediate to advanced paddlers, we will look at the intricate details involved in advanced paddle precision and boat control and drills that can help bring your paddling to the next level.

Forward Stroke: Learn the correct body and paddle mechanics for that ever-elusive forward stroke. Since this is the stroke that we use most of the time, it is worth learning how to do it well. This class will cover several variations of the stroke: the touring stroke, power stroke, start-up stroke, etc.

Balance Drills for Kayakers: Through a combination of dry land and on water drills, students will practice techniques and drills designed to enhance balance on the mildest to wildest of waters. We will explore the importance of posture and dynamic alignment and how it affects paddling technique and balance. As well as develop and fine-tune our J-leans. Getting wet in this class is a possibility. Come prepared to go to your edge.

Kayakers – Draws, Sculling Draws, Sideslips: To move ahead in your kayaking skills, we’ll actually practice moving sideways. In this class we will we will develop fine blade control and paddle placement by practicing draws, sculling draws, sculling pry, sideslip using a static draw and sideslips using a static pry.

Sea Kayaking for Women: To be a skillful paddler, doesn’t mean you need to be a certain height or build, nor do you have to have a lot of muscle mass or upper body strength. Kayaking is a sport about technique, good judgment, and knowledge of your environment. In this class for women, instructed by women, students will work on making their kayak strokes more efficient and fluid and rescue skills more effective.

Single Bladed Paddling for Kayakers: Do you carry a single blade paddle on the deck of your kayak as a spare? Are you in need of a challenge? Would you like to learn the tradition of paddling a kayak with a single blade? Come to this class and decrease your dependency on your double bladed paddle and learn to do with one blade what most people have trouble doing with two. In this class we will use single bladed paddles to learn strokes that can be used to help us move our kayaks gracefully and effectively.

Dance on the Water: You don’t have to paddle anywhere to enjoy this form of quiet water playboating. During this class we will explore creative variations in kayak strokes and maneuvers, which perhaps paddle to music. Level: Intermediate to Advance. Requirements: Calm and protected area from the wind.

Canoe Mini – Clinics (3 hours or less):

Open Canoe Rolling: Learn a safe and dependable open canoe roll from one of the people who helped develop it. Time: 1-2 hours, depending upon the number of participants (4 per hour). Requirements: Protected area from the wind to watch in-water demonstrations and videotape; flat water area that is waist deep for practicing. Students must bring a canoe that is outfitted with thigh straps and foot braces.

Rescues for Canoeists: (Format may be demonstration or class): In this class we will go over….rescue techniques for tandem and solo canoeists. (i.e. Boat over Boat, deep water re-entry, with sling, scoop, the curl, swimming boat to shore, towing etc.).

Solo Canoeing: During this class, the students will be exposed to some of the most valuable components of solo canoeing. We will concentrate on and dissect 20% of the technique, which allows us to do 90% of the moves. Level: Introductory to advanced paddlers.

Tandem Canoeing: In this class, the students will be exposed to some of the most valuable components of tandem canoeing. We’ll concentrate on the core strokes that allow us to do 90% of the moves, discuss the roles and responsibilities of each paddler and the verbal and physical cues necessary to be an efficient and fluid paddling team. Level: Introductory to advanced paddlers.

Freestyle Canoeing (solo or tandem): This class will introduce students to advanced quiet water canoeing techniques. In this class students will be introduced to the fundamentals of this elegant form of quiet water paddling. After concentrating on posture and alignment, kneeling positions, balance and stroke form, the students will progress through the Axle, Christie, and other hallmarks of Freestyle technique. Level: Introductory to advanced.

Balance Drills for Canoeists: Through a combination of dry land and on water drills, students will practice techniques and drills designed to enhance balance on the mildest to wildest of waters. We will explore the importance of posture and dynamic alignment and how it affects paddling technique and balance. As well as develop and fine-tune the different ways to kneel in the boat and heel (lean) it. Getting wet in this class is a possibility. Come prepared to go to your edge.

Canoe Forward Stroke: Learn the correct mechanics and placement of your paddle for that ever-elusive forward stroke. Since this is the stroke that we use most of the time, it is worth learning how to do it well. Excellent for those who paddle on flat or whitewater.

Canoeing – Polishing the Core Strokes: “Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly ever acquire the skill to do difficult things easily.” In this class we’ll revisit basic strokes and put them under a microscope to fine tune and polish them: Forward, J, stern pry, stern draw, etc. This class is good for beginner to advanced paddlers.

Having a Presence on the Water (any craft): Presence (def.) - “A quality of poise and effectiveness that enables a performer to achieve a close relationship with an audience.” Whether you are doing a paddling demonstration, teaching a class or competing, you need to have a “presence.” Come and learn how to develop your presence and transfer it onto the water. Time: 1-2 hours. Requirements: Protected area from the wind for lecture and to watch on-water demonstrations; flat water where students can demonstrate and practice what was presented. Students must bring their own boat and equipment.

Add Style to Your Paddling: Style involves attitude. To develop a style, you must continuously look for the new and different. Inventing style is doing something new with the same paddle strokes, with the same body. If you want to dance and play in your boat, explore creative variations in paddle strokes, and in the process become a more fluid paddler, then this is for you. (Class can be oriented for canoes or kayaks).

The Art of Tandem Canoeing: Learn to communicate with your partner and gain a better understanding of this occasionally frustrating discipline. Recommended for tandem paddlers who want to become better partners, and for instructors who desire a new method of teaching tandem canoeing. Although time for practice will be available, this course has more of a lecture and demonstration format. Time: 2 hours. Requirements: Protected area from the wind for lecture and to watch on-water demonstrations .

Preparing for Freestyle Competition or Exhibition: Are you interested in developing a Freestyle Canoeing routine for exhibition or competition? If the answer is yes, then this course is a must. Learn about selecting music, adding style to your paddling, costumes, routine format, and more . Requirements: Protected area from the wind for lecture and to watch on-water demonstrations.