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Hoosier Canoe & Kayak Club

Kayaking Skills Clinic - May

  • May 11, 2019
  • 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Indianapolis, IN

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Kayaking Skills Classes – Introductory and Intermediate Classes

This year, we will offer three one-day introductory and intermediate skills sessions on Saturday, May 11, July 20, and, August 24.  Each session is stand-alone so you can choose which you would like to attend.    These classes are free for registered HCKC members.

We will break our class up into two groups.  In one group, we will cover the ACA's Introduction to Kayaking material that introduces you to the correct way to do basic strokes, safety issues, and how to talk kayak.   The other session is intended for people who have already attended the Intro class and practiced the basic skills for a year - , we will cover ACA Intermediate material to refine and tune your strokes.  

Introduction to Paddling -

Target Paddlers:  Newer HCKC members who have never taken a class or who want to tune up their strokes in their recreational, touring or sea kayak.  Parents with children over 13 year old may enroll with their children for this class.

Class Content:  Here’s a way to jumpstart your paddling!  As a new kayaker, you may know how to move your boat around in calm water.  We will work with you to make your paddling easier and more efficient—to give you more control over your boat.  We will work on your basic knowledge, strokes, and other paddling skills that you may need to safely enjoy the sport.  This course is based on the American Canoe Association “Introduction to Kayaking” course.  This is also a great opportunity to ask any question that you might have about paddling, equipment, or the Hoosier Canoe and Kayak Club.

Your instructor will first talk about the basics and then quickly get on the water to teach you how to move your boat forward, backwards, and sideways as well as how to turn and stop.  .

Intermediate Kayak Class

Target Paddlers:  HCKC members who:  1)  have completed an introductory class at least one year ag and 2) are comfortable with their forward and turning strokes as well as with their draw and rudder maneuvers.  This class is for  recreational, touring, and sea kayak paddlers.

Class Content:  Boat control, turning, and stroke efficiency are essential for Intermediate paddlers whether you are paddling on creeks, rivers, lakes, or oceans.  You need to make your boat do what you want it to do. In this class, we will spend the entire class helping you to turn your boat faster, easier, and with more control as well as doing it more efficiently so you can paddle longer and faster.    

Note: We may pick a focus area for a given Intermediate Sea Kayak classes so each class may have slightly different content.   The focus area will be announced to the Sea Kayak mailing list about one month before each class and posted in that month's calendar entry.  Topics that we may cover are listed below.   Please e-mail Jim Sprandel (merlin-3d@sbcglobal.net) if you have a topic that you would like to see covered.

  • Stroke Refinement - Tuning up your kayaking form to be more efficient.  One session may focus on Forward Stroke since is what you do 99.9% of the time.
  • Edging your boat and using fore/aft lean to turn your boat or to keep it going straight
  • Bow and stern rudders and side draws (maneuvers that move your boat sideway without changing the angle of your boat0
  • Linked Strokes - Ways to smoothly tie your strokes together while paddling
  • Bracing - Support strokes that stabilize you boat when maneuvering or in big water.
  • Greenland paddling techniques for people with Greenland paddles

Meeting Place: To be Announced – The instructors will send out an e-mail to participants about one week before the class.   The class will be held in the Indianapolis area (usually Eagle Creek).

Your Chance of Immersion: While the water is cool, we will demonstrate rescue skills in the Intro class but you won’t intentionally be getting into the water at this clinic unless you want to.  Thatcher Pool’s Wednesday night sessions are a better place to practice rescues and wet exits

Class Size: Attendance for each class will be limited to 5 students for each instructor. Enrollees must be registered HCKC Members and will be accepted based on the date that they register through the HCKC Event Calendar or e-mail Jim Sprandel.  Please do not sign up unless you can stay for the entire clinic (9:00 am to 3:30 pm).

What to Bring: 
Kayak/Personal Gear:  
Please bring your kayak, life jacket, paddle, paddling jacket, sun screen, lunch, and water.
Safety equipment that you normally carry (e.g., pump, paddle float, stirrup, tow or throw rope …) Please don’t buy safety equipment just for this class since you have a chance to ask and figure out what makes sense for you.
Paddling Clothing—Even though you won’t intentionally be capsizing, be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and water.  Bring a wind-proof paddling jacket since it may be windy and cool.  We will get out more info on what to wear in the pre-class e-mail.
Spare clothes in a dry bag!  (Just in case)Questions—Please think about what you want to learn before the class and come with questions.

Schedule:             9:00 am                          Meet at Designated Location
9:30 am                          Be dressed to paddle with your boat at the launch area
9:30 am—3:30 pm           Class   
We will take an hour around Noon for lunch and a safety discussion.

If you have questions about the class, please contact Jim Sprandel at merlin-3d@sbcglobal.net.

How to Register:  Click Register in the left-hand column of this page.


Hoosier Canoe & Kayak Club

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