Kayaking Skills Classes – Introductory and Intermediate Levels

On August 24, we will offer our last one-day introductory and intermediate skills sessions for 2019.  This class is  free for registered HCKC members.

We will break our class up into Introductory and Intermediate Sections.

Introductory Section -  ACA Introduction to Paddling Class

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 in 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 Section - Intermediate Techniques and Refinement
Dave Ellis and Jim Sprandel will be teaching two different Intermediate topics.  You may sign up for the class that you would like to attend.  We can handle up to 5  students in each class.
These classes are for recreational, touring, and sea kayak paddlers.

Class Content: 
a) Dave Ellis - Edging and Turning 
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. 
b) Jim Sprandel - Forward Stroke Refinement
99.9% of the time, you use your forward stroke while paddling.  It's worth tuning up.  This class looks at making your forward stroke more efficient and easier on your body.   The sources for this class were based on racing but the techniques work just as well while paddling about Eagle Creek or a river with a group of friends.  An efficient stroke will help you paddle farther with less effort and fatigue. 
After lunch, we may work on course correction and paddling with wind.
  

Your Chance of Immersion: 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 practice rescues.  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.  Wally Burchfield and Duane Garloch will teach up to 10 students for the Introductory Class.  And, Dave Ellis and Jim Sprandel will teach up to 5 students in each of Intermediate Sections.   

How to Sign Up -   Click on the "Register" box in the left column of this page.

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 (merlin-3d@sbcglobal.net).  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.