Elements of Coastal Kayaking I
Skills, gear, and common sense.
- BILL THOMAS — June 17–23
- BILL THOMAS — July 22–28 (camping 2 nights)
- MIKE O’BRIEN — SEPTEMBER 2–8 (over 40 crowd)
Tuition: $700
Note: Students should be in good physical condition, have good balance and agility and the ability to enter and exit kayaks from beach or rocky shore.
Nothing, absolutely nothing, conveys the joy of being afloat quite so purely as a kayak. Thus, we offer you a variety of excellent opportunities to learn the art of sea kayaking! Explore the islands during the day and return home each evening to a great meal and a comfortable bed. Or, opt to take our kayak and island camping offering and spend two nights camping on one of the nearby islands. Either way this is coastal touring at its best!
In this elementary course, instructors will cover a variety of subject matter: selecting an appropriate kayak; reviewing safety procedures and necessary safety equipment; transporting kayaks; practicing various paddle strokes; discussing rescue methods; navigation; and better understanding weather and sea conditions. Our focus throughout each course will be giving each student the confidence and skills to safely pursue the sport of sea kayaking. Students who chose to spend a few nights away from the school will also be introduced to some of the skills needed to outfit and provision for longer excursions. While previous paddling experience is not necessary for this expanded offering a willingness to extend your horizons and explore off the beaten path is necessary.
You’ll explore some of the most spectacular parts of the rocky Maine coast. Our instructors, Mike O’Brien and Bill Thomas will call upon their years of experience as kayak instructors to provide answers to your questions about wind and wave. For interested individuals these weeks promise to be good fun and a great education. Kayaks, paddles, sprayskirts, and life jackets will be provided by the School, but students are welcome and encouraged to bring their own if so desired. Students who are camping will need to provide additional camping gear for the class.
