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Hoosier Canoe & Kayak Club

FW/SK: Kayaking Skills Clinic

  • May 20, 2017
  • 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Indianapolis, IN

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Kayaking Skills Classes – Introductory and Intermediate Classes

This year, we will offer four one-day sessions during the summer on the dates listed above.   However, we are going to try something different to give experienced paddlers more chance for training.

Since we now have three ACA instructors, we can break our class up into two groups.  In one group, we will cover the Introduction to Kayaking material that we always covered in these classes.   In the other, we will cover ACA Intermediate (Level 2 and 3) Instruction that we have offered only once per year in the past. 

  • ·      Introduction to Paddling -

Target Paddlers:  HCKC members who have never taken a class or who feel unsure of their strokes in their recreational, touring, or sea kayak.  

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 or the Hoosier Canoe and Kayak Club.

Your instructor will first talk with you 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 Control (Edging/Turning and Stroke Refinement)

Target Paddlers:  HCKC members who have taken an introductory class at least one year ago and who are comfortable with their forward-turning strokes as well as with their draw and rudder maneuvers.  This class targets recreational, touring, and sea kayaks.

Class Content:  Boat control and turning 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.   The main topics that we cover are listed below:

  •    Edging your boat and using fore/aft lean to turn your boat or to make it go straight
  •    Bow and stern rudders
  •    Side draws – Maneuvers that move your boat sideway without changing the angle of your boat
  •    Maneuvers to paddle tighter turns with control

This section will start with a short discussion of boat dynamics and quickly get on the water to start learning to play with your boat. 

Meeting Place: To be Announced – The instructors will send out an e-mail to participants about one week before the class.   The Introductory Class will typically be held at Eagle Creek but the instructors for Intermediate classes may opt another location.  .

Your Chance of Immersion: While the water is cool, we will demonstrate rescue skills 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 when it’s cool out

Class Size: Attendance for each class will be limited to 5 students for each of the 3 instructors. Enrollees must be registered HCKC Members and will be accepted based on the date that they e-mail Jim Sprandel.    The split between Introductory and Intermediate students will be decided as student enrollments are processed.

Please do not sign up unless you can stay for the entire clinic (9:00 am to 3:30 pm).

What to Bring:

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.

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.

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


Hoosier Canoe & Kayak Club

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