Kayak: Flat water Basic 1

Kayak: Flat Water Basic 1

1 rental craft (Recreational Kayak) of your choice, (Must call for discount code!) See rentals page for details on rental agreement and what is included. 

As listed in an all ACA courses.

Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC): ACA courses are open to all individuals who acknowledge the ability to perform the following essential eligibility criteria.

1. Breathe independently (i.e., not require medical devices to sustain breathing)

2. Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water

3. Independently hold head upright without neck / head support

4. Manage personal care independently or with assistance of a companion

5. Manage personal mobility independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance

6. Follow instructions and effectively communicate independently or with assistance of a companion

7. Independently turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face up while wearing a properly fitted life jacket* 8. Get on / off or in / out of a paddle craft independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance*

9. Independently get out and from under a capsized paddle craft*

10. Remount or reenter the paddle craft following deep water capsize independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance*

11. Maintain a safe body position while attempting skills, activities and rescues listed in the appropriate Course Outline, and have the ability to recognize and identify to others when such efforts would be unsafe given your personal situation * To participate in adaptive programs, participants must acknowledge only the first six EEC listed above. Entry-level adaptive programs will involve teaching and practicing

EEC #7-11

* In this course the following will be discussed  and demonstration.

* paddling equipment, terminology (kayak and paddle), and care of gear

* Kayak. types, materials, parts (including safety features such as flotation)

* Paddle types and there uses. materials, parts, length, blade size and shape, hand position

* Different types of personal flotation device (PFD)

* Water/Boater safety. Use of safe rescue strategies such as T-RETHROG (Talk, Reach, Throw, Row, Go)

*  Weather, how to avoid and prevent cold water shock, hypothermia and hyperthermia by choosing proper clothing

   recognizing and treating early symptoms;

* Paddling Environment Wind, Waves, Weather, Water

* Secure the kayak and equipment before leaving unattended, with attention to environment and conditions

* Judgment. In addition to learning hard skills, the importance of developing personal judgment and group responsibility increases on more difficult paddling venues

On water skills

* Enter and launch kayak from shore in a controlled manner, checking for clear departure

* Propel the kayak forward in a straight line 15-20 boat lengths

* Stop the kayak within two boat lengths

* Move the kayak backwards 3-4 boat lengths 

* Turn the kayak from a stationary position 180° to the right and left

* Move the kayak sideways 10 feet (3 meters) to each side

* Basic understanding and demonstration of safe rescue strategies     

    (T-rescue, Heel Hook 2 person and solo) 

Skills MUST be done without falling out of the kayak, in order to move to the next section.

We use the ACA as a guideline in our teaching programs.

For a full list of the ACA courses Visit them at https://americancanoe.org/

No alcohol / substance abuse.

Proper etiquette on and off the water.

Respect private property.

Practice Leave No Trace ethics