About this event:
This class is an introduction to paddling a recreational kayak. It will give you the basic skills to manuever your recreational kayak in flat and moving Class I water. Instructors are certified through the American Canoe Association (ACA).
Gear/Equipment: PARTICIPANTS MUST PROVIDE ALL OF THEIR OWN EQUIPMENT! No gear is included in the clinic fee. Participants must have at a minimum the following:
- Recreational kayak
- Personal flotation device (PFD)
- Paddle
- Floatation bags
- Appropriate footwear (paddling booties, water shoes, etc.) is required. Thin, lower-profile shoes are suggested. Flip flops are not recommended because they will fall off during a swim. Sandals such as Tevas, Chacos do not fit well in whitewater kayaks and have the potential to get hung inside the kayak during a flip.
Also suggested is synthetic clothing such as the following, depending upon how cold-natured you are:
- Neoprene wetsuit (farmer John/Jane style with no sleeves)
- Paddling splash jacket or drytop
- Polyester fleece top
- Bathing suit (for the ladies a two-piece design tends to be easier when answering the call of nature in the woods…)
- Polypro underwear/long johns
- NO COTTON GARMENTS are permitted
We also recommend the following:
- Plenty of bottled water
- Lunch you can pack in your boat
- Sunblock
- Waterproof camera if desired
Lead Instructor – Marshall Busko
Cost/Registration: $35.00 for GCA members.
An additional $5 is required for ACA event insurance, if participant is not an ACA member.
Swimming Ability: You must be able to swim and should not panic with your head under water.
Physical Condition: Paddling is a physically and mentally challenging activity that requires fitness, flexibility, and a positive attitude in stressful situations. Kayaking is a high-risk activity for individuals with a history of shoulder dislocations. Applicants should discuss potential physical limitations with the Coordinator before signing up.
Got questions? e-mail them to gapaddletraining@gmail.com
We are very new here. Just purchased a “Family Membership”. Is that $35, the $35 listed for this event? Or are we paying an additional $35 per person attending. Sorry for the ignorance.
Hi James, the membership is $35 per year.
This class is a separate $35 per person, plus an additional $5 each for American Canoe Association Event Insurance.
Will this class have a focus on sit in, sit on top, or both?
Both, the strokes and concepts covered in this class apply to sit-in as well as SOT kayaks.
I now see that you need a boat with flotation bags?
It’s recommended. I bought a beach ball at Walmart and put it in the stern. Works great and cost hardly anything. It keeps the boat on top of the water in case of an out of boat experience. Lot easier to retrieve that way.
How far down the river will the class go.
Will we purposely flip the boats.
My boat is a cheap sit. In.
Is it good enough for this class?
We’re starting at Johnson Ferry Road and will pull out at Hwy 41. The first part is all flatwater where we will practice strokes and boat control. From Powers Ferry to Hwy 41 there are small rapids where we can practice eddying and ferrying in the current. As long as your boat floats, you’ll be OK. We may practice reentry to the boat at diving rock, if the water is warm enough and folks are properly dressed.