About this event:
Beginner & Trained Beginner Whitewater Kayak Classes – April 30-May 1, 2016
Candidate for this class would be looking to learn and improve upon their basic skills as well as learn some new techniques. With multiple instructors, we may segment the class to address both new paddlers, as well as those with some experience.
Topics covered & discussed will include river reading, strokes, boat control as well as basic rescue concepts. Emphasis will be on developing skills to work the river, beyond just “getting down the river”.
Instructors are American Canoe Association (ACA) Certified Instructors.
If you are not an ACA member, $5 is required for ACA event insurance.
Saturday – Lake Acworth / Metro Chattahoochee
Sunday – Cartecay River or similar, depending on water levels
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:
- Whitewater kayak
- Helmet (Nose plugs recommended, such as Smiley or Cottonmouth)
- Personal flotation device
- Spray skirt
- 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
- 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
Instructors –Jay Davis, Robert Weddle, Jimmy Jones
Cost/Registration: $100.00 for GCA members
Swimming Ability: You must be able to swim and should not panic with your head under water. Beginning kayak clinic participants will spend a lot of time upside down inside their kayaks on the lake.
Physical Condition: Whitewater 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.
Questions? gapaddletraining@gmail.com
Hey Guys, I just sent an email to you about the class. Look for an email from pauljayhenrydavis@gmail.com
Thank you for signing up for our GCA Beginner/ Trained Beginner Kayaking class!
Your instructors for this class will be: Robert Weddle, Jim Tebbel, and Jay Davis.
Contact info for Jay Davis: 404-713-7586 or jaystorm@bellsouth.net
What to bring:
The Big 5
What are the bare essentials you must have to go whitewater kayaking? Driving several hours to the river only to find you left something behind is not fun.
The Big 5 are:
• Whitewater Helmet (with nose clip). Helmets should be snug enough so they can’t move around.
• Personal Flotation Device (PFD). PFD should fit snugly so it won’t ride up.
• Paddle. Personal preference for length, blade size, material (plastic vs fiberglass vs carbon fiber), shaft size, feather angle, bent shaft vs straight.
• Spray skirt. Choose size for boat cockpit, and size separately for waist. Grab loop must be on outside of cockpit, never inside. NEOPRENE PREFERRED.
• Boat (with float bags)
These are the Big 5, but you may think of other essentials. I’ve got a longer checklist of things I look over before leaving the house, and the Big 5 are at the top. IF YOU DON’T HAVE ONE OF THESE THINGS OR HAVE OTHER GEAR YOU NEED TO BORROW, PLEASE CONTACT JAY DAVIS ASAP!!! And we will see if we can get a loaner for you (no guarantees!).
Jim’s checklist of things to bring to the river:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FOpwC9b8YZ__Oj83V6y0ZYZ21YliGn91NTAUbUensxg/edit?usp=sharing
For this class, also bring:
Float bags (inside stern of boat)
Towels
Plenty of drinking water
Lunch or snack
Sunscreen
Paddling / River shoes that will not come off during a swim (not flip flops or sandals)
Please let me know if you have any questions on gear or don’t have anything – we may be able to find something you can borrow for the class.
Required ACA Insurance Waiver: You will need to sign a GCA Waiver and an ACA Waiver. If you are a member of the ACA, please bring your membership number!
Venues: Bring $10 to pay the outfitter for a shuttle both days!!!
Saturday, April 30th – class will start at 9:00am at South Shore Park on Lake Acworth.
(GPS 34.055859,-84.689261)
From I-75, take exit 278. Go South on Old Cherokee St .6 mile, then turn Right on Hwy 92 for 1.9 miles.
Turn left on Ragsdale Rd, then take the first dirt road on the left to the beach.
Location for MAY 1st TBD, depending on water levels (most likely the Cartecay).
After lunch we will move to the Metro Chattahoochee, meeting at the CRNRA Powers Island put-in for the Chattahoochee River. (GPS 33.903352,-84.441479). http://goo.gl/maps/OXdDn
Bring $3.00 cash for parking. We will set shuttle, then get on the river.
The take-out is at CRNRA Paces Mill, where the river crosses Cobb Parkway (GPS 33.869758,-84.45605). http://goo.gl/maps/1p2kZ
Videos to Review:
Here are a list of the basic strokes and content we’ll be reviewing in this class, with links to YouTube for videos. (This may be review, if you have taken a beginner class previously)
Wet Exits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx50LrkOw00
How to hold a paddle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7KCC4iMXrE
Forward Stroke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZyWohPcER4
Stern Draw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQNvfXBRAlk
Posture and Paddler’s Box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utV_WXGDf2g
New strokes we will introduce in this class:
Side Draws: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2na20biQAXs
Bow Draws: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWZm0CkBkzA
Forward Sweep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHXEnlsN1Sg
Reverse Sweep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgz7c2kb4Rg
High and Low Braces: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXI9BeFK_V8
Sculling Brace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJVLGvS4YuA
Rolls:
C-to-C Roll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dguv1CdEJXQ
Sweep Roll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff_te_yjcHM
Sweep to Back Deck Roll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34KdMDe6iSo
My daughter, Annabelle, is also booked to attend.