Sea Kayaking Lessons
For prices, and schedules go to class schedule
My sea kayaking instructional program is designed to blend modern and traditional sea kayaking skills with a focus on skin-kayak specific considerations. Skin-on-frame kayaks have been my only sea kayaks for over six years now. I use them for everything except whitewater rivers. The purpose of these classes is to provide a solid introduction to the use of skin-on-frame kayaks while upholding generally accepted safety standards. There is a strong focus on the mentoring ethic, people teaching each other and learning together. While these classes are mostly utilized by kayak building class students, I do have kayaks and gear around the shop for those who don't own a kayak yet. Come experience what you can do with a twenty-five pound kayak.
Introduction to sea kayaking
This class offers a solid basic introduction to outfitting, navigation, self rescue, fitness, and boat handling skills. I give a detailed lecture on choices in kayaking gear so you can learn what you really need to buy, what you can get by with, and which products are worth purchasing and which products are junk. Next we'll take a look at a safe, well outfitted kayak, I'm a minimalist so don't expect a lot of fancy, expensive gadgets. We will discuss basic kayak navigation and how to make informed judgements on what is and isn't safe, as well as exploring some of the hidden risks involved in sea kayaking. I will share some of the fundamentals of effective fitness training so you can apply those concepts to your everyday paddling. After this we head onto the water where we'll practice strokes and rescues and I will teach you the fundementals of teaching yourself how to roll and do eskimo rescues so you can face capsize without wet exiting the kayak.
Using a Greenland Kayak
If you're expecting to hop into a traditonal Greenland hunting kayak and use it just like your modern sea kayak you might be in for a few surprises. This kayak was designed to hunt seals in arctic waters and using a Greenland kayak means going on a cultural kayaking journey. In this class you'll learn how to train your body to support you comfortably in the Greenland sitting position (legs straight out in front of you), minimizing the risk and discomfort of lower back injuries. We will practice safely entering and exiting the tight cockpit on the water and on land. In the water this class is focused on teaching traditional rescue skills, we'll practice sculling, bow rescues, bracing, and I will show you how to combine these basic elements into a system you can use to teach yourself and others how to roll.
Sea Kayak Camping
I'm continually amazed by the amount of crap people can stuff into the hatches of fiberglass sea kayaks, and those same people watch me warily, certain that I must be somehow suffering when I arrive at camp. They must imagine me huddled underneath a tree, eating cold tuna fish, shivering beaneath tiny tarp. Not so! On a trip down Utahs Green River, a friend and I left our kayaks and set off to hike several days into a rugged remote area. I pared our packs down to twenty-five pounds apiece. After setting up the tent and rolling out the Therm-a-Rests, that evening we cooked a fine meal and while she drank a second glass of wine, I asked, "are you uncomfortable?", "No" she replied, "are you unhappy?", "no", "then tell me", I asked, "what is all that crap we left in the sea kayaks?".
It is exactly this question that this class seeks to answer. By learning what you can comfortably do without you'll experience freedom as the kayak becomes lighter and packing becomes easier. Learn valuable tips and tricks gathered over many years of camping in skin-on-frame kayaks. For this all day class I'll arrive with my kayak completely packed and ready for an overnight camping trip. While we paddle to a nearby location we'll discuss some of the paddling considerations for overnight camping. When we arrive I'll make camp completely, and cook lunch. After we eat lunch we'll break camp and return home. Each step of the way we'll analyze time management, packing, unpacking, and setup strategies. The goal of this class is to significantly reduce your gear loads and to significantly reduce your setup and breakdown time so you can spend more time enjoying the outdoors.