—Class Descriptions—
Try Kayaking (schedule)
This is not a class, but rather an opportunity to try paddling a kayak in a supervised setting on a protected body of water. The guide can answer questions about the kayaks helping you to understand the differences between recreational and touring styles, and give you some simple pointers on getting in and out of the boats and holding the paddle properly. This is a very short, 2-hour experience for those who have never been in a kayak before and are curious about whether they would like it. Absolutely no previous experience in a canoe or kayak is necessary. Participants of all ages are welcome, although for children it is required that a parent or guardian sign up for the trip along with the child. Please call 262-895-2008 or e-mail if you have any questions at all about this or any other program.
Recreational Kayaking Basics (schedule)
This class is designed for paddlers who have already purchased a recreational kayak (under 14 feet long, over 25″ wide with large cockpit opening and minimal flotation) or those people who are certain that they will only want to paddle on small, inland lakes and slow-moving rivers. In 2 ½ hours we will cover the basic strokes needed to maneuver your kayak efficiently. Students will not be asked to perform a wet exit, and there are no rescue or re-entry skills taught in this class. Recreational kayaks are not suitable in waters where these skills would be necessary such as on the Great Lakes, large lakes and rivers, or whitewater rivers. This class can be taken as a very basic introduction to the sport, but if you have not yet purchased a kayak of your own, I strongly recommend that you consider the “Introduction to Sea Kayaking” class as it gives a more comprehensive introduction to the sport of kayaking.
Skills and Information Covered in this Course:
• Introduction of equipment – kayaks, paddles, and life jackets
• Safety considerations in using recreational kayaks
• Entering and exiting your kayak
• Forward stroke
• Reverse stroke
• Stopping your kayak
• Forward and reverse sweeps for turning
• Draw strokes to move a kayak sideways
• Lifting and carrying your kayak
• Bow and stern rudder strokes (if time permits)
Kayaking for Fitness (schedule)
Kayaking is an enjoyable, life-long, low-impact activity that makes exercise fun! During this course we’ll discuss training concepts that apply to all fitness activities. You will work on developing a personal fitness program that can be as easy or as strenuous as you want to make it. Participants will do two different styles of workouts with the kayaks. We will spend a short amount of time, as needed, on improving the forward and reverse paddling strokes in order to facilitate fitness goals. This can be a great cross training activity to get you out of a stale workout routine or perhaps be the motivation you need to get you started on an exercise program. Paddling equipment is provided.
Skills and Information Covered in this Course:
- Training Principles (Overloading, Targeting, Rest & Recovery, Overtraining, Variation, Adaptation and Reversibility)
- Flexibility and Stretching
- Aerobic and Anaerobic training
- How weight training and other exercises can improve paddling fitness
- Heart Rate Zones/ Intensity Levels
- Warming Up and Cooling Down
- Interval Training
Introduction to Sea Kayaking (Level 1 & 2) (schedule)
This course is the best overall choice for people looking for their first instructional experience in a kayak. Absolutely no previous paddling experience is required. If you have never kayaked before and don’t really know where you will paddle or in what kind of kayak, this class gives you the broadest introduction to the sport providing a solid basis upon which to make future decisions about your participation in the sport. This class is taught in touring-style (sea) kayaks which are longer (over 14 feet) and narrower (under 25″) than recreational kayaks and are better suited to paddling longer distances on larger bodies of water. We will cover the basic strokes used to paddle all types of kayaks, and safety skills that are unique to the touring kayak. The class takes place on a protected inland lake, but for paddlers who aspire to paddling on the rougher waters of the Great Lakes or oceans, this is the first step towards acquiring the skills necessary to venture out on those waters. The students meet for 6 hours on one day. Time on the water is approximately 3 ½ – 4 hours broken up into 2 sessions. The remaining time is spent on shore including a lunch break.
Level 1 courses are taught on inland waterways where the water is warmer and conditions are more protected. The Level 2 course is taught on Lake Michigan. It is generally recommended that you take the Level 1 version of this course before taking Level 2 unless you have some previous experience paddling on the Great Lakes or have spoken with Sherri.
Skills and Information Covered in this Course:
• Introduction to equipment – kayaks, paddles, life jackets, and accessories
• Adjusting a kayak to improve fit and performance
• Entering and exiting a kayak
• Wet exit
• Paddle float solo re-entry and assisted re-entry from the water
• Making safe decisions about where and when to paddle
• Forward and reverse strokes
• Stopping your kayak
• Forward and reverse sweeps for turning
• Draw strokes to move a kayak sideways
• J-lean and low brace for improved control and stability
• Lifting and carrying your kayak
Introduction to Moving Water (New for 2011!) (schedule)
If you will be doing most of your paddling on rivers, or are interested in getting started in whitewater kayaking, this course is designed to introduce you to the concepts of reading water and understanding the hydrodynamics of moving water. You will also work on the skills necessary to paddle safely in currents. The first part of the class is taught on a small lake. The second half of the class is held on moving water (Class 1). It is recommended that you take “Recreational Kayaking Basics” or “Introduction to Sea Kayaking” first before taking this course to develop your basic strokes.
Skills and Information Covered in this Course:
- Basic kayak strokes for maneuvering (forward, reverse, sweeps, draw)
- Wet exits
- Edging a kayak
- Identifying river features (eddies, eddy lines, holes, downstream V’s, upstream V’s, wave trains)
- Learning to read the water
- Eddy turns, peel outs, ferrying
- Identifying river hazards
- Swimming in a rapid
- Simple river rescue for Class 1 moving water
- River running strategies
- Scouting a rapid
Introduction to Canoeing (schedule)
There is a good chance that you have been in a canoe at some time in your life, but it is likely that you never had any real lessons. This may have led to a frustrating day on the water, or it may have left you feeling unsure about your ability to handle a canoe. Whether you are interested primarily in solo or tandem canoeing, you can learn how to make your canoe go where you want it to go. Learning to paddle efficiently makes your canoeing experience much more enjoyable and less tiring. It can also save relationships on the water. This is an introductory 3-hour class that will cover basic strokes and knowledge. It does not cover rescues and re-entries. If you are interested in taking a more in-depth canoeing course that covers these additional skills, please contact Sherri to schedule a private individual or group lesson.
Skills and Information Covered in this Course:
• Introduction to equipment – canoes, paddles, and life jackets
• Canoe safety
• Lifting and carrying the canoes
• Entry and exit of a canoe from shore and docks
• Responsibilities of the bow and stern paddlers
• Forward and reverse strokes
• Stopping a canoe
• Forward and reverse sweeps for turning
• Draw strokes and push-away/pry strokes
• J- stroke
• Car topping a canoe
• Low and high braces (if time permits)
Kids & Kayaks (schedule)
Separate Sessions for Ages 10-12 & 13-15
Kids seem to naturally enjoy kayaking and pick it up quite easily. Students receive basic instruction in the skills needed to propel and maneuver a kayak along with an introduction to the different kinds of kayaks, and then it’s on to the fun and games! Classes are divided by age. There will be a variety of kayaks at each session. Kids will get a chance to paddle recreational kayaks, sea kayaks, and whitewater kayaks. Give your child the opportunity to experience the enjoyment and excitement of this healthy, active sport. Since tipping over seems to be half the fun when it comes to kids in kayaks, getting wet is almost guaranteed. While everyone wears a life jacket at all times, participants should be comfortable swimming.
“NEXT STEPS” – FOR SEA KAYAKERS
After taking “Introduction to Sea Kayaking” you’ll want to continue your skill development with the “Next Steps” programs. Each course is another step in your development towards becoming a more accomplished paddler. The numbering of the steps is a suggested order in which the courses can be taken, but it is not absolute that you must take them in this order. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can answer specific questions by e-mail, or we can arrange to have a phone conversation to determine what course best meets your needs.
Step 1 – Forward Stroke Clinic (schedule)
There is a huge payoff for improving the stroke that you will use 99% of the time. Whether you are planning to race, want to exercise for fitness, take long trips, or just paddle recreationally, proper technique will allow you to paddle farther, faster, and with less risk of injury. In this 3-hour class, you will focus exclusively on increasing the efficiency of your forward stroke, something even the most experienced paddlers can always stand to work on. The instructor will make use of video analysis of your stroke to help you make beneficial changes to your technique. Even if you have already taken this course in the past, you may want to consider taking it again. There are over 20 different coaching points that students can be working on to improve their own stroke. Chances are, you were only given a few of those points to focus on the first time you took the class. If you’ve mastered those points, you can move on to the finer points of a good forward stroke. Students in this class can use any kind of kayak.
Skills and Information Covered in this Course
- Low angle/ touring forward stroke
- High angle/ power forward stroke
- Using torso rotation and core muscles to improve power
- Improving technique to increase efficiency
Step 1B – Using a Wing Paddle (schedule)
If you are interested in getting into racing, or just want to learn more about this unusual-looking paddle that greatly increases the efficiency of the forward stroke, this is a class you will want to take! It is recommended that you take the “Forward Stroke Clinic” first to begin developing your technique. A wing paddle will be provided for students who do not have their own. Skills and information covered in this class are similar to that covered in the “Forward Stroke Clinic”, although the emphasis will be on using a high angle/power forward stroke which is more easily performed in narrower sea kayaks and racing kayaks. As this is only a 2-hour class, there is less time spent on video analysis and technique development than in the 3-hour “Forward Stroke Clinic”.
Step 2 – Kayaking on the Edge /Better Boat Control (schedule)
Basic strokes will get you where you need to go, but there are many more strokes and techniques that can be used to help you maneuver and control your kayak. In this course we will focus on paddling concepts such as edging, rotation, blade control, and leverage and how they apply to basic and intermediate strokes. Being able to make your boat “dance” in the waves is the hallmark of the skilled paddler. Learn to comfortably paddle your kayak on edge, perform strokes efficiently, and fluidly link different strokes together. Refine your boat control to increase your confidence in waves as you master the skills that separate the beginners from the experienced kayakers. Students in this course should ideally have a kayak less than 26″ wide with thigh braces or a cockpit that allows the paddler to hook his/her knees under the deck.
Skills and Information Covered in this Course:
Review of basic strokes (forward, reverse, stopping sweeps, and draws)
- Torso rotation
- Control of your paddle blade edges (blade manipulation)
- J-lean/edging your kayak
- Balance
- Leverage
- High angle/ power forward stroke
- Sculling draws and braces
- Low and High bracing
- Bow and stern rudder strokes
- Hanging draw
- Low brace turn
Step 3 – Safety & Rescues (Levels 1 & 2) (schedule)
You wouldn’t want to stand by helplessly as a friend or family member struggled unsuccessfully to re-enter his/her kayak after a capsize. What would you do if a companion was becoming too tired to keep up with the group as night is falling or a storm is approaching? What would you do if YOU were struggling to get back into your kayak with no one else in sight? Whether you paddle alone or in a group, every kayaker is ultimately responsible for his/her own safety. As such, you want to be proactive in preventing problems and well-equipped to address them if they arise. In “Introduction to Sea Kayaking” you learn one basic solo and one basic assisted rescue. These are good solid skills to master, but what will you do if these rescues don’t work in a particular situation? Having a full bag of tricks to work with can mean the difference between an inconvenience and a full-blown emergency when you are out on the water. This one day, 3-hour class will help you to expand your rescue and re-entry skills and give you suggestions on what safety gear you should carry. Required Equipment – 14′ or longer touring kayak with front and rear bulkheads.
The Level 1 course is held on inland lakes where the water is warmer and conditions are more protected. These more benign conditions make it more comfortable to spend time in the water as you are learning re-entry and rescue techniques. Level 2 courses are taught in Lake Michigan where the water is generally colder. It is generally recommended that you take the Level 1 course before taking the Level 2 course unless you have previous experience paddling on the Great Lakes or have spoken to Sherri about your particular situation.
Skills and Information Covered in this Course:
• Introduction to safety and rescue equipment
• Outfitting your kayak for safety
• Low and High brace
• Paddle float self-rescues
• Using a rescue sling
• Cowboy scramble solo re-entry
• Assisted “T” rescues with variations on the re-entry technique
• Towing
The following skills and information are covered in the “Advanced Rescues” course (Step 9):
- “Hand of God/Hand Over” rescue for incapacitated paddlers
- Scoop rescue
- Bow rescue
- Bow Roll rescue
- “All In” rescue
- Rescuing tandem kayaks
- Rescuing kayaks without bulkheads
Step 4 – Bracing (schedule)
As you become more proficient with your kayaking skills, you may find yourself going out in bigger waves and stronger winds. If you enjoy paddling on rivers, crossing eddy lines can leave you feeling a bit unstable. The answer in all cases is to get comfortable bracing to maintain or regain your stability when the risk of capsize exists. There are many different bracing strokes that can be used in a variety of different situations. We will cover both high and low braces, and you will learn an easy 3-step progression that you can use to practice bracing without the inconvenience of repeated capsizes. This class meets one day for 3 hours.
Skills and Information Covered in this Course:
- High and low slapping braces
- High and low sweeping braces
- High and low sculling braces
- Extended paddle bracing position
- Low brace turn
- Bracing into waves
- J-lean/ edging your kayak
- Hip snap
Step 5 – Navigation (schedule)
Navigation is important for taking longer trips in unfamiliar waters, but it is also a critical skill on a local day trip when fog rolls in or visibility is obscured by rain or snow. This 2-day course is designed to provide experienced paddlers with the knowledge and skills for pre-trip planning and safe on-water navigation. The first day we will spend in the classroom learning to read and prepare charts when planning a trip. The second meeting will be on the Lake to make use of what was learned in the classroom, and make practical application of that knowledge on the water. You will need to provide your own equipment, including a properly outfitted sea kayak with deck-mounted compass and clothing/gear appropriate fro paddling on Lake Michigan. Students should be comfortable in moderate wind and waves.
Skills and Information Covered in this Course:
• Reading charts and maps
• Preparing charts prior to a trip
• Using a deck-mounted compass and hand-held orienteering compass
• Determining bearings off a chart
• Piloting and dead reckoning
• Aiming off
Step 6 – Beginning to Roll (schedule)
The fastest and safest method of self-rescue after a capsize is the roll. Even if you don’t generally paddle in conditions that are likely to cause you to capsize, the process of learning to roll yields many side benefits besides quick self-rescue. Your boat control will improve, and you will have increased confidence in your bracing. Rolling is a relatively simple skill to perform, but a daunting skill to learn since most of us do not relish spending time upside down in our kayaks. However, just about anyone can learn to roll if they are willing to invest the time and effort. You are not guaranteed to have a roll by the end of the class, but you will have the tools you need to continue practicing until you achieve success. It is recommended that you try to sign up for this class with a friend, if possible. That way you’ll have a partner to practice with after class is over. This class meets for 2 hours each day on three separate days for a total of 6 hours. Video analysis will be used to help you identify any areas for improvement.
For those paddlers who have learned to roll, want to work on an offside roll, learning Greenland-style rolls, or just improving the reliability of their current roll, I suggest calling to schedule private instruction. Most of these situations will probably only require one or two short 1-hour lessons to achieve your objectives.
Skills and Information Covered in this Course:
• Outfitting your kayak for a better fit
• Wet exit
• Rolling skills practiced on shore and in very shallow water
• Hip snap
• Bow rescue
• Getting comfortable hanging out upside down under water in your kayak
• Sweep roll, C to C roll, or extended paddle roll
• Paddle float re-entry and roll
Step 6B – Greenland-style Rolling and Bracing (schedule)
Greenland-style sea kayaking is a more traditional form of paddling using the skinny wooden paddles and lower volume sea kayaks. These unique paddles work very well for performing graceful, low-impact rolls and braces. If you have not yet learned to roll your kayak, it is recommended that you first take a rolling class like “Step 6 – Beginning to Roll”. Students need to provide their own equipment for this class, including the Greenland-style paddle, although we do have a few extra Greenland paddles available to use by prior arrangement. It is not necessary to have a traditional skin-on-frame kayak, but it is easier to learn these skills in a low-volume sea kayak with a lower rear deck. Skills covered in this 2-hour course will vary depending on the previous experience of the students and their goals, but may include any of the following:
- Balance brace/static brace
- Sculling high brace
- Traditional extended paddle sweep roll
- Angel roll
- Shotgun roll
- Norsaq (throwing stick) roll
Step 7 – Open Water Skills (schedule)
With Lake Michigan practically at our doorstep, it is quite natural that many kayakers would want to paddle there. However, the Great Lakes are really inland seas that require special equipment and a greater level of skill and knowledge to paddle safely. Weather and waves on large bodies of water can be unpredictable and conditions can get rough. If you are interested in kayaking on the ocean or the Great Lakes, this class will cover the basic skills, equipment, and judgment needed to paddle in more challenging conditions. Students should be comfortable in moderate wind and waves. Required Equipment: 14′ or longer touring kayak with front and rear bulkheads and paddle clothing suitable for immersion in cold water.
Skills and Information Covered in this Course:
- Review of basic strokes
- J-lean/edging your kayak while paddling
- Bracing
- Paddling in waves
- Towing
- Solo and assisted rescues & re-entries
- Using a VHF radio
- Essential and recommended safety gear
- Evaluating conditions and hazards
- Nautical “Rules of the Road”
- Basic navigation/ piloting
(Some skills may be omitted or altered depending on wave and weather conditions on the day of class.)
Step 8 – Managing the Surf Zone/Paddling in Waves (schedule)
If you paddle on larger bodies of water, sooner or later you will need to launch or land through breaking waves. In this 3-hour class, you will learn about skills and strategies to help you navigate the surf zone safely and in control. After a while, you may find yourself starting to intentionally look for opportunities to spend more time in breaking waves. Because the presence of surf is dependent on wind conditions, we can’t guarantee perfect waves, but there are still ways to simulate the conditions that you will experience in surf. You will definitely practice the skill of side surfing and learn how to paddle more confidently in waves. Required Equipment: 14′ or longer touring kayak with front and rear bulkheads and paddle clothing suitable for immersion in cold water.
Skills and Information Covered in this Course:
• Edging your kayak
• Low bracing
• Reading wave patterns
• Understanding wave formation
• Side surfing (”bongo slide”)
• Strategies to catch waves and/or to avoid surfing
• Swimming your kayak through surf
Step 9 – Advanced Rescues (schedule)
If you are a responsible sea kayaker, you want to be prepared to handle whatever situations that may occur out on the water. In the “Introduction to Sea Kayaking” class, students learn one basic solo and one basic assisted rescue/recovery. In the “Step 3 – Safety & Rescues” class, we expand on those basic solo and assisted recovery skills to enlarge the “bag of tricks” that you can draw on in an unforseen event. “Step 9 – Advanced Rescues” takes you one step further covering skills that can be critical in a true emergency, and some that are rarely covered in any safety and rescues class such as rescuing a tandem kayak. “Step 3 – Safety & Rescues” or comparable experience is a prerequisite for this class.
Skills and Information Covered in this Course:
- “Hand of God/Hand Over” rescue for incapacitated paddlers
- Scoop rescue
- Bow rescue
- Bow Roll rescue
- “All In” rescue
- Rescuing tandem kayaks
- Rescuing kayaks without bulkheads
PRIVATE LESSONS (schedule)
If you don’t see a course that meets your needs or fits your schedule, consider arranging a private or semi-private lesson. You’ll get lots of personal attention and we can focus on those areas where you need the most instruction. Whatever your reason for wanting a private lesson, give me a call and I’ll attempt to set up a time that’s convenient for you. In most cases, you should plan to schedule at least a 2-hour lesson in order to have enough time to cover the skills you want to work on. If you have a group of at least 3 people, we can schedule any of the above classes at a time that works for your group and you will pay the regular tuition for that course.
Generally speaking, men and women have the same list of reasons for taking up the sports of canoeing and kayaking. Brute strength is not a requirement for paddling, in fact, no one is strong enough to overcome the power of water. The best paddlers learn to work with the water, a lesson that women often learn sooner than men. Women should not be afraid to take any of the courses offered by SherriKayaks Outdoor Programs. Students do not compete with each other, nor are they compared with each other. However, if you are just more comfortable learning in the company of other women, please call or e-mail Sherri to see how we might be able to accommodate you. Or, if you have a group of 3 or more women that would like to schedule a women’s only class, we can do that. Check out the information about private lessons above.
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