Paddling Classes:
Introduction to Paddling
ACA II Essentials of Sea Kayaking
ACA III Coastal Skills and Rescues
Sea Kayak Rescue only
Learn sea kayak paddling skills with Alaska Kayaking Academy’s expert instruction. We offer four flat water/sea kayak classes for all types of students.
Introduction to Paddling: For the student looking for a short course on the basics. This two hour class takes place at the Kayak Center on Wasilla Lake. It is open to everyone over 10 years old. Participants will accomplish a general understanding of how to maneuver their kayak. We cover: launching, sweep turn, rudder strokes, forward, draw stroke and stopping. At the completion of this course one is ready to get out and do more practice or take trips on lakes in calm weather.
ACA Level II Essentails of Sea Kayaking: This course is for students looking to make sea kayaking as a regular summer activity. This class is conducted in Whittier out in the ocean. You will learn all the skills noted in Introduction to Paddling as well as: edging, bow turns,bracing, launching and landing on different types of beaches, dealing with tides, wind, and large vessel traffic. We spend a full day on the ocean learning and practicing these skills. At the end of the day students have an opportunity to perform an assessment test and receive credit for skills performed. Students are not guaranteed to pass all sections of the assessment. It takes time to develop the control required to pass all sections, and more time on the water practicing may be required.
ACA Level III Coastal Skills and Rescue: This course is for students that aspire to engage in sea kayak camping, and expedition length trips. This 2.5 day class starts with deep water rescue practice in the lake the evening before your two day ocean course. Deep water rescue takes place at the Wasilla Lake Kayak Center, the two day ocean session is conducted in Whittier. In addition to the skills taught in the ACA Level II course students learn: Re-entry of a capsized kayak, towing both boats and paddlers, boat over boat rescue, low/high brace turn, navigation, reading weather, understanding tides,VHF radio protocols, packing a boat for over night trip.
We will paddle to Decision Point in Passage Canal. Along the way you will learn the above noted skills and have many hours to practice these skills. We will tent camp at Decision Point. Students will also have an opportunity to capsize in the ocean and demonstrate a command for performing a group rescue in the ocean. At the end of the day students have an opportunity to perform an assessment test and receive credit for skills performed. Students are not guaranteed to pass all sections of the assessment. It takes time to develop the control required to pass all sections, and more time on the water practicing may be required.
Sea Kayak Rescue: This class is for students that only want to learn rescue techniques. The course is 2-3 hours long and is performed in pools in the winter, and in lakes from June – Sept. You will learn multiple techniques to get yourself and others back into a capsized boat.
Schedule:
Introduction to Kayaking: May 22 – August 25, 2013: Two hrs:
offered Wed, Thur, Fri 6pm-8pm ; Saturdays 10 am – 12 pm $70 groups of 6 or more can recieve a 10% discount and book a custom time
ACA Level II: Essentials of Sea Kayaking……………………….$100 your boat……..$120 our boat
All day: June 9,2013
All day: June 30, 2013
All day: July 27, 2013 call more dates may be added for July and August
ACA Level III: Coastal Skills and Rescue:……………………….$250 your boat………$300 our boat
May 9 pool rescue; May 11,12 2013 ocean
July 12 lake rescue; July 13,14 2013 ocean
August 1 lake rescue; August 3,4 2013 ocean
August 15 lake rescue; August 17,18 2013 ocean
Sea Kayak Rescue only: …………………………………………………………….$90 includes dry suit and boat
class offered on appointment .. call to book your class