Beyond the Basics - A Mendocino Sea Kayak Training

3 day sea kayak training and play in the coastal waters of the Mendocino Coast.

January 17-19, 2015

 The Mendocino Coast is a paddler's paradise with quiet estuaries, sheltered bays, rock gardens, sea caves, and surf zones.  Located 3 hours north of San Francisco, the Mendocino Coast embodies the best of Coastal Northern California - a rugged coastline, breath-taking beaches, towering redwood forests, quaint towns, and a slow pace of life.  January is a great time to visit the Mendocino Coast as the Gray Whales are migrating, and it is wild crab and mushroom season.

Beyond the Basics is for sea kayakers who want to improve their sea kayak skills in a world class paddling destination under the guidance of expert coaches.  

Instruction will include an intensive focus on the skills of sea kayak seaman/womanship including efficiency of strokes, edge control and bracing, rescue skills, equipment and its use, basic navigation and trip planning, being a competent member of a paddling group.  Skill instruction will occur in sheltered waters and progress into more dynamic waters including ocean swells and rock gardens to develop a solid foundation of skills and paddler confidence.  (more in curriculum below)

Evenings we will gather for skills/video/photo review of the day and other entertainment.

Prerequisites:  Paddlers should have had basic sea kayak training through a club or outfitter including strokes, self and buddy rescues, and be able to paddle at a 2.5-3kt pace.

Logistics :  $350/person includes 3 days of instruction and 2 evenings of video/photo review and other entertainment

Lodging in a vacation rental apartment is available Saturday-Monday morning - $100/person or participants may arrange for their own lodging.

Sea kayak rentals are available - $25/day

Number of students is 3-6. 

Instructors will be Jeff Laxier, and Cate Hawthorne

To sign-up call (707) 962-1623.  Reservations require a 50% deposit at the time of registration.  The balance is due by December 15.  Cancellations made by December 15 will receive a refund minus a $25 office fee.  Cancellations after December 15 will receive a refund minus a $50 office fee if we can fill your spot.

Curriculum:
Boat Handling - refining paddler's skills to move efficiently and effectively in both sheltered and dynamic waters.  Skills will include strokes as well as edge control.

Safety and Rescue - refining bracing, self and team rescues, and towing techniques to be effective in both sheltered and dynamic waters

Sea Kayak Rock Gardening and Journeying - boat control and maneuvering, reading the water, recognizing safe zones and hazards, safety and rescue techniques, environmental awareness, launching and landing techniques, strategies for play, playing :)

Sea Kayak Coastal Journeying - planning and forecasting, basic navigation, equipment for the sea and its uses (marine radios and other signaling devices, towlines and tow systems, first aid and safety kit).

Teamwork - theory and application of skills for paddling as a team.

*Surfzone - students interested in surfzone training can add a 1 or 2 day surfzone class January 20 and/or 21, 2015.

*** If you are not sure where your skills are or if you have the skills for this class, contact us about scheduling a private coaching session.

*** If your skills are at a BCU 3 Star level or higher, you should consider attending our Onto the Sea Training January 24-26.

*** If rock gardens, whitewater, and surf kayaking are your interest, check out our Holiday Whitewater and Surf Safari's January 2-4, 2015 and February 14-16, 2015.