Sea Kayaking Skills Series

We provide:

• Instruction
• Rescue & towing gear
• First Aid kit
• Compasses
• Snacks
• Manual
• Small area chart
• Sea Kayaks may be rented for an additional fee of 25.00 per day

You provide:

• Lunch & plenty of water
• Proper clothing (clothing list will be provided upon registration)
• Sea Kayak, PFD & paddle
• A sense of adventure

Session 1: Introduction to Equipment, Useful Knots,  and Paddle Technique

Re-entries, Rescues, and Towing

In this session you will learn about all the gear necessary to bring with you on a full day sea kayaking excursion, proper paddle technique, self and partner rescues, and how to tow a tired or hurt paddler.

We will look at the features of different boats and paddles as well as PFD’s, safety gear, appropriate clothing, first aid & repair kits, and knots.

Proper paddling technique can be the difference between a great day and a miserable day in your boat. Like everything we do, techniques do matter.

Lastly you will have the change to practice getting in (and out of via wet exit) your boats. Learning how to re-enter your boat after a capsize is imperative if you want to paddle on the ocean.

Be prepared to get wet, have some fun, and become more comfortable paddling your boat

Session 2: Ocean Navigation

Wind, Waves, Tide, & Current

In this session we will learn how to read charts, use and compass, take bearings, and plot a course. Paddling on the ocean without navigation knowledge is unsafe and can lead to unnecessary rescue. Learning to use a chart and compass together will give you the confidence to explore the many islands that dot the Maine Coast.

The second part of this session is managing wind, waves, and current. If you time it right with tides and current you can use it to your advantage and make paddling much easier. Wind can be challenging to manage but again there are techniques to manage wind from all directions. Hopefully, we will have a good windy day to practice!

Session 3: Putting it all together

On this day you will have the opportunity to put all your skills into practice. The day will begin with you and the rest of the group plotting our course for the day. From there we will pack up all we need and head for a glorious day of paddling and navigating our way through the islands. We may include a scenario or two that you will have to consider to keep the group safe.