Basic Sea Kayak Control Course

Course Details

Cost: Free / Gratis : Duration – 1 day

Location: Cams Wharf Boat Ramp
Time:  10:00 am to 5:00 pm + working lunch

Who is this for?
First-timers: learn how to paddle a sea kayak and have some fun.
Beginners -who want to learn how to do their paddle strokes more effectively and efficiently.
Intermediates who want to fine-tune their techniques

Introduction:
Paddling a sea kayak is easy to do—perhaps too easy, sometimes lulling the novice into a false sense of security, thinking that everything is simple, when in absolute fact the opposite is the truth.

In skilled hands, sea kayaks are extraordinarily seaworthy craft however, a novice will find the sea kayak difficult to control in waves or windy conditions, and without an understanding of the potential issues, can take the uneducated or inexperienced into dangerous situations.

Course overview
This course is designed to give the beginner the knowledge to ascertain weather and ocean conditions to determine whether they should be sea kayaking AND to give the skills and knowledge to control their kayak, using just their paddles, in wind conditions up to force 3.
You will find sea kayaking a much more relaxed and enjoyable activity after completing this Basic Sea Kayak Control course.

Your Instructor
Dave Wilson has over 50 years of sea kayak and whitewater kayak experience, providing professional kayak instruction and guiding in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia, North & Central America.

Broad itinerary
10:00: Arrive, change into sea kayaking gear (a list is provided after registration)
10:30 – 11:00: introduction to the sea kayak environment & equipment.
11:00 – 12:30: basic paddle techniques.
12:30 – 13:30: working lunch: wind/waves & how they affect the sea kayak.
13:30 – 14:30: more paddle techniques
14:30 – 16:00: short kayak journey to practice paddling techniques.
16:00 – 17:00: reflection, group safety & pack away equipment.

Our simple rules:
If you RSVP going, turn up.
If you RSVP going & cannot turn up, change your RSVP to not going at least 48 hours before.
If you cannot give 48 hrs notice, contact me directly via the chat or my number, so that I know you are not coming.

Preparation

Preparing for your course

There are a few things to know about the course and how to prepare for it:

  1. The Location:
    Cams wharf has a great place to park your car. It also has toilets (change room), waterside shower, a small boat ramp, a shark net swiming enclosure, a small sand beach and is really sheltered from easterly winds.
  2. There is a large open grass area where we can discuss the information of the course before entering the water.
  3. This is really important to grasp!!!

    A lot of information about sea kayaking and the basics of kayak control are best described and discussed on land before entering the kayaks. Expect to be on dry land for 1 hour before getting wet!

  4. We will be doing the 5 basic paddle strokes, concentrating on being able to effectively control the kayak.

  5. There will be a short journey to practice what we have covered.

  6. That means understanding 2 fundamentals.
    You will need to understand the effects of wind and waves on the kayak to understand how to control your kayak.

    Read these 2 pages before attending the course!

    1. The beaufort scale: 
    https://training.seakayakadventuregroup.org/beaufort-scale/

    2. Weather cocking (link attached for you to read)
    https://training.seakayakadventuregroup.org/weather-cocking/

     

What to bring.

Kayaking Equipment 
(NB, if a newbie, kayaks and all gear is available for rental @$30 / day)

  • Kayak
  • Buoyancy Vest
  • Paddle (plus breakdown spare if you have one).
  • Pump (optional)
  • Sprayskirt

Paddle Clothing  (clothing that gets wet):
Shorts, long sleeved rash shirt, hat (preferably broad brim), water shoes (shoes to wear while kayaking – no bare feet, crocs or thongs  please)!
Sunscreen if you wear it.

Food
Bring a wholesome, packed lunch as there are no shops or cafes at the Cams Wharf Boat Ramp.
Please ensure it is in a waterproof bag or container.

Bring ample water for the day in a reusable water container.
We do not allow single-use water bottles due to their impact on the oceans.

First Aid (optional)
I will bring my first aid kit but its always good practice to bring your own. 

Equipment Hire


My contact details are:
Dave Wilson
Email: within4hours@gmail.com
Phone / Whatsapp: 0493377171