Alaska Kayak School

April 2003

Welcome to April 2004 at the Alaska Kayak School - check all the great courses below and don't forget our SPRING SALE of kayaks, paddles, dry suits and much more cool gear. Contact us for more information - [email protected] , (907) 235-2090.

Course Descriptions

Dates: Saturday, April 3, 17, 24
When: 5 - 7 PM , Homer Pool,
Registration: Mike Illg, Community Schools @ Homer High, 235-6090
Call 235-2090 or email [email protected] for more information
Pre-requisites: completed Community Schools registration and ability to swim
Fee: $75/student (tax included).

2. Homer Spit Sea Kayaking - Make the transition form the pool to the bay. Wear a dry suit and all the gear and try your hand at paddling outdoors in cool weather. If its windy, we can duck into the fishing hole, if we have light winds, we'll do a small trip. A short course designed to help you transfer your pool skills to the real world. Advanced reservations required.

Dates: Sunday, April 4
When: 11 AM - 5 PM , Meet @ Captain's Coffee 1100 AM.
Registration: Call 235-2090 or email [email protected]
Pre-requisites: Community Schools Intermediate Skills pool course.
Fee: $49/person (tax included).

3. Beginner Kayaking Skills - Homer Pool.* Practice and learn introductory kayaking skills and other essentials for safe kayaking during seven 1.5 hr. pool sessions. Developing effective paddling skills will give you confidence and an awareness of safety. Learn a wide array of effective strokes, maneuvers and safety techniques. Course is appropriate for novices (never been in a kayak) or paddlers that have had no formal instruction and want to learn the basics: fun, safety, balance, torso for power, confident wet exits and rescues. Paddlers over 12 years of age (w/ parental approval). All equipment provided. Limit of 10 students, minimum of 7.

Dates:  Section I. Monday: April 5, 12, 19, 26; May 3, 17, 24.
Dates: Section II. Tuesday April 6, 13, 20, 27; May 11, 18, 25.
Time: 830-1000
Where: HHS Pool
Registration: Homer Community Schools , Mike Illg, 235-2090.
Pre-requisites: Community Schools registration + ability to swim 2 laps in pool
Fee: $170/person to Alaska Kayak School (tax included)

4. Intermediate Kayaking Skills - Homer Pool.* Learn and practice intermediate kayaking skills (British Canoe Union 3 star) that permit technical performance of all kayaking strokes and maneuvers, efficient rescues, and Eskimo rolling. This 8-week course is a sequel for Beginner Kayaking Skills or skill equivalent - contact the Kayak School . Consolidate your skills and build a solid foundation for advanced skills. Limit of 10 students, 7 student minimum. Pre-requisites: KSSK: Intro, or permission of the instructors.  All equipment provided.

Dates: Wednesdays April: 7, 14, 21, 28; May 12, 19, 26.
Time: 830-1000 PM
Where: HHS Pool
Registration: Homer Community Schools , Mike Illg, 235-2090.
Pre-requisites: Community Schools registration + ability to swim 2 laps in pool
Fee: $170/person to Alaska Kayak School (tax included )

5. Kayaking Skills Practice - Homer Pool* - Supervised practice for kayak school students past and present. Two hours of play and learn on your own. Light coaching, games, drills and races.

Days: Saturdays,
Dates: 17 April ( 7-9 PM ), 24 April ( 7-9 PM ), 1 May ( 5-7 PM ).
Pre-requisites: Beginner or intermediate skills courses or permission of instructors.
Registration: Homer Community Schools , Mike Illg, 235-2090.
Fees: $14/person/session w/ tax

6. Sea > Kayak Navigation I. Introduction to sea kayak navigation. Practice and learn basic chart and compass skills, and plan a kayak day trip. Hands on learning. Students furnish compass, map or chart, string, pencil and ruler. Practice laying a course, estimating time and distance, identifying of marine hazards and escape routes. Learn about tides and current and marine weather for your trip planning.

Dates: Thursdays April 15, 22
Time: 7-9 PM
Where: HHS
Registration: Homer Community Schools , Mike Illg, 235-2090.
Pre-requisites: Community Schools registration
 Fee: $30/person to Alaska Kayak School (tax included)

7. Eskimo Rolling - Homer Pool.  Practice and develop or tune the ultimate kayak self rescue, the Eskimo roll. Learn this excellent cold water rescue using river kayaks and 1 on 1 instruction in the comfort of a warm pool. This is not black magic - learn a few coordinated body actions to recover your balance after a capsize and bolster your confidence and safety on the water. 2 paddlers at once for 1 hour sessions

Dates: by appointment
Time: by appointment (lap swim)
Where: HHS Pool
Registration: Alaska Kayak School 235-2090
Pre-requisites: Community Schools registration
Fee: $30/session/person to Alaska Kayak School (tax included)

8. Beginner Kayaking Skills - Chugiak High School Pool, Anchorage . Skill building kayaking courses! Learn and practice foundational kayaking skills in the Chugiak Pool using maneuverable plastic whitewater kayaks during this fun 3.5-hr. session from 2-530 PM on Saturday 10 April Emphasis on safety, fun, balance, and efficient strokes, maneuvers, and rescues.

Material presented will be drawn from the British Canoe Union's 1-2 star personal kayak skills and Canoe Safety Test syllabi (visit www.bcuna.com/Pages/Main-Pages/Literature.shtml, or http://alaskakayakschool.com/pages/bcu/bcu.htm ). We will focus on the skills that all kayaking disciplines (i.e., whitewater, sea, surf, slalom, rodeo, marathon, and polo) have in common: fun, safety, balance, and efficient strokes and maneuvers. Paddlers of all levels, from novice to advanced, and ages 12 and over, will benefit from learning and tuning these essential skills in a safe and familiar environment.

Build your skills with games, competitions and drills you can do on your own later to hone your paddling!. Bring your swimsuit and we'll provide the rest.

"We won't teach you to kayak, we'll teach you how to learn to kayak. Pretty cool huh?"
Tom DeCuir, kayak instructor and video producer

Days: Saturday
Dates: 10 April
Times: 2-530 PM
Fee: $85*

9. Intermediate Kayaking Skills - Chugiak High School Pool, Anchorage . Learn and hone intermediate kayaking skills such as efficient strokes, maneuvers, rescues, bracing, work on your roll, and more. Lots of drills and games for your own future practice and skill development. Use maneuverable plastic river kayaks in a familiar environment of a heated pool. Tune up your skills, spring is almost here!

Material presented will be drawn from the British Canoe Union's 2-3 star personal kayak skills and Canoe Safety Test syllabi (visit http://alaskakayakschool.com/pages/bcu/bcu.htm ). We will focus on the skills that all kayaking disciplines (i.e., whitewater, sea, surf, slalom, rodeo, marathon, and polo) have in common: fun, safety, balance, and efficient strokes and maneuvers. Paddlers of all levels, from novice to advanced, and ages 12 and over, will benefit from learning and tuning these essential skills in a safe and familiar environment.

Learn how to separate the actions of the head, torso, and lower body to enhance your kayaks performance, increase your edging and bracing skills. Work on your Eskimo roll.

"We won't teach you to kayak, we'll teach you how to learn to kayak. Pretty cool huh?"
Tom DeCuir, kayak instructor and video producer.

Days: Sunday
Dates: 11 April
Times: 11 AM - 3 PM
Fee: $95
Registration: Visit REI Customer Service or email us at [email protected], or call 235-2090 (Homer).

10. Intermediate Sea Kayaking Skills -Homer Spit. Learn to control your kayak in wind, waves, and current. This course is ideal for paddlers that want to make the transition from the pool to try early season and cold water paddling w/ dry suits and the whole meal deal. Materials presented will be drawn from BCU 3 star kayak syllabus and 4 star sea kayak syllabi http://alaskakayakschool.com/pages/bcu/bcu.htm ). Confident wet exits and basic sea kayak rescue skills are important. Launching, landing and group awareness are a big part of these 2 days of spring paddling. It can be cold, windy and surfy. Its is screaming fun, just ask Kathy Pate! Advanced reservations required.

Dates: April 18, 25
Times: 11 AM - 5 PM , Meet @ Captain's Coffee 1100 AM.
Registration: Call 235-2090 or email [email protected]
Pre-requisites: Community Schools Intermediate Skills pool course.
Fee: $50/person (tax included).