Course Description: Learn of hone your skills and learn cool stuff! Practice fundamental skills in the Chugiak High School Pool using maneuverable plastic whitewater kayaks. Emphasis on safety, fun, balance, and efficient strokes, maneuvers, and rescues. Material presented will be drawn from the British Canoe Union's 1-3 star personal kayak skills and Canoe Safety Test syllabi (visit www.bcuna.com/Pages/Main-Pages/Literature.shtml). These are the skills that all kayaking disciplines have in common: whitewater, sea, surf, slalom, rodeo, marathon, and polo, etc. 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. Bring your swimsuit and we'll provide the rest!

Cost: $90.

Register by visiting Customer Service at REI in Anchorage.

Summary of Skills:

Safe lifting, carrying and launching kayaks

Efficient forward paddling

Stopping

Efficient back paddling

Spin the kayak 360 degrees

Forward paddle figure-8 course

Reverse paddle figure-8 Course

Moving kayak sideways

Ruddering

Preventing a capsize

Turning

Edging

Tilting to assist turning

Turn on the move

Sculling draw

Sculling for support

Eskimo rescues

Capsize and swim kayak to shore

Deep Water Rescues

Trapped paddler rescue

Towing

Use of throwline/bag

Disembarking

Securing kayaks for transportation