Course Descriptions

1. Kayaking Skills for Sea Kayakers: 101-103 - Homer
Learn kayaking or hone your skills! We will use six (four) 1.25 hr. lectures and 1.5 hour pool sessions to teach essential and generic kayaking skills and other essentials for safe kayaking. Development of effective paddling skills will give you confidence and an awareness of safety. Learn a wide array of strokes, maneuvers, and safety techniques. Course is appropriate for novice (never been in a kayak) to advanced paddlers over 14 years of age (w/ parental approval). . Weekend field trips outdoors possible. All equipment provided. Limit of 10 students.
Days: Monday ( 6 sessions) / Thursday (4 sessions)
Date: 2 sections: a) March 31 - May 5, b) April 3 - April 24
Time: 7:00 -10:00 PM
Fee: $165 (6 sessions) / $115 (4 sessions)
Where: Homer High School
Registration: 25-27 March, Community Schools Office, Homer High School, Daryl Farrens, 235-6090, email [email protected], or 235-2090 [email protected].

2. Kayaking Skills for Sea Kayakers: 102-103 - Homer
Learn and practice intermediate kayaking skills (BCU 2-3 star) that permit technical performance of all kayaking strokes and maneuvers, and efficient rescues. This 6-week lecture (1.25 hrs./wk.) and pool (1.5 hrs./wk.) based course is a sequel for Kayaking Skills for Sea Kayakers:101-103. Weekend field trips outdoors possible. Consolidate your KSSK:101-103 skills and build on that solid foundation. Limit of 8 students. Pre-requisites: KSSK:101-103, or permission of the instructors. All equipment provided.
Day: Tuesday (6 sessions)
Dates: April 1 - May 6
Time: 7:00-10:00 PM
Fee: $165
Where: Homer High School
Registration: 25-27 March, Community Schools Office, Homer High School, Daryl Farrens, 235-6090, email [email protected], or 235-2090 [email protected].

3. Advanced Sea Kayaking Skills: 104 - Homer
Learn the skills necessary to be a useful member of a sea kayaking group paddling in conditions up to force 4 winds (11-16 knots), a 3 knot tidal stream, and 3 foot surf (4.5' breaking waves). Topics covered include boat control in sea conditions, deep water rescues, surf landings and launchings, clothing and hypothermia, communication, signaling, simple navigation, group awareness, marine hazards, tides and currents, trip planning, and important equipment. This four-week class will consist of one four-hr. lecture session and three 4-hr. paddling sessions in the bay. Kayaks, dry suits and other equipment will be provided. Pre-requisites: Intermediate Skills for Sea Kayakers or permission of instructors.
Day: Saturday, Sunday: 4 sessions - weather permitting
Date: April: 5-6, 12-13, 27
Time: 12:00 - 4:00 PM
Fee: $160
Where: Homer High School (5-6 April), Kachemak Bay (April 6, 12-13, and 27)
Registration: 25-27 March, Community Schools Office, Homer High School, Daryl Farrens, 235-6090, email [email protected], or 235-2090 [email protected].

4. Kayak Rental for Pool Practice - Homer
Rent modern whitewater kayaking equipment to practice your kayaking skills in the Homer High Pool Wednesdays nights. Kayak, paddle, skirt and helmet provided. Pre-requisites: Kayaking Skills for Sea Kayakers: 101-103 or permission of instructor.
Day: Wednesdays in April
Dates: April 2, 9, 16, & 23
Time: 8-9 PM
Fee: $30
Where: Homer High School Pool
Registration: 25-27 March, Community Schools Office, Homer High School, Daryl Farrens, 235-6090, email [email protected], or 235-2090 [email protected].

5. Foundation Kayak Skills @ Service High School Pool - Anchorage
Get ready for the 2003 paddling season! Learn and practice foundational kayaking skills in the Service High School Pool using maneuverable plastic whitewater kayaks during these fun 4-hr. sessions in late April 2003. 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. Paddlers of all levels, from novice to advanced and ages 13 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!
Days: Saturday and Sunday
Dates: 19 / 20 April 2003
Times: 8-12 AM / 11 AM - 3 PM (3:30-7:30 PM)
Fee: $75
Registration: Visit REI Customer Service, email [email protected], or call us 235-2090.

6. Youth Kayaking - Homer
Fun-filled sessions emphasize fun, safety, balance and discovery learning: basic boat control, rescues, hypothermia and clothing, and group awareness. Pool and outdoor sessions. All equipment included. Ages 9-17 and parents are invited!
Days: Saturday
Dates: 26 April / 7 May
Location: Homer High School Pool / Johnson Lake State Recreation Area.
Times: 3-5 PM / 12-4 PM
Fee: $20/student for each 2 hr. session
Registration: email [email protected], or call us 235-2090

7.Kayak Surfing - Homer
Learn basic surf kayaking skills in whitewater kayaks and discover the allure of this fantastic sport. Hypothermia and clothing, safety and group awareness, reading the break, paddling out, selecting waves, catching waves, bottom turns, cutbacks, etc. Pre-requisites: permission of instructors; kayak pool roll strongly recommended. 4 student minimum. All equipment provided: helmet, kayak, paddle, spray skirt, dry suit and associated accessories.

Days: Any day with surf
Dates: variable
Times: na
Fee: $65
Where: Homer beaches
Registration: [email protected], or call us 235-2090

8. BCU 2 Star Kayak skills Assessment - Homer
Assessment of BCU 2 star kayak personal skills on Homer Spit. All equipment provided. Test of on the water paddling skills for 2 star badge and certificate. Pre-requisites: permission of instructors. Play boat or sea kayak.
Days: TBA
Dates: TBA
Times: TBA
Fee: $25 includes dry suit and kayaking gear
Where: Homer Spit
Registration: [email protected], or call us 235-2090