Alaska Kayak School is collaborating with Sea Kayak Baja & Ginni Callahan to help lead a group with a Mexican BCU 4 star leader guide, Santiago, to run an Expedition along the Coast of the Sea of Cortez from Mulege to Loreto October 30-November 8, 2011. This is the first 10-day leg of a 21 day journey. We will use Sea Kayak Baja's British sea kayaks (NDK, Valley and Wilderness Systems), rely on their local knowledge, and Tom will be along as the BCU level 4 coach. We've waited a while for an opportunity like this, so I hope you'll decide to join the fun. There are still openings in some of Sea Kayak Baja's trips for Spring 2011, so check them out here: http://www.seakayakbajamex.com/, and check out the details of the fall trip here: http://www.seakayakbajamex.com/extended.html This is going to be a FUN time. Contact us for details [email protected]
2010 Kachemak Bay Immersion Sea Skills Symposium, Halibut Cove, 28 May - 1 June. Enjoy 5 days of beginner & intermediate sea kayaking skills training in Halibut Cove while camping in Halibut Cove: strokes and maneuvers, rescues & towing, navigation, trip planning, tides and currents, packing a kayak for an expedition, low impact kayak camping, bear safety and conservation, paddling in open water, paddling in fast tidal streams, tours and instruction. Rescue competition, night paddling for night owls. All equipment provided.
2010 Whittier Whiplash - June 5, 6
2009 Whiplash was a huge success, we had more than 15 paddlers joined for training and fun. 2010 Whiplash will be a repeat performance with more skills and fun built in. Come tune or hone your sea kayaking skills an arm's throw away from Anchorage on this early June weekend.
2010 Kodiak Skills Symposium
The 2009 Kodiak Skills Symposium was a smashing success, and we've been invited back for another long weekend of fun and skills in 2010, July 17-20, 2010, please stay tuned for schedule, we'll have it all done by the end of December 2009.
American Canoe Association Coastal Kayak Level 3-4 Training and Instructor Development Workshop
Sea Kayaking conditions on Kodiak will make this one of the most memorable ACA training programs ever! Dale Williams an ACA ITE level 5, and BCU level 4 coach will come up from Georgia to run the program with Tom's assistance. If you're interested in becoming an ACA Coastal Kayaking Instructor in Alaska, and have at least level 2 ACA Coastal Kayaking Skills, you won't want to miss this program, a once in a lifetime opportunity
First Winter 2009-2010 Sea Kayaking Event in Homer: "Halloween Spring Tide Party" was a resounding success: Five paddlers and Tom the “coach” lined up for the weekends fun, Poseidon and the Zephyrs did the their part. We had small 1-2’ surf on Saturday, Halloween, light winds (variable 10 kts) and sunny conditions. In contrast, the second day was cool and windy with 10-17 kt East winds, snow flurries and the odd sun spot. Open water paddling was on the menu and the paddlers insisted on rescue practice, air temp. 32ºF and water temps. @ 45ºF did nothing to dampen their enthusiasm. For a complete report with lots of great pics - see here: Download as MS Word doc OR Adobe Acrobat
Alaska Kayak School articles in Ocean Paddler - Tom has been given the privilege or writing for the dynamic and World-class sea kayaking magazine, Ocean Paddler . We have contributed two features in the last year:
1) "Bear Conservation and Safety, a primer for sea paddlers adventuring in Alaska", OP no.14, and
2) "Paddling Alaska, selecting a sea kayaking venue". OP no. 15. Tom and Dick Lampman, from the SF Bay area in California are in the final stages of authoring the third piece for OP (look for it in number 18),
3) "Should we go? - Planning sea kayaking expeditions for committing environments in Alaska, and implications for other wilderness coastlines". It is indeed an honor to be listed among the credits for such a prestigious set of authors: Nigel Foster, Brian Wilson, Jeff Allen, Gordon Brown, Nigel Dennis, Simon Osborne, and more. Never heard of Ocean Paddler magazine, well check it out, it's a class act, issue number 13 is now online Note: Tom and Dick's pieces for Ocean Paddler are the basis for chapters in the upcoming book: "Williwaw Blues: Sea Kayak Expedition Planning in South Coastal Alaska - Cordova to Kodiak". Check out Ocean Paddler, I know you'll enjoy."
Melissa Mitchell , Joe Page and Danny Godinezare Alaskan and Northwest musicians that support the Alaska Kayak School, to learn more visit their sites and listen to their tunes on our YouTube.com videos on watermama67 channel. Enjoy the tunes, we love Mel, Joe and Danny. Thanks for listening !!
Symposium defined, "a convivial meeting among the ancient Greeks for drinking, music and intellectual discussion", (Latin from the Greek "symposium", drinking party: sun, together, + posis, drink")
10 Years @ Alaska Kayak School on YouTube
2008 Kodiak Expedition Video
Alaska Kayak School on YouTube, Cold Edge: Sea Kayaking in Ice
Cold Water Boot Camp Video on YouTube
Online registration form malfunction (Dec 7th) - Dear paddlers, for at least the last week our online registration form has malfunctioned, maybe longer. If you have registered for a course online, and have heard back from us, we apologize, but your forms have not arrived in our in box. Please call or resend your forms so we can register you for upcoming events in Anchorage, Soldotna and Homer. 235-2090, [email protected].
Participate in the Race For Food, a pool kayaking slalom race and food drive to benefit Homer Community Food Pantry, December 19, 8-10 PM @ Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center, Homer HS. Download info here
Christmas Stocking stuffers- paddling books, videos, gloves, instructional gift certificates, and more .... download .pdf list NOW
Alaska Kayak School HOLIDAY Events @ Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center
Thanksgiving & Yuletide Pool Slalom Races
28 November & 18 December, Fridays, 8-10 PM
Wet Exit and Re-Entry - short course
Learn to capsize safely
Wednesdays, 8-10 PM, December 3, 10, 17
Call 235-2090
email [email protected]
Instructional Sea Kayaking Symposia in the United States 2009
January 9-11, 2009
Golden Gate Sea Kayak Symposium
San Francisco Bay, California http://ggsks.com
These are events well worth putting on your calendar, all are heavily instructional; you can count on it, a weekend at one of these events will transform your paddling. All of the instructors at these events are highly qualified professionals working in their areas of expertise......
Brought to you by AlasKakayakSchool.com
Questions or comments? email; or call 235-2090
NEW - Alaska Kayak School's OCEAN TRAINING PROGRAM - participate in a personalized sea kayak training program leading to an open water skills assessment, download program description here: DOWNLOAD .PDF NOW
Ocean Training Program, Note 1 - The Progression, and Skills 2 Learn in Ocean Training Program, DOWNLOAD .PDF NOW
Ocean Training Program Note 2 - Essential Flawater Sea Kayaking Skills to be developed for paddling in moderate conditions, Force 4 winds, Sea State 3, tidal streams to 2 knots: DOWNLOAD .PDF NOW
Fifth annual winter skills series, will add Saturday 6-9 PM sessions on Eskimo Rolling and Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue to the Sunday 11 AM - 230 PM Fundamentals, and 3 - 7 PM Skills Refinement Courses we offer 1-2 times per month @ Service High School Pool. Read more
Kenai
Fiords Expedition - June 4-11
2006. Beth
Baker and Carmen Urias (Anchorage),
Brian Moore (Boulder), Robert
Stark (Houston), Randy Keller and Tom Pogson ff(Homer). Four
glorious sunny days early in the week seriously
bent into a Gulf of Alaska storm, 2.5 days of heavy rain, strong winds and big
seas kept our pickup from happening on time, and we were delayed one day. Glacier
viewing, wildlife sightings, flat and open water skills training, and surf and
rock garden play, and we weathered a storm that filled each of the cockpits of
the kayaks to the brim (w/ cockpit covers on), say over 20" of rain in 24 hours.
No tents blew down, that's the good news. When asked if the participants would
trade the weather in favor of bugs, unanimous response: "weather". Image of open
water rescue with an anchored tow.
Shuyak Island Expedition, 19-24 June, 2006. Tom
Nickels (South Carolina), Kevin
Hill (Ontario), Jon Pumplin and
Michael Gray (Michigan), Eric
Granquist (Texas), Kevin Black
(Viginia), Ken Tappen (New Jersey)
and Tom Pogson (Alaska). We successfully
circumnavigated Shuyak Island
counter-clockwise (with the winds,
mostly) in 4 days of paddling.
Overcast skies and light rains
(off and on) made for pleasant
paddling in the first half of
the trip; North winds and large
building seas (breaking on the
4th day) made for an exciting
challenge at the end of the trip.
The best day may have been playing
in the large rock gardens on
the East coast on day 3. A Brown
Bear in attendance at the Carry
Inlet cabin made for some up
close and personal bear viewing
the last day.
Prince William Sound Expedition,
1-8 July 2006. Icy Bay and
Knight Island Passage. Barbara
and Dennis Asmussen, David
and Deb Strike (Minnesota),
Betsy Merck, Diane Carr and
Michael Gray (Michigan), Toni
Locker (Oregon), Ed Todd and
T. Pogson (Alaska). Overcast
skies and variable winds made
this almost rainless 4th of
July trip to the Sound a dream.
Saw no Bears and only a few
whales, but the scenery, smaller
mammals (otters, harbor porpoise)
and the great company made
for a super trip. Chenega Glacier
graciously allowed a visit
on a "warm" and rainless day, with
little ice in Nassau Fiord
(easy in, easy out). Sunny
weather at our pick up location
at Pt. Nowell spawned a fun
and playful rescues and a rolling
session. We saw a few boats
over the 4th weekend, but otherwise
a very peaceful trip
American Canoe Association Coastal Kayak Instructor Program 3-9 May Steve Scherrer, ACA Coastal Instructor Trainer Educator from Washington will be in Homer 3-9 May for an Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and an Instructor Certification Exam (ICE). Check the calendar for for information and registration information.
British Canoe Union weekend 12-15 May Follow 1 day of flat water (1-3 star) skills training and honing with 2 days learning open water paddling skills in Kachemak Bay. Training and preparation for the Introduction to the Sea (Advanced) skills (BCU 4 star sea kayak test). Take the required 1 day self-contained training and assessment for theory and practice of rescue and lifesaving on the water (15 May). This weekend bundles together the best of the best of the BCU's sea kayaking program for paddlers of any persuasion. If you've done the Alaska Sea Kayak Symposium, this is your next step.
May Sea Splash in Seward, May 19-21 Develop your sea kayaking skills in the Seward area using the successful learning progressions that the Alaska Kayak School has developed over the last 7 years. We've specialized in teaching Alaskans hot to enjoy Alaska's marine waters safely from the seat of a kayak. Novices, beginners and advanced paddlers all will be challenged in courses of the appropriate level of skill and difficulty. Our courses are discounted on this weekend intended to home your sea kayaking act. This is the start of an annual event. A cool kayaking gear swap and kayak demos (on Sunday) ought to sweeten the weekend's offerings. Don't miss this fantastic event. Be there or be square.
Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue, Servce Pool, Anchorage; March 18th, April 15th, Saturdays, Two 3-hr. Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue course in the comfort of a warm pool. see our Calendar for detail and to register.
Take advantage of great prices on modern sea and whitewater kayaks that are in great shape and save by buying the first kayaks and getting a free paddle!!
Circumnavigation of Shuyak Island, Alaska, June 16-25 2006. A trip for solid open water paddlers (BCU 4 star or equivalent). The "best of the best" of coastal Alaska. Start in Homer, cross the Gulf of Alaska by boat, paddle back in time, and see some of Alaska's roughest waters. Do a trip few other paddlers (or outfitters) have done. Abundant wildlife and stunning scenery, the best food. Team effort - Michael Gray and Uncommon Adventures are back for a second year of Alaska fun." Check the Calendar for more details and other trip listings.
Eskimo Rolling Workshops added to Pool Series in Anchorage and Soldotna -
We have added an Eskimo rolling workshop to the content of every intermediate skills workshop in the Pool Series in both Anchorage and Soldotna. The intermediate skills will dovetail well with the skills needed for rolling and will help students develop a sound Eskimo roll (the ultimate self rescue in a kayak) and tune their rolls if they already have one. See Anchorage and Soldotna Pool series in our calendar for more information.
On Saturday, January 14 we will be offering an Introductory Skills course 1030 AM to 130 PM, and an Intermediate Skills Course with Eskimo Rolling Workshop, from 2 - 6 PM at the Seward Pool. Each course is $75, or take both for $145. This is probably the first of a series of 5-6 courses we hope to have in Seward before summer 2006. See our Calendar for details.
Pool Kayaking instruction in Homer, Soldotna and Anchorage Learn fundamental kayaking skills in instructional pool sessions October to April each year. NEW! Soldotna Pool Series. We will offer three 3-hour instructional pool courses 1 Saturday a month in the Soldotna High School Pool from November 12 to April 8th (see the October 2005 - April 2006 Calendar): introductory skills, intermediate skills and sea kayak safety and rescue. Anchorage Pool Series will be held at Service High School one Sunday a month from 20 November 2005 to 16 April 2006, including 3.5 and 4-hr. introductory skills, intermediate skills and sea safety and rescue (see Anchorage Pool Series in Calendar). Homer Pool-Homer Community Schools skills courses include Monday Introductory Skills Course 830-1000 pm, Tuesday Intermediate Skills 830-1000pm, Thursday Rolling Workshop 830-1000 pm. We will offer intro, intermediate, rolling, sea safety and rescue and Guide Training starting in January 2006.
Coast Magazine column
We've been sending a monthly column on paddling safety to Coast
Magazine since March, and hope to make it an ongoing item. Check it out,
Coast is FREE. Ask for it at a retailer near you, or contact www.coast-magazine.com
British Sea Kayak to be raffled at 2005 Kachemak Kayak Fest!
Valley Skerray XL, fiberglass, used but in great condition, with all the
safety features: surf toggles, deck lines, 3 waterproof compartments,
integral hand-operated bilge pump, and retractable skeg. Turquoise deck,
black trim and white hull. Buy tickets, this is a fantastic value, $2900
new
ACA Coastal Kayak Instructor Workshop in Homer a success!
"Steve Scherrer, ACA Instrutor trainer educator in Coastal Kayaking led 6
instructor candidates and one instructor trainer candidate through 3 fun and
stimulating days of stroke modeling, "mock" teaching, rescues and
recoveries, navigation and leadership, personal equipment needs, and
teaching techniques for the first ACA Coastal Kayak Instructor workshop in
Homer. Greg Thomas and Gillian Edwards came from Southeast Sea Kayaks
(Ketchikan), Ryan Collins from Alaska Sea Kayakers (Whittier), Matt Smith
(Anchorage), Brian Totten (Homer), and Tom Pogson and Laura Pomeroy from
Alaska Kayak School (Homer). The impromptu pool session really added to the
value of the program for bracing and rolling techniques and teaching
April 16-17 Chugiak courses moved to Service HS, times change
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have moved the Chugiak Pool
Series for April to Service HS Pool AND changed the times: Saturday Intro to
kayaking now 1030-2 pm on 16 April, Sunday Intermediate Kayaking Skills now
1030-230 pm, and we have also scheduled a spillover course for Sunday
afternoon, Intro/Intermediate Skills 3-7 pm. See you at Service.
Trip Program
In 2005 we are reviving our instructional trip and expeditions program,
check our summer schedule on the calendar for 2005 trips to Shuyak Island,
Kenai Fiords National Park, Prince William Sound and Kachemak Bay
Kayak Sale - Sea and Whitewater
Buy or order a new kayak - sea or whitewater - and get 10% off
all
accessories, OR 10% off of three days of instruction (not at Kayak Fest). We are temporarily suspending our sale of used fiberglass kayaks until the
latter part of the 2005 summer or early fall. We will take many of our used
river boats to the Alaska Kayak Gear Swap, great deals to be had at the
swap!
LVM Video
This winter we sent a sweet film clip of sea paddling in Homer to LVM video
for their new kayak touring production. Some of our lower 48 and UK friends
have seen it and say its great! Look for the alaskakayakschool.com clip at
an LVM premier near you or write LVM (lvmvideo.com) for more information
Tom passes 5 star sea kayak assessment - In later October 2004, Tom passed his British Canoe Union 5 star sea kayak assessment in San Francisco (hosted by RiptidesandRapids.com), achieving the level 4 Sea Coach award, "demonstrated the ability to lead and coach in advanced conditions". This was the first 5 star sea assessment held in the U.S., and the first 5 star
to be assessed by an all woman assessing team! The night paddle in San Francisco Bay was held entirely during the recent lunar eclipse, wild!
Lendal Fusion's just in! - New Whitewater blade shape in carbon/nylon hybrid. Made for control during tight surf and aerial moves - river and sea. Very light, very responsive, reasonably priced!
Bomber! 2 pc or 4 pc w/ locking joints. Modern Paddle Technology at its best! www.lendal.com
Liquid Logic Boats: New Liquid Logic boats the Hoss and Lil Joe! Great combination between play and river running features, super comfortable, and good storage area to carry a little gear. Can't wait to get them on the river. Visit www.liquidlogickayaks.com to get a view, take a pool course or arrange a demo to paddle one.
**Also Session and Session + boats new $625, $799 w/ flotation, skirt and paddle. Call tom @ 907 235 2090
Werner Sea Kayak Carbon Paddle 2008 demo blowout SALE
Cyprus 205 cm - standard diameter straight shaft, retail $390, SALE price $260
Cyprus 210 cm - small diameter straight shaft, retail $390, SALE Price $260
Ikelos 210 cm - standard diameter straight shaft, retail $390, SALE price $260
Shuna carbon - 205 cm small diameter straight shaft, retail $340, SALE
Price $230
Shuna carbon - 215 cm standard diameter straight shaft, retail $340,
SALE Price $230
CALL (907) 235-2090, OR EMAIL
NEW FILM from Alaska Kayak School: "The Cold Edge - Paddling in Ice", chronicles Alaska Kayak School antics in cold weather and freezing sea conditions in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, the winter of 2006-2007. approximately 5 mins. DVD FOR SALE, $10.00 ppd, info@alaskakayakschool.com or call (907) 235-2090"
Gordon Brown's book, Sea Kayak - a manual for intermediate and advanced sea kayakers is a must have for anyone interested in becoming an independent sea paddler, coach, instructor, or gude. Gordon is a high level coach and instructor in the british canioe Union and the Americam Canoe Association, in which he uses almost 2 decades of experience to share some of the "nuggets" of his knowledge an experience.
For sale at the Alaska Kayak School, $32 + postage.
Kayak Journal no. 5, the Alaska edition, released 25 October 2008 and featuring video from the Alaska Kayak School trips from 2007 and much more, to be released 25 October 2008, go to kayakjournal.com for subscription and purchase information.
Pool kayaking instruction in fundamental skills, skill refinement with rescues, Eskimo rolling and bracing, and much more will continue this winter in Homer, Soldotna, and Anchorage area pools. The fall '07 Homer and the winter 07-08 Soldotna schedules are posted on our calendar now. The Anchorage schedule will include courses 1 weekend a month from November to March and 2 weekends in April, all probably at West Pool, the schedule will be finalized soon, so check back in the near future.
Alaska Kayak School featured in Kayak Journal video magazine, issue no. 4, winter surfing, Beluga Slough paddling, cold water clothing, and a fast sea kayak rescue, see trailer and subscribe here
Used Seda Tangos for Sale, $1100-$1500 ($3300 new) , contact Alaska Sea Kayakers, (907) 472-2534, [email protected]
Cold Water Paddling Clothing – script for Kayak Journal - Read HERE
The Alaska Kayak School continues collaboration with Penstock Productions' "Kayak Journal". For the latest AKS contribution to Kayak Journal, check out the "Yank Rescue" podcast . Stay tuned to Alaska Kayak School.com and Kayak Journal for more rescue and safety tips.
Forty-one racers raised over $15,000 in the pool kayaking slalom race held as a benefit to support Max Haggerty in his quest for a double lung transplant. Thanks racers and sponsors !!! For race results and more information about Max, visit www.WeLoveMax.org.
Max's Race, a fundraising benefit pool kayaking slalom race for Max
Haggerty (Mako Haggerty's son) in his quest for a double lung transplant,
will be held March 3, 2007, at the Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center in Homer, for
more information, call Tom 299-0061, and visit www.WeLoveMax.org. WE
NEED RACERS AND SPONSORS - If you can paddle a kayak down the pool and back,
you can race. Please get involved.
Spring Courses - Sea Kayaking Courses start in Homer in late March with
the Applied Sea Skills courses, Sundays in Kachemak Bay with immersion wear.
Ideal for pool skills students eager to start paddling on the ocean. Check
the calendar
May Sea Kayaking Courses - Every weekend in May we feature sea kayaking
skills courses in Homer: Personal Sea Skills, ACA Guide Training,
Intermediate and Advanced Skills (paddling in current) and the typical
Kachemak Kayak Fest Skills Symposium; check the calendar for details. All
equipment provided: dry suits, kayaks, paddles, etc.
American Canoe Association Guide Training Course - First time ever
offered in Homer; a training and assessment with written exam for getting
skills and "certification" to lead day trips in easy conditions for novice
and beginner paddlers. See the calendar for May.
Summer Trips and Expeditions - Bainbridge (outer coast of southern Prince
William Sound, offered in early June and late August), Kachemak Bay Yurt
trip, Kenai Fiords (2 expeditions in July) and southern Prince William Sound
Whale and Icy bay trip in early August - please check the calendar for details. Custom
adventures are our specialty, contact us for details.
New Products in 2007 - P&H/Venture, Werner, Liquidlogic; don't fret we
will still have all our old standards: Nigel Dennnis Kayaks, Valley, Lendal,
Kokatat, Palm/MTI, Snap Dragon, etc.
P&H/Venture - We are in the process of getting some
of the fabulous P&H and Venture plastic sea kayaks (Easky 13 & 15), Capella
16 and 166, and perhaps Skye and Titan great price point $$, 3-layer hard
plastic and dry hatches.
Werner Paddles - We are the new Werner paddle
dealer for Alaska. Looking for an upper end or just a fantastic sea paddle,
think Werner, many new and innovative designs.
Liquidlogic Kayaks - by April we'll have some
of the fabulous LLK river boats in our teaching fleet, for the best in river
kayaks, Liquidlogic.
Valley - New from Valley in plastic: Nordkapp RM,
Aquanaut HV RM, and the new surf kayak, the Storm!
New from NDK - Romany surf, a 16' sea kayak for
moderate sized paddlers. We will have a large stock of NDK kayaks in 2007,
used and new. Looking to buy the best sea kayaks on the market, buy NDK.
Thinking of buying in 2007!! - Order soon !!! (or at least call to find out
how to order). We will have very limited stock of most models, so if you're
thinking of buying a kayak for summer 2007, get in touch soon - demand is
high and it takes time to get kayaks to Alaska from our suppliers. Please
contact us for details. Payment plans available for new kayaks.
Fifth annual winter skills series, will add Saturday 6-9 PM sessions on Eskimo Rolling and Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue to the Sunday 11 AM - 230 PM Fundamentals, and 3 - 7 PM Skills Refinement Courses we offer 1-2 times per month @ Service High School Pool. Read more
Kenai
Fiords Expedition - June 4-11
2006. Beth
Baker and Carmen Urias (Anchorage),
Brian Moore (Boulder), Robert
Stark (Houston), Randy Keller and Tom Pogson ff(Homer). Four
glorious sunny days early in the week seriously
bent into a Gulf of Alaska storm, 2.5 days of heavy rain, strong winds and big
seas kept our pickup from happening on time, and we were delayed one day. Glacier
viewing, wildlife sightings, flat and open water skills training, and surf and
rock garden play, and we weathered a storm that filled each of the cockpits of
the kayaks to the brim (w/ cockpit covers on), say over 20" of rain in 24 hours.
No tents blew down, that's the good news. When asked if the participants would
trade the weather in favor of bugs, unanimous response: "weather". Image of open
water rescue with an anchored tow.
Shuyak Island Expedition, 19-24 June, 2006. Tom
Nickels (South Carolina), Kevin
Hill (Ontario), Jon Pumplin and
Michael Gray (Michigan), Eric
Granquist (Texas), Kevin Black
(Viginia), Ken Tappen (New Jersey)
and Tom Pogson (Alaska). We successfully
circumnavigated Shuyak Island
counter-clockwise (with the winds,
mostly) in 4 days of paddling.
Overcast skies and light rains
(off and on) made for pleasant
paddling in the first half of
the trip; North winds and large
building seas (breaking on the
4th day) made for an exciting
challenge at the end of the trip.
The best day may have been playing
in the large rock gardens on
the East coast on day 3. A Brown
Bear in attendance at the Carry
Inlet cabin made for some up
close and personal bear viewing
the last day.
Prince William Sound Expedition,
1-8 July 2006. Icy Bay and
Knight Island Passage. Barbara
and Dennis Asmussen, David
and Deb Strike (Minnesota),
Betsy Merck, Diane Carr and
Michael Gray (Michigan), Toni
Locker (Oregon), Ed Todd and
T. Pogson (Alaska). Overcast
skies and variable winds made
this almost rainless 4th of
July trip to the Sound a dream.
Saw no Bears and only a few
whales, but the scenery, smaller
mammals (otters, harbor porpoise)
and the great company made
for a super trip. Chenega Glacier
graciously allowed a visit
on a "warm" and rainless day, with
little ice in Nassau Fiord
(easy in, easy out). Sunny
weather at our pick up location
at Pt. Nowell spawned a fun
and playful rescues and a rolling
session. We saw a few boats
over the 4th weekend, but otherwise
a very peaceful trip
American Canoe Association Coastal Kayak Instructor Program 3-9 May Steve Scherrer, ACA Coastal Instructor Trainer Educator from Washington will be in Homer 3-9 May for an Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and an Instructor Certification Exam (ICE). Check the calendar for for information and registration information.
British Canoe Union weekend 12-15 May Follow 1 day of flat water (1-3 star) skills training and honing with 2 days learning open water paddling skills in Kachemak Bay. Training and preparation for the Introduction to the Sea (Advanced) skills (BCU 4 star sea kayak test). Take the required 1 day self-contained training and assessment for theory and practice of rescue and lifesaving on the water (15 May). This weekend bundles together the best of the best of the BCU's sea kayaking program for paddlers of any persuasion. If you've done the Alaska Sea Kayak Symposium, this is your next step.
May Sea Splash in Seward, May 19-21 Develop your sea kayaking skills in the Seward area using the successful learning progressions that the Alaska Kayak School has developed over the last 7 years. We've specialized in teaching Alaskans hot to enjoy Alaska's marine waters safely from the seat of a kayak. Novices, beginners and advanced paddlers all will be challenged in courses of the appropriate level of skill and difficulty. Our courses are discounted on this weekend intended to home your sea kayaking act. This is the start of an annual event. A cool kayaking gear swap and kayak demos (on Sunday) ought to sweeten the weekend's offerings. Don't miss this fantastic event. Be there or be square.
Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue, Servce Pool, Anchorage; March 18th, April 15th, Saturdays, Two 3-hr. Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue course in the comfort of a warm pool. see our Calendar for detail and to register.
Take advantage of great prices on modern sea and whitewater kayaks that are in great shape and save by buying the first kayaks and getting a free paddle!!
Circumnavigation of Shuyak Island, Alaska, June 16-25 2006. A trip for solid open water paddlers (BCU 4 star or equivalent). The "best of the best" of coastal Alaska. Start in Homer, cross the Gulf of Alaska by boat, paddle back in time, and see some of Alaska's roughest waters. Do a trip few other paddlers (or outfitters) have done. Abundant wildlife and stunning scenery, the best food. Team effort - Michael Gray and Uncommon Adventures are back for a second year of Alaska fun." Check the Calendar for more details and other trip listings.
Eskimo Rolling Workshops added to Pool Series in Anchorage and Soldotna -
We have added an Eskimo rolling workshop to the content of every intermediate skills workshop in the Pool Series in both Anchorage and Soldotna. The intermediate skills will dovetail well with the skills needed for rolling and will help students develop a sound Eskimo roll (the ultimate self rescue in a kayak) and tune their rolls if they already have one. See Anchorage and Soldotna Pool series in our calendar for more information.
On Saturday, January 14 we will be offering an Introductory Skills course 1030 AM to 130 PM, and an Intermediate Skills Course with Eskimo Rolling Workshop, from 2 - 6 PM at the Seward Pool. Each course is $75, or take both for $145. This is probably the first of a series of 5-6 courses we hope to have in Seward before summer 2006. See our Calendar for details.
Pool Kayaking instruction in Homer, Soldotna and Anchorage Learn fundamental kayaking skills in instructional pool sessions October to April each year. NEW! Soldotna Pool Series. We will offer three 3-hour instructional pool courses 1 Saturday a month in the Soldotna High School Pool from November 12 to April 8th (see the October 2005 - April 2006 Calendar): introductory skills, intermediate skills and sea kayak safety and rescue. Anchorage Pool Series will be held at Service High School one Sunday a month from 20 November 2005 to 16 April 2006, including 3.5 and 4-hr. introductory skills, intermediate skills and sea safety and rescue (see Anchorage Pool Series in Calendar). Homer Pool-Homer Community Schools skills courses include Monday Introductory Skills Course 830-1000 pm, Tuesday Intermediate Skills 830-1000pm, Thursday Rolling Workshop 830-1000 pm. We will offer intro, intermediate, rolling, sea safety and rescue and Guide Training starting in January 2006.
Coast Magazine column
We've been sending a monthly column on paddling safety to Coast
Magazine since March, and hope to make it an ongoing item. Check it out,
Coast is FREE. Ask for it at a retailer near you, or contact
www.coast-magazine.com
British Sea Kayak to be raffled at 2005 Kachemak Kayak Fest!
Valley Skerray XL, fiberglass, used but in great condition, with all the
safety features: surf toggles, deck lines, 3 waterproof compartments,
integral hand-operated bilge pump, and retractable skeg. Turquoise deck,
black trim and white hull. Buy tickets, this is a fantastic value, $2900
new
ACA Coastal Kayak Instructor Workshop in Homer a success!
"Steve Scherrer, ACA Instrutor trainer educator in Coastal Kayaking led 6
instructor candidates and one instructor trainer candidate through 3 fun and
stimulating days of stroke modeling, "mock" teaching, rescues and
recoveries, navigation and leadership, personal equipment needs, and
teaching techniques for the first ACA Coastal Kayak Instructor workshop in
Homer. Greg Thomas and Gillian Edwards came from Southeast Sea Kayaks
(Ketchikan), Ryan Collins from Alaska Sea Kayakers (Whittier), Matt Smith
(Anchorage), Brian Totten (Homer), and Tom Pogson and Laura Pomeroy from
Alaska Kayak School (Homer). The impromptu pool session really added to the
value of the program for bracing and rolling techniques and teaching
April 16-17 Chugiak courses moved to Service HS, times change
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have moved the Chugiak Pool
Series for April to Service HS Pool AND changed the times: Saturday Intro to
kayaking now 1030-2 pm on 16 April, Sunday Intermediate Kayaking Skills now
1030-230 pm, and we have also scheduled a spillover course for Sunday
afternoon, Intro/Intermediate Skills 3-7 pm. See you at Service.
Trip Program
In 2005 we are reviving our instructional trip and expeditions program,
check our summer schedule on the calendar for 2005 trips to Shuyak Island,
Kenai Fiords National Park, Prince William Sound and Kachemak Bay
Kayak Sale - Sea and Whitewater
Buy or order a new kayak - sea or whitewater - and get 10% off
all
accessories, OR 10% off of three days of instruction (not at Kayak Fest). We are temporarily suspending our sale of used fiberglass kayaks until the
latter part of the 2005 summer or early fall. We will take many of our used
river boats to the Alaska Kayak Gear Swap, great deals to be had at the
swap!
LVM Video
This winter we sent a sweet film clip of sea paddling in Homer to LVM video
for their new kayak touring production. Some of our lower 48 and UK friends
have seen it and say its great! Look for the alaskakayakschool.com clip at
an LVM premier near you or write LVM (lvmvideo.com) for more information
Tom passes 5 star sea kayak assessment - In later October 2004, Tom passed his British Canoe Union 5 star sea kayak assessment in San Francisco (hosted by RiptidesandRapids.com), achieving the level 4 Sea Coach award, "demonstrated the ability to lead and coach in advanced conditions". This was the first 5 star sea assessment held in the U.S., and the first 5 star
to be assessed by an all woman assessing team! The night paddle in San Francisco Bay was held entirely during the recent lunar eclipse, wild!
Lendal Fusion's just in! - New Whitewater blade shape in carbon/nylon hybrid. Made for control during tight surf and aerial moves - river and sea. Very light, very responsive, reasonably priced!
Bomber! 2 pc or 4 pc w/ locking joints. Modern Paddle Technology at its best! www.lendal.com
Liquid Logic Boats: New Liquid Logic boats the Hoss and Lil Joe! Great combination between play and river running features, super comfortable, and good storage area to carry a little gear. Can't wait to get them on the river. Visit www.liquidlogickayaks.com to get a view, take a pool course or arrange a demo to paddle one.
**Also Session and Session + boats new $625, $799 w/ flotation, skirt and paddle. Call tom @ 907 235 2090
First Winter 2009-2010 Sea Kayaking Event in Homer: "Halloween Spring Tide Party" was a resounding success: Five paddlers and Tom the “coach” lined up for the weekends fun, Poseidon and the Zephyrs did the their part. We had small 1-2’ surf on Saturday, Halloween, light winds (variable 10 kts) and sunny conditions. In contrast, the second day was cool and windy with 10-17 kt East winds, snow flurries and the odd sun spot. Open water paddling was on the menu and the paddlers insisted on rescue practice, air temp. 32ºF and water temps. @ 45ºF did nothing to dampen their enthusiasm. For a complete report with lots of great pics - see here:
