This rescheduled session is full and registration is closed but please contact Steve directly to indicate interest in a possible additional class.
Leader/instructor: Steve Henkind 914-420-1615 or steven.henkind@gmail.com.
This series of three classes will be focused on improving the open water skills of Intermediate and Advanced Paddlers. In order to be eligible to take this class you MUST be either a TBSK L3 paddler, or a very strong TBSK L2 paddler. Please check the TBSK skills chart to see whether you qualify. If you have any questions, please contact me directly.
In order to ensure the safety of the class, everyone is going to need to demonstrate a wet exit, and a T rescue, before we head into open water. I take safety very seriously and if you, I, or anyone else, has any doubts about your skill level, then you will not be allowed to participate in these classes.
TIME: 0800- 1600 (Approximately)
LOCATION: Open Water (exact locations tbd; somewhere in the Tampa Bay area)
LEVEL: TBSK L3 skills, or HIGH END TBSK L2 skills
EACH SESSION WILL BE OPEN TO NO MORE THAN FIVE PARTICIPANTS.If I can get another certified L4 instructor to participate, then I may increase the class size to up to ten participants.
There will be three classes in the series:
A) Open Water Coastal Kayak Skills, DATE: 9/16
This course will focus on the following topics:
- Edging.
- Forward Stroke Refinement
- Towing
- Open Water Rescues. Target time will be one minute for a T rescue
- Navigation
Unless I am personally familiar with your paddling skills, this course will be a pre-requisite for the other two courses in the series. I will run this class for as few as two other people and may be able to run multiple sessions, if needed.
B) Tidal Currents, DATE: TBD
This course will focus on the following topics:
- Tide and Current Theory
- Peel outs and Eddy turns
- Ferry gliding and ferry angle
- Rescues in current
NOTE: It is hard to find good spots in our area with sufficient current. Please let me know if you have any suggestions as to locations – the ideal spot would have a well defined eddy/eddy-line, 2 to 3 kts of current (4 kts max), and minimal boat traffic.
C) Introduction to the Surf Zone, DATE: TBD
This course will focus on the following topics:
- Surf zone theory
- Bracing in surf/side surfing
- Maneuvering in surf
- Launching and Landing
- Safety in the surf
Note: The primary focus of this course is NOT on surfing, per se, although we may do a bit of surfing. One of the hallmarks of a skilled paddler is the ability to control themselves, e.g., not surf, when in the surf. We will only run this class in small wave (ideally about 1 ½ - 2 feet; 3 foot max). Please let me know if you have any suggestions for a good location.
Required: Kayaks must have deck lines and front/back watertight hatches. PFDs must be worn at all times (no inflatables). Spray skirts are required and must be worn. You will be required to bring a helmet and will need to wear it in surf and current.
Recommended: Tow lines, paddle floats, pumps, and any other rescue equipment you have.
Dress for immersion – there is a 100% certainty that you will be in the water. Current water temps are well into the 80s, so thermal protection will not be required for the September class.
NOTE: This course will be run by Steven Henkind. Steve is an ACA L4 Instructor and this will count as an official ACA L4 course. In order to meet ACA requirements, each participant must either be an ACA member, or pay $5 for ACA insurance. In addition, I will ask the class participants to split the registration fee across the entire class ($20 to be split by the number of participants). Although I will be registering this class with the ACA, and insuring it through the ACA, the class will be open only to TBSK members.
REGISTRATION: Please register on the web site or contact Steve at 914-420-1615 steven.henkind@gmail.com with any questions.