There are a couple slots open for this training.
Register now to take advantage of this unique opportunity.
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Open Water Communications, Navigation, and ACA L4 Skills Class
DATE: July 15, 2018, TIME: 0800- 1600 (Approximately)
LOCATION: Fort DeSoto (Arrowhead).
LEVEL: TBSK High end L2 or L3 skills. If you have any doubts as to your skill level, please contact Steve before signing up for this class.
THIS SESSION WILL BE OPEN TO NO MORE THAN FIVE PARTICIPANTS. This course will be run by Steven Henkind (steven.henkind@gmail.com, 914-420-1615). Steve is an ACA L4 Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor. He also is a navigator, and navigation instructor, on board the Coast Guard’s training ship, EAGLE and has extensive, professional level, experience with VHF and GPS use.
DESCRIPTION: This class will focus on two areas: Open water communications (especially use of the VHF radio), and navigation (especially use of the GPS – while correlating to manual techniques).
If conditions and student skill levels allow it, we will also do some skill building in the bumpy water outside of Bunces Pass.
Topic 1: VHF Radio There is far more to using a VHF radio effectively than merely turning it on and adjusting the volume. For example, if you know what you are doing, you will be able to adjust your radio to receive better, transmit better, and last longer – which is helpful for routine communications and critical for emergency communications. As another example, if you had only one chance to broadcast an emergency call (which, unfortunately, is not an uncommon occurrence), would you know which four pieces of information to broadcast? In this section of the course, we will do both a shore based familiarization, and a variety of routine, and emergency, scenarios on the water.
Topic 2: GPS Just as with the VHF, there is far more to effective use of the GPS than merely turning it on. Topics we will go over will include basic and advanced capabilities, and use in a variety of routine and emergency scenarios (integrated with VHF use).
Topic 3: Boathandling in Bumpy Water Although not the primary focus of this class, if there is some bumpy water, and if the students are interested and up to it, we may spend some time improving boat handling skills in the bump. In addition, we can practice using the VHF and GPS in bumpy water … which isn’t necessarily so easy!
See the Skills Self Assessment Chart on the web site and contact the leader with any questions. Please register (and cancel) on the web site or RSVP to the trip leader to allow notification of any changes.
http://www.tbsk.club/resources/Documents/Skills_Assessment-_Chart_March_2017.pdf