Our recent kayak rolling class with Cheri Perry and Turner Wilson demonstrated a strong interest in Greenland style kayak rolling among NACK members.  While there are many exotic Greenland rolls, the Standard Greenland Roll is probably the easiest roll to master and can be done just as well using the familiar “Euro” paddle.

Anyone who has tried to learn how to roll their kayak is certainly familiar  with the frustration involved in mastering this skill.  Fortunately there is a wealth of information on how to do it. Now Christopher Crowhurst, the creator of  the Rolling with Sticks® Guidebook and Video, has decided to make both the book and video available for a free download.  Heres the story as Chris puts it.

Rolling with Sticks® started as a fun project to document the progress I was making as I learned the different Greenland style kayak rolls. This work evolved into the water proof guidebook that is available for sale in the webstore. After completing the book I realized that during the time I learned the rolls I had recorded enough video to assemble a video guide of all the rolls. I used video extensively to critique my rolls and sent them to many great rollers for their feedback. For the past two years I have provided the book and a DVD of the video for sale, and I will continue to do that. Both projects have now paid for themselves and rather than continue to make money from these projects I have decided to release both and make them freely available for download. You can continue to buy printed copies of the book on waterproof paper, as well as copies of the DVD if you want a physical copy, they are both available from my webstore

Download Rolling with Sticks®

With the NACK Winter Pool Program now in full swing, and in keeping with the NACK philosophy of providing the very best instruction available,  we were fortunate to have Cherri Perry and Turner Wilson on hand today to provide some terrific rolling instruction.  A bunch of NACK members spent a couple of hours learning aft and forward-finishing rolls.

Cheri and Turner were standout competitors, winning numerous Gold Medals, at the 2005 Greenland National Kayaking Championships, in Paamiut, Greenland. Since then they have travelled the world teaching kayak rolling.  They have also recently produced a terrific instructional DVD titled “This is the Roll”

To make this DVD Cheri and Turner teamed with adventure cinematographer, Justine Curgenven, the creator of the ‘This Is The Sea‘ kayaking series, to create  the most comprehensive video yet on learning to roll your kayak. Shot in HD,  it’s a full two and a half hours of truly epic proportions. Each scene is done from several different angles, in many different kayaks, using different blades. The DVD focuses on the primary real-water paddle rolls, the Standard Greenland Roll, the Reverse Sweep Roll, and the Storm Roll. Breaking these down, in great detail, in an open and progressive method, you see real students making and correcting real mistakes along their learning path, and you also see these rolls done well in the conditions that they are REALLY meant for. (Hint: that does not involve flat mill pond water or a pool!).

This DVD features only sea kayaks and skin-on-frames; you won’t see any white water kayaks or C-to-C rolls. And while the rolls originate from Greenlandic heritage you will see them done just as well with conventional euro paddles. The extensive coverage of common errors should be of considerable benefit to both those trying to learn to roll and instructors teaching rolling.

You can view the trailer and order the DVD from Cheri and Turner on their Kayakways website.

As part of our commitment to kayak safety and education, NACK is proud to announce that we have arranged to bring Chris Raab to Long Island for two very special training programs. Chris is an American Canoe Association Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor and Level 4 Instructor Trainer, ACA Canoe Instructor, and British Canoe Union 4 Star paddler.  He is one of the most highly regarded and respected kayak  instructors on the East Coast.

NACK has teamed with Chris to craft two full day programs for the weekend of June 30 and July 1, 2012.

Performance Paddling and Play- Sunday, July 1. In this class we will take the your kayaking skills to the next level working on improving stroke, maneuver, and rescue efficiency. Participants will be presented with a host of new skills and concepts and then use these skills to work though some practical paddling situations and engage in some fun games. Participants should come to this class expecting to develop skills, get really wet, and have lots of fun!  This program is open to all levels.

Open Water Sea Kayaking- Saturday, June 30. This level 4 class focuses on developing skills for paddling in open seas. We will work on adapting strokes, maneuvering and paddling in ocean swell, currents or surf. Additionally, we will spend time working on group organizing, basic navigation techniques, advanced towing and rescues in conditions. Prerequisites for this class include level 3 ACA, BCU or equivalent training. You don’t have to be assessed at ACA Level 3 but you should have had some training at that level to be prepared for this program.”

Cost for a full day on the water is only $75 for members and $125 for non members. Registration is limited to NACK members until June 20 after which we will accept registrations from the general public. Space is limited and it is expected that classes will fill quickly.  Specific locations to be determined so as to afford appropriate conditions for each program. Don’t miss this opportunity spend an exciting and informative day on the water with one of the top instructors on the East Coast.

Contact blueK@weickert.com for registration and additional information

By special arrangement North Atlantic Canoe and Kayak is making the American Heart Association CPR and First Aid courses available to the membership at the substantially reduced cost of $35 for both.  Instruction will be conducted at the Port Jefferson Ambulance Company.  Contact Dara for details.  Revised member contact information has been posted in the “Members Only” area.

NOAA and National Safe Boating Council promote National Safe Boating Week

Colin recently brought to our attention an article that appeared in the Southampton Times last week. It was the announcement of the retirement of long time Bay Constable Tad Sadleir. In chronicling his career there was one chilling detail that stood out. In his 36 years on the job as a Southampton Town Bay Constable has seen a lot of things.  “Ted Sadleir has pulled the bodies of 75 drowned people from the waters of the East End over the last four decades. None of them was wearing a life preserver (personal floatation PFD) , the veteran bay constable noted.”

Overall, almost 75% of all fatal boating accident victims drown and of those who drowned, 88% of the victims were not wearing a life jacket.

NY State Law requires life jackets be worn between November 1 and May 1 for boats less than 21 feet….that includes kayaks and canoes.

NOTE: Paddlers are required to wear PFD’s (Personal Flotation Devices) at all on-the-water NACK events.

Lots of boating safety information and statistics can be found at:

Safeboatingcouncil.org

SafeBoatingCampaign.com