Archive for Training
ACA Coastal Kayak Training 6/4 and 6/12 2011
Posted by: | CommentsNACK will be hosting an ACA certified instruction course for kayaking in coastal waters in the beginning of June. No experience is required as the course will be adjusted according to the needs of the participants.
American Canoe Association Essentials of Kayak Touring
Students will be expected to provide their own kayaks and equipment including mandatory PFD (Personal Floatation Device).
The two part course will be held at Timber Point in Oakdale and instruction will run from 10 AM to 3 PM each day. Cost is $50 per session for NACK members and $75 for non-members. There will be a discount for those participating in both sessions. ACA Training cards will be issued to all participants.
Contact John at BlueK@weickert.com for information and registration.
NACK Spring Newsletter is now available
Posted by: | CommentsThe new Spring 2011 North Atlantic Canoe & Kayak Newsletter and Spring event schedule is now available. This edition is a full 24 pages and filled with stories, important articles, and news. Pages 18 thru 21 have the latest schedule of events.
There’s also been some changes made to the Peer Practice format to further improve these training/practice sessions so check it out. Practice starts May 2.
And, of course, many thanks to Hal McLaughlin who has again done a great job with the newsletter.
Hudson River Greenland Festival 2011
Posted by: | CommentsRegistration is now open for the Hudson River Greenland Kayak Festival. The event will be held at Croton Point Park right on the Hudson River and runs from June 24 thru June 26. Several NACK paddlers attended the event last year so here’s a posting from that event.
New to the HRGF this year is a Greenland Paddle making class taught by Chris Raab of Tuktu Paddles. Chris is a talented craftsman and a great instructor. Having previously taught a paddle making class for NACK on Long Island, we can attest to his teaching skills. With a few simple tools anyone can make a greenland paddle. Class space is limited so act quickly.
ACA Training included with NACK Membership
Posted by: | CommentsAs part of their paid membership all NACK members will get the opportunity to participate in the American Canoe Association Quickstart training program taught by ACA Certified instructors. The North Atlantic Canoe & Kayak Training Committee has decided to establish this new membership benefit, worth $75.00, as a way for new paddlers to get started enjoying paddling safely and efficiently.
QuickStart is a brief, three-hour introduction to paddling a kayak. Students are presented with basic information on dressing to paddle safely, potential hazards and simple rescues. A minimal paddle skill set is presented and practiced, allowing students to safely and comfortably maneuver on still water. While designed as a stand-alone, introductory course, QuickStart students often progress to the Introduction to Kayak course to acquire greater paddling skill through significantly more in depth, guided, on-water practice time.
Point of View Kayak Rolling
Posted by: | CommentsMore kayak rolling video, this time with the GoProHD video cam helmet mounted and deck mounted. Take a look at rolling from the paddlers point of view. Buddy, in the blue Tiderace Excite, lays the boat on it’s side and recovers with a high brace and then rolls it. Next, while underway, he again lays it on its side and recovers with a sculling brace. Doug then does a bunch of rolls right and left side in the red Impex Hatteras. You can switch from 360p or 480p to 720p HD or even 1080p if your connection is fast enough and go full screen.
Kayak Rolling in the Pool….. in High Definition
Posted by: | CommentsSince we got a few nice comments on the last video we posted, here are some more of Kayak Rolling in the Pool shot this time with a GoPro Hero high definition underwater camera. First the apologies, the camera was borrowed just before the session so the photography sure could have been better. However the image quality is great. This camera can shoot some very high quality videos with long recording times. It can also do stills and time lapse shots at various intervals. Some real potential here.
The video shows sculling down and back up again, a roll with a sweeping Greenland paddle and finally a back flip with a quick C-to-C recovery.
Once the video starts you can switch up from 360p to 720p HD. Then click the image to go full screen
Here’s a few more rolls from last Sunday. Not HD but they again illustrate the benefits of warm water in winter time.
Don’t miss out. There’s still a few opportunities for pool time this month.
Kayak rolling in the pool last Sunday
Posted by: | CommentsPool sessions are a great way to learn how to roll, and this past Sunday was no exception. Nothing like warm water when it’s less than 20 degrees outside. Here’s a couple of quick clips of John and Maria rolling. Lots more sessions in the weeks ahead.
Getting the most from Kayak Pool Sessions
Posted by: | CommentsGetting the most out of pool sessions. Pool time is expensive, so you will want to make as much as possible of the opportunity. Here’s my list of 10. I’m sure there’s more. Your input and comments are welcome.
1 Arrive early. You will need time to unload and move boats, check in, get changed etc
2 Take some time to warm up. You should stretch and limber up and maybe do a few yoga poses.
3 Plan your activities. Not just rolling, ten minutes of trying to roll can be exhausting. Review your wet exit especially if you have a new or different boat or equipment. In between try something different like a balance brace. Have some alternatives, a plan B, to make the most of your time.
4 Make an equipment checklist. Nothing like getting to the pool without a paddle! You might not need sunscreen but you’ll probably need a PFD, spray skirt, nose plugs and goggles, lock for your locker and a towel to dry off. And don’t forget water to drink. Strenuous activity can easily cause you to become dehydrated.
5 Try something different. If you ask, most paddlers are willing to let you try their kayak, paddle or PFD.
6 Team up with another paddler. Wet exits and dumping water from your boat is exhausting and time consuming. Safety considerations aside, peer practice can be very rewarding.
7 Take photos and video. There’s nothing like actually seeing yourself doing something. When learning to roll I was shocked to see my position under water. There I was, sitting bolt upright instead of set-up, curled upward to the water surface. No way that’s going to work.
8 Seek instruction if available. An experienced instructor will often be able to give pointers to help improve skills and avoid common mistakes. We often think we’re doing something right when a trained observer can see that we’re not doing what we think we are doing.
9 Did I mention arrive early? See #1
10 Most important, have fun and enjoy the clean, warm water! And no jellyfish!