Intro to Kayaking

Saturday, June 22, 2024 AND Sunday, June 23, 2024
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (both days)
Tuition: $168  Materials: $0

*Sliding Scale Available

Kayaking, just like canoeing, is at it's roots a very traditional skill. One of the traditional spellings of the word is actually Qajaq, originating from Greenland. While over the years the sport has progressed with plastic or composite (fiberglass/kevlar/carbon) boats, and modern paddles, the basics of how to use them has stayed the same. In this class students will learn boat handling skills like an efficient forward stroke or how to move your kayak sideways across the water, as well and techniques for getting yourself/other paddlers back into the kayak in deep water and how to deal with strong wind on the lake. The class will encompass everything from paddle strokes and maneuvers to basic navigation and how it relates to the paddler.  (Spoiler alert! Almost all of these skills are transferrable to canoeing!) 

Students should bring their kayak (ideally a sit inside, minimum of 12' long and has bulkheads), paddle, PFD, and immersion wear (swim suit, board shorts, wetsuit, etc). Long pants/leggings are recommended, as part of the class will involve crawling around on boats and the pants/leggings help prevent small amounts of bruising. Students should bring a packed lunch, snacks, and a water bottle for the day.

There is a minimum of 12 years old to participate, no maximum age. Paddling a kayak can be for nearly everyone! This class can accommodate a very beginner all the way up to someone with experience under their belt already. 

**This class will meet at Semers Beach Park. Students should bring a packed lunch, snacks, and a water bottle for the day.**

About the Instructor: Paige May cut his teeth sea kayaking in Lake Superior while in college, and ended up guiding in the Apostle Islands near Bayfield, WI for 9 years. He has spent a considerable amount of time paddling on the east and west coast as well, and teaches everything from advance surfing skills and paddling in tidal current, all the way down to introductory kayaking classes.