About the Sea Kayaking II: Sacramento Class:

Goals: To increase overall kayaking skills, boat control, balance, and rescue skills in open water. Students will become familiar with the J-lean and it's uses, including edge control to maneuver and correct course. Students will also review and refine the forward stroke, practice rescues in open water, and learn some basic navigation, including the use of ranges.

Prerequisite: Beginning Sea Kayaking or equivalent, and recent paddling experience. (You must have practiced wet-exit and rescue procedures!)

Duration of class: 9AM - 4PM
Time on water: Approximately 5 hours

Location:Lake Natoma; also available in Half Moon Bay or Oakland Estuary

Note: Good physical condition is required to ensure an enjoyable class. If you are not sure about your abilities to handle such an activity, please call our Program Office at800-366-9804.

THE CLASS
This class will focus on improving your boat control and introduce you to some new skills. The idea is to prepare for paddling in a wide range of conditions, including surf and rough water. After introductions and distribution of gear, we get on the water and spend the first couple of hours working extensively on the following:

BOAT LEAN
BALANCE
MANEUVERING

These skills will prove invaluable in your future kayaking excursions, especially in rougher conditions. We'll also spend a short time refining your forward stroke for more speed and efficiency. Then you'll take a short paddle (on Lake Natoma in Sacramento, the ocean at our Half Moon Bay site, or the Oakland Estuary at the Jack London Square location) to put these skills to use.

During a lunch break on shore, your instructor will discuss an important navigational technique: the use of RANGES. The instructor will also give a brief review of the Paddle Float and T-Rescue procedures, later you'll practice these skills on the water. This will be a step up from the rescue practice in your Beginning Sea Kayaking class or other introductory kayak class; you'll be concentrating on what really works in real conditions! Most people feel empowered after refining these skills (one rescue session is just not enough to really learn them).

During the afternoon session we'll also work on the following:

IMPROVED BRACING TECHNIQUE
SCULLING BRACE
SIDE SLIP MANEUVER

After changing into dry clothes, we debrief the day's activities. The Sea Kayaking II class provides you with the tools to learn excellent boat control and rough water technique. It will also help you refine your rescues so that they will work when you really need them. This class includes a free rental coupon for a future paddle session on the Oakland Estuary or Lake Natoma.
©CCK, 2/02

EQUIPMENT:
CCK provides all kayak equipment, including wet suit, paddle jacket and US Coast Guard approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD), spray skirt, paddle and kayak. You will need to provide some personal items for the class; the links below will take you to our on-line store, Purepaddlesports.com. For assistance with on-line purchases, call us toll-free: (888) 452-9257.

You will need to bring:

* IMPORTANT! One or two long sleeve shirts of "polar fleece", or other polyester fabric; wool is OK. No cotton, please!
Purchase a Thermal Top now!
Shop for a Paddle Jacket!

* A swimsuit to wear under your wetsuit.
Purchase Paddler's Shorts now!
Shop for a Paddler's Wetsuit or Drysuit

* Footwear that can get wet, e.g., wet suit booties, lightweight sneakers (not too bulky).
Purchase Wet Suit Booties now!

* Billed cap or hat for shade or warmth; fleece or synthetic hat for winter/spring classes.
* Light-weight gloves, for warmth and blister prevention.
Purchase Paddling Gloves, and a Paddling Hat or Hood now!

* Snacks and lunch (in a zip-loc bag, preferably; we will transport in kayaks)
Purchase a Dry Bag for carrying food and clothing now!

* Eye/sunglasses and a retention device.
* 1 qt. water bottle(s)- NO water available.
* Waterproof sunscreen for lips & face.
* Dry, warm clothes and a towel for the end of class.

Your instructor will meet you at 9:00 AM at Willow Creek State Park Access on Lake Natoma. Look for the containers next to the restrooms at the far left side of the gravel parking lot. There is a $3 charge for parking by the State, please bring exact change.

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DIRECTIONS:
From the East: (Placerville, South Lake Tahoe) Take Hwy 50 exit at Folsom Blvd. (Just after Prairie City Rd.) Get in the left turn lane at the end of the off ramp. Make a left onto Folsom Blvd. Heading east on Folsom. At the third major intersection, Blue Ravine Rd. make a u-turn, you are now heading west on Folsom blvd. Look for the Willow creek access on the right just before the next intersection. It is hidden so keep a look out!

From the West: (Bay area, Downtown Sacramento): Take Hwy 50, 20 minutes east of Sacramento to the Folsom Blvd exit just past Hazel Ave and Aero Jet. Take a left off the ramp heading east on Folsom Blvd. At the third major intersection, Blue Ravine Rd., make a u-turn; you are now heading west on Folsom Blvd. Look for the Willow creek access on the right just before the next intersection. It is hidden so keep a look out!

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Paddling is fun and rewarding! As with all outdoor activities it includes an element of risk. The risks, hazards, and potential consequences are outlined in a Liability Release, Express Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement; which you will be required to read and sign before the beginning of the class or trip. Your signature on this form is a declaration of your willingness to accept personal responsibility for any risks involved in your participation. Any person under the age of 18 and not accompanied by his/her parents or legal guardian needs to bring an original parent/guardian signed form to the class prior to participation. If you have any questions regarding potential risks please call our office @ 800-366-9804.

LIABILITY RELEASE FORM:
You will be required to sign a Liability Release, Express Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement at the start of your class or trip. The entire text of this legal form may be viewed on our web at Liability Release. It also can be provided to you by fax or mail upon request by calling our reservation office @ 800-366-9804.