Beginning Sea Kayaking Class: Oakland Estuary

Goal: Introduce basic sea kayaking skills and safety. Students will learn how to enter and exit kayaks, and how to perform basic strokes and rescues. Successful completion of this class will allow you to rent sea kayaks for use in protected waters. Class fee includes boat, wet suit, paddling gear, and free coupon for a future rental!

Prerequisite: Kayak Basics Class or just the desire to paddle! The minimum age for Beginning Sea Kayaking is 14 years; children under 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Duration of class: 8:45AM - 4:00PM
Time on the water: Approximately 4 hours
Location: Pillar Point Harbor (Half Moon Bay); Oakland Estuary (Jack London Square); Lake Natoma (Sacramento)

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 at 800-366-9804.

In this class you will learn the fundamental skills needed to paddle a sea kayak safely and enjoyably. Upon arriving for the class, your instructor will outfit you with all the appropriate gear, including wetsuit, sea kayak, and other accessories. You will be given some on-land instruction on how to enter and exit the cockpit, attach the spray skirt, and proper posture while sitting in the kayak.

Once on the water, we spend the first two hours practicing efficient stroke technique and boat control, including the following strokes:

FORWARD and REVERSE Strokes
SWEEP Stroke (turn and adjust course)
DRAW Stroke (to move sideways)
BRACE Strokes (two methods to prevent capsizing)

During a lunch break on shore, there is a discussion of tides and currents as they affect the sea kayaker, and use of nautical charts. Then, the fun part - getting wet! Back on the water, you will learn to exit and reenter the kayak, using assisted rescue and self-rescue techniques. Everyone will be dressed for the water. It is extremely important that you know how to deal with a capsize in order to paddle a kayak on your own, or with friends, even in the calmest conditions. We'll teach you what to do! The following rescues will be taught:

T-RESCUE: This is an assisted rescue, where you help a partner get back into his kayak.

PADDLEFLOAT RESCUE: This is a self-rescue, allowing you to climb back into the kayak on your own.

If time allows after completing the rescues, the class may go for a short cruise. Then, we head back to shore to learn the art of rinsing your boat and equipment (important to know, so you can take care of your own gear when you purchase your own kayak!). After changing into dry clothes, we debrief the day's activities. The Beginning Sea Kayaking class will give you the invaluable tools needed to practice and refine your strokes and rescues in future practice sessions. The class at California Canoe & Kayak also includes a free rental coupon that you can use later to get out and practice paddling. Learning the basic skills will significantly increase your enjoyment and safety in a sea kayak.

© 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. (Some of the recommended items may be available for purchase at the Oakland store on the morning of your class). 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 Paddlers Shorts now!
Shop for a Paddler's Wetsuit

* 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; wool hat for winter class.
* 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)- there are drinking fountains available.
* Waterproof sunscreen for lips & face.
* Dry, warm clothes and a towel for the end of class.

MEETING TIME AND PLACE:
The class typically meets at 8:45 a.m. (check your confirmation letter for specific start times) at our Jack London Square store in Oakland. The shop address is 409 Water St. in Jack London Square (at the foot of Franklin Street); we're next to Scott's Seafood, and across from Barnes & Noble Bookstore. If you are delayed or cannot attend at the last minute, please call us in Oakland at 510-893-7833.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

From the North:
Heading south towards Oakland on Interstate 80, take 880 South; take the Broadway/Alameda exit; turn right at the first traffic light onto 5th street and go 13 blocks to Broadway; turn right on Broadway and follow it to Jack London Square and take a left on Embarcadero; Go 1 block then turn right onto Franklin Street into Jack London Square. We're next to Kincaid’s restaurant, and across from Barnes & Noble Bookstore.

From the South:
Take 880 North towards Oakland and take the Broadway St. exit; left on Broadway go six blocks; left on Embarcadero go one block and turn right onto Franklin Street into Jack London Square. We're next to Kincaid's restaurant.

From Contra Costa County:
Highway 24 to Interstate 980/Downtown Oakland (careful not to get on 580 toward Hayward) Take the 11th - 12th Street exit, straight on Brush Street, (you will be parallel with the freeway) Take a left on 3rd, right on Broadway. Follow Broadway to Jack London Square. Take a left onto Embarcadero go 1 block and take a right onto Franklin Street into Jack London Square. We're next to Kincaid's restaurant.

PARKING:
With validation, parking costs $13 maximum for the day in the underground lot at Jack London Square. You may also park at the surface lot located 2 blocks from Broadway on Embarcadero; parking here with validation costs $11 maximum for the day. Limited free parking is available in the immediate area within walking distance. If your class is on a Sunday, metered street parking is also free.

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 here: Liability Release. It also can be provided to you by fax or mail upon request by calling our reservation office @ 800-366-9804.