About the Warm Water Sea Kayaking Class


Goals: 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 (Part 1 & 2) will allow you to rent sea kayaks for use in protected waters; students must complete both sessions.

Prerequisite: Kayak Basics class (or equivalent program) recommended. No previous kayaking experience is required; however, good physical condition is important to ensure an enjoyable class; practicing the rescue procedures can be strenuous. The minimum age for Beginning Sea Kayaking is 14 years; children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Duration of class: About 6 hours, over 2 sessions; 7-9PM Thursday evening, and on the Saturday after the pool session, 9AM-1PM.

Time on the water: Approximately 4 hours (pool and Oakland Estuary)

Location: Richmond Pool (JFK High School) & Oakland Estuary (Jack London Square)

Note:If you are not sure about your abilities to handle such an activity, please call our Program Office at 800-366-9804.

ABOUT THE CLASS

You will learn the fundamental skills needed to paddle a sea kayak safely and enjoyably. In Part 1, we teach the essential sea kayak rescues in the pool; be prepared to get wet! In Part 2, we stay warm and dry while practicing strokes and exploring the Oakland waterfront!

Day 1: (Thursday evening)
The class meets at JFK High School pool in Richmond, 7:00PM. (see below for driving directions to the pool)
Duration: 7:00PM - 9PM

First, on the poolside, you will be given instruction on how to enter and exit the cockpit, attach the spray skirt, and proper posture while sitting in the kayak. 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.

Day 2: (Saturday)
The class meets at California Canoe & Kayak on Jack London Square, Oakland.
(see below for driving directions)
Duration: 9:00AM - 1PM

Upon arriving for the class, your instructor will outfit you with all the appropriate gear, including wetsuit, sea kayak, and other accessories. 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. Remember, capsizing is still a possibility even though we're not planning to practice it in Part 2 of the class. So, bring warm layers (see list below). Everyone will be dressed for the water, just in case.

Before heading back to Jack London Square, we'll go for a short cruise around the Estuary. Back on shore, we learn the art of rinsing our boats 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 from both sessions. The Warm Water Sea Kayakaing 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 from a skilled instructor will significantly increase your enjoyment and safety in a sea kayak.

© CCK, 2/02

EQUIPMENT:
CCK provides all kayak equipment, including paddle jacket, wetsuit, and Personal Floatation Device (PFD), 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, www.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.

PART 1: For the best learning experience, you should bring the following items to the pool:
1. Bathing suit or shorts.
2. Towel.
3. Nose plugs/ear plugs (we sell these and can bring them if requested).
4. Goggles or face mask (if sensitive to chlorine).
5. Warm sweatshirt/jacket to wear afterwards.

Do not bring valuables into the pool, there is no secure place to store them!

PART 2: You will need to bring to Jack London Square:

* 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!

* 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 FOR PART 1:
The class is from 7:00PM to 9PM. Please arrive at 6:45PM for sign-in, and to get outfitted to your boat.
Directions to JFK Swim Center:
Address: 4300 Cutting Blvd. Richmond, CA.

From the East Bay:
From 80 East, take the Potrero exit.
Go straight at the bottom of the exit.
Bear left on San Pablo Ave.
Turn left on Cutting (1st light).
Go under the freeway.
Turn left on 45th (at the light).
Pool is on your right.
Parking is in front of the building.

From Marin County:
Take 580 across the San Rafael Bridge.
Exit at 23rd Street Marina Bay exit.
Turn left at the bottom of the ramp.
Go under the freeway.
Turn right on Cutting.
Go several blocks past Carlson.
Turn right on 45th (at the stoplight).
Pool is on your right.
Parking is in front of the building.

MEETING TIME AND PLACE FOR PART 2:
The class runs from 9AM - 1PM, launching from our Jack London Square store in Oakland. Please arrive by 8:45AM to sign in. The 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.

Directions to California Canoe & Kayak
@ Jack London Square:

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, and across from Barnes & Noble Bookstore.

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, and across from Barnes & Noble Bookstore.

Parking:
With validation, parking costs $13 maximum for the day in the underground lot below Barnes & Noble. You may also park at the surface lot located 2 blocks from Broadway on Embarcadero. The entrance is on the right side just past the Spaghetti Factory and 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 previewed here: Liability Release. It also can be provided to you by fax or mail upon request by calling our reservation office @ 800-366-9804.