BULLETIN BOARD

KAYAKING SKILLS WORKSHOP - October 4th-5th, 2008

In this workshop we will offer a series of ½ day classes emphasizing skills development for beginner to advanced kayakers. The workshop will focus on touring and sea kayaks, not whitewater kayaks or canoes. The classes will cover basic elements of the British Canoe Union (BCU) and American Canoe Association (ACA) introductory and intermediate level courses. Participants may select from 1-4 class offerings during the weekend.

In addition to the daytime workshop, on Saturday evening October 4^th, we will offer a free evening program open to all ADK Chapter members. Join Melissa and Steve Maynard as they present a program on sea kayaking in Baja, Mexico and Wales, UK. This program will be held at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center in Delmar, NY, starting at 7:30PM.

Location:

All classes will be held at Thompson’s Lake State Park in East Berne, NY at the campsite beach. http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=128 Restrooms will be available.

Class Descriptions (limit of 6 students per class):

Sculling and Bracing: Learn to use your paddle to aid in balance. Low recovery, high recovery, sculling, and other support strokes will be introduced. These strokes are used to help prevent capsizes.

Directional Control: Go where you want, when you want. Learn the proper and most efficient methods to control (turn) your kayak in wind, waves and current. This class covers edging, sweep strokes, bow and stern rudder strokes, draw strokes, and the low brace turn.

Performance Paddling: Efficient, comfortable paddling begins with an awareness of what your body is doing and should be doing. Paddlers will learn how the body, the boat, and the blade work together to maximize their paddling performance

Forward Stroke Clinic: Efficiency and correct use of the body will be stressed with a goal to make long distance paddling more enjoyable.

Rolling: There simply is no better recovery from a capsize than the Eskimo roll. Whether you're new to kayaking, or have been paddling for decades, take this chance to work on your roll. Breath control, calmness underwater, and body awareness form the foundation of any roll.

Rescues and Towing: Reentering your kayak from deep water is a fundamental safety skill, as well as a confidence booster. Also learn to assist others without endangering yourself. Self and assisted rescues, in-line and rafted tows will be covered.

Core Paddling: Ergonomic and efficient paddling will be covered, including correct grip and hand placement on the paddle, boat fit, posture, balance, and edging while introducing strokes such as forward and reverse sweeps, pivot turns, reverse stroke, and forward stroke.

Preliminary Schedule (subject to change):

* In order to maximize your benefit, you should consider bringing a snug fitting kayak that is equipped with thigh braces and perimeter lines. A spray skirt is also recommended for most classes. In addition, nose plugs and goggles or a scuba mask may be helpful for the rolling class.

Confirmed Coaches:

Melissa Maynard - Melissa has been sea kayaking since 1994. She trained with and worked for Cal Adventures in Berkeley, California from 1994-1997. Upon returning to New York in 1998, Melissa founded Sea Cliff Kayakers and has worked for Maine Island Kayak Company and Manhattan Kayak Company. During the winter months, she has been a guide and instructor for Miramar Adventures in Baja, Mexico. Melissa is a certified American Canoe Association (ACA) Open Water Kayak Instructor, British Canoe Union (BCU) Aspirant Level 3 Coach Sea and 4 Star sea kayaker. She holds a BA in International Relations from Tufts University and an MA in Education from the University of California at Berkeley. Melissa is also an Associate Instructor for the Adirondack Experience and Expeditionary Studies Program at SUNY - Plattsburgh.

Steven Maynard - Steve has been sea kayaking in the UK, Europe, and North America for the last 15 years. He is one of the few people world wide to have qualified as a British Canoe Union (BCU) Level 5 Coach Sea and Level 5 Assessor Sea.  This is regarded internationally as the highest level of qualification for teaching, guiding, and assessing skills in sea kayaking.  He is also an American Canoe Association (ACA) Advanced Open Water Instructor and qualified in a variety of other kayak and mountain sports. Steve is the head kayak instructor for the Adirondack Experience and Expeditionary Studies Program at SUNY - Plattsburgh. He is also East Coast Regional Coaching Organizer for the BCU North American program.

Other coaches TBA, as needed.

Fee:  ADK Members: $25 per class,  Non-members: $40 per class

October 4^th evening program: Free

Class Registration:

Registration for classes will be on a first come-first served basis. Full payment is required at the time of registration.

Cancellation Policy:

Kayaking is a water sport and this class will go on fair weather or fowl. ADK has committed to pay the coaches and the rental fee for Thompson’s Lake State Park. We understand that emergencies sometimes come up and will attempt to refund the course fee as long as we can fill your slot(s). We plan to maintain a waiting list of students in case of cancellations.

Questions?

Contact John Ozard via email at ozardjw<at>netscape<dot>net or call 518-439-6135. Updates to the schedule will be posted to the Chapter’s website.

Registration Form

Albany Chapter ADK Kayaking Skills Workshop

October 4^th and 5^th, 2008

Name: __________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address: _________________________________________________________

Phone: cell _________________________ home ________________________________

e-mail: ______________________________________

Please print e-mail address clearly; updates will be handled by e-mail, if possible.

Class space is limited to 6 students and will be filled on a 1st come - 1st served basis.

Early registration is available for ADK members until September 12^th, after that, any remaining class spaces will be offered to non-members. To ensure the best chance of getting into your 1^st choice class register ASAP. Payment is due at the time of registration.

ADK Members: $25 per class Membership #: _____________________

Non-members: $40 per class

You may sign up for 1-4 classes, please identify 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd choice

Enclose check payable to:

Adirondack Mountain Club - Albany Chapter and mail to:

John W. Ozard
217 Swift Road
Voorheesville, NY 12186

A WILDERNESS AFFAIR

ADK’s 12 th Annual Live and Silent Auction Gala Event To benefit ADK’s programs in Conservation, Advocacy, Education and Recreation  

Saturday, November 1, 2008, 5:30 p.m.

The Albany Marriott Hotel, Wolf Rd. Albany , NY

 Don't miss this fabulously entertaining event!

Bid on Adirondack themed items, weekend getaways, artwork and other specialty items.  To Donate an Auction Item, or become a corporate sponsor please contact Robin at 800-395-8080, ext. 14

Honorary Chair—Fred LeBrun of the Albany Times Union       
Master of Ceremonies—Gregory McKnight
Auctioneers—Acorn Estates and Appraisals  (Jim and Danielle Carter)

SNOWSHOE RENTAL

Albany Chapter ADK offers snowshoe rentals.  Rentals are $5.00/day. There are also two small pairs appropriate for children ages 5-8.  Contact:  Marcia Kehn 383-2839.

WAYS AND MEANS

The Ways and Means Committee has a table setup at all chapter meetings selling all current ADK books and other items.  You can purchase items with the benefit of ADK member discount without incurring shipping charges when ordering from Main Club.

The Bulletin Board exists as a service to Albany Chapter ADK members.  If you would like to add an item to the Bulletin Board, send me an e-mail.

Please sign our Guestbook or View our Guestbook