Sea Touring Lessons

First Strokes - The Basics and Beyond The first of our "Series" classes, First strokes is a full-on instructional class for those wishing to learn the basics with the goal of eventually progressing beyond the bay.

Whether you're new to kayaking or in need of a tune-up, this class will introduce you to basic skills needed for paddling protected waters (harbors, bays and small lakes), and then goes on to give you the solid foundation you'll need to successfully continue on through our series of more advanced classes. Included are wet exits, reentries and other skills which are needed for eventual transition to open-water kayaking.

For the greatest learning potential, this class is normally taught in sea touring kayaks, but others may be substituted.

Class Dates and Locations
4 Hours in Newport
Requirements: No disqualifying health issues, must be at least 16 years of age (13 if accompanied by parent)
Qualifies for: Successful completion qualifies you for Sea Legs I and Tour Level Trips
$80, or $70 with your own boat

Sea Legs I - An Introduction to Open Waters If you have successfully completed First Strokes (or equivalent), have some miles under your hull, and wish to improve your skills beyond the basics, this class will introduce you to some of the advanced techniques needed for paddling on open waters (such as larger bays and lakes, and coastal ocean regions). Starting inside the bay, you will then travel outside, testing the waters of the open sea as you work on developing more precise and confident control of your kayak and comfort with the conditions surrounding you.

For the greatest learning potential, this class is normally taught in sea touring kayaks, but sit-on-top kayaks may be substituted (no recreation boats).

Class Dates and Locations
Six Hours
Requirements/Pre-requisites: No disqualifying health issues, must be at least 16 years of age (13 if accompanied by parent), successful completion of First Strokes (or qualified equivalent)
Qualifies for: Successful completion qualifies you for Sea Legs II and Tour Level Trips
$120, or $110 with your own boat

Sea Legs II - Skills for Coastal Paddling Following completion of Sea Legs I and some personal practice, Sea Legs II will challenge you as it builds on the previous two "Series" classes. Along with more work and refinement on previously-visited skills, you will be introduced to even more-advanced bracing and control skills, assisted and solo reentries, plus an intro to towing methods. With an eye toward spending more time outside, in progressively more challenging conditions, we will be looking for opportunities for you to test what you've learned along the scenic and rocky coast.

For the greatest learning potential, this class is normally taught in sea touring kayaks, but sit-on-top kayaks may be substituted (no recreation boats).

Class Dates and Locations
Six Hours
Requirements/Pre-requisites: No disqualifying health issues, must be at least 16 years of age (13 if accompanied by parent), successful completion of Sea Legs I (or qualified equivalent)
Qualifies for: Successful completion qualifies you for Surf Zones and Tour Level Trips
$120, or $110 with your own boat

Open Water Comprehensive (formerly "Intensive Weekend")

The Open-Water Comprehensive is a rigorous course for those who would like get started in kayaking in one action-packed weekend. On day one, you'll cover all the material normally taught in our First Strokes class, plus portions of Sea Legs I and Sea Legs II. On day two, we will cover the remaining portions of Sea Legs I and Sea Legs II as we work our way out into the open waters off the Newport Coast.

This is an aggressive approach to learning the skills and techniques of coastal paddling, intended for those who like to do things with gusto or who aren't able to schedule the three-class series into their busy lives. Lots of energy and enthusiasm are recommended.

Suitable for first-time paddlers, First Strokes graduates who would like to expedite the learning process, or those who are self-taught and wishing to correct some well-ingrained bad habits.

For the greatest learning potential, this class is normally taught in sea touring kayaks. If you would like to use a 14-foot or longer sit-on-top, that would also be acceptable. However, we feel that learning in a traditional touring kayak does provide the maximum potential, and prepares you to successfully handle and enjoy both types of craft.

Class Dates and Locations
2 full days at either: Newport (Day 1) or Ventura (Day 2).
Six Hours each day.
Requirements: No disqualifying health issues, must be at least 16 years of age (13 if accompanied by parent)
Qualifies for: Successful completion qualifies you for Surf Zones and Tour Level Trips
$240, or $220 with your own boat and gear

Surf Zones Surf is exciting! Surf fine-tunes your strokes and braces, and performance surfing is the best fun paddling has to offer. This four-hour course trains paddlers in the mental and physical skills necessary to enter and exit the surf zone safely and under control. We use traditional sea kayaks and open top kayaks. At least First Strokes skills and lots of energy are a must for this class (Sea Legs skills recommended).

Topics include:

Wave shapes and dynamics
Negotiating various beach conditions
Strategies for launching and landing through surf
Surf zone rescues
Sport surfing
Safety.

Class Dates and Locations
Four hours at San Onofre State Park.
$85, or $75 with your own boat and gear

Rolling A solid Eskimo roll opens up a new world of kayaking for you. Aside from being the best capsize recovery technique available, it allows you to improve your paddling skills. And, it is lots of fun!

Topics can include:

Sculling and braces
Rolling in the surf
Screw & optional kelp, C to C, Pawlata, Greenland, hand rolls.

Class Dates and Locations
Prior paddling experience required
$75 with our boat or your own boat

Strategies for Paddling Coastal kayaking can be intellectually as well as physically stimulating. In this three hour classroom course we will cover practical, useful skills that will help you explore the coastlines of the world.

Topics include:

Navigation - coastal piloting and dead reckoning using charts and other navigational equipment
Tides, currents, changing sea conditions
Kayak camping
Wave behavior and its effects on kayakers
Emergency signaling equipment
Trip planning resources - books, charts and web sites
Exercises to help you apply this info to your paddling trips. Bring paper, pencil and an active, inquiring mind

Class Dates and Locations
3 Hours at Kayak Center Store
$30

Paddle with the Masters Series 2008 with Bob Foote and Karen Knight -
September 26-28 A versatile paddler and innovative instructor, Karen Knight is recognized for her ability to teach and motivate students of all ages, levels and abilities. With a meticulous eye for detail and stroke nuances, students can't help but leave her class a better paddler than when they came in.

Karen was featured in Paddler Magazine, as one of the "Top 7 Cool Canoeists You Should Know."

In the year 2000, Paddler Magazine named Bob Foote one of the "Paddler's of the Century" in recognition of his expertise and contributions to paddling. A highly sought-after instructor, he is considered one of the most versatile boaters and paddling instructors in the country today.

An Instructor Trainer and instructor in coastal kayaking, whitewater kayaking, whitewater canoeing and flatwater canoeing for the American Canoe Association, Bob is the whole package - someone who can not only do, but also teach. Whether it's in canoeing or kayaking, beginner to advance, he has the ability to demonstrate and break down the most complex skills and information into parts and steps that are easy for students to understand and follow.

Bob has several first open canoe descents to his credit, including being one of the first to open boat down the Grand Canyon. In addition, he has designed boats for Dagger, Navarro, Bell, and now Esquif.

How do I sign up for these classes?
You can sign up at our Irvine store or simply call us at 1-800-southwind or 949-261-0200 to sign up for these classes. Hurry! spaces are limited.

PowerPoint Presentation: Paddling Adventures & Misadventures in the Grand Canyon, Chile and Beyond with Bob Foote

No matter how many times you read about it or see it in pictures, nothing prepares you for the grandeur, beauty, and magnitude of the Grand Canyon. Sculptured by the mighty Colorado River, this ancient and vast wilderness of glowing canyon walls, mineral travertine pools and pulsating rapids has been luring hikers and boaters over its rim for well over one hundred years.

In 1981 Bob Foote was one of the first people to open canoe down the wild and thrilling waters of the Grand Canyon. From that first trip sprung his lifelong love affair with a place he calls home and his desire to share it with others.

For 26 years Bob has been guiding trips down the Colorado River and sharing his passion for the Grand Canyon with paddlers and non-paddlers, alike. Join him for a special evening as he celebrates and shares 26 years of adventures, misadventures, stories, pictures and more in this video/slideshow presentation.

Friday, September 26 6:30 P.M. at SKC Store
Approximately 1 Hour
Projector for a power point presentation, TV, VCR, Screen
FREE to the public, but RSVP required

Advanced Paddling Techniques (with videotape analysis)

Move from basic competence to the next level of paddling - kayaking with precision, power, and grace. We will start this class with refining our strokes so that we get more control and results from our paddling with a lot less effort. From there we will work on balance drills - learn how to put our boat on edge and incorporate boat tilt into strokes and maneuvers for better boat performance. Bracing, sculling, sideslips, bow rudder, low/high brace turn underway, plus some other strokes and maneuvers you might not be familiar with will be covered. You will leave this class more confident, comfortable and connected to your boat. This class is designed for intermediate (and above) paddlers.

For those who are interested there will be an opportunity during the class to videotape some of your strokes. At the end of the day we will review them on a large screen back at Southwind's store. Videotape analysis is a great teaching tool to help bring your paddling skills up to the next level. By matching your mental image of how you paddle with what you actually see on the screen, you can then go on to make the necessary adjustments and improve.

Saturday, September 27 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. (Full-Day) at Newport
$135 with SKC boat, or $120 with your own boat and gear

Kayak Rolling

Whether you're a kayaker new to rolling, a frustrated veteran whose roll continues to elude them or a seasoned paddler looking for a tune-up or another roll to add to your bag of tricks - this class is for you. Which roll to learn will be unique to each person's physique, boat and goals. In this class we will cover the pros and cons of some of the more common rolls and the steps and techniques involved in each one, in hopes of matching the right roll for you and your kayak.

Depending upon the characteristics of the group, the C to C, Sweep, and/or Extended Paddle Sweep Roll will be taught. For those students who already have a proficient Sweep or C to C Roll, we can work on their offside roll and some of the more advanced and Greenland style rolls.

Sunday, September 28 at Newport
(1st session - 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M., 2nd session - 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.)
$75 with SKC boat or your own boat and gear

Return to Top | Home

Sea Touring Lessons

Southwind Kayak Center