Kayak Safety and Rolling

Course objectives:

Safety is paramount with The Expedition School and we want to help you recognize and respond in the event of a capsize in your kayak.

Understand that prevention is the key to a safe trip.
• Understand how to avoid potential dangers.
• Develop and practice key self-rescue skills.
• Learn to focus on fast, simple, low-risk rescue techniques.
• Develop the skills to manage minor in-water incidents.

Introduction to Basic Safety and Rescue

• Avoiding trouble
• Trip planning, competent leader
• Rescue philosophy
• The big 3 – near drowning, Cold Water Shock / Hypothermia and spinal management; need for further training
• RETHROG
• KISS

• Basis for self-rescue; fundamental personal safety skill
• Wet exits on-land practice, then in-water with one-on-one supervision Defensive swimming
• Aggressive swimming
• Swimming with kayaks

• Allows one boater to assist another; fundamental group safety skills
• T rescue with and without sling
• Eskimo bow and paddle rescue
• Contact tow and cowtail use
• Back deck rescues for swimmers

• Selecting a tow line
• Handling tows in wind and current
• Throw rope use

Cost:  $95 for 3 hour lesson

Rolling Clinic

Offered to students once they have demonstrated mastery in basic kayaking safety, bracing and wet exits.  Students who demonstrate effective kayaking skills on flatwater can progress to faster moving water and surf environments as their paddling skills improve.  Effectively mastering the kayak roll will increase your confidence and improve your safety.  Rolling clinics are offered on Thursday nights when we have Lifeguarding courses scheduled.

Contact the school direct or schedule a rolling clinic online by selecting the Schedule Now button.

Cost: $95 for 3 hour lesson