New Kayak Instruction Programs

Living in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed gives us a unique opportunity to enjoy the splendors of the wetlands, forests, and beaches of the bay via KAYAK! Don’t know how to kayak and want to learn so you can enjoy CBEC’s Guided Kayak Tours and Rentals? Own a kayak but have very little knowledge on how to enjoy safe paddling with ease? Maybe you know how to paddle very well but not sure you could rescue yourself or someone else you are paddling with if you fell overboard? CBEC is now proud to offer you American Canoe Association Certified Instruction Courses…so no more excuses of why we don’t find you out on the water in a kayak!

CBEC believes that accessibility to the waters of the Bay will increase appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem. For this reason, CBEC is hosting six ACA Instruction Programs for Kayak Paddling Skills and Assessments in the spring and summer to ensure paddlers have the opportunity to hone paddling technique and learn safety and rescue strategies.

ACA Level 1 Quickstart Your Kayak Workshop *Dryland Only

• April 15^th — 10am–1pm

Workshop Overview: This workshop is a brief introduction to paddling a kayak. Participants are presented with basic information on safe paddle preparations and simple rescue strategies are introduced. Equipment terminology and description of usage are explored. Loading and unloading from a vessel will be demonstrated. A minimal paddle skill set is presented and practiced on dry land, allowing students to safely and comfortably maneuver on still water on the following crafts: traditional decked kayaks, inflatables, and sit on tops. Note: Use of spray-skirts is not part of this course.

Workshop Content: Pre-Paddling Preparation, Equipment Overview, Stroke Introduction, Self-Rescue Introduction.

Workshop Setting: Class size minimum of 5 and maximum of 30; 3 hours of dryland instruction; Certified ACA Kayak Instructors at a ratio of 15 to 1.

Workshop Cost: $30 For CBEC Members; $35 For Non-CBEC Members*

ACA Level 1 Intro To Kayaking Instruction Course

• May 20^th, June 1^st, or July 29^th — 10am-5pm

Course Overview: This American Canoe Association course is designed for beginner to intermediate kayakers who wish to develop skills of safe, responsible, and enjoyable kayaking on the following crafts: traditional decked kayaks, inflatables, and sit-on-tops.

Note: Use of spray-skirts is not part of this course.

This is being offered as a Skills Course with optional Assessment for an additional fee. Assessment provides the participant with the opportunity to receive documentation of having achieved a certain level of paddling ability.

Course Content: Pre-Paddling Preparation; Equipment Overview; Stroke Development; Maneuvers; Self-Rescue; Rules of The Water.

Course Setting: Class size minimum of 5 and maximum of 15; 2 hours of dryland instruction; 3 hours of on-water instruction on calm, flat water; Certified ACA Kayak Instructors at a ratio of 5 to 1.

Course Cost: Skills Course: $65 For CBEC Members (Includes use of our Kayaks and Equipment)*; $70 For Non-CBEC Members*

• Assessment Fee: Additional $20*
• Kayak and Equipment Rental Fee: $20

ACA Level 2 Flatwater Safety and Rescue Course

• August 10^th or September 9^th — 10am-5pm

Course Overview: This workshop introduces essential flatwater safety practices and rescue techniques that can be performed with a minimum of equipment, in the first few minutes of an emergency.

Course Content: Pre-Paddling Preparation; Safety and Rescue Equipment Overview; Self and Assist Rescue Maneuvers.

Course Setting: Class size minimum of 5 and maximum of 15; 2 hours of dryland instruction; 3 hours of on-water instruction on calm, flat water; Certified ACA Kayak Instructors at a ratio of 5 to 1.

Course Cost: Skills Course: $65 For CBEC Members (Includes use of our Kayaks and Equipment)*; $70 For Non-CBEC Members*

• Kayak and Equipment Rental Fee: $20

What is the American Canoe Association?

The American Canoe Association (ACA) is the oldest and largest paddle sports organization in the United States, promoting canoeing, kayaking, and rafting. The ACA sponsors more than seven hundred events each year, along with safety education, instructor certification, waterway conservation and public information campaigns. There are more than four thousand ACA certified canoe and kayak instructors. More than two hundred local paddling clubs and fifty thousand individuals are members. The Association publishes the bi-monthly Paddler Magazine.

REGISTER TODAY AND SAVE YOUR SPOT: http://bayrestoration.org/kayaking