Quick Details
SMSKN Members
$ 93
Develop the Skills to Paddle Confidently in Dynamic Waters
This workshop is for sea kayakers interested in gaining experience paddling in dynamic waters and developing the skills to do so confidently. The group will seek out roughwater conditions in the exposed waters by Crescent Beach and develop skills related to rock gardening, surf landing/launching, reading roughwater environments, risk assessment, and roughwater rescue techniques.
Students should expect to get wet and dress accordingly! All participants will wear helmets at all times when paddling in roughwater. Helmets will be provided for those who don’t own one.
This workshop is NOT designed for novice kayakers. Please review the prerequisites below before signing up.
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This course meets at Portland Paddle’s Crescent Beach State Park location. You can enter the park for free if you show your booking confirmation email for this workshop at the entrance gate. There is ample parking at Crescent Beach, as well as public bathrooms and changing rooms. Meet your instructor near the kayak rack behind the public bathrooms.
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The content covered in this workshop will be tailored to the goals of the students and the current conditions. The topics that may be covered include:
- Effective techniques for paddling in swiftwater and waves
- Surf launching and landing
- Boat control while surfing
- Alternative methods of rescuing paddlers in rough seas
- Rock gardening
- Gear considerations for paddling in roughwater
- Reading roughwater environments and assessing risks
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This is a workshop limited to students with intermediate to advanced sea kayaking skills. We ask that students have proficiency and comfort with each of the following:
- At least one self-rescue technique (e.g. Paddle Float Rescue or Roll)
- At least one assisted rescue technique (e.g T-Rescue)
- Basic paddle strokes (forward, reverse, sweep, draw)
- Ability to paddle in winds of up to 20 knots
Please Note: If you are not confident in your ability to complete a self-rescue, and to apply those skills in challenging conditions, you should not sign up for this workshop. We suggest taking our “Intro to Sea Kayak Rescues” course or our “Intro to Sea Kayaking Weekend Workshop” first if you have never received instruction on sea kayak rescues or need to refresh these skills.
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We encourage students to use their own kayak and any other necessary paddling gear they own.
Portland Paddle can provide the following items for those who need them:
- Kayak
- Helmet
- Paddle
- PFD
- Sprayskirt
- Bilge pump
- Paddle float
- Wetsuit
- Drybag so you can bring along a few items on the water (snacks, phone, warm layer, etc.)
Instructor
This workshop will be taught by Suzanne “Frankie” Blackburn. Suzanne fell in love with kayaking in 1980 & stand up paddle boarding in 2017 – two great ways to play on the water. Suzanne has been guiding and teaching since 1996 and is a Master Maine Guide. Her certifications include ACA Kayak Level 4, SUP Level 2 Instructor, and she recently added British Canoe Sea Leader to her credentials as well. “Helping someone gain a skill in a kayak or on a board and connection with the ocean brings me tremendous joy!” she says. Suzanne has paddled the entire coast of Maine three times and may just do it again.