- Portland, Maine
- 14 Hours
- Ages 15+
Learn expedition skills and explore the waters of Casco Bay during our weekend workshop! Expedition Weekend focuses on the process of planning and executing longer distance sea kayak tours.
Quick Details
Learn the Skills Needed to Paddle With Confidence in Roughwater Conditions
We’ll seek out dynamic waters at a couple different locations during this two-day workshop.
Roughwater Weekend will put you between a rock and a hard place, literally! Over this two-day session students will gain experience with rock gardening, surf landing/launching, reading roughwater environments, risk assessment, and roughwater rescue techniques. We will paddle in Casco Bay and in the waters surrounding Richmond Island, seeking out opportunities to gain comfort in roughwater and give each student a chance to grow as a paddler. Expect to get wet! We will wear helmets at all times when paddling in roughwater, and they will be provided for those who don’t own one.
We will be on the water from 9am-4pm each day of the workshop.
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- 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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We encourage students to use their own kayaks for this workshop, since many of the skills covered are best learned in a boat that one has experience paddling. However, if that is not possible we will provide a kayak and basic paddling gear at no extra cost.
All of the following, if needed, is included in the cost of the course:
- Kayak
- Paddle
- PFD
- Sprayskirt
- Helmet
- Wetsuit
- Drybag so you can bring along a few items on the water (snacks, phone, warm layer, etc.)
- Tow rope
- Paddle float
- Bilge pump
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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.