- 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 & Refine the Essential Skills of Sea Kayaking
This two-day workshop is for women who are new to sea kayaking or are looking to grow as a paddler.
Learn, refine and develop your sea kayaking skills in a supportive, fun atmosphere. This special weekend is for novice to intermediate, female-identifying kayakers who want to feel confident, safe and independent in their sea kayak adventures. Gain the skills you need to expand your adventures on the water.
We will cover basic strokes, power and efficiency, rescue techniques and safety protocols, ocean dynamics, navigation and trip planning. You’ll be invited to accept new challenges and you’ll be supported as you grow and learn.
We will be on the water from 9am-4pm each day of the workshop.
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- Proper technique for the essential paddling strokes
- How to identify the major risks and hazards kayakers face in coastal environments
- How to predict and assess the conditions for coastal kayaking in Maine (tides, winds, waves, fog, etc.)
- How to make a crossing over open water on the Maine coast
- How to cope with winds and waves
- How to complete a “wet exit” when a kayak capsizes
- How to complete a self-rescue and an assisted rescue
- How to use a rudder or skeg
- Techniques that can be used to maintain boat control and move efficiently.
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All the kayaking gear you need is provided and included in the cost of the course.
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- Kayak
- Paddle
- PFD
- Sprayskirt
- Wetsuit
- Drybag so you can bring along a few items on the water (snacks, phone, warm layer, etc.)
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You are welcome to use your own kayak and/or any other gear you may have. Kayaks used for this workshop must be at least 14 feet in length.
- All the kayaking gear you need is provided and included in the cost of the course.
- Kayak
- Paddle
- PFD
- Sprayskirt
- Wetsuit
- Drybag so you can bring along a few items on the water (snacks, phone, warm layer, etc.)
You are welcome to use your own kayak and/or any other gear you may have. Kayaks used for this workshop must be at least 14 feet in length.
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This workshop is designed for novice to intermediate paddlers. No prior sea kayaking experience is required, but we recommend having some sort of paddling experience (lake/river kayaking, canoeing, etc.) before joining.
We design this course to be suitable for women with a wide range of abilities and varying levels of experience. It is worth noting, however, that learning to kayak can be physically challenging for some people. If you are concerned that your level of fitness or mobility may make it difficult for you to fully participate in the workshop you might consider joining one of our guided day trips or shorter lessons first to get a sense of how it feels to spend time in a sea kayak. Feel free to reach out to us by phone or email if you have questions about whether this workshop is the right fit for you.
Instructors
Women at Sea will be led by Suzanne Blackburn, along with one or more of the following instructors!
SUZANNE BLACKBURN
Suzanne fell hopelessly in love with kayaking in 1980. In 2017 she discovered stand up paddle boards and now has two favorite ways to play on the water. Suzanne has been guiding and teaching since 1996 and is a Master Maine Guide with ACA Coastal kayak Level 4 and SUP Level 2 Instructor certifications. “Helping someone master skills and gain a sense of comfort and connection with the ocean brings me tremendous joy!” she says. Suzanne has paddled the entire length of the coast of Maine three times. She says, “I really hope to paddle the whole coast again. It’s endlessly challenging and inspiring but this summer I’m going to change it up and hop in a canoe to paddle the Allagash Wilderness Waterway!”
ERIN QUIGLEY
Erin, Portland Paddle co-founder and guide, grew up exploring New Hampshire’s waterways by canoe and kayak. After recently spending five years as Membership Director for the Maine Island Trail Association, Erin is happy to be back on Casco Bay guiding trips and at home taking care of her two young boys. Learn more about Erin’s conservation work at kingfisherconservation.com. Erin is a Wilderness First Responder, a Registered Maine Guide, and an ACA-certified instructor.
JANET ROBINSON
Janet bought her first sea kayak in 1993 after a few years of whitewater paddling and many years of hiking, backpacking, and long-distance bike touring, including a solo cross-country trip. The grand-daughter of a sea captain, she loves the wild beauty and challenge of the open ocean and is thrilled to be able to share her knowledge and enthusiasm for sea kayaking with paddlers of all ages and skill levels. She kayaked the entire Maine coast in 2020 and is a licensed Maine Guide and an ACA-certified Level 3 Instructor. In addition, Janet is president of the Southern Maine Sea Kayaking Network and serves as a Trustee for the Maine Island Trail Association.
MELANIE COLLINS
Melanie started kayaking many years ago in the shadow of pine trees in cool New England waterways. But it wasn’t until moving to a desert island off the coast of Los Angeles that she began paddling on the sea. She learned to love exploring by water while paddling around this island, camping on deserted beaches and surfing through sea caves. She became a Registered Maine Sea Kayak Guide in 2018 when she spent her first summer in Maine. Melanie is also an ACA Level 2 Coastal Kayak instructor.