Sea Kayak Basics and Self Rescue Lesson
Too many people venture out in kayaks on the ocean in Alaska without knowing what to do if they capsize. Suit up in a cosy Kokatat dry suit and learn the essential skills for sea kayaking here in Southeast Alaska. Our goal for the basic lesson is to make sure that every participant becomes competent in at least one self or assisted rescue technique. We won't learn to eskimo roll in this lesson but we will learn wet exit and re-entry techniques including a scramble rescue, paddle float rescue and assisted t-rescue. We also practice getting in and out of kayaks from docks and beaches and work on improving our forward and reverse strokes.

Family Lessons, 4 - 5 Hours
If your family owns a kayak or is thinking of purchasing one, family lessons are an ideal way to be sure that everyone in the family feels confident on the water. Families can bring their own kayaks, or use ours. We modify the lesson plan to suit the ages and abilities of family members. It is important to know that younger children cannot wear drysuits but can participate in double kayaks or in their own single kayaks and will observe but not participate in the self-rescue practice.

Beyond the Basics: Strokes & Manuevers Lesson
4 Hours, $99 per person
Take your paddling to the next level by learning advanced boat handling techniques and bracing. In this lesson we learn how to develop an efficient forward stroke as well as turning strokes, reverse strokes, and moving the boat laterally. We then learn sculling and bracing techniques and practice high and low braces. We finish with a review of self-rescue skills. This class is taught in single kayaks. Participants must have taken Sea Kayaking Basics or be practiced in self-rescue skills. Classes can be scheduled Saturday mornings and other times during the week. Please call or email for more information.

2011 Lesson Dates and How to Book
Family or group lessons can be scheduled on Saturdays or other days as works into the schedule. We do require a 2 person minimum to run each lesson - so grab a friend and sign up, or call or email us to put your name on the list for one of the dates below. We can run lessons on other days and times when it fits into our schedule, so please let us know if none of these dates work for you. We take a credit card to hold the space, but you may pay cash, cechk or credit on the day. For 2011 we have the following lesson dates planned:

• Sunday May 29th 10am
• Saturday June 25th
• Saturday July 23rd

Who should take the basics lesson?
Our basics lesson is designed for anyone with reasonable physical fitness who has kayaked at least once or twice before. If you have never kayaked, we recommend that you attend a Saturday morning locals paddle or Tuesday night Diva paddle before taking a lesson.The basics lesson is also suitable for experienced paddlers who need to brush up on self-rescue skills or have never practiced rescues in cold water. Lesson groups are small and we try to group together paddlers of similar abilities. Even in dry-suits, practicing rescues in cold water can be physically demanding if you have questions about your ability to participate, please call or email us.

What to wear and bring
Please bring a snack and water bottle and if you wear glasses bring eye glass retainers (we also have them available for sale at our store.) We cannot stress enough the importance of wearing or bringing lots of warm layers. Our drysuits are waterproof but do not add any warmth so you need to be dressed with several layers to keep you warm in the drysuit in the water. Fleece clothing is best but cotton sewats work too, try not to wear hoodies which are bulky under the drysuits. Please bring warm socks and a beanie to put on after the lesson.