INSTRUCTION

Watersmyth Kayaking believes anyone can paddle. We also believe anyone can paddle better and enjoy it more by taking instruction, practicing and being coached. Our instructional programs are designed to help students progress at their own pace. We facilitate this by offering classes by level of difficulty, specific skill sets, and coaching.
GENERAL
COACHING
RESCUES
ROLLING
TOURING
NAVIGATION

Level 1
This is our beginners class. If you are considering buying a kayak, have just bought one, or you‘ve been paddling a while and want to enjoy paddling more, this is your class.
Rock solid fundamentals are what this class is all about. The things that every kayaker needs to know regardless of type of boat, or type of paddling. Here are the major subjects covered:

  • Boat nomenclature
  • Gear
  • Loading and un-loading
  • Boat fit and posture
  • Launching and landing
  • Basic safety and hazards
  • Propulsion strokes
  • Maneuvering strokes

Class length:  3 hours
Class size:  2-5 people 
Class cost:  $65.00/person

Level 2
When you are ready to move forward and start to learn more advanced strokes and paddling concepts, this is your next class. In this class we work on:

  • Improving propulsion
  • Advanced maneuvering
  • Boat edging
  • Bracing
  • Water and weather

Class length:  3 hours
Class size:  2-5 people
Class cost:  $65.00/person

Level 3
 When you feel you have a firm grasp on the skills and concepts taught in Level 1 and 2, it is time to apply those skills to more advanced water conditions. Level 3 students will be presented with real world scenarios and conditions and will be taught safe management of them. Situations and subjects covered:   

  • Paddling in current
  • Paddling in wind
  • Paddling in wind waves
  • Water and weather II
  • Group management

Class length:  4 hours
Class size:  2-5 people
Class cost:  $80.00/person

Instructor approval required for participation


Rescues I

Knowing how to get back in your boat after a capsize is absolutely necessary. This simple yet often neglected skill could literally save your life. In this class you will learn how to reliably rescue yourself or another paddler.

Class length:  2 hours
Class size:  2-5 people
Class cost:  $50.00/person

Rescues II

Because we paddle in a variety of conditions and are faced with a variety of rescue scenarios, there are a variety of different rescue techniques. In this class you will learn appropriate rescue methods for specific scenarios and conditions. Some of these rescues are:

  • Scramble, or cowboy
  • Paddle float re-enter and roll
  • All-in
  • Bow rescue
  • Shaft rescue
  • Hand of God
  • Scoop rescue
  • Using a sling
  • Towing
  • T-rescue variations

Class length:  4 hours
Class size:  2-5 people
Class cost:  $80.00/person

Rolling

Rolling a kayak after capsizing is the most efficient form of self rescue.  It is also a really cool trick and a sometimes elusive skill. Due to the difficulties of instructing this technique we allow no more than 2 students per instructor. 

Class length:  2 hours
Class size:  1-2 people
Class cost:  $90.00 for one person, $60.00/person for 2 people.

Surf 1

Do you hear the Sirens call? If you choose to answer the call of the open ocean you will need to know how to paddle in the surf. In Surf 1 we begin with the most important skill necessary for paddling in the ocean, staying upright. From there we move on to the more specific skills of; launching, landing, broaching, reading waves and finally...surfing.

This course is intended for intermediate paddlers in sea kayaks.

Class length: 6 hours
Class size: 2-4 people
Class cost: $115.00/person


 

Navigation I

Ever been to a strange city and gotten lost? Not fun. Ever been lost on the water? Uh oh!! Navigating on water is not so different from navigating on the road. If you know what to look for there are signs, streets, highways and sidewalks. What you don't have are speedometers, odometers, curbs or paint on the pavement. Since much of navigation is done at home on the dining room table, this class is partially taught at a table. The first half of this course is taught on land and then we apply our newly learned skills to the water. Subjects covered:

  • Chart reading
  • Aids to navigation
  • Compasses and the compass rose
  • Hydrology and meteorology
  • Course plotting
  • Staying found
  • Piloting vs. D'ed reckoning
  • Application

Class length: 8 hours, plus lunch break
Class size: 2-5 people
Class cost: $135.00/person
Required materials: NOAA chart no.11537, pencil, ruler, some type of compass.
Suggested materials: deck compass, parallel rulers.
Total geek out: dividers, nautical slide rule, Small Craft Navaid, water proof note pad.

 

Coastal Kayaking

This class is intended to prepare intermediate paddlers for day trips on the coastal waters of North Carolina.  Students in Coastal Kayaking will learn the basic skills and knowledge necessary to safely plan and paddle day-long trips on the inshore waters of North Carolina.  This class will not be paddling in the ocean nor is it preparation for open water paddling. Participants need solid Level 2 skills (see above).
    Here are some of the specific subjects to be covered:

  • Basic chart reading
  • Route planning
  • Piloting
  • General safety
  • Wind, tide and current
  • Rules of the road
  • Gear

 

Students will need to bring some form of compass (deck, orienteering, zipper toggle….).
Includes information handouts and appropriate chart copies.

Class length:   6 hours
Class size:  2-5 students
Class cost:  $110.00

 

American Canoe Association Classes, Assessments and Certifications

Coastal Kayaking Trip Leading Training and Assessment

The ACA's certification course for Trip Leaders has very exacting and high standards. Watersmyth Kayaking prides itself on upholding these standards. We know that the people we assess may be responsible for the safety and lives of others. Candidates for this certification should be advised that this course as offered by us is not a rubber stamp. Attendance and participation are not guarantees of certification. Candidates must demonstrate the skills, abilities, knowledge and judgement as proscribed by the ACA and the importance of the role of Trip Leader.

ACA Overview

ACA course outline (this is a guide for the instructor, actual course itinerary may differ)

Class length: 16 hours (2 days)
Class size: 3-10 students
Class cost: $270.00 per student

Coastal Kayaking Skills Assessment

Kayakers, businesses, clubs and other organizations often need to know an individual's paddling skill level. The ACA Coastal Kayaking Skills Assessment provides an objective standard for rating kayaker skill level. We offer comprehensive training for assessments as well as, the actual assessments. Our training courses are specifically designed to prepare students for assessment. It is strongly recommended that assessment candidates participate in formal training with an ACA certified instructor prior to attempting assessment.

Level 2 training

Class length: 4 hours
Class size: 3-6 students
Class cost: $80.00 per student

Level 3 training

Class length: 8 hours
Class size: 3-6 students
Class cost: $135.00 per student

Level 4 training

Class length: 8 hours
Class size: 3-6 students
Class cost: $135.00 per student

Level 2 assessment

Assessment length: approximately 4 hours
Group size: 3-5 candidates
Assessment cost: $80.00 per student

Level 3 assessment

Assessment length: approximately 5 hours
Group size: 3-5 candidates
Assessment cost: $90.00 per student

Level 4 assessment

Assessment length: approximately 8 hours
Group size: 3-5 candidates
Assessment cost: $135.00 per student

Coastal Kayaking Instructor Certification

The process for ACA instructor certification begins with an Instructor Development Workshop (IDW). The IDW helps instructor candidates learn to teach paddling skills they already possess. Candidates should have mastered the skill level at which they wish to be certified before the IDW. While most people learn a great deal about paddling during an IDW, the intent and design of the workshop is to teach candidates to teach.

Step two in the process of instructor certification is the Instructor Certification Exam (ICE). This is exactly what it sounds like. Candidates will be assessed by demonstration of their teaching, modeling and paddling skills, and by written exam. ACA criteria for certification is specific and as objective as it can be.

ACA instructor certification criteria:

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Class length: 2-6 days
Class size: 2-5 candidates
Class cost: Level 1 & 2, 2 days, $290.00 / Level 3, 4 days, $540.00 / Level 4, 6 days, $690.00