2010
KAYAK LESSONS
The Collinsville Canoe & Kayak lesson program
is built on the belief that a proper foundation of skills and techniques
will lead to a lifetime of fun and enjoyment. Our highly qualified,
enthusiastic instructors will be able to teach you the skills you
need to build your confidence in order to pursue your chosen paddle
sport. We strive to keep our student to instructor ratio low to
ensure each student receives one-on-one attention in a controlled
and safety conscious environment.
Adult lessons are for ages 13 and up.
Reservations:
Reservations are required. Payment is due in full at time of reservation.
Reservations may be made via telephone or in-person.
Cancellations:
Students canceling with 48 hours or more notice will receive a full
refund. Sorry, cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice
will receive no refund. Students who fail to appear will also forfeit
the entire lesson fee. In the event that CCK cancels a class due
to lack of enrollment, severe weather or emergency, students may
reschedule or receive a full refund.
Private Lessons:
Private lessons are available upon request and instructor availability.
Rates are subject to change without
notice.
Call for reservations & information: (860) 693-6977
What to wear: Please wear quick drying clothes whenever possible,
(we prefer students not to be wearing cotton), foot protection,
preferably neoprene booties or beach shoes. Remember to bring a
change of clothing and a towel. If you wear eyeglasses, retainers
will prevent their loss.
Please be considerate to other students and arrive at least 15 minutes
before your lesson is scheduled to start. Students arriving less
than 15 minutes before class may be denied entrance into a lesson.
Classes begin promptly at the scheduled start time.
We strive to provide quality gear and safety conscious
instructors. Water sports, however, as well as many other sports
have inherent risks. Due to these risks we ask that you read, accept
and sign a waiver, which we will provide prior to the lesson, or
you may view and print our waiver.
Lessons are subject to change without prior notice.
Additional or custom lessons will be added upon request when possible.
We hold our lessons “Rain
or Shine”, except in the event of extreme weather.
Wetsuits and paddling jackets are available at no charge.
Ability to perform “wet exits” is required for all kayak
lessons.
Therefore Collinsville Canoe & Kayak will teach this skill in
all beginning lessons.
Collinsville Canoe & Kayak is happy to customize any lesson
for work, school or specialized groups. Call us for info. (860)
693-6977
Family & Special Group Lessons
Collinsville Canoe & Kayak is happy to arrange lessons for families
or special groups such as Parks & Rec Departments, Girl &
Boy Scouts and corporate groups. Please call (860) 693-6977 for
more info and to make reservations.
Download
a PDF version of our complete lesson schedule.
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Intro to Kayak
$49 (+ tax) per student
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At the end of this course, you should be
able to paddle safely in protected waters. We use stable,
recreational kayaks. You will learn about boat design and
materials, paddles, clothing, equipment and how to adjust
a boat for a comfortable fit. The basic strokes and maneuvers
that are covered are; paddling forward, backward, turning,
bracing to prevent capsize and what to do in the event of
a capsize.
June
Tuesday, June 8, 6pm - 8pm
Friday, June 25, 6pm -8pm
Tuesday, June 22, 6pm - 8pm
July
Friday, July 9, 6pm - 8pm
Tuesday, July 13, 6pm - 8pm
Friday, July 23, 6pm - 8pm
Wednesday, July28, 6pm - 8pm
August
Friday, August 6, 6pm- 8pm
Tuesday, August 10, 6pm - 8pm
Friday, August 20, 6pm - 8pm
Wednesday, August25, 6pm - 8pm
September
Wednesday, September 1, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Wednesday, September 15, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
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Extended Intro
to Kayak
$65 (+ tax) per student
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| This course is for those who want a more in-depth
start, or a tune-up of basic skills. In this 3 hour course
we will cover the material from the Intro to Kayak course
plus practical car topping techniques, efficient edged (leaned)
turns and combination strokes. We also cover basic capsize
and recovery skills.
May
Saturday, May 1, 2pm - 5pm
Sunday, May 9, 10am - 1pm
Sunday, May16, 10am - 1pm
Sunday, May 23, 10am - 1pm
Sunday, May 30, 10am - 1pm
June
Saturday, June 5, 2pm - 5pm
Sunday, June 6, 10am - 1pm
Sunday, June 13, 10am - 1pm
Saturday, June 19, 10am - 1pm
Saturday, June 26, 10am - 1pm
Sunday, June 27, 10am - 1pm
July
Thursday, July 1, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday, July 3, 9am - 12pm
Saturday, July 10, 9am - 12pm
Saturday, July 24, 10am - 1pm
August
Sunday, August 1, 10am - 1pm
Saturday, August 7, 10am - 1pm
Sunday, August 15, 10am - 1pm
Saturday, August 28, 10am - 1pm
Sunday, August 29, 10am - 1pm
September
Saturday, Sept 4, 10am - 1pm
Saturday, Sept 11, 2pm - 5pm
Sunday, Sept 12, 10am - 1pm
Sunday, Sept. 26, 10am - 1pm
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Intro to Touring
$49 (+ tax) per student
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This course is designed as a refresher of basic
kayak strokes for paddlers with limited experience. We will
introduce additional paddling skills, essentials of trip planning,
proper clothing, equipment, food and water. Safety to allow
students to use their kayaks for more extended trips will
be covered.
May
Saturday, May 29, 10am - 12pm
June
Saturday, June 19, 12pm - 2pm
July
Saturday, July 3, 12:30pm - 2:30pm
August
Saturday, August 21, 10am - 12pm
September
Saturday, Sept 11, 10am - 12pm
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| Extended
Intro to Touring
$65 (+ tax) per student |
This course is for those who want a more in-depth
start or a tune-up of basic skills. In this 3 hour course
we will cover the material from the Intro to Touring course
plus give brief introductions to navigation, dealing with
tides, waves and currents.
May
Sunday May 30, 10am - 1pm
June
Sunday, June 20, 10am - 1pm
July
Sunday, July 11, 10am - 1pm
August
Sunday, August 22, 10am - 1pm
September
Sunday, September 12, 2pm - 5pm
Saturday, September 25, 10am - 1pm
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Kayak Rescue Techniques
$65 (+ tax) per student
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Everyone capsizes at some point. Learn how
to rescue yourself and others in deep water. These skills
are essential if you are to expand your paddling beyond an
easy swim to shore. This course requires good physical stamina,
good swimming ability and comfort in the water. Common risks
and their prevention will be covered. Prerequisite is
Intro to Kayak or Extended Intro to Kayak.
May
Saturday, May 29, 1pm - 4pm
June
Saturday, June 19, 3pm - 6pm
July
Saturday, July 3, 3pm - 6pm
Saturday, July 24, 2pm-5pm
August
Saturday, August 21, 1pm - 4pm
September
Saturday, September 11, 1pm - 4pm
Saturday, September 25, 2pm - 5pm
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| Coastal
Kayaking
$85 (+ tax) per student |
This course is designed for those who want to
move on from short lake paddles to more extended trips on
tidal or coastal waters. Starting with a two hour refresher
on strokes, wet exits and basic rescues, we then discuss trip
planning, chart reading, coastal navigation, tides and current.
We will complete our day with a six to eight mile paddle along
the coast.
What you need to bring:
Your own basic equipment – kayak, paddle, PFD (touring
kayak recommended), spray skirt (optional).
Appropriate paddling clothing including a change of dry clothes.
Other personal essentials – sunscreen, eyeglass straps,
nose clips (highly recommended).
Water and lunch.
Location:
We will meet at a launch on the Connecticut River or a tributary
somewhere between East Haddam and Old Saybrook. Directions
to our meeting area will be provided at least one week prior
to the class.
Prerequisites:
Be able to perform the basic strokes, forward, backwards,
sweep (turn) and stop.
Be able to wet exit your kayak in a controlled and safe method.
Have paddled for several hours and at least 5 miles on one
of your previous paddles.
Cancellations:
Due to the logistics involved this course requires a 5 day
minimum notification for a full refund.
July
Saturday, July 24, 9am - 4pm
Sunday, July 25, 9am - 4pm
August
Saturday, August 28, 9am - 4pm
Sunday, August 29, 9am - 4pm
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Eskimo Rolling (Whitewater
or Touring)
$49 (+ tax) per student
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The Eskimo Roll is the quickest and safest
way to recover in the event of a capsize. It is also one of
the most difficult skills to master. Through one on one instruction
our instructors will teach you the proper techniques to bring
you up every time. This skill may take more than one session
to learn.
May
Sunday, May 30, 2pm - 4pm
June
Sunday, June 13, 3pm - 5pm
Wednesday, June 30, 6pm - 8pm
July
Saturday, July 17, 1pm - 3pm
Sunday, July 25, 1pm - 3pm
Saturday, July 31, 2pm - 4pm
August
Saturday, August 22, 2pm - 4pm
September
Saturday, September 26, 2pm - 4pm
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Intro to Moving Water
$75 (+ tax) per student
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Not all paddling is done on ponds and lakes.
If you want to learn the basic skills and concepts of paddling
on quick moving water with mild rapids, this is for you. Emphasis
is on why water flows as it does and how to use the current
for an enjoyable run. Prerequisite is Intro to Kayak or
Extended Intro to Kayak.
May
Sunday, May 16, 2pm - 5pm,
June
Saturday, June 19, 2pm - 5pm
July
Saturday, July 31, 10am - 1pm
August
Saturday, August 21, 10am - 1pm
September
Saturday, September 4, 2pm - 5pm
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Whitewater 'Fast Track'
$140 (+ tax) per student
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This one day course is designed for students
who want to learn the basics of whitewater kayaking. The construction,
outfitting and carrying of the whitewater kayak will be discussed.
The on-water portion begins on flat water to acclimate students
to the feel of a whitewater kayak. We will cover wet exits
and the basic strokes needed to get the most out of your paddling
experience. After a break for lunch we will move downstream
to moving water. The on-river portion of the lesson begins
with a discussion about river features. From there we will
review all the basic strokes with more focus placed on leans
and braces. While traveling down river, eddy turns, peel outs,
and ferrying will be taught in friendly class I rapids. Basic
scouting and river etiquette will be also be discussed. This
course requires good physical stamina, good swimming ability
and comfort in the water.
May
Saturday, May 8, 9am - 4pm
June
Saturday, June 5, 9am - 4pm
July
Saturday, July 17, 9am - 4pm
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Silver Strokes
$49 (+ tax) per student
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This basic kayak course is designed especially
for seniors who would like to explore this wonderful sport
in a relaxed and comfortable environment. The emphasis will
be on paddling efficiently, understanding how the boat moves
and transporting the boat on land. Students will also learn
the easiest way to get in and out of their kayaks.
July
Wednesday, July 7, 10am - 12pm
August
Wednesday, August 11, 10am - 12pm
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| Cure
Your Kayaking Ailments with Dr Ben Lawry |
Ben has been paddling for over 30 years, and
teaching/guiding for over 20. He has taught paddling on five
continents and competed on three. Presently he works as head
instructor and owner of Kayak Camp with his wife, Elizabeth.
He has led trips and traveled extensively in South America,
South Africa, Europe and North America. Ben splits his time
now teaching paddling and working with stores. His teaching
also takes him to symposiums, shows and paddling rendezvous
all over the United States. As a brand ambassador, he is involved
with kayak design in sea, light touring and racing kayaks.
All of which has led to an in-depth knowledge of instruction/guiding
practices and procedures, strong commitment to quality service,
as well as excellent organizational and problem solving skills.
He enjoys competing in sprint, sea kayak, slalom, rodeo, marathon
canoe and kayak, outrigger, surf ski and wildwater events.
Friday, May 21, 10am -1pm
Flatwater Core Kayaking Techniques
$65 (+ tax) per student
This class covers the basics of kayaking. Its goal is to provide
a solid ergonomic and efficient set of skills for people to
grow through their kayaking career. The subjects covered are
correct grip and hand placement on the paddle shaft, check
on boat fit and an explanation of terms. Balance, posture
and tilting are covered as is correct blade and boat use to
guarantee a good foundation to grow from. Strokes covered
may include forward and reverse sweeps, pivot turns, reverse
stroke, forward stroke and low braces.
Friday, May 21, 2pm - 5pm
Flatwater Forward Stroke Clinic
$65 (+ tax) per student
Over 99% of your time is spent paddling forward, yet it is
very rarely talked about or taught. This is the introduction
to get you set on the correct path for a more enjoyable and
efficient paddling career. Efficiency and correct body use
are the keys here to keep you paddling for hours at a time
with ease and grace. We start with exercises on the ground
and work on our form and theory. Then we move to the water
and into our kayaks.
Saturday, May 22, 10am - 1pm
WW Core Paddling Techniques
$65 (+ tax) per student
This class covers the basics of kayaking. Its goal is to provide
a solid ergonomic and efficient set of skills for people to
grow through their kayaking career. The subjects covered are
correct grip and hand placement on the paddle shaft, check
on boat fit and an explanation of terms. Balance, posture
and tilting are covered as is correct blade and boat use to
guarantee a good foundation to grow from. Strokes covered
may include forward and reverse sweeps, pivot turns, reverse
stroke, forward stroke and low braces.
Saturday, May 22, 2pm - 5pm
WW Ferries and Eddys
$65 (+ tax) per student
We will spend time learning how to help the boat work with
Eddy lines. Then take that progression into our ferries and
eddy turns. We a better understanding we will be more confident
and precise for when we meet those larger features. Perfect
for the paddler comfortable going down stream but looking
to do more with their paddling and those who want to get more
efficiency out of the kayaks |
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