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Kayaktraining.com’s Level 4 courses focus on the
ability to apply all Level 3 skills in moderate to rough open water
conditions. This level also introduces:
- new technical skills such as
kayak launching, landing
and holding position in moderate surf (up three feet) dealing with
currents (e.g. ferry angles, eddy turns); rolling in open water
conditions; and night paddling
- new safety-related skills such as use of signaling
devices and marine radios; knowledge of basic first aid, including
prevention and treatment of hypothermia; and understanding the effects
of wind, weather, current and waves;
- new leadership skills such as effective group
management practices and planning long trips in open water.
Because of the range of skills needed at this level,
Kayaktraining.com offers three separate but related Level 4 courses. These
include Open Water Skills, Surf Zone and Intermediate Kayak Navigation.
Open Water Kayak Skills: This eight hour course
introduces paddlers to open water conditions with moderate wind, waves and
current. The goal is to learn how take skills you learned previously and
apply them in open water conditions, so that you can be a competent member
of a group undertaking day or multi-day coastal kayaking trips. This means,
in part, being able to paddle efficiently in winds to 16 knots and in head,
beam or following seas; being able to perform various maneuvers such as bow
rudders and low brace turns with confident edging in rougher conditions;
being able to brace and roll in open water; and being able to perform
various rescues and tows in open water.
Surf Zone: This full day course is designed as
an introduction to safely negotiating the surf zone and dealing with
moderate currents. We will cover – among other things – safe kayak launching and
landing techniques, use of the stern rudder in surf; how to use effective
edging and bracing when broached on a wave; “reading” the waves; group
management in the surf zone; and paddle and hand signals. In this course,
you will also learn how to deal with currents including crossing them using
ferry angles and ranges, and entering and exiting currents to/from eddies.
Intermediate Kayak Navigation: This six hour course is
designed to reinforce and build upon the navigational and seamanship skills
learned in the Basic course. Topics covered will include predicting tides
and currents; the rule of twelfths and the 50/90 rule and their practical
applications; correcting for wind and current in open crossings; rules of
the nautical road, use of VHF radios and signaling devices; GPS; and
multi-day navigation planning. The course will have classroom and on-water
components, including a nighttime navigation exercise. It will also involve
the development of a full navigation plan for a multi-day trip. |
