Current 101

Dates: Feb 2-3  // March 2-3 -4 //  April 13-14
Cost: $300, 3 participants max. Contact us for group pricing.

Current 101 is not only for newbies. We see lots of great sea kayakers looking completely lost in currents, or just not getting a lot of fun out of it. If I ask them if they would go paddle their sea kayak on the River, they shake their head no. But that’s exactly what we are doing. Taking a course will help you understand what is happening, and how you can react best. Often people new to Rough water paddling get to be more efficient in short order because they start with a course and get some clean foundations to work with.

Paddling in current will make you a better technical paddler, improve your bracing, teach you to Stern rudder, and to develop a real roll to respond to accidental capsize. 

Day 1 we usually spend at Tillicum bridge where you learn to read the water, understand where the current is, how to cross from the eddy to the main current, and come back out. We learn about the different scenarios we’ll meet and deal with, ferrying or entering and exiting the current. We discuss the different tools we have, which strokes to use for what purpose, timing, speed, edging, angle of entry…. At the same time we film from shore and from your boat so that next day we can debrief the paddling by video. Next day we’ll meet at 9am and look at the videos from day 1, discuss the theory from day 1 while watching the videos, on the water from 1 to 5, at the same location or at Baynes Channel if conditions allow, to look at how to deal with large currents and travel through them or Play and Stay. We’ll do some videos on day 2 as well, and debrief at the end of the day, or most likely an evening during the week following. So we’ll be paddling about 3 to 4 hours a day, and that’s not by accident. I doubt anybody can paddle much more than that in current and still be productive. That, and the fact that we are weather dependent to some extent are the first 2 things we need to learn if we plan on paddling rougher waters…

Overview

• Look at strokes, rescues and edging, in dynamic waters. First we need to understand what is possible, in which conditions, at what time.
• Specifically look at the strokes we need to paddle in current. We’ll work on those on flat water, then in currents.
• Talk and discuss the different scenarios we have to deal with when paddling in currents, and our strategies to respond and perform in those situation. We’ll look at rescues in current.
• Videos will show you very clearly what you are doing, what can be improve, and what you’re doing like a pro.

All that theory and training will transfer over the larger currents, so we will do it all over again on day 2 possibly in a larger area, which will bring surprises and challenges. If you don’t know anything, come and learn. If you know lots, come and learn what you need to get to the next level and give your paddling a boost….. In the Course, Nick will talk about how he thinks and approaches currents, paddling in new areas, his teaching tricks and much more. Get some insight and boost your confidence while having fun…. Fun and hard work guaranteed! Ratio is 3 participants maximum. Cost $300. Includes sea kayak if needed. Drysuit rental available.