Capsize Rescue Recovery and Safety Course
Saturday, July 17, 2010
The Capsize Rescue & Recovery Safety class will be at Stone Lagoon on Saturday July 17, at 9:30 a.m. Check-in is at 9:00 a.m. Meet at the Stone Lagoon boat launch mile marker 115.3 on highway 101.
Cost is $80.00 per person with your own kayak and gear. $100.00 per person and we provide the kayak and gear. If you have everything except a wetsuit you can rent ours for the special class price of $5.00. Kayak Zak’s will provide helmets at no charge.
GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP THE NIGHT BEFORE AND EAT A GOOD BREAKFAST IN THE MORNING.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Expect to have fun! Expect to get wet. This class is physically and mentally draining, and takes a toll on our gear, but it is but really very fun. Aside from the scary part about being upside down in a kayak in water, we tend to all turn into little kids in a dough-boy pool.
Don't expect to be able to perform every capsize recovery technique that we will cover. This class is about finding the best way for you, your body, and your boat and also about being able to help your paddling friends back into their kayaks.
Arrive early to unload your kayak or to get comfy in ours. We plan to start at 9:30 and to get wet, wet, wet. Bring a lunch as we will take a break on the sand spit. At the end of the class we will have a short debriefing session.
The class will end at around 3:00 p.m.
Plan to eat out that night or have someone else cook for you. This class is really fun and really exhausting!
WHAT TO BRING:
Wet suits or Dry suits are required. This class is all about being in the water and getting out again, and again. Farmer John/Jane wet-suit rentals are available for $5 each. Please contact us in advance if you need any gear.
Bring your kayak, spray skirt, paddle, and any rescue gear that you have, especially a bilge pump and paddle float. You should use your own gear if you have these items as this is the equipment you will have on hand in the event of an actual capsize. Again, contact us in advance if you need to rent anything.
Bring a lunch, and drinking water for our lunch break. Bring a dry bag to put your lunch in (don’t worry, we have extras).
Under the farmer John/Jane wetsuits you will want to wear a bathing suit and a close fitting synthetic long-sleeved shirt such as polypropylene long underwear. On top the wetsuit and under the splash jacket you will want fleece or wool--something to help keep warm. If you are wearing a drysuit, wear warm fleece layers underneath. The drysuit will not keep you warm. You may also want polypropylene gloves and skullcap or a fleece cap. Stone Lagoon’s summer water is warmer than other coastal waters but we still need to dress for immersion. You can't wear too many warm layers in cood water. If you get cold easily you can wear polyester fleece pants over the wet suit.
Wear footwear that you can swim in.
Bring a helmet if you have one, otherwise a helmet will be provided (yes, it is a good idea. You'd be surprised how often we hit our heads on our own boats or a partner's in doing these open water rescues!).
Be sure to bring a change of clothes for afterwards.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Stone Lagoon is just north of Patrick's Point State Park and Big Lagoon in Trinidad and south of Freshwater Lagoon and Orick. If you drive from the south it is on the left just north of the red school house at Redwood Trails campground. At mile marker 115.3 on Hwy 101 there is a Visitor Center, parking area and boat launch. Driving from the north you will find Stone Lagoon on the right just past Orick and Freshwater Lagoon.
TOPICS WE WILL TRY TO COVER IN THE ALLOTED TIME:
Safety features – boat
Wet exit discussion
Balance discussion
Balance in water
Rafting Up
Everybody Wet Exit!
Stern Rudder/Pry Stroke
Eskimo Rescue—bow
Eskimo Rescue—Paddle
T-X Rescue
Swim on to Aft Deck
Hump in
Stirrup
Hook
High Brace
Low Brace
Paddle Float Self Rescue
PF w/ Stirrup
PF Re-enter & Roll
Scoop (if we haven’t already)
All-in
Hitchhiker Stuff
Towing
Lose a Kayak to the Wind (if it is windy)