Kayaking Trip Fundamentals: An On-The-Water Workshop, with Todd Johnstone-Wright

Instructor:  Todd Johnstone-Wright, Synaptic Sports LLC (see Todd’s Bio here:   http://www.pinnipedkayak.com/aca-bcu-sea-kayak-instructors)

Assistant:   Lorrie Allen, NSPN Member and BC Sea Leader

This workshop is for NSPN members only and will take place in moderate open ocean conditions, at a to-be-determined North Shore location.  The focus will be on refining skills needed to lead, and co-lead, day and multi-day sea kayaking adventures.  Refine is the key word here, this is not an introductory workshop to teach basic skills from scratch, and it is not for highly advanced and credentialed paddlers either (for example BC Sea Leaders or ACA Leaders).  Most NSPN paddlers are somewhere in-between.  Paddlers comfortable in Level 3 conditions are the target group, see NSPN’s Trip Levels here (https://www.nspn.org/trip-levels/). A reliable roll is not required to participate or a formal class in rescues, yet basic practice & experience with rescues is expected. 

Areas to be covered over the 2 days are:                

1). Personal Paddling Skills On-The-Fly

Woven into the overall workshop is the practice and review of personal kayaking skills.  The efficient use of these skills in moderate sea states are essential to enjoy a day on the water and sometimes are critical to the overall safety of individuals and the group.

2).  Awareness On-The-Water

Applying boating rules & etiquette, identifying bail out locations and more.

3). Safety and the  Environment

Monitoring & observing the environment (what does that mean?)

Noticing water features and hazards (what do we do with this info?)

How to change the day’s plan when changes happen in the environment, or in the condition of a paddler or the pod.

4). Safety Continued: Transitioning to Leadership Principals & Group Skills

What are the principles of leadership on the water?  What people management skills are helpful?

How does one encourage judgement and decision-making in a paddling group?

How does one promote group safety and welfare through awareness of other group members?

5).  Incident Management

Learning what to do when things go south.  Practice incident management scenarios to include various rescue skills as appropriate to the situation, and different methods of supporting, transporting and towing an impaired paddler or impaired boat. 

$$$ The Cost:  

NSPN is offering this 2 day event for a fee of $175.  It gets even better… participants in this emerging leadership workshop may qualify for $150 reimbursement under our Leadership Training Fund, ( https://www.nspn.org/leadership-training-fund/ ), if the person fulfills the post workshop requirements. 

The skinny is, if you subsequently post 3 club trips (don’t be shy to ask for help or to recruit a co-initiator) and write up the associated trip reports, you will be reimbursed $150.  

Note: parking fees may apply depending on the venue.

The Sign Up Process :

Participants are expected to have sufficient boat handling skills, applying them in a variety of moderate conditions.  The first step in the sign-up process is to email the Board of Directors here ([email protected]).  Applicant’s level will be screened to insure they meet the criteria noted in the text above, and if so they will be added to a list in the order received by the Board.  There are only 10 applicant spaces, so a wait list may be needed.  Applicants screened-in will be notified and their space secured once payment has been received.  Daily locations to be determined in the days before the event and participants will be provided with details by email at that time.