Skills Session #1: Understanding the Ocean Environment

Our first Skills Session of 2023 will focus on the environment in which we paddle, and open to all skill levels.  In addition to reviewing the information you need before venturing out on the ocean (weather, tides, currents, hazards, etc) we will be observing and experiencing the larger and smaller movements of the water.  After paddling out the harbor, we will land at Brown's Island and take a short walk up the hill to view the ocean. From this vantage point, we will be looking down at charts and transitioning to looking out over the water to identify characteristics just noted in the chart work.  Each pod will design a journey for the day and then execute that journey on the water. 

In later Skill Session episodes, we will focus on particular skills to control your kayak and their application to different types of water movement. 

What You Need to Bring:

Kayak with bulk heads and a spray skirt, PFD, Paddles, hand-held compass, chart of area, hat or helmet, dress for immersion, sunscreen, lunch, snacks, water and $20 for parking.

Location:  Riverhead Beach, Ocean Avenue, Marblehead, MA

Arrive:   @ 9:15 am, Return:  by 3:00 pm

We use ACA insurance for skills sessions.  You need to either be an ACA member (join here for $40/year) or pay a $10 event fee here.  The annual membership is a better deal, as it covers all our skills sessions and pool sessions for a year.

You also need to sign the ACA waiver at our special NSPN link here, once a year if you're an ACA member, or for each session if you're paying the event fee.

Register by signing up here.  You'll need your ACA member number.