seasherpakayak

Sea Sherpa Kayak is doing the staged re-opening thing. Our Stage 1 focuses on local events held along the Fishers Island Sound to Narragansett Bay areas. The current world-order has some benefits for us paddlers; namely less boat and road traffic than would be status quo for this time of year which makes for easy access to more launches and venues. To respect social distancing protocols, we are currently limiting events to five paddlers or less, have worked out a specialized rescue technique, are carrying spare masks and sanitizer and, sadly, for the time being, no hugs from Gerry. Regularly Scheduled Programming: We were able to tweak and salvage most of our local June events. July, which was top heavy in travel trips, had to be a bit gutted. We're working on new events for then and will post as they fall into place. For the late summer and fall we have to see what the rules and regs are then but, are planning on keeping the calendar as is, with some new additions situationally dependent. Privates & Semi-Privates: The new world order seems to lend itself nicely to these. Privates are for groups from 1-5 paddlers that self-populate while semi privates are for individuals looking to join in on with a group put together with our help. Both are fully customizable and geared towards the individual wants and needs of the group members. Stroke work, tide race play, surf, rock gardening, incident management (within distancing protocols), navigation, leadership, expeditionary skills, tidal planning, etc... are all up for grabs. For the 2020 season, these events that fall on a weekend are discounted 10% - if on weekdays, discount is 15%. For gory details, check us out at www.SeaSherpaKayak.com Hope you all have a safe and sane summer. Gerry Polinsky

Sea Sherpa Kayak is holding the Polar Paddle Practicum for the 5th year in a row. One-of-a-kind, paddle action figure John Carmody is re-joining Gerry Polinsky on the coach staff. Part instructional, part exploratorium. Paddlers will work in similarly experienced pods allowing all to push within their comfort zones. The primary focus will be on personal skills, splitting time between coaching and "having at it". There will also be opportunity to work conditions forecasting and trip planning. South coast Maine is fantastically beautiful and is sadly underutilized by the open water paddle community. The area between Wells and Cape Elizabeth offers classic nautical Maine scenery and is filthy with fantastic rock gardening & surf options, lighthouses and lobster boats. Participants will be staying together in a centrally located, historic mansion with a fully outfitted kitchen. Appropriate skill level is modest to advanced intermediate open water paddlers. For further details on logistics and prices, go to PPP 5.0 or contact gerry at sea sherpa kayak dot com. This is a really fun, productive event and a great way to kick start your paddle season. We hope to see you there.

Happy Winter All, https://seasherpakayak.com is offering two events in Baja in early March. Each is geared towards specific levels of experience so it should be easy to find a good fit. Gerry ran an event there last year: Conditions were spectacular (both weather and swell), our bungalow comfy with great views, fantastic food and quality tequila. Lots of fun and world class paddling. Event prices are surprisingly low as that's the way things are in Baja. Baja Bash-Week 2: Rocks & Surf Instructional March 8 – March 14, 2020 https://seasherpakayak.com/event/baja-bash-rocks-surf-skills-and/ Baja sea kayaking offers fantastic rock gardening and surf venues set against spectacular scenary and wildlife. In this event, we’ll balance skills instruction with exploration and playtime. Geared towards the modest to strong intermediate open water paddler, this event is a massive pile of fun and a great way to wash away the winter dust. Baja Bash-Week 1: Advanced Rocks & Surf March 1-7, 2020 https://seasherpakayak.com/event/baja-bash-week-1-advanced-rocks-surf/ Sea Sherpa Kayak is hosting two back-to-back kayak events in Baja. Week 1 is geared towards advanced, open water paddlers looking for a “peer paddle” exploratorium with long leashed, top tips coaching. Off shore reefs, pour-overs, slots, sea cliffs and shore surf set against a backdrop of fantastic scenery and wildlife. If interested, follow the link to https://seasherpakayak.com for more details or email gerry at sea sherpa kayak dot com

SEA SHERPA KAYAK EARLY SEASON DISCOUNTS The lingering winter frequently has a chilling effect (pun) on cold clime paddle events. The Baja Bash (3/10-3/16) was a rocking hit, at least partially due to the warm weather setting. That said, there are a few spots left open in each of our next two classes so we have decided to counter by offering local club discounts. If you are a member in good standing of a New England based club, you are entitled to a 15% discount good for the following events:- POLAR PADDLE PRACTICUM 4.0 4/12 – 4/14 SOUTH COAST MAINEThis is a gift that keeps on giving. Now on it’s fourth iteration, we are trying out new locals and going back to our roots on programming. We’ve eliminated the Leadership Tract and are laser focused making sure paddlers get what they want and need on open water.South coast Maine is a fantastically beautiful area which is underutilized by the paddle community. Part instructional, part exploratorium, participants will have the opportunity to work with instructors to help pick the days’ venues and quantify what makes them tick. Paddlers will work in similarly experienced pods allowing all to push within their comfort zones.Participants will be staying together in a comfy house in Old Orchard Beach. It's a nice town and close enough to venue options to allow access to all sorts of great paddling.SKILL LEVEL: Advanced beginners to advanced intermediate open water paddlers.PRICE: $700 minus a $105 discount- ROCKS, SURF, RACES 5/10-5/12 FISHERS ISLAND SOUND AND COASTAL RIHome to the awesome tide races of the Fishers Island Sound, surf beach venues along the RI south coast and Narragansett Bay and scenic rock gardening on the southern tip of Jamestown, we’ll go where conditions are best and paddler interest is highest. The focus of this event is to increase comfort and expand capacities in open water. This is a complex and varied set of venues, allowing a great opportunity for participants to hone their conditions forecasting skills.Tim Gleason, skilled active water coach from RI, joins Gerry to host this event in their native waters. As a marine scientist who grew up on the water and experienced sea leader with international experience, he brings a unique perspective to coaching. Gerry and Tim love paddling this area and are appreciative of the wide variety of condition options.This event will be housed either at a house or cabins at a camp depending on sign up levels.SKILL LEVEL: Advanced beginners to intermediate open water paddlers.PRICE: We are still working out housing so final price is TBD. Will be somewhere in the $750 range minus a 15% discount for those needing housing. Local club members that are day players not needing housing will pay $525 minus a 15% discount.As always, check the calendar on our website for updates and additions at SeaSherpaKayak.com.You can reach out to Gerry directly at Gerry At Sea Sherpa Kayak Dot ComHave a great and safe 2019 paddle season.

Based out of Connecticut, Sea Sherpa Kayak is owned and operated by Gerry Polinsky. We specialize in coaching kayakers, of all level of experience, in the dark arts of open water paddling. Our focus is on individualized instruction with no preset itineraries. Aside from group events, we are often available for private, semi private and custom classes. The list below includes a few highlights from the upcoming season.Follow this link to check out our current 2019 calendar: https://seasherpakayak.comNote: The calendar changes and expands often so, if interested, sign up on the site, for our newsletter/updates.BAJA ROCKS AND SURF: 3/10 - 3/16 BAJA CALIFORNIABaja is renowned for it's quality rock gardening and surf. Couldn't be a better place to kiss the winter good bye. Gerry is hosting this event, proudly partnering with Jenn Kleck. POLAR PADDLE PRACTICUM 4.0: 4/12 - 4/14 SOUTH COAST MAINEBack for the 4th year. Carl Ladd, owner of Ospery Sea Kayak Adventures fame is joining in on the fun. We will be joined by Kelsey&Johnathan Oltz. Southern Maine offers classic nautical Maine scenery and is filthy with fantastic rock gardening & surf options, lighthouses and lobster boats. ROCKS, SURF, RACES: 5/10 - 5/12 COASTAL CONNECTICUT AND RHODE ISLANDTim Gleason, skilled active water coach from RI, joins Gerry to host this event in their native waters. As a marine scientist who grew up on the water and experienced sea leader with international experience, he brings a unique perspective to coaching. Gerry and Tim love paddling this area and are appreciative of the wide variety of condition options. We'll follow where conditions are best. Venues offer the potential of an open water trifecta: Rock gardening, shore surfing and tide race play.SCHOODIC RETREAT 2.0: 9/16 - 9/20 SHOODIC PENINSULA, DOWN EAST MAINECO-PRESENTED BY SEA SHERPA KAYAK, GUILLEMOT KAYAK AND CHESAPEAKE LIGHT CRAFTOur favorite event of the year. Local luminary Nick Schade joins forces with Gerry in offering this one-of-a-kind combination of open water instructional, exploratorium and fine-living retreat. The Retreat is a good fit for both traditional (wood) and Brit style kayak enthusiasts. We have three pods of participants so all from advanced beginner to advanced open water paddlers are welcome. There is a non-paddling friends and family program with it's own events and a dedicated boat swap day so everyone can try Nick's Schade's boats in the waters they were designed for.The Schoodic Peninsula exemplifies the very best of rugged, remote and dramatic down east shoreline.

Good catch Prudence. I tried to sneak this posting out the morning of the first day of my most recent event and didn't take the time to proofread. Sorry all. I'll fix the copy on my site. BTW, this will be held in the southeastern Connecticut, western Rhode Island border area.

SEA SHERPA KAYAK: OPEN WATER SKILLS DEVELOPMENT WEEKEND May 19 & 20 This two day custom program is geared towards paddlers with rudimentary active water experience. Sneaking in under the wire of Labor Day means easier traffic, minimal power boats and wide open venues. This is your chance to kick start your open water paddle season. There are 1 and two day options. This intimate event features individualized instruction. That means there won't be a pre set itinerary and all paddlers will get to work on what they want and need. Paddle venues could include shore sure surf, rock gardening and/or tide races Check out the gory details at http://seasherpakayak.com/event/open-water-skills/. Disclaimer: This is a brandy new site. Some copy is still sketchy and some events are yet to be posted. Hope to see you on the water soon, Gerry Gerry at Sea Sherpa Kayak dot com

This year's Polar Paddle Practicum (4/27-4/29) has some new additions: Original event description and pricing follows at bottom of page. - Full event participants is just about filled but we do have slots for day players. If you cannot schedule all 3 days but, are interested in a day or two of quality open water instruction, we have newly available spaces. - Turn out has been high so we've added an additional coach. Rhode Island resident, Tim Gleason, is an upcoming rock star instructor. As a local, he has deep understanding of the venues we'll be working. As a marine scientist, he brings an interesting take on the marine environment. - We've added a leadership tract for qualified participants. Qualified paddlers with the equivalent of BCU Star and/or ACA Level 3-4 and 5 aspirants can take a day (or half day) to co-coach. This is a hard to find opportunity to exercise the full spectrum of instructional muscle with a group in conditions. Venue selection, defining field of play, on/off water presentation, individualized instruction are all part of the tract. Head coaches will offer participants feedback and action planning based on your performance. Polar Paddle Practicum (PPP3) 4/27-4/29 2018 Kick start your active water paddle play season. Join John Carmody (Sea Cliff Kayakers) and Gerry Polinsky (Sea Sherpa Kayak) This mini symposium is geared towards any paddler from advanced beginner to advanced intermediate looking to refine their open water skills. We get a jump on the season as fall through spring is the best and most dependable season for active water. Classroom time and housing will be staged out of a camp located on the Ct/RI border. New this year, we will be staying in cabins that fit either two or four paddlers. Beds with sheets, bathrooms, kitchens, heat and a centralized location makes for very civilized pre and post paddle living. Paddle play itself will follow where conditions are best. Rock gardening, shore surf and tiderips are the featured possibilities. There will be no predetermined curriculum as this intimate event is focused on individual paddlers’ wants and needs. Participants will be working primarily with others of similar experience. The overall goal is to help you grow your capacity and comfort in rough water situations. As this area offers interesting and complex conditions, participants will have opportunities to take an active role in determining the daily paddle plans and grow their conditions forecasting tool-box. Costs are: - Campers in cabins of 4 $625 - Campers in cabins of 2 $675 - Day Players – all 3 days $500 - Single Day Players $175/day Note: cabins are available starting Thursday afternoon, 4/26. Contact Gerry At Sea Sherpa Kayak Dot Com to book or with any questions

Polar Paddle Practicum (PPP3) 4/27-4/29 2018 Kick start your active water paddle play season. Join John Carmody (Sea Cliff Kayakers) and Gerry Polinsky (Sea Sherpa Kayak) for our. third annual PPP.This course is geared towards any paddler from advanced beginner to advanced intermediate looking to refine their open water skills. We get a jump on the season, as fall through spring is the best and most dependable season for active water. Classroom time and housing will be staged out of a camp located on the Ct/RI border. New this year, we will be staying in micro cabins that fit either two or four paddlers. Beds with sheets, bathrooms, kitchens, heat and a centralized location makes for very civilized pre and post paddle living. Paddle play itself will follow where conditions are best. Rock gardening, shore surf and tiderips are the featured possibilities. There will be no predetermined curriculum as this intimate event is focused on individual paddlers’ wants and needs. Paddlers will be working primarily with others of similar experience. The overall goal is to help you grow your capacity and comfort in rough water situations. As this area offers interesting and complex conditions, participants will have opportunities to take an active role in determining the daily paddle plans and grow their conditions forecasting tool-box. Costs are: - Campers in cabins of 4 $625 - Campers in cabins of 2 $675 - Day Players – all 3 days $500 - Single Day Players $200/day Note: cabins are available starting Thursday afternoon, 4/26. Contact Gerry At Sea Sherpa Kayak Dot Com to book or with any questions .

The unexpected spring refreeze has resulted in a couple of fair weather types dropping off this instructional. Sadly for myself, we had a full house so I had dropped the pricing by $50 but that will work out for any last minute takers. Truth is that the water is already unseasonably warm so this should be quite the civilized event. Polar Paddle Practicum 2 4/28-4/30 2017 Kick start your active water paddle play season. Join John Carmody (Sea Cliff Kayakers) and Gerry Polinsky (Sea Sherpa Kayak) for their 2nd annual, early season, rough water skills training event. Like The Godfather, #2 is going to be even better than the original. This course is geared towards intermediate paddlers looking to refine their open water skills in a kinda’ cold water setting – fall through spring being the best season for active water. Classroom time and housing will be staged out of a camp located mid coast RI. Catered meals, warm showers, comfy cots and centralized location makes for very civilized pre and post paddle living. Paddle play itself will follow where conditions are best along the CT/RI shoreline. Rock gardening, shore surf and tiderips are among the promising possibilities. There will be no predetermined curriculum as this intimate event is focused on individual paddlers’ wants and needs. As this area offers such interesting and complex conditions, participants will have an opportunity to take an active role in determining the daily paddle plans and grow their conditions forecasting tool box. Costs are $500 w/o housing OR $625 including housing Contact Gerry@SeaSherpaKayak.com to register or if you have any questions

Polar Paddle Practicum April 29th - May 1st Kick start your active water paddle play season. John Carmody (Sea Cliff Kayakers) and Gerry Polinsky (Sea Sherpa Kayak) are offering a rough water, personal skills training. This course is geared towards intermediate to advanced paddlers looking to refine their cold water comfort, safety and rough water skill set. Classroom time and housing will be staged out of the fabled Groton House, a grand and historic victorian on the shores of the Fishers Island Sound. Paddle play will follow where conditions are best along the CT/RI shoreline. Rocks, shore surf and tiderips are among the promising possibilities. There will be no predetermined curriculum as this intimate event is focused on individual paddlers’ wants and needs. As this area offers such interesting and complex conditions, participants will have an opportunity to take an active role in determining the daily paddle plans. Costs are $525 w/o housing OR $675 including housing Contact Gerry At Sea Sherpa Kayak Dot Com with any questions

Polar Paddle Practicum April 29th - May 1st Kick start your active water paddle play season. John Carmody (Sea Cliff Kayakers) and Gerry Polinsky (Sea Sherpa Kayak) are offering a rough water, personal skills training. This course is geared towards intermediate to advanced paddlers looking to refine their cold water comfort, safety and rough water skill set. Classroom time and housing will be staged out of the fabled Groton House, a grand and historic Victorian on the shores of the Fishers Island Sound. Paddle play will follow where conditions are best along the CT/RI shoreline. Rocks, shore surf and tiderips are among the promising possibilities. There will be no predetermined curriculum as this intimate event is focused on individual paddlers’ wants and needs. As this area offers such interesting and complex conditions, participants will have an opportunity to take an active role in determining the daily paddle plans. Costs are $525 w/o housing OR $675 including housing Contact Gerry At Sea Sherpa Kayak Dot Com with any questions