Paddling in Rock Gardens

This workshop is for the intermediate kayaker who wants to learn more about handling their boats dynamic water, play in rock gardens and explore sea caves and arches.

Paddling skills focus on the choice and blending of strokes for efficient and safe maneuvering, rescue skills are likely to include rock garden and sea cave extractions.

At this level the group will participate in risk assessment, decision making and the judgement required for travelling a three nautical mile exposed shoreline with multiple features and challenges with few good landing opportunities. In our opinion the complex shorelines at Port Renfew, East Sooke or Beecher Bay provide the best locations. Although workshops are always weather and sea state dependent with these different locations to choose from we can normally find good challenging conditions on any given day.

We reserve the right to alter locations and the order of course components as necessary. Factors such as weather, and paddling progression may require the schedule to be changed as needed.

We have split this clinic into two distinct days. The first day will be at Mill Bay where we will work on turning strokes under momentum, stroke blending and advanced rescues including extraction techniques. Day two will be at one of the three locations listed above. This schedule will allow paddlers the opportunity to refine skills and rescues before immersing themselves into a dynamic environment on day two. Paddlers wishing to only partake in day two can do so when booking.

Some paddlers have a valid concern about inflicting damage on rocks to their beautiful fiberglass kayaks and often shy away from workshops like this. We have that 'excuse' covered with a top of the range NDK Romany Sport or Sportive plastic kayak available to rent. This is fun, challenging and an accelerated learn opportunity not to be missed.