Coastal Kayak – Rough Water Skills & ACA Trip Leader

Join Jeff Atkins and RiverCoast for a fun and convenient weekend to improve your rough water skills at San Luis Pass. Come play in the waves!

NOTE:  COVID-19 is a viral disease transmitted by respiratory droplets. It can cause a wide range of serious effects, including death. The disease can be transmitted by individuals who are not experiencing any symptoms, making it particularly difficult to control. Any contact among people introduces the risk of transmission including RiverCoast courses and events. As ACA Trip Leader or Instructor candidates, please understand ACA’s guidelines on COVID-19.  RiverCoast will adhere to these guidelines.  However, each participant must take responsibility for choices regarding participation in any and all activities.

Description: The  two day Level 3 (L3) Coastal Kayak Skills Course with possibility of earning optional ACA assessment during this course or later check-off. Using on-water practice, classroom discussion and/or video analysis, participants will practice strokes/maneuvers (including rescues) to increase efficiency, fluidity and control in level 3 conditions.  Add optional Monday for $100 to train as an ACA Trip Leader (up to Level 3) during this three day course (with possibility of earning assessment this weekend or later check-off).  Maximum of 8.

Led by Jeff Atkins, IT L3 Coastal Kayaking with assistance from Lynne Andrus (bio at “About Us”).  Jeff Atkins has over 25 years as a Park Ranger with South Carolina State and County Parks.  His experiences include instruction with the Outward Bound School throughout the USA.  Jeff is a Level 5 Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor and Level 3 Instructor Trainer IT) in Coastal Kayaking and Level 2 IT in Canoeing. In addition, he is a SUP Instructor, Wilderness First Responder and Leave no Trace Master Educator.  Jeff’s credentials are detailed at his website at WavePaddler.com.

Course Venue: Course begins in protected bay with subsequent venues in lakes or coastal waters with constant access to safe landing and within 1.5 nm from shore and at least three of the following four conditions (for assessment):  · 10 – 15 knot winds · 1 – 2 foot waves (chop) (0.3 – 0.6 meters) · 1 – 2 foot surf (0.3 – 0.6 meters) · 1 – 2 knots of current.  If conditions are not safe or available, students may opt to return for assessment at a mutually convenient date and venue.  Full refund if course is cancelled by RiverCoast (generally only for hurricane or illness). See sample for topics covered at https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.americancanoe.org/resource/resmgr/SEI-Courses/L3_CKSMR_Skills.pdf

Saturday – Sunday (plus optional Monday): September 19-20-21 at San Luis Pass (may include optional evening or night paddle).  Depending on conditions, course may travel to Surfside or Quintana Beach if appropriate.

Waiver.  Also, please review and complete online the ACA/RiverCoast waiver prior to participation.  Feel free to contact Lynne and your counsel with any questions or clarifications.

Optional Room & Board:  Starting Friday night, home base for any classroom instruction (e.g., video, navigation) will be on the water in the Treasure Island subdivision.  Depending on COVID-19 concerns, a limited number of beds with breakfast and lunch daily may come available for $85 per night for Friday through Monday night.  Additional accommodations (private or shared room) may be available through 979 Vacation Rentals or VRBO.

Rentals & Nearest Airport: A limited number of quality sea kayaks (e.g., NDK) and paddles are available for recent.  Nearest airport is William P. Hobby International Airport (HOU) with possibility of car-sharing (depending on COVID-19 concerns).

Contact:  Questions or clarifications?  Feel free to contact Lynne Andrus at River Coast.com using at info@RiverCoast.com, 512-917-0939 (cell/text) or 512-292-9968 (office). Registration below. Note that lunch is included with registration.

Projected Tides and station information at San Luis Pass (station 8771972) available from NOAA.  See if you can predict the tides for the weekend (using the 24-hour clock option).  Find the ‘Station Home Page’ under adjacent tab ‘Station Info’ to find additional information including current weather conditions. What challenges and/or opportunities do you see with the predicted tides? How would heavy North winds or hard rains (with rivers and creeks discharging into our Galveston Bay system) disrupt planning with these predictions?