Coastal Kayak – ACA Trip Leader Assessment (Level 2)

Join RiverCoast for a fun and engaging weekend to improve your coastal kayak skills and leadership at a bay near San Luis Pass. Come play with us!

Description: The purpose of the Level 2 Essentials of Kayak Touring Trip Leader (L2: EKTTL) training is to prepare individuals who intend to lead other paddlers, either recreationally or professionally, in protected coastal environments. The emphasis of the training is on leadership and group management while also improving personal paddling skills, maneuvers, and rescues.

The Level 2 environment is held in protected waters (wind up to 10 knots, waves up to one foot, no surf with up to one foot shore break, and current up to one knot). Participants should have the ACA Level 2 Assessment for sea kayaks or sit-on-top kayaks or equivalent skills and knowledge.  This course follows ACA’s Level 2 Trip Leader Skills course as a guideline. Participants will also have the opportunity to earn ACA’s Level 2 Trip Leader assessment.

NOTE:  COVID-19 is a highly infectious viral disease transmitted by respiratory droplets containing a type of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). 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 unvaccinated people introduces the risk of transmission including RiverCoast courses and events. All RiverCoast participants must understand ACA’s guidelines on COVID-19 and sample waiver.  RiverCoast will adhere to these guidelines.  However, each participant must take responsibility for choices regarding participation in any and all activities. (Both Lynne and Paula have completed our vaccinations.)

Sunday (June 25, 2021):  Bay near San Luis Pass. Note the optional Friday afternoon (June 23) navigation and trip planning exercise is strongly recommended as is the online information.  (Sign up via HASK.)  Participants are expected to know the content before optional ACA Trip Leader assessment.  In addition, some Level 2 skills training will be available on Saturday (June 24).

Led by Lynne Andrus now with Paula Scotney-Castle.  See bios at https://rivercoast.com/about/

Course Venue: Course venue is in protected lake and bay waters with constant access to safe landing and within a half nautical mile from shore and at least three of the following four conditions (for assessment):  · wind up to10 knots · waves up to one foot waves · no surf (up to one foot shore break) · current up to one knot.  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 ACA’s Level 2 sample skills course for sea kayaks or sit-on-tops and Level 2 Trip Leader assessment.

Waiver.  In addition to the COVID-19 waiver described above, 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: Accommodations may be available in area motels or through 979 Vacation Rentals or VRBO.  In addition, Brazoria County’s San Luis Pass Park is next door – within both walking and paddling distance.  The park has cabins and RV sites available.

Rentals & Nearest Airport: A limited number of quality sea kayaks (e.g., NDK) and paddles are available for “demo” purposes throughout the weekend for $35 per day.  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 [email protected], 512-917-0939 (cell/text) or 512-292-9968 (office). Registration below. Note that lunch is included with registration.

Online Content.  Prepare with online course applications and suggestions starting at https://rivercoast.com/courses/l2-essentials-of-kayak-touring-trip-leader-knowledge-assessment/  Online review is optional for those not seeking Trip Leader Assessment.  Trip Leader Candidates will be expected to be familiar with the content (and ask for clarifications in class).  Assessment – Candidates may be asked questions or expected to apply knowledge in class.

Chart Excerpt: San Luis Pass

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?  Note that additional links may be found via Treasure Island MUD.