Coastal Kayak – Essentials & ACA Trip Leader (Level 2)

Join Jeff Atkins and RiverCoast for a fun and engaging weekend to improve your coastal kayak skills and leadership at Mammoth Lake in Lake Jackson (on Friday) and bay near San Luis Pass (on Saturday). 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). 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 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.

Friday & Saturday: October 23-24 at lake south of Houston (Friday) and bay near San Luis Pass (Saturday).

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 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

Rentals & Nearest Airport: A limited number of quality sea kayaks (e.g., NDK) and paddles are available for “demo” purposes throughout the weekend for $25 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 info@RiverCoast.com, 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.  However, Trip Leader Candidates will be expected to be familiar with the content (or to ask for clarifications in class).  Assessment – Candidates may be asked questions or expected to apply knowledge in class.

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?