These are general courses or classes for canoeing and kayaking, offered throughout the paddling season. There is no pass or fail in these courses. Courses are Fun, challenging and informative. Participants can request a Participation card at completion. These courses include ACA [American Canoe Association] courses:
Canoe Kayak and Paddle Company (“CKAPCO”) provides paddling instruction to every level of paddler: beginner, intermediate and advanced.To sign up for a class, just go to our schedule page.
CKAPCO’s objective is to provide knowledge and skills that are relevant and germane to the customer’s needs, in a progression that builds upon preceding classes. To do this, we use levels (1 - 4) as an order of instruction.
We suggest that Levels L 1, L 2 [link to L1 L2 Combo course outline] and L 2 plus be taken as early and close together as possible for any type of kayaking. However, it is our experience that instruction Levels 2 plus, 3 and 4 have the greatest impact after paddlers have (boat sense) i.e. on-water experience, practicing and mastering strokes and maneuvers, as well as building up their on-water confidence.The L 2 Plus, L 3 and L 4 are for Touring/Coastal/Sea Kayaking. For Whitewater Kayak the progression is L 1 and 2, then the EZ Whitewater course.[Link}
The beginning paddler (one who has no professional instruction within the last 2 years) starts with L 1, a 3-hour introduction to paddling kayaks course. The course covers the nomenclature and handling of boat and paddle, launching and landing, foundation strokes and maneuvers, and a brief tour.
L 2 is a 3-hour course that is primarily an introduction to kayak paddling with use of a spray skirt, wet exiting, assisted and self rescues, with practice time. The last half hour is spent developing the J lean with introduction to low bracing and gentle edging, with the last drill paddling a circle controlled by out side boat tilt.
A sensible progression is practicing what was learned in L 1 and L 2 on a CKAPCO trip, then coming to L 2 plus.
L 1 and L 2 in combination are similar to the ACA Introduction to Kayaking, but with actual rescue practice.L 2 plus is built upon the ACA Assessment program with an actual assessment based on proven standards for efficiancy. [Link to L1 L2 Combo]
We strongly suggest taking at least L 1 and L 2 before purchasing a kayak, or before taking a guided trip, and certainly before venturing off on your own.
L 2 Plus; is the upgrade from L 2 to improve and develop effective paddling and rescue skills. The way we teach this one will allow you to self assess what you can do, maybe just to assure you what you know and expose what needs attention. Participants are coached, assessed and evaluated with specific feedback. There are new strokes and rescues too. This training and assessment will let you know where you stand and the ACA Assessment L 2 Award/card id available too. 6 - 7 hours on the lake.
EZ Whitewater; is for those wanting to try the moving water and whitewater side using planing hull kayaks, from a beginner through intermediate level. This starts with flat water training in boat control and moves to the river for moving water manuevers, river reading etc. [link to EZ WW course outline]
The next pages cover, L 3, L 4 and some additional information.
CKAPCO L 3, L 4 and related training and ACA / BCU Assessments.
Levels 3 and 4 Assessment Training are recommended for paddlers who have spent some time on the water, and now want to further improve their paddling. L 3 is a 7-hour training course that is primarily a stroke refinement course, followed as an option with a 4 hour Assessment that can provide an award showing passing the assessment. The course starts with “kayak physics” and a discussion of coordinating body, boat, and blade. Sweeps, backs, draws, and forward strokes are reviewed with added technique for efficiency. Low and high bracing is taught and practiced followed by braced turns, low and high. Bow draw turns that use various tilt and rudder stroke combinations for turning in varied wind conditions are taught and practiced. We wind up with hanging draws and side slips used for turning and rescues, as well as draws on the move.See the outline.
L 4 Training is a 7-hour course conducted in moderate sea conditions of waves and wind, usually on the Chesapeake Bay and an Assessment usually at Ocean City MD. L 4 covers trip planning with navigation (chart and compass) for that actual day’s paddling. Relevant skills learned in L 1 – L 3 and previously practiced on flat water are practiced in wind and waves up to 3 feet. We will cover towing systems and practice towing and open water rescues. Bring food for a working lunch on a beach. You should probably have your own gear and be a competent flat water paddler with multiple trip experience of 8 miles, or more before taking this course. This is a very fun filled day of learning and experience, but it is not for beginners.
Kayak Rolling is dedicated to a progressive proven method of learning. A session is usually 2 hours of private or semi private instruction.
In addition, CKAPCO is happy to provide special private or group instruction, trips or instruction-trip combinations for any circumstances. We often provide relevant instruction for people who are anticipating paddling trips elsewhere as trial and training runs.
CKAPCO also conducts team building and just plain fun outings, as well as kids’ camps. If you have a question, just call any day from 7 am to 6 pm and we can discuss your situation.