144 Water Street, Norwalk, CT 06854 (203) 854-5223
Saturday Kayaking Classes resume in March!
Fundamentals Course Schedule
March 1, 8, 29 at 9:30am-1:30pm
April 5, 12, 26 at 9:30am-1:30pm
May 3, 10, 24 at 9:30am-1:30pm
The cost of the twelve-hour course is $395. Course description is below. Advanced Reservation Required.
Eskimo Rolling Course Schedule
April 5, 12, 26 at 2:00pm-4:00pm
May 3, 10, 24 at 2:00pm-4:00pm
The cost of the six-hour course is $350. Course description is below. Advanced Reservation Required.
Directions to Wilbur Cross High School
From I-95 North or South take Exit 48 to I-91 North. Take Exit 6 and turn left towards Willow Street/ Batchley Avenue. Turn right onto Willow Street. Turn Right onto Mitchell Drive. The High School is at 181 Mitchell Drive. The pool entrance is on Orange Street. Walk around to the rear entrance.
Learn indoors during the off season.
Kayaking Lessons
There's no reason to stop kayaking just because it's cold outside. Winter is the perfect time to learn new skills or practice current ones.
Instructors are certified by the American Canoe Association (ACA) and the British Canoe Union (BCU) and are chosen for their kayaking and teaching experience. Classes will be held on Saturdays or Sundays and conducted with Small Boat Shop kayaks and equipment.
Taught by certified instructors.
Fundamentals of Kayaking 12-Hour Course -- Each week, for three consecutive weeks, students enjoy an hour of classroom instruction and three hours of in-water instruction. The last ½ hour of pool time is reserved for students to practice what they know and to receive extra tutoring from their instructors.
In the classroom, students learn basic concepts and are introduced to the wide variety of kayaking available. Hypothermia and Sudden Immersion Syndrome are studied as well as how to safely dress for both cold and warm water. Finally, students are introduced to the basics of navigation, piloting and dead-reckoning.
In the pool, students are taught how to perform a wet exit from an upside down kayak. Several methods of group and self-rescue are learned. Basic and advanced paddle strokes are learned with an emphasis on boat control and ease of paddling and staying upright. A maximum of six students with two instructors ensures plenty of attention.
Learn to Eskimo roll!
Eskimo Rolling 6-Hour Course -- This course is designed to teach the Eskimo Roll to sea or white water kayakers. The Sweep roll is usually taught but any style of roll can be taught on request. Students meet in the pool for two hours each week for three weeks. Class size is kept small with a limit of four students with two instructors.
It is strongly recommended that students complete our Fundamentals Course or an equivalent before attempting the Eskimo Rolling Course. Students should be proficient with all basic paddle strokes including the High and Low Braces.