Kayaking Skills Instruction:

Lessons & Courses for Adventure

 

Improve Your Sea Kayak Skills for safety, self-confidence and more fun!

Whether you're taking your first paddle strokes, or looking to challenge yourself in tidal rapids and surf, we want to help you become a better paddler. Our sea kayaking instructors are experienced, certified, and eager to help you build your kayaking skills.

We offer the following courses and instruction: 

 

1. Introduction to Kayaking (Korea Sea Kayak Level 1)

2. Intermediate Kayaking Skills (Korea Sea Kayak Level 2)

3. Advanced Kayaking Skills (Korea Sea Kayak Level 3)

4. Tidal Rapids and Rock Gardening Kayaking

5. Kayak Skills Refresher

6. Kayak Rolling

Please contact us with any questions. Custom dates may be arranged. Small groups and individual registrations are welcome. Four people are usually required to run formal courses at published rates. 

 

Introduction to Kayaking (Korea Sea Kayak Basic Safety Level 1 Skills)

Skills and Safety for New Paddlers: A full day of new skills with time for practice in a supportive and beautiful environment.

• From the start: getting in and out of the kayak at beach and dock
• Kayak equipment: what you need to be comfortable and safe 

• The paddle: hands-body-paddle position and efficient motion

• Basic paddling strokes and maneuvering
• Rescue and re-entry: assisted and self-rescues
• Safe kayaking: do’s and don’ts
• Safety gear

 

Introduction to Kayaking Course

One day: 10 am - 4:30 pm, Wahyun Beach, Gejoe

Prerequisite: None - Everybody is Welcome!

Course Cost:  Instruction 150,000 KRW plus tax.

Korea Sea Kayak Skills certification available (15,000 KRW).

 

Corporate Essential Course (Level 1 is MUST for some agreed companies' employees)

Download BASIC SAFETY Level 1 Introduction by Korea Sea Kayak Association

 

Download Level 2 Introduction by Korea Sea Kayak Association

 

Download Level 3 Introduction by Korea Sea Kayak Association

2014 Course Dates:  Please contact us for availability, or if you have preferred dates.  Custom skills training also available.

 

Intermediate Kayaking Skills (Paddle Korea Level 2)

A Discovery Weekend: Two days to learn & practice, with evenings to relax & enjoy friends. Intermediate course content includes:

• Paddling ergonomics: hands-body-paddle position & efficient paddling.
• Basic and advanced paddle strokes
• Increasing stability: edge control and low brace
• Capsize and recovery: basic and advanced rescue techniques

• Reading tide and current tables, navigation, and weather considerations
• Safety fundamentals: skills, emergency equipment and common sense

 

Intermediate Kayaking Skills Course (Paddle Korea Level 2)

2 days: kayak skills & on-water training

Prerequisite: Some previous paddling experience is recommended, but not necessary if you are fit and keen.

Course Cost: Instruction 250,000 KRW~350,000 KRW (depending on group size), plus tax. Includes Paddle Korea Level 1 certificate on completion of requirements. Kayak rentals available.

2014 Course Dates:  Please contact us for availability, or if you have preferred dates.  Custom training available.

 

Advanced Kayaking Skills (Paddle Korea Level 3)

This 4-day course reviews and advances kayaking hard-skills, including paddling in moving water, advanced safety and rescue skills. In preparation for self guided kayaking, participants will learn and practice:

• Advanced paddle strokes

• Rolling

• Introduction to tidal rapids paddling

• Towing techniques
• Trip planning and leadership

• Kayak camping skills, equipment & tricks of the trade

• Coastal weather and predicting ocean conditions
• Navigation skills

• Avoiding and managing emergencies

• Understanding Coast Guard and understanding Korean Local Law at Sea

 

Advanced Kayaking Skills Course (Paddle Korea Level 2)

4 Days: instruction and practice, includes 2-days kayak camping trip.
Prerequisite: Paddle Korea Level 2 or equivalent; kayaking experience.
Course Cost: Instruction cost (500,000 ~ 600,000 KRW) varies, depending on participants and instructor. Paddle Korea Level 2 certificate on completion of requirements. Kayak rentals available. Accommodation available at Islands Lodge / Pension House.
 

2014 Scheduled Course Dates: 2 weekend course are available. additional/custom dates may be available. Please contact us if you are interested!

 

Tidal Rapids, Rock Garden Kayaking

Have an adventure! Islands tidal rapids are perfect playgrounds for learning about moving water and developing skills for thrills and safety. We’ll share knowledge about: 

• Kayak designs • Moving water: theory and reality • Kayak handling: theory and practice • Strokes, eddying, edging, bracing, maneuvers.
On-water Coaching: Gain confidence and perfect skills with friendly helpful advice and how-to demonstrations by club’s expert certified instructors.

 

Tidal Rapids, Rock Garden Kayaking

Every Day: Most days there's a big enough tide - and it's always a lot of fun.

Prerequisites: Previous experience required; basic-good rolling skills highly desirable. Appropriate personal equipment is necessary. You should be a little daring and have a good sense of adventure.
Cost: per person 125,000 ~ 250,000 KRW plus tax depending on group size, includes dry land theory and 3+ hours on-water instruction in flood-tide current. Start times vary depending on tide-time.
2014 Custom dates available.

 

Kayak Skills Refresher

For Renters (or anyone) with Slightly Rusty Skills: Three hours dryland and on-water instruction plus half-day “free-time kayaking” -- or continue on your overnight kayak camping journey! We'll review and practice:
• Getting in and out of the kayak

• Basic strokes and maneuvers

• Efficient & effective paddling
• Kayak rescues and re-entry
• Tides & currents: understand tables
• Low impact coastal camping information

 

Kayak Skills Refresher

Available most days - reservations advised.
Cost includes kayak: per person 100,000 ~ 150,000 KRW plus tax (depending on group size.)
Note: Club requires paddling experience and capsize recovery skills for non-guided kayak rentals.

Kayak Rolling

Just do it! Come and learn this technique that will increase your safety and confidence in rough water conditions – and check out where else you can play when you have a solid roll! 

• 3 hours of coaching and guided practice

Prerequisite: Fitness and basic paddling skills.
Cost including kayak: 85,000 ~ 150,000 KRW, plus tax per person, depending on group size.

 

Gear List for Performance and Sea Kayaking

We can supply some of these items, others you will need to bring, some are optional.
• PFD
• Spraydeck
• Paddle (appropriate for your kayak)
• Paddling jacket
• Helmet (only for Rapid Tide and Rock Gardening)
• Wetsuit or shorty (or drysuit – but may be too warm in summer)
• Synthetic (warm) underwear
• Earplug (if you prefer)
• Noseplugs (for rolling practice)
• Boots or Aqua Shoes
• Neoprene socks
• (Neoprene coldwater cap)
• (Neoprene gloves)

 

 

Education and Instruction for Paddle Korea KSKA Levels

Skills Assessment (Level 1, 2, 3, 4)

Instructors Skills Assessment (Level 1, 2, 3, 4)

A skills course can cover all or part of the course outline and are tailored to fit the needs of the participants.  Skills courses do not have to be taken in a successive order.  At the conclusion of a skills course, participants may receive a participation card.

 

• Level 1: Introduction to Kayaking

• Level 2: Essentials of Kayak Touring

• Level 3: Coastal Kayak: Basic Strokes & Rescues

• Level 3: Coastal Kayak: Strokes & Maneuvers Refinement

• Level 4: Coastal Kayak: Open Water Skills

• Level 4: Coastal Kayak: Surf Zone

• Level 4: Coastal Kayak: Tidal Currents

 

KSKA Assessment courses have been developed as a tool to allow paddlers a clear progression of skill development. Courses provide progression in skills and paddling venues associated with specific disciplines and paddlecraft. Upon successful completion of each Skills Assessment checklist, your Instructor will submit the paperwork and you will receive official documentation of your level of skill from the KSKA National Office.

Note: to receive Skills Assessment documentation, you must be a current KSKA member.

 

• Level 1: Kayaking Skills Assessment

• Level 2: Coastal Kayaking Skills Assessment

• Level 3: Coastal Kayaking Skills Assessment

• Level 4: Coastal Kayaking Skills Assessment

 

Korea Sea Kayak Association (KSKA) Level Test Schedule (All in Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do)

 

[1st] 12:30 pm Sun 24 Aug Deokpo Level 1 (Finished)

[2nd] 12:30 pm Sun 21 Sep Gujora or Wahyun Level 1, 2 Skill Assessment, Level 1 Instructor

[3rd] 12:30 pm Sun 05 Oct Gujora or Wahyun Level 1, 2 and 3 Skill Assessment, Level 1, 2 Instructor and then more weekends.

 

KSKA Level 1 takes Compatibility to International Canoe, Kayak Associations / Organizations

American Canoe Assocaition

British Canoe Union

Scottish Canoe Union

Norwegian Canoe Association

Paddle Canada

Coast Guard Associated Organizations

and most National accredited Organizations

International Canoe Federation Groups

For more ask dina@okpokayakclub.org