Water Confidence for Paddlers

WATER CONFIDENCE FOR PADDLERS

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to help paddlers build comfort and confidence with being underwater in a kayaking setting. We will focus on developing calm, familiar responses to the underwater situations that can occur while paddling.

Through guided practice in the pool, participants will work through fear management systems and familiarize themselves with being underwater. We will practice recognizing what is happening, staying calm, and working through disorientation and unfamiliar positions in a controlled and supportive environment. There is no expected level of water comfort/confidence at the start of the course. The focus is on progression: wherever you are in your paddling journey, we will work with you from there.

Why take this course?

• Become more comfortable being in or underwater in a kayaking setting
• Practice staying calm and aware when upside down or disoriented
• Explore different underwater positions and movements in a kayak
• Develop personal strategies for managing discomfort or uncertainty underwater
• Build confidence at your own pace, with coaching adapted to your current experience and comfort level

Details

• Session 1 - Oct 19:  We will start out in the Eastglen Classroom and have a 90-minute dryland session before moving to the pool. Meet at the tables just past the receptionist desk by 6:00 PM.  There will be time to change into swimwear after the dryland session. 
• Session 2 - Nov 2:  We will head right to the pool! Meet on the pool deck at 7:30 PM.