The Foundation

Fundamentals I is designed for the beginning and novice seeking a quick introduction to the foundations of safe and efficient sea paddling.

Topics addressed: Introduction to the marine environment. Sea kayak safety and design. Basic equipment and use. Kayak fitting and wet exits. Paddling basics of forward, stopping and reversing, sweep strokes, stern rudder, effective bracing.

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Getting Comfortable

Fundamentals II is designed for the beginner and novice building upon the Fundamental I topics with a solid introduction to acquiring a confident stroke and relaxed seat on the water.

Topics addressed: The Hudson River marine environment, additional forward strokes for current, low brace recovery on the move, basics of draws, edging and leaning, paddling in light conditions and currents, and finishing with simple assisted and Eskimo rescues.

Pre-requisites: Fund I or equivalent.

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Basic Strokes in Conditions

Fundamentals III is an intensive novice stroke workshop for those with the basics in place.

Topics addressed: Application of the basic strokes to Hudson River tidal currents, boat wakes and waves. You will learn to link up your blade's support with your kayak's secondary stability. Learn how to maintain course, stay upright, and enjoy the rougher water in beam and following seas, and how to cross eddy lines. Strongly recommended for effective paddling.

Pre-requisites, Fund I & II or equivalent. Rescue modules recommended.

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The Intermediate Strokes

Fundamentals IV is an intermediate stroke workshop covering the basics of more sophisticated maneuvering and support strokes.

Topics addressed: These strokes develop blade and edging finesse and will give you hours of exercises to practice while introducing you to the intermediate range of paddling skills. We'll introduce you to the basics of how to: lie down on the water - sculling draws, pull your whole boat quickly sideways - hanging draws, carve your bow around a turn - bow rudders and how to stay upright while surfing or playing - high braces.

Pre-requisites: Fund I - III. Rescue modules recommended.

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Develop your paddling stamina and fine-tune your boat control as we paddle north, either with or against the current. (We will always return with the current in our favor.) See the cityscape from a new perspective as you experience the energy of the river first-hand. The strength and direction of the current will determine the difficulty of this paddle, and they will be rated accordingly.

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Refinement, 2 hours

This two hour tour with an instructor and teaching assistant is a great way to refine the skills you've acquired, cultivate "river savvy," and just have fun on the water! Prevailing conditions will determine our destination

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Intro to Environmental Factors, 2 hours

Basic seamanship introduces you to the all-important environmental factors of wind and waves, tides and currents and the effects of landforms and piers. We will also introduce the Rules of the Nautical Road required of all sea paddlers, and large vessel concerns. This class is land-based - all are encouraged to attend.

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Route Selection & Paddling in Conditions, 2 hours

This course will give you a method for deciding when and where you can go on any given day. Your Instructor will talk through the effects of the environmental elements covered in Basic Seamanship on that particular day before experiencing the conditions on a paddle along the NY waterfront out in the Hudson River tidal currents.

Pre-requisites: Fund I - III and Basic Seamanship or equivalent. Rescue clinics recommended.

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Assisted rescues

Your Instructor will address Eskimo rescues, T rescues and variations, X rescues, Scoop and All-in.

Pre-requisites: Fund I.

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The Recovery, 2 hours

Begin acquiring the skills for staying upright and playing in rougher water. Course addresses your paddle finesse, climbing blade angles, use of your kayak∂s secondary stability and hip snap required for effective moving high and low braces. We will introduce the Eskimo roll. Rescues are part of the course for obvious reasons.

Pre-requisites: Fund I - III and Rescue I, Assisted Rescues.

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Intro to Practical Towing, 2 hours

Eventually nearly everyone needs to know how to tow or be towed. This towing workshop covers the basic equipment and theory for towing swimmers, tired kayakers and emergency rescue situations. Practical Towing covers on-water contact tows, swimmer tows, waist and boat-mounted tows.

Pre-requisites: Fund I - III.

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The BCU has been developing for decades building effective kayakers. This system offers a skill track the Star Awards‹and an instructor tract the Coaching Awards. The courses offered at New York Kayak Company are designed to help you advance through the BCU system. To assist your success at the actual assessments the tests. New York Kayak Co has designed its Fundamentals I to III to prepare you for taking the BCU 1 Star Assessment. New York Kayak Co's Fundamental I to III plus its Rescue I and Bracing/Rolling Clinics will prepare you for the BCU 2 Star Assessment. Additionally we offer a formal BCU 2 and 3 Star Training.

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1 day

For those paddlers seeking the refinement of their strokes and precision of the advanced BCU model. This intensive stroke course covers effective forward paddling, stopping and reverse paddling, hanging, moving and sculling draws, sculling for support, high and low braces stationery and on the move, edging and leaning, towing, deep water & Eskimo rescues in 2 half day segments.

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1 day

The BCU 3 Star kayaker is considered a solid intermediate paddler in the British system. This demanding award is a real milestone in your paddling career an honorable accomplishment.

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Please remember that New York Kayak Company is dedicated to professional and effective private training ($100/hour). We would be happy to schedule your one-on-one sessions with one of our world-class instructors.

Meanwhile be smart, paddle safe and enjoy our magnificent urban paddling.

Randall Henriksen

New York Kayak Company, Inc.
Pier 40, South Side, New York NY 10014
212-924-1327 800-KAYAK-9