Les Allen
Jo Bulsing
Tahe Kayaks
in WA
or better still before you buy a boat you need training.We offer free training at Palm Beach or at Hillarys Boat Harbour every second Saturday so new paddlers can achieve L1 and more experienced paddlers can learn rolling and 10 ways to turn your kayak. We start at 9.00 and do L1 to about 11.00 and then 11.00 to 12.00 L2 rolling and turning etc. You need to bring water and some morning tea. All paddlers must wear a PFD 2 and have foot wear. Dress for immersion as you will be getting wet. You must also be able to swim 50 mt with your paddling gear on. We meet just east of Bell St and The Esplanade in Palm Beach. If you see the boat ramp you have gone too far or at the North Wall at Hillarys Boat Harbour I have detailed the L1 responsibilities and skills below.After April, training sessions will break for winter but I will be doing winter training paddles every 2nd Saturday. In the winter paddles we aim to push people both mentally and physically. By the end of winter you should be a much more confident rough water paddler or swimmer! Some winter days are not rough or windy so we will open them up to L1 paddlers so they can improve their fitness and experience. The paddles will be set on the Thursday night prior to the Saturday as I will know the weather forecast for the weekend. On all paddles we will do some scenario training so you get used to handling minor emergences in realistic conditions. Dress for immersion and helmets are a must. If you have any doubt about your ability or gear required let me know prior. These paddles are essential if you want to come on the Sea Skills Course we will be running in June and the Instructor Course we will be running in October.
I will also be doing Tuesday night sea paddles for experienced paddlers. You will need a night light and waterproof torch as well as all your safety gear and a helmet. We do go in breaking waves in all weather which is why you need to let me know your are coming so we can make sure you are prepared. These paddles will push you mentally and are designed to boost your confidence in all conditions.
Level 1 Sea Paddling
In order to paddle safely with a group you need sea kayaking skills and fitness. You also have a responsibility to the leader and fellow paddlers to be able to do the trip and not project high risks on the group by not being prepared. Australian Canoing Sea Skills 2 is the required skill level for sea paddling. This L1 is an interim skill level required to paddle with me on scheduled L1 paddles.
Pre-Trip responsibilities
1. Before you go on a trip you need to look at how far the trip is. Then you have to ask yourself, “at what speed can I do this trip”. This information is vital to work out trip times. If you can’t do the planned speed, don’t know or aren’t sure, discuss this with the trip leader before the trip so the leader has time to plan for contingency’s because otherwise, the leader will assume you can do the trip.
2. Look at the forecast and ask yourself can you handle the forecast conditions and what effect is it going to have on your speed. If you are unsure, talk to the trip leader before the day.
3. It is important you have the right equipment for the trip. Seaworthy sea kayak, safety gear, food, water, dressed for immersion and dry clothes are some of the things you need to think about. If you are in doubt discuss your equipment with the leader prior to the trip.
4. Group spread is a major risk. It’s not the leader’s responsibility to keep you together it’s your responsibility to stay together. That way any incidents can be managed as a group and you aren’t putting the group at high risk.
Skills
Following are the minimum skills for a level 1 paddler
1. Capsize and assisted rescue. Capsize and panic is the biggest risk to the new paddler and should be mitigated by basic training. You should be competent in 3 ways to remove your spray deck and 3 different assisted rescues one being a scoop rescue. You also need to understand a hurt arm rescue
2. Forward stroke. You need to be able to paddle 3 hrs at 5 to 6 km per hour.
3. Backward stroke. This is the stroke that gets you out of trouble and needs to be powerful.
4. Turning strokes. You need to be able to turn your boat in 12knots of wind using a sweep stroke, stern rudder, lean turn, and weathercocking to turn your boat.
5. Support strokes. You need to be able to use a back face support in 0.5 mt breaking waves and understand the use of a power face support.
6. You need to understand the group dynamics in a tow.
7. You need to know launch and landing procedures.
Sat 21st April Palm Beach Training (last summer program paddle)
Sat 5th May Palm Beach Winter paddling
Sat 19th May Palm Beach Winter paddling
Sat 2nd June Palm Beach Winter paddling
16th June Palm Beach Winter paddling
23 and 24 th June Sea Skills 2 Course.
30 th June Palm beach Winter paddling
To come please ring me Thursday or Friday as a lot of the paddles will be L2 only. Start time 10.00 am to around 2.00 pm
For Tuesday night paddles ring me on Monday to confirm the paddle is on and you are prepared. Start time 6.30 to around 9.00
Les 041 9900 715
