Rolling (2 sessions) ... $89/person/session
Seacoast Family YMCA - Portsmouth, NH Click her for Directions

Learn the basics involved in the ultimate form of self-rescue, the Eskimo Roll. Instructors will break down the roll into key components: hip snaps, sweep strokes, sculling and bracing, then work with you one-on-one to put it all together. All equipment is included, however, your personal equipment is always recommended. Clinic is 2 sessions, 2 hours each.

(Pre-requisite - Must complete session 1 before taking session 2)

Advanced Paddling Techniques ... $79/person
Seacoast Family YMCA - Portsmouth, NH Click her for Directions

Designed for the beginner interested in learning how to maneuver their boat gracefully and efficiently without using a rudder .  Some of the strokes that you will learn will be the bow rudder, the stern rudder, the sculling draw and hanging draw as well as the J stroke. You will also be introduced to basics of sculling and bracing. All equipment is included, however, your personal equipment is always recommended. Class length is 1 session, 2 hours.

(Pre-requisite- none)

Safety II - Wet Exit and Self Rescues ... $79/person
Seacoast Family YMCA - Portsmouth, NH Click her for Directions

For the beginner or those with some paddling experience who are looking for a thorough review of capsizing and exiting an overturned kayak (wet exit) and self rescue techniques including the crab rescue, paddle float self-rescue, and the half roll. All equipment is included, however, your personal equipment is always recommended. Class length is 1 session, 2 hours.

(Pre-requisite- None)

Safety I - Wet Exit and Assisted Rescues .... $79/person
Seacoast Family YMCA - Portsmouth, NH Click her for Directions

For the beginner or those with some paddling experience who are looking for a thorough review of capsizing and exiting an overturned kayak (wet exit), rescuing a fellow kayaker from an overturned kayak and getting the rescuee back into his/her kayak, bow towing and boat to boat towing. All equipment is included, however, your personal equipment is always recommended. Class length is 1 session, 2 hours.

(Pre-requisite- none)

Open Pool / Skills Refresher....$79/person
Seacoast Family YMCA - Portsmouth, NH Click her for Directions

Open pool session for paddlers who have some experience in a particular area and would like to hone and/or practice their skills in this area. Skills such as self and assisted rescues, rolling, various paddling techniques and wet exiting ... or maybe you just want to get use to your new boat before you take it out this season. Instructors will assist and advise on an as-needed or as-requested basis. Class length is 1 session, 2 hours.

(Pre-requisite- Some prior rolling experience)

Introduction to Sea Kayaking .... $79/person
Seacoast Family YMCA - Portsmouth, NH Click her for Directions

For the beginner who want to learn the basics on how to get started. Review of boat types (sit-on-top, recreational, touring, tandem,) size and cost. How to select the proper kayak that best fits you and the the type of water you'll be paddling on. Discussion on how to use and select various kayaking accessories such as paddles, PFDs and safety equipment. How to properly enter and exit your kayak. Practice a capsize and learn the basic forward stroke.

All equipment is included, however, your personal equipment is always recommended. Class length is 1 session, 2 hours.

(Pre-requisite- none)

Breaking the Ice - An Introduction to Winter Paddling (Lecture) .... $39/person
The Winners Circle Sky Box - Salisbury, MA Click her for Directions

Ken, Taylor and James - Newburyport

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to have the waterways to yourself? To be able to sit back and observe the richness of seasonal wildlife without crowds or boat wakes? To have unlimited visibility in clear air? To feel a little daring by taking a few rapid strokes and gliding over a hard slippery surface to your landing? It's all possible when you extend your paddling to a year round pursuit. Crazy you say? Not if you consider people who ski, snowshoe, bird, run/walk or hike have known this and taken advantage of it for years. With a little knowledge and preparation, all season paddling can take you out on the finer days of each and every month and as you gain experience, take you out period when you want to go.

This winter PIK will offer a series of Thursday evening lectures on enjoying all season kayaking in New England followed by a Saturday guided trip to put the principles raised in the lecture into practice. Learn how to prepare a boat for colder conditions, how to plan a safe itinerary and recognize potentially dangerous conditions, what kind of clothing and gear you need to be warm and comfortable, what techniques and essential extras enhance safety, what navigation principles you need and what you need to know to deal with the objective hazards of winter on the water.

Come join us for a Thursday evening clinic!

These lectures and winter paddles will be led by John Halloran, PIK's staff naturalist ,who primarily leads natural history paddles for groups like Mass. Audubon. John owned and operated Adventure Learning for over 20 years where he taught safe kayaking and led tours throughout southern New England. A veteran all season paddler, he has frequently paddled the icy fiords of Alaska and Patagonia, was a regular contributor to New England Coastal Kayaker magazine and has led a 5 week expedition to the north coast of Labrador.

John Halloran - Staff Naturalist

(Pre-requisite- none)

Navigating the Lower Merrimack River (Lecture) .... $39/person
The Winners Circle Sky Box - Salisbury, MA Click her for Directions

(Pre-requisite- none)

Cold Water Paddle
Merrimack River / Joppa Flats- Newburyport

(Pre-requisites: Breaking the Ice - An Introduction to Winter Paddling, must be able to perform a wet exit and a self or assisted rescue, must provide your own cold water gear )

TBA

Introduction to Kayaking ... $69/person
Plum Island / Parker River National Wildlife Refuge / Joppa Flats - Newburyport

This program is designed to teach the basics of sea kayaking. During this four-hour session, participants will gain confidence handling their kayak, learn safety precautions and be instructed on a variety of basic paddling techniques. For the final segment of the session participant will enjoy a leisurely paddle into the Plum Island estuary to explore tidal creeks and salt marshes.

Kayak and equipment rental are included in the program fees.

(pre-requisite- none)