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INSTRUCTION |
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Ben has been teaching kayaking for over 10 years. He has taught on 4 different continents and is an American Canoe Association (ACA) Instructor Trainer (IT) in sea kayak, white water, and surf, and is also a British Canoe Union (BCU) coach. He has been paddling for over 25 years and competed in sea kayaks,sprints, canoe and kayak marathons, outriggers, surf ski, slalom, wildwater and rodeo. Ben enjoys staying current by taking clinics from international level coaches as often as possible. It keeps him fresh and thinking! |
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CLASS DESCRIPTIONS |
(Click on discipline) |
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SEA KAYAKING AND SURF |
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Core Paddling Primary (Both Sea Kayak and WW boat) This class covers the basics of kayaking. It's goal is to provide a solid ergonomic and efficient set of skills for people to grow through their kayaking career. It is available in a Sea Kayak and a White Water form, as both disciplines have differences in their basics. The subjects covered are correct grip and hand placement in the paddle shaft, check on boat fit, and an explanation of terms. Balance, posture, and tilting are covered as is correct blade and boat use to guarantee a good foundation to grow from. Strokes covered may include forward and reverse sweeps, pivot turns, reverse stroke, forward stroke, and low braces. Class time: 3 to 4 hrs. With video: 6 to 7 hrs. Maximum size: 5 people, 10 with help |
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Core Paddling Secondary (Both Sea Kayak and WW boat) The goal of this class is to increase the students' ability to use the hull and the water in harmony with as efficient use of body, paddle, and hull presentation as possible. A quick revision of the basics covered in the Core Paddling Primary continues into the more technical strokes. Ruddering (front, mid-ships, and rear), draws and pries, high braces, stroke linkage and combination strokes are covered in this class. Forward stroke is broken down to a deeper level as is the relationship between the hull and the water. We will also look into the differences between strokes on the move and static strokes. Class time: 3 to 4 hrs. With video: 6 to 7 hrs. Maximum size: 5 people, 10 with help |
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Forward Stroke, Sea Kayak Over 99% of your time is spent paddling forward, yet it is very rarely talked about or taught. This is the introduction to get you started on the correct path for a more enjoyable paddling career. Efficiency and correct body use are the keys here to keep you paddling for hours at a time with ease and grace. Class time: 2 to 4 hrs With video: 6 to 7 hrs Maximum size: 5 people, 10 with help |
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Rolling/Bracing (Both Sea Kayak and WW boat) Different boats and different body types allow this class to be taught to your needs. Whilst a lot of the basics are the same, the differences are huge when the success for the roll is the goal. We will explore both sides of the students roll/brace so as to produce a more rounded paddler. The goal is to understand the parts of the roll/brace and be able to work on the improvement of the skills for a long time after the class. This is also a great tune-up class for those who have "lost" or are struggling with these skills. Class time: 2 hrs With video: 2 to 4 hrs Maximum size: 3 to 6 people |
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Sea Kayak Camp Two days of paddling that is broken into four sections. These four sections are flat-water skills, wave skills, rescue skills, and navigational skills. Designed as a tune-up for paddlers who want to improve their skills, move into the instructional forum, or have taken some time-out and want to start again in a controlled setting. It is also possible to set this class up as an ACA update. Class time: 12 to 16 hrs With video: U-bet! Maximum size: 3 to 5 people, 6-10 with help |
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Surfing/Wave Play A (Both Sea Kayak and WW boat) An introduction to the skills needed to play safely in the surf, followed by a practice session in small waves. Included in this class, we cover how to take advantage of a following sea, setting up to land, riding the wave and the foam pile. Leaving the beach, stroke timing and basic tactics for dealing with on-coming waves are also covered. Class time: 6 to 8 hours With video: Long Day (Special class set-up) Maximum Size: 3 to 5 people, 6-10 with help |
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Surfing/Wave Play 2 (Both Sea Kayak and WW boat) Focuses on bringing up people's confidence levels for dealing with larger surf. Checking on the basic skills and techniques, then moving into playing with different edge and stroke combinations to get the desired results. We will also experiment with some back surfing ideas and practice them. Up to 3 ft waves are needed for this class. This class is a lot of fun and very tiring for most. Class time: 3 to 8 hrs With video: Often (Special class set-up) Maximum Size: 3 to 5 people, 6-10 with help |
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WHITE WATER KAYAKING |
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Core Paddling Primary This class covers the basics of kayaking. It's goal is to provide a solid ergonomic and efficient set of skills for people to grow through their kayaking career. It is available in a Sea Kayak and a White Water form, as both disciplines have differences in their basics. The subjects covered are correct grip and hand placement in the paddle shaft, check on boat fit, and an explanation of terms. Balance, posture, and tilting are covered as is correct blade and boat use to guarantee a good foundation to grow from. Strokes covered may include forward and reverse sweeps, pivot turns, reverse stroke, forward stroke, and low braces. Class time: 3 to 4 hrs. With video: 6 to 7 hrs. Maximum size: 5 people, 10 with help |
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Core Paddling Secondary (Both Sea Kayak and WW boat) The goal of this class is to increase the students' ability to use the hull and the water in harmony with as efficient use of body, paddle, and hull presentation as possible. A quick revision of the basics covered in the Core Paddling Primary continues into the more technical strokes. Ruddering (front, mid-ships, and rear), draws and pries, high braces, stroke linkage and combination strokes are covered in this class. Forward stroke is broken down to a deeper level as is the relationship between the hull and the water. We will also look into the differences between strokes on the move and static strokes. Class time: 3 to 4 hrs. With video: 6 to 7 hrs. Maximum size: 5 people, 10 with help
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River Basics The focus is on skill acquisition and river sense. Learn the basics of river reading, river running, river safety and river play. Using the river feature, we will learn how to use the river to our advantage and get an understanding of the skills required to make this happen. Surfing, ferrying, catching and leaving eddies will be covered in a simple and basic way. Class time: 3 to 8 hrs With video: Occasionally (Special class set-up) Maximum size: 3 to 5 people, 6 to 10 with help |
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River Fun Taking the basics and refining them into a class that focuses on enjoying the river, time will be spent front surfing, back surfing, side surfing, boofing, stern squirting, and the basics of rodeo. Emphasis will be on technique and subtlety, not power and brute force, although it is nice to have that option also. Again we will be working with the river and working on our increased awareness of safety and the river environment. Class time: 3 to 8 hours With video: Often (Special class set-up) Maximum size: 3 to 5 people, 6 to 10 with help |
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RACING INSTRUCTION |
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Forward Stroke, Race A solid start into a good racing stroke, the focus is on the paddling stroke, boat glide and body mechanics. Three are compromises for the different types of racing but not for touring. All styles of sea kayaks and speed style racers will benefit from this class. Location permitting. The phases of the stroke are broken down and exercises are done to help reinforce the parts of the stroke. Class time: 2 to 4 hrs With video: 6 to 7 hrs Maximum Size: 5 people, 10 with help |
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Racing Camp Covering the bases in races is the key to success in racing. What you need to know about training, strategies, stroke and tactics will be covered in this workshop. Ranging from 6 hrs to 3 days, a multitude of subjects are covered which is tailored to the participants. Class time: 6 hrs to 3 days With video: add 2 hrs per day Maximum size: 5/6 people, 10 with help (Numbers depend on location) |
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INSTRUCTOR CLASSES I also teach Instructor Classes for the ACA in Sea Kayak, White Water and Surf. These classes last from 2 to 6 days depending on the class and the level of instruction. All classes are done on an evaluation basis and are easily set up. Contact me if you would like more information. I can teach most levels of ACA class, The size of class, length of content of class are set out by the ACA. It is possible to use their general course syllabi, if a generic class is needed. Class time: To fit requirements With video: Often Maximum size: 3 to 5 people, 6-10 with help
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INSURANCE Under ACA sponsored events, Ben will handle all issues related to insurance. Any charges will be passed directly to the clients. If the event is not booked ten days prior, there will be a $25.00 late fee. It is free for all ACA members, and $6.00 per event for non-ACA members, due before the start of the class. This is the standard ACA policy, and is subject to change. There is also a charge for a named third party. Please visit the ACA website for the most current information. Insurance also is available for custom and other group instruction. Events can be run using the host organization’s insurance.
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ADVERTISING All courses will be registered with the ACA. This means that it will be posted on the ACA website, so your organization/event will be promoted to all interested paddlers. All courses will also be posted on the P&H / Pyranha websites, as well as on Ben's website.
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