Kayaking Instruction

Why learn to paddle with Uncommon Adventures?

We also invite you to stop in at our retail partners: Backcountry Outfitters on Front Street in Traverse City (ph. 231-946-1339) or Crystal Lake Adventure Sports in Downtown Beulah (231-882-2527). We encourage you to shop these specialty shops for their knowledge base and amazing service....something you just won't find in big box stores.

Kayak Skills Classes

Can spending $75 save your life?  It could.  Uncommon Adventures offers a variety of regularly scheduled classes and weekend workshops to aid in your kayak skills development.  Our primary emphasis is to help you have more fun in the water while moving you up the learning curve more quickly.  Naturally, this also has the added advantage of learning fundamental kayak safety...we like repeat business, so teaching you the fundamentals of recoveries and rescues are part of the very first lesson.

Instruction on our tours: The best way to develop good paddling habits and technique is by repeating them.  What better way than to have a certified instructor at your disposal over a number of days?  That is the advantage of a multi-day tour.  When you return you'll have learned all sorts of kayak skills, but also weather reading, handling winds, some fundamental navigation, maybe a few new stars, bird calls, tall tales and new tricks for turning out gourmet edibles in the backcountry.  You will also have made some new friends who enjoy the same activities as you.

Unless otherwise noted, our workshops prices include; lodging, meals, tuition, and all course materials. Our instructors are certified either by the American Canoe Association (ACA) or the British Canoe Union (BCU) or both.

Our Instructional menu:

Basic Coastal Kayaking

Student to instructor ratio: 5:1 maximum —  $75/person

During this three hour session you will learn good techniques for fundamental strokes:  forward, backward and stop.  You will also learn to stabilize with a solid low brace and turning with sweep strokes.

The final part of the class will be spent working on “wet exits” and group rescue practice, including a variety of methods of T-Rescue.  In addition to the on-water portions of the class you will also receive detailed instruction of kayak safety, proper dressing for paddling and equipment fit and selection.

Coastal Kayaking II

Student to instructor ratio: 5:1 max. —  $75/person

Step 2 on your path to better paddling skills. After an initial skills assessment, you will learn stroke enhancements that will help you turn better and travel forward with less energy expended. After a stroke tune-up, we'll introduce you to the high brace, which can help you further avoid those nasty immersions. Eskimo bow rescues, non-roll solo rescues (paddle rescue float, etc.) and the components of a successful Eskimo roll will then be covered during the "wet" session.

The Eskimo Roll

Student to instructor ratio: 3:1 — $75/person

If you can do a sweep stroke, a hip snap and have a reasonable high brace going for you, then you already know the parts of a sweep or screw roll. During this session, you will work one-on-one with a coach in the water for support to put the pieces together for a successful roll. You actively assist in the coaching process of others so you can see what works and what doesn't.

The Surf Zone

Student to instructor ratio: 4:1 — $75/person

This is rock n' roll in a kayak. For students with reasonable bracing skills, the surf zone is a playground. Emphasis will be on having a blast while learning surf launches and landings, wave riding etiquette, bracing, side surfing and carving. That ought to be enough to fill your helmet. Yahoo!

Wilderness First Aid

Dates and Costs TBA

In the backcountry, the extra time it takes to get to medical care can make small problmes into big ones. Learn how to recognize and prevent medical emergencies, and ways to cope with illness and injury in the wilderness.

Ocean Training Program - Budget Instructional Trips in Alaska

We are proud to co-sponsor this program facilitated by Tom Pogson of Alaska Kayak School. Tom is a well known BCU coach level 4 and is just plain talented. This program is designed for independent paddlers looking to increase their paddling skills, gain some ocean experience and do it all against the beautiful Alaskan backdrop of Kachemak Bay.

Big tides, marine animals, a halo of snow-capped peaks, Homer brews and maybe even a paddle-up-espresso bar provide context for this training program leading to the BCU 3 star sea award or ACA level 3. It is a personalized individual coaching program to "shepherd" paddlers to their 3 star assessment.

Lower 48 paddlers should look for 4-night/5-day wilderness tours starting at $650. This includes: 5-days instruction on a 4-night expedition and all kayaking gear, including drysuits. this is quality gear...Kokatat drysuits, Werner and Lendal paddles and kayaks by Valley and Nigel Dennis. You save money by providing your own food and camping gear.

If you've ever wanted to paddle in Alaska, this is your chance to get a wilderness fix, increase your proficiency and have blast in one of the most beautiful places on earth for relatively few dollars.

Dates by arrangement. Additional services like food, help with transport and lodging may be available for additional cost. Check out: http://www.alaskakayakschool.com/news.htm#training

Uncommon Adventures PO Box 254 Beulah, Michigan 49617 Map It Toll Free: 1-866-882-5525       Local: (231) 882-5525 e-mail: info@uncommonadv.com