KAYAKING CLASSES

Beginning Kayaking - PEAC 175 A

Class Times: Tuesdays 5:00 – 5:50pm, 6:00 – 6:50 pm or 7:00 – 7:50pm
Class Location: Reed Gym Pool
Class Instructor: Dana Olson, 282-3912
Class Duration: Full Semester Fall or Spring
Recommended equipment: Nose plugs

Class Description:
The beginning kayak class is a basic introduction to the skills needed to kayak in a river or open water. Skills covered during this class are Introduction to the Kayak, Eskimo Roll, Eskimo Rescue, Buddy Rescue, Forward Paddling, Draw Strokes, Eddy Turns, and Bracing.
The Kayak Handbook and video covers Water Hydraulics, Kayak Equipment, Hypothermia, River Safety, Considerations for River Trips and Classifications of Rivers. Be ready to get wet on the first day of class.
A weekend river trip allows students to try their new skills on the river. The river trip is not required, but one should remember that kayaking is not a pool sport.

Intermediate Kayaking - PE 284

Class Description:
The Intermediate class takes the skills from the Beginning Kayak Class and takes the kayaker to the next level. Time is spent on improving skills already learned and adding additional skills such as duffek turns, different styles of rolling and other useful paddling skills.

Fall Semester
Class Times: Thursday 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Class Location: Reed Gym Pool
Class Instructor: Dana Olson, 282-3912
Class Prerequisites: ISU’s Beginning Kayaking or prior experience.
Class Duration: First Eight Weeks

The first night is spent in the pool reviewing skills then the next four weeks are spent at the Aberdeen/Springfield Canal learning to use the skills used in the pool and applying them to the river. This includes eddy turns, ferrying and surfing. The class also spends a weekend on Alpine Canyon taking the skills learned on the canal to a larger river.

Spring Semester
Class Times: Thursday 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Class Location: Reed Gym Pool
Class Instructor: Dana Olson, 282-3912
Class Prerequisites: ISU’s Beginning Kayaking or prior experience.
Class Duration: Four weeks with a required weekend outing.

The spring intermediate kayaking meets for three weeks in the pool followed by one evening on moving water then a weekend river trip to the Snake River near the town of Hagerman. The weekend trip includes an overnight campout at Miracle Hot Springs. You must attend all sessions in order to receive credit.