Course description and objectives
Beginning Kayaking covers the basic skills of the sport: getting in and out of the kayak, Eskimo rescues, Eskimo rolls, paddling, river safety and reading whitewater.  Students will develop a foundation in basic kayaking skills and learn to kayak safely in the swimming pool.

Course requirements and evaluation criteria
Students will be graded on attendance and participation, a practical exam, and a written test:
Attendance 50%
Practical exam 25%
Written Test 25%

Attendance:  Come to class – there are no “excused absences”.  A student whom misses a class may make up for the absence by attending the Kayaking Lab (described below); attendance at one lab session will make up for one missed class.

Practical exam of the skills:  During the 15th week of class, students will demonstrate their ability to perform skills learned throughout the semester.  An instructor will individually evaluate each student.

Written test:  During the last week of class, students will take a written test.

Schedule
All classes meet in the Reed Gym Pool unless scheduled otherwise.
1st Class  Introductions and wet exits
2nd Class Forward paddling/river hydraulics and strategies
3rd Class Eddy turns
4th Class Eddy turns
5th Class Eskimo rescue
6th Class Towing rescue and review for river trip
7th Class Hip rolls with milk jugs
8th Class Eskimo rolls/movie
9th Class Eskimo rolls/movie
10th Class Eskimo rolls
11th Class Sculling draw stroke/rolls
12th Class Straight draw stroke/rolls
13th Class Braces
14th Class Deep-water rescue and skill review
15th Class Practical skill test
16th Class Final written exam

Kayak Lab
The Kayak Lab (Open Kayaking) will be on Thursdays from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, October 19 to December 7.  The lab is open to students and their guests.  Instructors will be present to help with skill development.

Weekend River Trips
Half-day river trips will be held.  (Dates will be determined each semester)   The river trips are optional, but students are strongly encouraged to attend.  Whitewater kayaking is a river, not a pool, experience - try to go on a weekend trip.

 Equipment
We recommend nose plugs for the pool and river sessions.  Tennis shoes will be required on the weekend float trip.

Text
There is no required text.  Handouts will be distributed in class.  Additional reading materials are available at the Outdoor Program Office.

The Additional Fee
The class fee is used for equipment purchase and upkeep.

Risk acknowledgement and release of liability waiver
Activity and dance technique classes involve inherent risk.  With this in mind, all SSPED activity and dance class students are required to read and sign the attached risk acknowledgment and release of liability waiver prior to class participation.

Reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities
If you have a diagnosed disability or believe that you have a disability that might require “reasonable accommodation” on the part of the instructor, please call the Director of the Center of Services for Students with Disabilities at 282-3599.  As a part of the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the responsibility of the student to disclose a disability prior to requesting reasonable accommodation