Pika Training
Rick has been busy arranging some pool sessions for those who want to brush up on their skills. Rick has reserved the Tong Louie YMCA Pool (located on the corner of 152nd and Highway 10 in Surrey) for four Saturday evenings from 8:30 to 10:00 p.m. One more session on March 13 is available. This will be a beginners session, so one more opportunity to work on wet exits, basic rescues, etc. If we get the required six people to participate, this will be the last of the pool sessions for this Spring. It would be good to see some of the folks attend who could not make the first two sessions. There is a limit of 6 boats per session so sign up early. Contact Rick at 604-853-5878 or by email: beckettrick@hotmail.com.Training and safety are a big part of kayaking. PIKA offers ongoing sessions covering a variety of topics, from speakers at our monthly meeting to on-water weekends. Here's some of our training offered:
Weather
What you need to know, from a trip leader's perspective, to make the Go-No Go decision: What is more important, wind or rain?; based on observations and weather reports, how are conditions likely to change for the duration of the planned trip?Navigation
For any extended trip, navigation skills are important. Even for shorter trips, understanding tides and currents--especially when considering narrow passages, is essential for a vessel capable of only a few knots top speed. Coverage of the topic ranges from a speaker presentation at a monthly meeting to a day course, to an on-water weekend.Kayaking skills
Paddling skills are obviously essential to a safe, enjoyable experience. PIKA offers a variety of ways to improve your skills. These range from beginner's training covering all aspects of kayaking, to Eskimo rolling classes for advanced paddlers. In between are sessions to improve your paddling strokes, rescue techniques, and general practice sessions for all levels. Pool sessions are offered during winter months based on availability of facilities.- Here is an excellent primer on the theory of rolling. It has diagrams of several different methods that may help people to understand the concept. -- Here
07.02.2007. 20:18