The Paddling Environment:

• Wind

• Types of strokes: power, turning & bracing

• Waves

• Stroke components: catch, propulsion, recovery, control and correction

• Weather

• Effective Body Usage and Bio-Kinetics

• Water

• Use of larger torso muscles

Personal Preparation:

• Arms as struts connecting paddle to torso

• Personal Ability

• Avoidance of positions that contribute to shoulder injury or dislocations

• Swimming Ability

• Water comfort & confidence

• Launching, carries, landing 

• Fitness, conditioning, and warm up

• Water confidence and comfort 

• Safe paddle and boat handling

• Rescue Priorities: People, gear, & boats 

• Safety and rescue considerations

• The Terminology of Paddling (frequently blended in with stroke instruction)

• Personal equipment (reviewed by Instructor)

• Types of strokes: power, turning & bracing

• Judgment. In addition to learning hard skills, the importance of developing personal judgment and group responsibility increases on more difficult paddling venues.

• The Terminology of Paddling (frequently blended in with stroke instruction) 

Water Comfort:

• Types of strokes: power, turning & bracing 

• Launching, carries, landing

• Stroke components: catch, propulsion, recovery, control and correction

• Water confidence and comfort

• Stroke components: catch, propulsion, recovery, control and correction

• Wet exits

• Effective Body Usage and Bio-Kinetics

• How to empty a kayak

• Use of larger torso muscles

• Rescue Priorities: People, gear, & boats

• Arms as struts connecting paddle to torso

• Avoidance of positions that contribute to shoulder injury or dislocations