SAKONNET BOATHOUSE 2004 INSTRUCTIONAL SCHEDULE

The Sakonnet Boathouse is the perfect place to launch your paddling experience. Our certified instructors hold classes covering all the basic and advanced techniques to ensure your safety and enjoyment of your kayaking experiences. Please contact us for more information, details, and custom instructional packages.

For kayak fishing instruction please visit our affiliates at Newport's Saltwater Edge!

All instructional programs are taught by ACA certified instructors.
The use of the boat and equipment for the lesson are included in the program cost.
For more information please refer to the Lesson, Tour, & Rental Policies
and the Reservations, Deposits & Refunds sections.

Interested in the fun and excitement of kayaking? Let us introduce you to it with this 3½ hour class! We will start on land by getting familiarized with each other and our equipment. Once on the water, we will cover the basic strokes to get you going. Then, within the protected waters of Blue Bell Cove, we will practice wet exits and re-entry techniques. We will focus on making you more comfortable and confident for your next kayaking adventure!

This course is designed for graduates of our Introduction to Kayaking class. We will cover advanced strokes and skills including braces, leaned sweeps, brace turns, and additional group rescues. Completion of the Intro and Extended Intro classes is equivalent to completion of the Coastal Sea Kayaking I course.

Our coastal kayaking courses are designed for the paddler interested in ocean touring. Level I is a full day program focusing on paddle strokes, safety skills, and seamanship development. We will learn and refine basic strokes (forward, reverse, sweeps, bracing turns, and recovery), solo and assisted rescue techniques, and rules of the nautical road. Price includes lunch.

Coastal II goes beyond the basics to prepare students to safely paddle in coastal areas. Basic chart reading as well as navigational skills and tools will be introduced. We will also cover advanced strokes, more rescues, and stroke combinations to maneuver a kayak in tidal currents. Emphasis will be placed on efficiency of strokes and boat handling. Price includes lunch.

Rock gardens, waves, and surf, oh my! This course is a practical and fun application of all the information learned in Coastal I & II. We will start the day with a discussion of wave and beach dynamics. Next, we will warm up with bracing and rescues. Based on the conditions of the day, we will learn how to comfortably handle our kayaks in various rough water situations. Wetsuits and helmets will be provided. Please arrive at the Boathouse 30 minutes early to allow for travel time to Sakonnet Point. Price includes lunch.

The Eskimo Roll is the ultimate form of self-rescue and a lot of fun! We provide individual attention and a low (2:1) student to instructor ratio to teach you the mechanics of rolling. This class will help you to become more comfortable in your boat and in the surf.

Explore the adrenaline side of this sport! In this class we will use whitewater kayaks which are ideally suited for playing in the ocean surf. These short, highly rockered kayaks turn the surf zone into a fun zone. Whitewater kayaks and equipment are included.

Private instruction is available. We are happy to work with you or your group in designing a custom program to suit your needs. Sakonnet Boathouse instructors can help you brush up on the basics, give you a roll clinic, or teach children over 8 kayak safety. Private lessons are charged on an hourly basis and have a two hour minimum.

• We require a 50% deposit when signing up for a lesson or tour, 100% for rental
• Each participant in a lesson, tour, or rental must read and sign a release of liability before the activity.
• Renters must also provide group contact information and sign an equipment use, abuse & loss agreement.
• For tours and lessons there is a 2 person on-site and 4 person off-site minimum for the activity to run and a 5 person maximum per guide or instructor.
• Children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult in a tandem kayak for tours or rentals. Private lessons for children over 8 years old can be arranged.
• All tours or lessons run rain or shine unless deemed unsafe by the guide or instructor. Rentals can be cancelled due to weather at the discretion of the Boathouse staff.
• Participants should show up 15 minutes early to fill out paperwork (30 minutes early for lessons and tours during wetsuit weather).
• We will take 10% off the cost of a lesson or tour if the participant brings their own boat and gear. The gear must include a PFD and paddle for tours or those items plus a pump and paddle float for lessons.

As stated above a 50% deposit is required when making a reservation for a lesson or tour, 100% for a rental. Reservations can be made in person or over the phone and through e-mail using a credit card. Gift certificates can be applied towards the price of a lesson, tour, or rental. If the customer cancels their reservation 7 or more days in advance we will provide a full refund. If notice is given between 1 and 6 days prior to the event we will issue store credit for the full amount of the deposit. With less than 24 hours notice no refund will be given. If it becomes necessary for the Sakonnet Boathouse to cancel an event a full refund or store credit for the full amount will be given.

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