Kayak Navigation

Kayak Navigation

Who: This navigation course is set up for beginners looking to learn the basics of kayak navigation. It is also a great course to review and practice kayak navigation for those with prior experience.

When: This course will be held in a five-week session. The best way to learn this skill is repetition. Look to the calendar for upcoming events.

Where: We will meet each week for a classroom session before we head out onto protected waters. This course is done in the evenings and we will be paddling in low light conditions, so proper boat lighting is required and a red lensed light for on water chart reading is recommended.

What: 5 weeks of using navigation aids, practical navigation out on the water and other navigational skill building exercises.

Cost: $100 for all five or $25 per week, plus you must provide your own navigational tools.

Recommended navigational equipment:

• Navigation dividers
• Headlamp (red lens recommended)
• Boat lighting required by the USCG
  
• Parallel rule
• Hand held and deck mounted compass
• Lead pencil, wax pencil, and an eraser
• Nautical Chart #1
• Note pad
• Stop watch/something to keep track of your paddling time
  
• Kayak navigation books: Sea kayak navigation: by Franco Ferrero, Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation by: David Burch, How to read a Nautical Chart by: Nigel Calder.
  

Other helpful items:

· Three ring binder

· Coffee or tea

· GPS (there will be one evening utilizing the GPS unit, but they are not mandatory)